Committee of the Whole Meeting - February 11, 2026

The Committee of the Whole meeting of the Cape Coral City Council on February 11, 2026, covered several procurement-related and policy topics. Key procurement discussions included the proposed lease agreement with the Cape Coral Rowing Club for use of approximately 11,300 square feet at Tropicana Park, with council members emphasizing the need for a resilient perimeter fence, clear operational hours, and financial responsibility on the club for improvements. The council also reviewed proposed changes to the special events ordinance, including extending application deadlines and enhancing enforcement provisions. Additionally, the council considered establishing a special revenue fund to track revenues and expenses related to residential rental registration fees, favoring this approach for transparency and accountability. Other agenda items involved amendments to fence and wall regulations, with discussions on retaining wall heights and visual impact, and considerations for temporary and permanent storage containers, balancing innovation with aesthetics and safety. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to addressing concerns about unlicensed contracting and permitting delays, with council members expressing support for enhanced enforcement, potential funding mechanisms such as a permit fee surcharge, and improved transparency through detailed permitting data reporting. The city manager and staff committed to providing more comprehensive data and exploring partnerships with state agencies to improve enforcement. The meeting concluded with scheduling the next regular council meeting and adjournment.