SWFL.io - Local NewsCape Coral city leaders approved a contract with Dynamic South to construct a 250-foot flagpole at Bernice Braden Park.
It follows a divided 5-3 vote, with the project fully funded through donations.
Dynamic South, a cell-tower company, will design and install the flagpole. While the company has not previously built a flagpole, City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn says Dynamic South has worked on installing tower antennas and equipment inside flagpoles in the past.
Cape Coral's 250-foot flagpole will not include antennas. It will be a free-standing flagpole.
A major topic of conversation during discussion of the contract with Dynamic South was the maintenance costs.
The city manager anticipates between $15,000 and $16,000 run costs to maintain the flagpole.
The contract includes two flags, and possibly more in the future. Each new flag costs $14,000 if ordered ahead of time. Maintenance also includes LED lights and any Halyard repairs.
The city manager has proposed an annual Memorial Day fundraiser to help cover costs such as lighting and electric expenses.
Some council members believe that maintaining the flagpole will be no different from the hundreds of flags already maintained across the city.
"We're already maintaining a flag there, and we're going to have a very unique and special flag there commemorating our 250th," council member Bill Steinke said.
"I don't really care for it. But he [city manager] has checked all the boxes. It will put us on the map. He's done it. And that's not something that is going to kill the city with all the bigger things we have to do," said council member Derrick Donnell.
Other council members argue that taxpayers should not bear the maintenance costs.
"I still-- I'm struggling with this. I'm very appreciative that we have a donor to backstop the project. However, we were very clear that taxpayer dollars should not be used for this project," council member Rachel Kaduk said. "We know that the initial construction may be covered through donations, but it is going to come with an ongoing cost. We have maintenance upkeep year after year, forever."
City leaders have stated that 113 donors have already contributed 56% of the costs, now at $281,221 in donations.
The city manager confirmed that the $420,000 contract amount has been wired into escrow. The city says a donor wired the necessary funds to pay for the contract, and the city will pay the donor back as fundraising continues.
The city plans to continue fundraising through July 4, with any extra money going toward paying down the contract with Dynamic South.
The city will continue fundraising efforts to cover the remaining balance.
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