Looking for more revenue, the city could begin to tighten the reins when it comes to stormwater exemptions by conducting random, on-the-spot inspections.
There are 609 parcels in Cape Coral receiving full exemptions, though city staff admitted on Monday night that inspections of the properties are never conducted.
Mayor John Sullivan said there is probably extra revenue floating around out there and now is the time to scoop it up.
“Right now we’re hungry for revenue,” he said.
Councilmember Chris Chulakes-Leetz suggested that some properties with exemptions could be observed by city staff.
The question of whether staff time would be best served in such a search was broached, but ultimately solved by the idea of random inspections.
“A random selection would probably move us forward and get us closer to knowing whether we should do this on a regular basis,” said interim City Manager Carl Schwing.
It was not made immediately clear, however, how much revenue stood to be gained from the stormwater exemptions.
Sullivan was also taken to task by two local businessmen for comments he made during a city council discussion.
While in the midst of sharing his thoughts about the future of K-C’s River Stop, and whether the location could support an upscale eatery, Sullivan said of Rumrunner’s at Cape Harbour:
“I heard Rumrunner’s is in trouble. I don’t know if it’s true, but the story is out there.”
Following the administrative items on Monday’s agenda, Jeff Gately, a Rumrunner’s co-owner, and Cape Harbour developer Will Stout addressed Sullivan’s comment in the public forum.
Both were adamant that Sullivan’s comment was wrong, merely a piece of false innuendo that was registered as fact by stating it on the public record.
Gately said that to hear Sullivan disclose financial or legal information in such a fashion is “troubling.”
“For you to say we’re in trouble without substantiated information is horrible,” he told Sullivan.
Gately added that he is very proud to be a Cape Coral citizen and proud to do business in the Cape.
The mayor apologized for his comments as did several other members of city council.