Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting - October 14, 2025

The Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 4:04 PM to 5:01 PM. The council approved the consent agenda (with one item removed), adopted a resolution extending the downtown campus interim agreement, introduced an ordinance regarding affordable housing regulations, and heard public comments on the downtown project and other matters.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda as amended, removing Item 9G (Resolution No. 156-2025 recommending BioStem Technologies, Inc. for incentives) at the request of the applicant for further review. The remaining items were approved unanimously (5-0). Items included: intergovernmental purchases for electrical MRO supplies and vehicles; sole source software renewals for public safety and administrative systems; resolutions for professional engineering services, recreational program providers, legal services extension, election announcement, architectural design services, and a grant for a National Battle of the Bands event; and board appointments to the Executive Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Downtown Campus Project (Resolution 155-2025): Several residents spoke during the public hearing on the resolution to extend the interim agreement with Terra/Frisbie.
  • John Perlman (498 NE A St.) expressed skepticism about the project, requesting that the extension include prohibitions on campaign contributions, require disclosure of Terra’s litigation history (specifically the Surfside lawsuit), and allow several months for public review of studies before a vote. He also questioned why the council would still vote on the project if it is going to a referendum.
  • Joe Majors (254 NE 5th St.) echoed concerns, arguing that the project is “a square peg in a round hole” and that the city should fund the campus itself rather than use a private developer. He noted that traffic is already congested downtown.
  • Pam Pashki (341 SW 2nd St.) warned of public anger over public land deals, citing a recent Miami-Dade controversy.
  • Brianna Hanquist (5710A Coach House Circle) opposed the Sugar Sand Park surveys, alleging destruction of urban forest and wildlife habitat, and requested a halt to preliminary work pending the referendum.
  • Jonathan Unjin (6501 Congress Ave.) supported the developer’s revised plan (preserving the park and building only on the east side) and urged the community to work with the developer to improve the plan.
  • Richard Warner (1322 SW 9th Terrace) expressed distrust of the ballot language and the city’s promotion of the project, arguing that the city should be neutral. He advocated for terminating the partnership.
• Public Requests: After the resolution vote, additional public comments were made.
  • Jonathan Unjin urged the city to expedite the referendum to restore trust, noting that the county’s claim that the next available election is March 2026 is upsetting.
  • John Perlman alleged that the city violated state law by advertising the One Boca project on its website and via Facebook ads after agreeing to put the project to a vote. He requested the city attorney respond in writing and asked that the city also promote SaveBoca.org to balance the messaging.
  • Richard Warner reiterated that the city’s promotional efforts are adversarial and alienating residents, and called for a complete halt to all work on the project until the vote.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 155-2025 – Extension of Interim Agreement with Terra/Frisbie: The council considered a resolution to extend the interim agreement for the Downtown Campus Redevelopment Project from October 31, 2025, to May 1, 2026, to allow for a referendum at the March 10, 2026, election. City Manager Lucasic explained that the extension is needed because the project timeline has shifted due to public feedback and evolving plans. The resolution does not change any other terms or create new obligations. City Attorney Kaler confirmed that ballot language must be submitted to the Supervisor of Elections by December 5, 2025, and depends on the final plan. The council heard public comments (see above).
  • Councilmember Thompson reiterated his opposition to the plan but supported the extension as a way to ensure transparency and a public vote. He again called for terminating the project entirely, but received no support. Mayor Singer and others argued that terminating would lead to stagnation and that the extension allows for continued public input and due diligence.
  • The council voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution.
• Introduction of Ordinance 5753: The council introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 28 (Zoning) to allow a combination of on-site and off-site non-residential uses to satisfy the CIMD requirement for including office, restaurant, or retail within 1/4 mile of the development, and to correct a scrivener’s error. No public comment was taken on introduction.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (5-0) with Item 9G removed.
• Resolution 155-2025 Adopted (5-0): Extends the interim agreement with Terra/Frisbie to May 1, 2026, to allow a referendum on the downtown campus project.
• Ordinance 5753 Introduced for future consideration.
• Public Requests: The mayor clarified that the city has not spent taxpayer money on social media advertising for One Boca. City Attorney Kaler explained that the city is bound by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections schedule; the next available election is March 10, 2026, because the December 9, 2025, special election ballot was already locked when the charter amendment was certified on October 2, 2025.
• Council Reports: Councilmember Drucker reminded residents of Brightline schedule expansions and Florida League of Cities legislative activities. Deputy Mayor Nachlas noted upcoming League of Cities committees on CRAs, ADUs, and the Live Local Act. No other reports were made.