Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – May 13, 2025

The Boca Raton City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included the approval of minutes, passage of the consent agenda, an update and public comment on the Government Campus partnership opportunity, a quasi-judicial hearing for Resolution 63-2025, public requests, introduction of an ordinance, and council member reports. The meeting adjourned at 6:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved were the workshop minutes of April 21, 2025, and the regular meeting minutes of April 22, 2025.
• Consent Agenda: Approved by a vote of 5-0. The agenda included a single item: a board resignation.

Public Comments & Testimony

Government Campus Partnership Opportunity (Agenda Item 10):

• Steve Zoom Tobel (840 O'Leander Street) expressed concern that the city's direction is becoming like Aventura, losing its charm. He noted that over 1,800 apartments are available for rent and questioned the need for more housing. He cited traffic congestion and criticized the density of the proposed plan, urging the council to maintain green space and not sell out to developers.
• Ivan Zum Tobel (840 Oleander Street), a member of the Historic Preservation Board, opposed mixing a government campus with retail, condos, and hotels. He argued that the plan is too dense, destroys historic trees, and that the current designs lack the city's historical character. He questioned why the city is working with a developer and whether community center classes will become more expensive.
• Michael Welch (825 Alamanda) stated that traffic is out of hand and the council is making quick decisions that ruin the character of the town. He criticized the council for not listening to residents.
• Steve Griffith (123 North Ocean Boulevard) echoed concerns about traffic, safety, and overdevelopment. He suggested building City Hall at an alternate location, such as the current building, and keeping the green space downtown. He also noted an increase in property assessments and questioned the financial benefit of the plan.

Public Requests (Agenda Item 14):

• Steve Griffith requested a biennial review of retirement benefits under the General Employees Pension Board, stating that since 2013 retirees have not received any cost-of-living adjustment, while other city pension branches have. He also asked why general employees were excluded from supplemental pay benefits recently granted to other branches.
• Dennis Popaca (736 NE 71st Street) supported Griffith's comments, noting he retired in 2013 and has received no COLA. He also raised concerns about derelict boats in Lake Boca Raton, requesting enforcement of anchoring time limits to free up space for residents.

Discussion Items

• Government Campus Partnership Opportunity (Agenda Item 10):
  • Staff Presentation: Mr. Lucasik provided an update on the timeline and upcoming decision points. He outlined four financial models to be delivered shortly, individual council meetings, and a public workshop on May 27. He described four options for a downtown City Hall, ranging from a ceremonial-only facility to a full City Hall including Development Services. Staff is also analyzing short-term relocation options (five now under consideration), costs of staying on site versus moving, and a revised master plan from Terra Frisbee received that day. He emphasized that negotiations with property owners for short-term space are ongoing and that specific terms cannot be discussed publicly yet.
  • Council Questions: Council Member Thomson clarified the four City Hall options: (1) ceremonial only, (2) partial City Hall with some administrative functions, (3) full City Hall excluding Development Services, (4) full City Hall including Development Services. Lucasik confirmed that staff is also exploring the possibility of a smaller City Hall with leased space for overflow.
  • Responses to Public Comment: City Manager Brown addressed concerns, explaining that the goal is to create a vibrant civic space downtown, similar to the historic use of the City Hall area. He noted that one banyan tree appears sick but the rest are healthy, and the developer's plan includes a banyan tree area. The new plan from Terra Frisbee will be posted on the city's website. Mayor Singer added that the current City Hall and community center are past their useful life, and the proposed redevelopment would create a thriving civic square near the Brightline station. He emphasized that the council favored the least dense option and that traffic studies are underway.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Resolution 63-2025 (Boca Technology Center DRI Amendment): Approved 5-0. This resolution reduces the DRI acreage from 224.44 acres to 217.84 acres, removing the 6.6-acre Tri-Rail station property to allow for a previously approved mixed-use development (CIMD: 340 units, 10% affordable, 5% workforce housing, 30,000 sq ft commercial). The Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval on April 17, 2025.
• Introduction of Ordinance No. 5734: This ordinance amends the FY 2024-2025 budget (second budget amendment). It was introduced by Council Member Wigder with no further discussion.
• Board Appointments: Deferred to the next meeting due to lack of qualified applicants (AIA architect and electrical engineer needed for Historic Preservation and Permitting/Construction Review Boards).
• Council Member Reports: Council Member Wigder recognized sanitation engineer Michael Thomas for quick action in responding to a garbage truck fire, potentially saving the city a $326,000 replacement cost. Council Member Drucker raised the issue of federal offshore oil drilling and suggested the council either adopt a specific resolution or add explicit language to the 2025 state/federal legislative priorities. City Manager Brown will provide information on the pros and cons. Council Member Thomson wished good luck to the local Little League All-Stars. Mayor Singer highlighted the city's centennial celebration and Boca100.com for centennial merchandise and events.
• Next Meeting: The next council workshop, CRA, and regular meeting will be held on May 27, 2025, beginning at 8:00 AM, with the downtown campus discussion scheduled first.