Bicycle Registration Program

The following is from Officer Keith Mason, regarding the City of Naples’ new Bicycle Registration Program:

The Naples Police and Fire Department wants to remind you to always lock up your bicycle when you leave it unattended. Each year we receive several bicycle thefts reports. Many times the bicycles were left unlocked and unattended in front of a store or other location where the owner figured they would be quickly in and out. Other times they are on the victim’s property but left in the front yard or visible from the road way. These are often crimes of opportunity. The unattended property is often viewed as an easy target so we ask that you remove the opportunity whenever possible.

In an attempt to help victims of bicycle theft, the Naples Police and Fire Department has implemented a bicycle registration program. The program is designed to help in the identification of lost or stolen bicycles. Participating bicycle owners will provide their contact information and a detailed description of their bicycle(s) on the Bicycle Registration Form. Once the form is returned to the Police Department, the bicycle owner will receive a registration sticker for each bicycle registered. If you bring the bicycle to the station we will place the sticker on your bicycle, otherwise we will give the sticker to you and show you how to properly affix it. Then, if we find a bicycle which has been registered, we will easily be able to locate the owner.

You can register more than one bicycle, but each must be on a separate Bicycle Registration Form as each bicycle will receive its own identification number.

Bicycle registration is open to everyone, you do not have to be a city resident.

To get started you can stop by the main lobby of the department for a copy of the form or download one right now.

So what are you waiting for? Registering your bicycle is easy and the program is completely free.

MLK Day events in the City

The City of Naples has two official MLK Day events planned, if you’re interested in attending, or would just like to know where the traffic will be. They are a parade (from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), and a MLK Day celebration (immediately following the parade), in Cambier Park until 4 p.m.

Naples City Planning Questionnaire

The City of Naples is in the process of updating its existing neighborhood action plans, which were originally created in 1996.

You can participate in the updating of these plans by filling out a planning questionnaire, which asks about specific concerns for the city and for your neighborhood.

Phase III watering restrictions: Just the FAQs, ma’am

Phase III watering restrictions are in effect. Here are some answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.

QUESTION: When can I water my newly planted landscaping and sod?

Answer: New plantings, sod or landscaping in place for 30 days or less can be watered:

• From 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, on properties less than five acres in size. Irrigation is not permitted on Fridays.
• From 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays on properties more than five acres in size. Irrigation is not permitted on Fridays.

New plantings, sod or landscaping in place for 31 to 60 days can be watered:

• From 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, on properties less than five acres in size. Irrigation is not permitted on Tuesdays or Fridays.
• From 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, on properties more than five acres in size. Irrigation is not permitted on Tuesdays or Fridays.

These rules permit new landscape watering only. Homeowners should keep documentation on any new landscaping, such as a dated receipt of purchase, in case they are required to provide proof of the installation date.

QUESTION: I water my lawn from a well, canal, pond or surface lake. Do these restrictions apply to me?

Answer: Yes. Surface and groundwater sources are connected. Water in lakes and canals helps to protect private and public wells from saltwater intrusion, and helps store rainfall to recharge wells and aquifers.

QUESTION: Can I hand-water my lawn?

Answer: Yes, you can hand water stressed plants and existing installations for 10 minutes per day using a single hose with an attached automatic shut off nozzle. New installations are not subject to this 10-minute rule, although voluntary watering reductions are encouraged.

QUESTION: What other low-volume watering methods are allowed?

Answer: Drip, bubble and micro-jet systems that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used at any time. However, a voluntary reduction in use is encouraged and any low-volume system should not produce water runoff. Watering cans are also low-volume and can be used anytime.

QUESTION: When can I wash my car or boat?

Answer: Anytime. Vehicle washing is not restricted. When washing a car, best water conservation practices are to park it over a non-paved or porous surface to limit water runoff, and always attach an automatic shut-off nozzle to your hose. Best water conservation practices are to limit boat rinsing to 15 minutes after it has been in saltwater.

QUESTION: My organization is scheduling a fundraising car wash. Do we need to apply for a variance?

Answer: No. There are no restrictions on vehicle washing. Best water conservation practices are to always attach automatic shut-off nozzles to hoses and, if possible, channel runoff water to a grassy area or porous surface.

QUESTION: When can I use a pressure washer?

Answer: Anytime. Pressure washing is not restricted. Best water conservation practices are to use low-volume equipment that produces water pressure of 1,000 pounds per square inch to 4,000 pounds per square inch. Channel runoff water onto the grass or another non-paved surface.

QUESTION: Is there some way I can get permission to change my watering day or times?

Answer: Yes. You may apply for a variance from water restrictions. However, you must demonstrate a hardship in complying with the restrictions and certify that you will implement an alternative method for achieving the target cutbacks.

Source: South Florida Water Management District

Beach parking

My, it’s hot.

It’s so hot that, even though it’s perfectly easy for Coquina residents to walk to the beach, we may, er, just decide to go ahead and drive there in our nice, air conditioned cars.

(We know — bad. So bad!)

Did you know the City has recently changed its policy regarding beach parking stickers? It’s nothing complicated or confusing; basically, the City and County have gotten together to issue stickers. But if your sticker’s getting ready to expire, you might be interested in the information below:

New Beach Parking Sticker Program

Effective March 1, 2007, the City and the County have changed to a common beach parking policy. Some of the changes to our process at the City of Naples are as follows:

• We require the applicant to complete a form for the parking sticker (forms were not required previously) and copies of these forms will be sent to the County, weekly.
• We collect $30 for stickers requested by non-property owners.
• We have stopped selling our $10 weekly passes.
• Stickers have a one-year life. Collier County will provide new batches of stickers to the City each month, with new dates.
• The sticker is the same for City residents, County residents or visitors.
• Old stickers that have already been issued will remain valid, but we will not be distributing them anymore.

City of Naples Code Red system

With “windy season” now fully underway, it might be a good time to register for the City of Naples Code Red emergency notification system, if you’ve not already done so.

This is the system that alerts residents, by telephone, of things like a mandatory evacuation, boil water notice, missing children and more.

You’re required to give your name, address, telephone number and it’s kept confidential. Click here to go to the site and register.