Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025
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Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025
The Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting on November 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a presentation from the Boca Raton Garden Club, approval of the consent agenda, a major discussion on the Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity (One Boca), quasi-judicial public hearings for the Residences at Martin Manor Phase II (affordable housing project), adoption of an anchoring ordinance, a budget amendment, and introduction of ordinances for the Atrium CIMD project. Public comments were heard on multiple items. The council also received a report on the October 26 storm event.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of meetings on October 27, October 28, November 4 (workshop and regular), 2025.
- Approved consent agenda items: Fire Rescue Bunker Gear ($250,000), Technology Solutions ($314,991), Resolution 168-2025 (Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Report), Resolution 169-2025 (Construction Manager at Risk for Coastal Projects), Resolution 170-2025 (Fire Training Tower), and acceptance of board resignations. All approved 5-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Government Campus Redevelopment (Item 10): Over 20 residents spoke. Supporters emphasized the need for modern facilities, financial benefits (projected $4.1 billion in revenue over 99 years), and the opportunity to revitalize the area around the Brightline station. Opponents cited loss of green space, increased traffic, concerns about the developer (Terra Frisbee), and questioned the financial projections and discount rate. Some raised ethical concerns about lobbyists and consultants. Notable speakers: Christina Broker (support), Michael Massarella (support, warned about charter amendment), Richard Warner (opposed), John Perlman (opposed, criticized council), and others.
- Martin Manor Phase II (Item 11): John Perlman and Richard Warner opposed, arguing that the project displaces low-income residents and that the developer has poor reviews. The applicant confirmed that all 95 original units are being replaced and residents have the right to return.
- Anchoring Ordinance (Item 12A): No public comments.
- Budget Amendment (Item 12B): John Perlman opposed the transfer of $12.7 million from the building permit fund to the general fund, arguing it should be used for a new building services building.
- Public Requests: David Klayman presented a concept for a citizen responder network (Neighbor 911). John Perlman again criticized the Terra Frisbee deal.
Discussion Items
- Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity: Staff (Mr. Lucasik) and CBRE (Mike McShea, Leanne Corse) presented an updated plan. The revised proposal reduces development from 1.6 million to 1.1 million square feet, relocates all private development east of NW 2nd Avenue, and includes public facilities (police/fire substation, 30,000-35,000 sq ft community center, new city hall, tennis center, and expanded Memorial Park). Financial projections: ground rent of $1.9 billion (non-discounted), present value $158 million; total revenue $4.1 billion over 99 years, present value $353 million. Public costs estimated at $198 million. Council members discussed discount rate, transfer fees, and risks. Next steps: ballot language on December 2, public review, and referendum on March 10, 2026.
- Martin Manor Phase II (Items 11A1-3): Three interrelated applications: Ordinance 5742 (future land use map amendment), Resolution 121-2025 (site plan amendment, variances, and technical deviation for parking reduction from 398 to 259 spaces), and Resolution 171-2025 (conditional use for a museum). Staff recommended approval. Applicant Ellie Zacharitis highlighted the preservation of a 1940s building as a museum dedicated to the history of Dixie Manor. Council approved all three after public hearing and discussion.
- Anchoring Ordinance (Item 12A): Ordinance 5756 restricts nighttime anchoring to 30 days within any rolling 6-month period, as authorized by Florida law. Approved.
- Budget Amendment (Item 12B): Ordinance 5758, the fourth budget amendment for FY 2024-25, adjusts the fire rescue budget ($1.2 million), recognizes additional retirement sustainability funds ($1.2 million), and transfers $12.7 million from the building permit fund to the general fund and capital projects fund. Approved.
- Introduction of Ordinances: Ordinances 5759 and 5760 for the Atrium CIMD project (land use change and rezoning at 1700 Clint Moore Road) were introduced for first reading.
- City Manager Report on October 26 Storm: Mr. Beer reported that 10.5 inches of rain fell in 2.5 hours, resulting in over 950 calls to dispatch, 10,000+ text alerts, 100+ abandoned vehicles, and 68 tows. The stormwater system performed as designed. Ongoing ISIP projects in affected areas were highlighted.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved 5-0.
- Government Campus: No vote taken; discussion only; next steps set for December 2 meeting.
- Martin Manor Phase II: Ordinance 5742 adopted 5-0; Resolution 121-2025 adopted 5-0; Resolution 171-2025 adopted 5-0 (with an amendment to delete the condition limiting museum employees to one, including volunteers).
- Anchoring Ordinance 5756: Adopted 5-0.
- Budget Amendment 5758: Adopted 5-0.
- Ordinances 5759 and 5760: Introduced for first reading.
- Public Requests: No action taken.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to a regular meeting of the Boca Ratone City Council. It is Tuesday, November 18th. The time is six November 18, 2025. The time is 6 p.m. Our first item of business is the invocation, and I will ask Deputy Mayor Knackless to deliver it, please. Thank you, Mayor Singer. This evening, let us give thanks for all who have gathered here with us and joining us online. Grant us the wisdom to govern amid the conflicting interests and issues we're presented with today, recommitting ourselves to working together to build a better future for all. May we always have a sense of the welfare and genuine needs of our residents and confidence in what is good and true. Bless us with the ability to work together in harmony, even when there's honest disagreement. And may we be guided by the principles of compassion, understanding, and respect. May all of us here speak out when it's time to speak out and listen patiently and receptively when it's time to listen. Let us always be thankful for all who protect our city, state, and nation, and may we always be guided by the spirit of community, by the spirit of justice, and by the honor of serving our beloved city of Boca Ratone. Thank you. Thank you. Our next item of business is the Pledge of Allegiance, and we're very pleased to have uh from Troop 335 of Scouting from the Weebelows. We have both John and Jane. And if you'd like to uh well you can do it there, but you should face the flag though. Um if you'll lead us in the pledge, and everyone please join in. Pledge allegiance, one nation. Liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. Our next item of business is the roll call. Would you please call the roll? Mayor Singer. Here. Deputy Mayor Knackless. Here. Councilmember Drucker. Here. Councilmember Thompson. Thankful to be here. Councilmember Winkter. Here. All present. Thank you. Do we have any amendments to the agenda? Mr. Mayor, there are no amendments to the agenda. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is review of the minutes. We have four sets of minutes. The workshop meeting of October 27th, the regular meeting of October 28th, the workshop meeting of November 4th, and the regular meeting of November 4th, 2025. Are there any corrections or additions? Hearing none, we'll entertain a motion to approve all sets of minutes. So moved. Second. Thank you. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please say aye.
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