Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – December 2, 2025

The City Council held a regular meeting on December 2, 2025, starting at 6:09 PM and adjourning shortly after 1:00 AM on December 3. The meeting covered board appointments, a consent agenda, a major presentation on the downtown campus public–private partnership (P3), a lengthy public hearing on ballot language for the March 10, 2026 referendum, and a quasi-judicial hearing on the Broken Sound Old Golf Course and Atrium CIMD projects, which was continued. Key actions included approval of board appointments, adoption of the consent agenda, and a 4‑1 vote to adopt Resolution 180‑2025 with amended ballot language.

Consent Calendar

• Change Orders: Approved change orders for roofing supplies and services (Garland/DBS, Inc., budgeted $2,600,000) and for fire alarm services (WSA SYSTEMS‑BOCA, LLC, budgeted $300,000).
• Resolution No. 175‑2025: Authorized an agreement with the Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, Inc. to support the 2026 Festival of the Arts Boca.
• Resolution No. 176‑2025: Authorized a work order with Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc. for engineering services for WWTP Odor Control System improvements.
• Resolution No. 178‑2025: Authorized a first amendment to a work order with Currie Sowards Aguila Architects, Inc. for a conceptual master plan for softball fields at Sugar Sand Park.
• Resolution No. 179‑2025: Authorized agreements with the School District of Palm Beach County to use public schools as polling places for the January 13, 2026 Special Election and March 10, 2026 Regular City Council Election.
• Board Minutes Received: Accepted minutes from various boards (Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Citizens’ Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board, Community Appearance Board, etc.).
• All consent items were approved unanimously (5‑0) after public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comments focused overwhelmingly on the downtown campus P3 project and the proposed ballot language, with additional comments on the softball field relocation and the court case regarding the Save Boca petition.

• Joseph Pujolski (17309 Belboa Point Way) criticized the city’s due diligence on the developer Terra International Developments, questioned the absence of a guarantee in the lease, and claimed the city waived procurement procedures. His remarks were redirected to the consent agenda item on softball fields.
• Martin Bell (761 SW 3rd St.) argued that work on softball fields should be deferred until after the March 2026 referendum, stating it circumvents the referendum process.
• Michael Masarella (139 NW 3rd St.) thanked the court for the temporary injunction against the Save Boca ballot measures, asserting it protected the city charter and Florida Constitution.
• Lorraine Blank (545 NW 7th St.) asked what the city had done to investigate the threat to Banyan trees from the project, stating she had received no response.
• Richard Warner (1322 SW 9th Terrace) expressed disgust with the court’s ruling and criticized the city’s financial assumptions and opposition to the project.
• Martha Parker (64 NW 7th St.) noted the PFM report was made public only the day before, argued the city has hidden costs, and called for a full cost study including qualitative costs.
• Sue White (47 NW Hawthorne Place) questioned the financial returns from the Brightline parking garage and raised concerns about flooding and traffic impacts.
• Michael Connor (447 SW 8th Terrace) urged the council to negotiate tougher with the developer, consider alternative plans, and take more time.
• Joe Mages (254 NE 5th St.) argued the ballot language and city website present misleading financial figures, stating the project yields a net negative present value and would cost taxpayers more than doing it alone.
• Rich Grubel (738 NW 6th St.) questioned the independence of PFM, noting potential future fees, and suggested a jointly selected independent consultant.
• Mike Liebelson (398 NE 3rd Ct.) detailed conflicts of interest involving CBRE and a lobbyist, and stated the project’s present value is negative when including the land appraisal.
• Pam Pashki (341 SW 2nd St.) pointed out a typo in the PFM report, questioned the inclusion of condo sales, and raised concerns about a parking garage and long‑term costs.
• Ivan Zumtobel (840 Oleander St.) called the ballot language a “sales pitch,” argued it omits costs, and accused the council of being compromised by developers.
• Steve Zumtobel (840 Oleander St.) asserted the project will cost the city $201 million upfront plus land valued at $116 million for a net present value of only $138 million, calling the economics poor.
• John Perlman (498 NE A St.) provided updates on the court case, noting a motion to intervene and a claim of judge shopping.
• Michelle Grahl (4550 NW 23rd Terrace) calculated that using the developer’s own numbers, the land would be worth $28.87 million per acre, but argued the developer would never pay that, indicating the project is based on speculative revenue.
• Jacob Abraham (540 NE Wave Cris Way) called for a town hall to restore public trust.
• Judy Morrow (1305 NE 5th Ave.) asked the council to prohibit political contributions from Terra Frisbee and urged protection of green space and traffic safety.
• Meredith Madsen (1193 SW 19th St.) criticized the traffic study conducted in August during school break, demanded a revised study, and warned that overdevelopment poses safety risks.
• Eric Lanchette (102 NE 2nd St.) of Rescue Boca Community Initiative supported the court’s injunction against Save Boca, stating the measures are unconstitutional and that the loudest voices do not represent the majority.
• Vic Rose (285 NW 9th St.) defended the project, accused Save Boca of spreading fear, and noted that AI supports smart city P3s.

Discussion Items

Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity (Item 10A)

• Staff Presentation: Deputy City Manager and CFO Jim Zervis introduced PFM’s independent fiscal analysis. PFM’s Kevin Plensler and Mallory Richards presented scenario 4, which projects a net present value of $138 million in net fiscal impact over 99 years, supporting about $114 million in project proceeds for public improvements. The analysis excludes percentage rent and transfer fees due to uncertainty. PFM confirmed the developer’s internal rate of return is approximately 20 %, within normal range for such projects, with no public subsidy of private profit.
• Council Discussion: Council members asked about discount rate (5 % vs. 4.5 %), the exclusion of speculative revenues, and the funding gap for public improvements ($87 million). Mr. Zervis noted the city has other funding sources (CRA bonding capacity, golf course sale proceeds) that could close the gap without raising taxes.
• The council discussed the proposed ballot language for the March 2026 referendum (Resolution 180‑2025). Councilmember Thompson proposed neutral language, arguing the original language was slanted in favor of the project. After extensive debate and multiple amendment attempts, the council voted 4‑1 to adopt Resolution 180‑2025 with amended language as displayed on the screen at the meeting (with the title “Approving lease of downtown city land, agreements for public improvements and preserving enhancing memorial park” and a summary beginning “Shall the city approve agreements with Boca Raton City Center LLC leasing 7.8 acres of city property east of Northwest 2nd Avenue near Bright Line Station for 99 years, creating a walkable neighborhood with residential and commercial uses, generating estimated rent and revenues to the city, funding associated costs for enhancements including preserving memorial park area honoring veterans, expanding public recreational and green spaces, new community center, city hall, and police substation.”). Councilmember Thompson voted no.

Quasi-Judicial Hearing: Broken Sound Old Course and Atrium CIMD (Item 11)

• The council intended to hear a combined quasi-judicial hearing on interrelated items (Resolution 177‑2025, Ordinance 5759, 5760, Resolution 172‑2025, 173‑2025). Councilmember Drucker requested a deferral, stating she lacked sufficient information received only minutes before the meeting. After discussion, the council voted to continue the matter to the December 16, 2025 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Board Appointments: Approved appointment of Mr. Matthews (longer term) and Mr. Mirabelli to the Planning and Zoning Board.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5‑0).
• Resolution 180‑2025 (Ballot Language): Adopted 4‑1 (Thompson opposed) with amended ballot language as described above, directing staff to transmit the question to the Supervisor of Elections for the March 10, 2026 ballot as the second question after the police headquarters bond referendum.
• Quasi-Judicial Hearings: Continued to December 16, 2025.
• Executive Session Authorization: Approved unanimously (5‑0) to allow the city attorney to schedule executive sessions regarding the Kimmelman lawsuit.
• Introduction of Ordinance 5761: Introduced on first reading; it updates reasonable accommodation procedures for individuals with disabilities and certified recovery residences.
• Future Agenda: Mayor Singer indicated he will introduce an ordinance next meeting requiring a more thorough process for any sale or lease of city land over half an acre, including a sign on the property.