City Council Meeting - October 7, 2026

The October 7, 2026 regular meeting of the Cape Coral City Council included substantial procurement discussion, particularly protests of the City’s solid-waste services RFP. Coastal Waste and Recycling and incumbent Waste Pro alleged procedural and evaluation irregularities. Council motions to deny the protests failed; separate resolutions referring each protest to the Department of Administrative Hearings passed 6–2. No solid-waste contract award was made. Staff said Waste Pro’s current contract runs through September 30, 2027, and discussed the schedule and service-transition risks if the protest process delays a decision or the solicitation is rebid.

Council also held the first public hearing on Ordinance 55-26, a proposed Bimini East development agreement; it did not take final action, and a second hearing was set for October 21. Proposed terms include an estimated $500 million mixed-use project, a $24.3 million purchase price for City-owned land, $11 million in City contributions toward other parcels, up to $5 million in impact-fee credits, and City mobility-fund contributions toward public improvements. The proposal also includes a 99-year lease of Four Freedoms Park for $1 annually. Residents and council members raised concerns about project protections, park and preschool impacts, appraisals, and public costs. Council members also flagged disputed North Three utility-expansion assessments and roadway funding for further discussion; no procurement award or related vote was taken on those issues.