Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting - October 28, 2025

The Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included the invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, approval of minutes, board appointments, a consent agenda, a major discussion on the Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity, and multiple public hearings. Key topics included the presentation of a revised plan for the downtown government campus by Terra Frisbee, public comment overwhelmingly opposing the project, and council actions on two citizen-initiated petitions concerning the disposal of city-owned land.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the October 14, 2025 workshop and regular meetings.
• Reappointed Lynette Wright to the Boca Raton Housing Authority.
• Reappointed Diane King to the Civil Service Board.
• Reappointed Christina Gibson and Chris Halfrick to the Executive Employees' Retirement Plan.
• Approved a consent agenda including items on exotic vine removal ($255,000 budgeted), library materials ($300,000 budgeted), fire apparatus parts and service ($350,000 budgeted), and resolutions on incentives for BioStem Technologies ($300,000), school zone speed detection systems, water transmission grant funding, and a revocable license agreement for the Susan Whelchel Community Garden.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Lorraine Blank (545 NW 7th St) stated she filed a lawsuit against the city (Lorraine Blank v. City of Boca Raton) seeking an injunction against the Government Campus project, arguing the required cost-effectiveness analysis under the P3 statute is overdue. She reported 333 residents support her legal action, and the first court hearing is scheduled for December 12, 2025.
• David Kay (327 E Royal Palm Rd) expressed strong support for the redevelopment, arguing it is necessary to prevent Boca Raton's downtown from becoming outdated and derelict.
• Michael Connor (447 SW 8th Terrace) opposed the project, stating the city does not need to use its unique public land for apartments and that public-private partnerships are unnecessary because the city has strong credit and can fund improvements itself.
• Christina Broker (2391 NW 38th St) shared her family's five-generation history in Boca Raton and personal experiences with aging fields at Memorial Park. She expressed support for the One Boca plan, advocating for accelerating development on private parcels east of 2nd Avenue and adopting a "no-lost-seasons" guarantee for youth sports.
• Michelle Grau (4550 NW 23rd Terrace) opposed the project, claiming the developer's goal is profit for itself and that the city should do what is best for residents. She criticized the lack of disclosure of the project in the city's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and alleged a lack of transparency.
• Mike Massarello (139 NW 3rd St), a 67-year resident and small business owner, supported the project and starting development east of 2nd Avenue, citing the need for walkable infrastructure near the Brightline station. He also defended the city council against criticism.
• John Perlman (founder of Save Boca) (498 NE A St) thanked citizens for their opposition, stating they "saved Memorial Park." He argued the city can build its own park and city hall without giving away public land.
• Jonathan Ungjin (6501 Congress Ave) supported the referendum process, saying the community was not involved for too long and that residents should now voice their opinions on the plan.
• Alex Pollock (99 SE Mizner Blvd) criticized the plan's reliance on private development on public land, arguing the city can improve existing facilities without leasing land for condos, apartments, and hotels.
• Joe Majors (254 NE 5th St) argued that the city council works for the residents and should not hand over public land to a private developer. He stated 769 rental units, 186 condos, and 150,000 sq ft of office space are a developer benefit, not a public benefit.
• Mike Liebelson (398 NE 3rd Ct) focused on the need for financial guarantees for the developer's promises (estimated at $200 million), advocated for terminating the Terra Frisbee deal, and criticized the council for not focusing on traffic improvements and flood infrastructure. He denied the mayor's accusation of taking bribes.
• Yvonne Zoom Tobel (840 O'Leander St) argued the existing park is already vibrant and used daily. She characterized the development as being built for future residents, not current ones, and criticized the plan's density, traffic impacts, and costs.
• Steve Zoom Tobel (840 O'Leander St) alleged the council is following in the footsteps of a former mayor convicted of misuse of office, stated the plan is misleading, and accused the council of being influenced by developers.
• Richard Warner (1322 SW 9th Ter) criticized the council for not taking a direct vote on the citizen-initiated ordinance, calling the plan "disgusting and unnecessary" and accusing council members of being disingenuous.
• Harris Pollock (1905 SW 16th St) questioned why a private developer is needed when the city can borrow at 4% interest and has significant fund balances. He asked about covenants for maintenance funds, completion bonds, and personal guarantees from Terra Frisbee principals.
• Martha Parker (64 NW 7th St) raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, asking whether four council members share a public relations firm with Terra Frisbee. She also thanked city staff for flood response.
• Jan Schostrum (325 NW Spanish River Blvd) expressed concerns about density, traffic, parking, affordability, and the need for independent expert review of financial assumptions.
• Sean Powers (1527 SW 1st Ave) stated the city does not need more density downtown and that the staff should have known the cost per square foot for city hall and community center long ago.
• Jacob Abraham (540 NE Wave Crest Way) accused the council of ignoring residents' opposition to public-private partnerships and challenged the mayor to a public debate at the Mizner Park Amphitheater.
• Aphrodite Petanakis (1041 NE 5th Ave) criticized the promotional flyers sent by One Boca, saying they represent propaganda, and questioned why the project is not being put on hold given widespread opposition.
• Ellie Gascoigne (641 NW 15th Ct) opposed the plan, stating residents do not want the proposed buildings and that the developer is not truly listening. She suggested leaving the softball fields where they are and upgrading them.
• Heidi Clear (1001 NE 4th Ave) criticized the destruction of habitat for development and urged the council to restore trust between residents and elected leaders.
• Robert Ducate (85351 NW 3rd Ter) noted that the new pickleball facility at Patrick Park was built without a public-private partnership, and he echoed other speakers' support for building city facilities without giving away land.
• Judy Morrow (1305 NE 5th Ave) focused on the neglect of the Boca Raton Tennis Center and asked the council to fix existing facilities rather than move them.
• Elizabeth Decker (498 NW 7th Ave) argued the project is not "redevelopment" but development on green spaces. She reported that her home flooded on Sunday and linked flooding to increased paving and building.
• Vivian Lecher (100 NE Spanish Ct) opposed the sale of any parkland, recalling past attempts to sell Ocean Strand and Wildflower Park. She argued that children from the city cannot safely bicycle to Sugar Sand Park.
• Martin Bell (761 SW 3rd St) stated the existing park is already vibrant and used, and the city already has the money for upgrades from enhanced tax revenue without needing a private partner.
• Sylvia Dodell (953 NW 4th Ave) questioned the ever-changing profit projections, missing elements like the skate park and children's museum, and the cost of relocating the police station. She expressed fatigue at attending meetings and reiterated her call for the council to explain their persistent support.
• Barbara Cacaval Hodges (1131 SW 1st Way) asked the city to stop constant development, mentioning a proposal to rezone an R1 residential property for townhomes and requesting the city buy the land for a pocket park or school overflow parking.

Discussion Items

• Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity (Item 10A): The council heard a presentation from Rob Frisbee of the Frisbee Group (One Boca) on a revised proposal for the downtown government campus. Key elements included: no private development west of NW 2nd Avenue; leased area reduced from 31 acres to less than 8 acres east of 2nd Avenue near the Brightline Station; a 20% reduction in total square footage from the prior proposal (769 residential units, 186 condos, 150,000 sq ft office, 180-key hotel); and doubling of public recreational space from 7.6 to 15.4 acres. The proposal estimated total gross revenue of $3.8 billion over 99 years (net present value $370 million). The city staff reported they are evaluating the master plan, reviewing revenue projections, working on appraisals, re-evaluating infrastructure costs, and have engaged PFM as an independent financial consultant. Council members noted the plans are conceptual renderings and will go through further public input and approvals. Councilmember Wigder expressed appreciation for the enhanced park space and public input opportunities but cautioned that discounted cash flow analyses over long periods are not reliable.

• Ordinance 5753 (Item 12A): Staff presented a city-initiated text amendment to Section 28-1644 (CIMD regulations) to allow a combination of on-site and off-site non-residential uses to satisfy requirements for affordable/workforce housing projects. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval 7-0. Councilmember Wigder supported the ordinance as a common-sense fix to facilitate affordable housing. Councilmember Drucker expressed support but called for further discussion on increasing the affordable housing percentage. The ordinance was adopted 5-0.

• Resolutions 159-2025 & 160-2025 (Items 12B & 12C): Two citizen-initiated petitions (identical in substance) were considered: one as a proposed ordinance (159-2025) and one as a proposed charter amendment (160-2025), both requiring voter approval for the disposal of city-owned land greater than half an acre. The city attorney stated the charter allows the council to place the question on the ballot without a direct vote on the ordinance itself. After public comment urging a direct vote, the council voted 5-0 to send both measures to a special election on January 13, 2026 (amended from March 10, 2026). Councilmember Wigder opposed the language, citing unintended consequences for nonprofits like the Florence Fuller Center and for routine easements. Mayor Singer also opposed the language but supported sending it to voters. Councilmember Drucker supported putting it on the ballot but expressed concerns about the wording.

• Motion to postpone Resolution 159-2025 and introduce ordinance 5754 (early in meeting): Councilmember Thompson moved to postpone Resolution 159-2025 and instead introduce the related ordinance for a council vote. The motion failed for lack of a second.

• Introduction of Ordinance 5756 (Item 15A): Ordinance 5756, amending the city code to regulate prolonged or repeated nighttime anchoring of vessels, was introduced for first reading.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved by a 4-0 roll call vote (Mayor Singer temporarily absent).
• Ordinance 5753 adopted by a 5-0 vote.
• Resolution 159-2025 adopted by a 5-0 vote to place the ordinance on the January 13, 2026 ballot.
• Resolution 160-2025 adopted by a 5-0 vote to place the charter amendment on the January 13, 2026 ballot.
• Motion to postpone and introduce ordinance 5754 failed for lack of a second.
• Public Requests: Elizabeth Decker requested follow-up on a secondary storm drain in her neighborhood. City Manager Sohany confirmed staff would follow up. Anastasia Colis raised concerns about cybercrime and unaddressed police reports; Mayor Singer referred her to the police services department.
• City Manager Report: Mr. Sohany noted the city's stormwater system functioned as designed during the recent rain event; reminded the public to sign up for text alerts (text "alertboca" to 38276); and provided an update on school zone speed detection systems (328 violations issued since phase one implementation on October 16, 2025, with phase two awaiting county permits).
• Councilmember Reports: Councilmember Drucker alerted the council to a proposed Palm Beach County fire protection annexation bill, which the council agreed to oppose. Councilmember Wigder raised concerns about failing seawalls (e.g., on Jeffrey Street) and issues with e-bikes and e-motos requiring licensing.