Your city tax bill: A video

The City of Naples has put together this informational video about your tax bill. It outlines where your tax money goes.

Hurricane season predictions

Hurricane forecasters have scaled back their predictions for the 2009 season, and are now saying it will be an average season with 12 named storms, including six named storms, two of them major.

The full story is here.

We’ll be doing a first-ever hurricane season-oriented neighborhood newsletter the last week of May to help residents better prepare, whether they’re in town or out.

Authorities warn of seasonal “gypsy” burglars

Police are warning Naples-Collier County residents to be on the lookout for the return of “gypsy burglars,” which are a seasonal problem here in Florida.

Here’s how their operation usually runs:

The burglar teams pose as a utility company crew, a tree trimming service, driveway pavers, roofers, surveyors or other service workers and dress in clothing which resembles outfits worn by the company they claim to be with. The groups are also technologically savvy and often use communication devices, such as two-way radios or Nextel cellular phones to keep in touch while doing the “job.”

First, one the team members would approach a victim at their home and either talk them into coming outside or distract them into an area within the residence where they cannot see if anyone else enters. At that point the other members of the team would enter the home without the victim’s knowledge and steal cash, jewelry and other valuables. Once the team has completed the theft, they contact their accomplice via radio and meet back at their vehicle.

You can click here to read the whole story from the Naples Daily News.

Naples Police blotter blog

The Naples Police have unveiled a new blotter blog to provide information about recent crimes and arrests. It’s here, if you’d like to view it.

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.