Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – December 16, 2025
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Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – December 16, 2025
The Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting on December 16, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included a consent agenda, quasi-judicial public hearings on the Broken Sound Old Golf Course and Atrium CIMD projects, a presentation on the Government Campus Redevelopment, approval of a conditional use for Exceed Academy, adoption of a reasonable accommodation text amendment, introduction of several ordinances, and a detailed report on potential state property tax reform impacts. Mayor Scott Singer left the meeting after the consent agenda; Deputy Mayor Fran Nachlas presided for the remainder.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (4‑0): Resolutions 181‑2025 through 187‑2025, including a revocable license with Lake Rogers Association, funding assistance for the Boca Raton Museum of Art, 2026 State and Federal legislative priorities, wellfield rehabilitation services, and an amendment to the interlocal agreement with Palm Beach County for communications systems. No public comments were received.
Public Comments & Testimony
Government Campus Redevelopment (Item 10) – Approximately 20 speakers addressed the council. Position summary:
- Opposition: Many residents expressed strong opposition, citing a lack of public trust, insufficient financial analysis, concerns about the 99‑year lease, undervaluation of public land, and the perceived slanted ballot language. Speakers noted that the Save Boca initiative gathered over 12,000 signatures and argued that the city should not proceed without a public vote. Several questioned the discount rates used in financial projections and the omission of a recent land sale at 375 East Royal Palm Road ($27 million/acre) from the appraisal. Others criticized the dilapidated condition of existing recreational facilities and argued that the city should maintain them rather than rely on a private developer.
- Support: A few residents voiced support for the One Boca plan, emphasizing the need for new police and city facilities, improved softball fields, and the potential economic benefits. One speaker urged the council to continue despite opposition, calling the Save Boca group a “sham.”
- Public Requests (Item 14): Additional speakers criticized Ordinance 5766 as a “fake Boca law” that gives the council too much power, and provided detailed analysis showing the lease value may be far below the appraised land value.
Broken Sound Old Golf Course / Atrium CIMD (Items 11A & 11B) – Public comment was limited. One speaker questioned the amount of retail space required under the new CIMD ordinance; staff confirmed the project meets minimum requirements. Another speaker asked about wildlife mitigation; the applicant stated the site is not a protected habitat.
Exceed Academy (Item 11C) – No public comment.
Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance (Item 12) – No public comment.
Discussion Items
Broken Sound Old Course and Atrium CIMD (Items 11A & 11B) – The council held a combined quasi‑judicial hearing for five interrelated items: (1) deletion of a 0.90‑acre portion of the golf course site, (2) a future land use change from PR to PM, (3) rezoning from REC to LIRP, (4) plat approval for the Atrium project, and (5) site plan amendment for a new 8‑story, 222‑unit multifamily building with 23 affordable and 12 workforce units, plus 2,015 sq ft of retail and a dog park condition. Staff recommended approval. The applicant addressed council questions. Public testimony was minimal. The council voted 4‑0 to approve each item.
Exceed Academy (Item 11C) – Resolution 143‑2025 for a conditional use to allow a 3,828 sq ft school in an existing building in the LIRP district. Staff recommended approval; no public comments. Approved 4‑0.
Reasonable Accommodation Text Amendment (Item 12) – Ordinance 5761 updates procedures for reasonable accommodation requests to comply with state law. Staff explained the changes are minor. Approved 4‑0.
Government Campus Redevelopment (Item 10) – City Manager Sohaney provided a recap of the December 15 workshop and outlined the upcoming timeline: Planning and Zoning Board review on December 18, council introduction on January 6, final consideration on January 20, and voter referendum on March 10. No formal council action was taken on this item; the public comment period was extensive.
City Manager Report – Property Tax Reform (Item 17) – Deputy City Manager/CFO Zervis presented an analysis of four state bills (HJR 201, 209, 211, and HGR 201) that would eliminate or reduce homesteaded property taxes for non‑school purposes. The most impactful (HJR 201) could cost the city $58 million annually (22% of general fund revenue). Staff outlined potential mitigation strategies, including increasing millage rates on non‑homesteaded properties, raising fire fees, and cutting services. Council members noted the need to advocate with state legislators and monitor Senate action.
Key Outcomes
- Vote tallies: All items on the consent agenda, the quasi‑judicial packages (Items 11A/B), Exceed Academy (Item 11C), and the reasonable accommodation ordinance (Item 12) were each approved 4‑0. Mayor Singer was absent for the votes.
- Ordinances introduced (Items 15A‑G): Seven ordinances were introduced for first reading – 5762 (Live Local Act updates), 5763‑5764 (C&D debris franchise agreements), 5765 (trespass warnings on city property), 5766 (protection of city‑owned lands), 5767 (freestanding emergency facilities), and 5768 (public and recreational use limitation for city parks). All will be considered for final adoption at a future meeting.
- Next steps: The Government Campus redevelopment will be further reviewed at the December 18 Planning and Zoning Board meeting, with council action on January 6 and 20, 2025, and a voter referendum on March 10, 2026. The city will continue to monitor state property tax reform legislation and provide updates.
Meeting Transcript
Let's call this meeting to order. Welcome everyone to this regular meeting of the Bo Retone City Council. It is Tuesday, December 16th at 6 p.m., and we are ready to go. We're going to start with the invocation this evening by Councilmember Wakter. Thank you. Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us as we conduct the important business of our beautiful city during this centennial holiday season. One hundred years ago, many families and a few visionaries called their new city Boca Ratone home and celebrated their first Christmas together. Some came for the climate, others came to seek their fortune, and yet others came for just a warm holiday. Today, many, many more families and businesses call Boca Ratone home, yet still share those visionary ideals. So as we conduct our business today, let's be guided by our sense of community, a sense of balance, respecting the history that got us here, and visionary as we plan our future together. Likewise, the city cannot thrive for a hundred years without its people and the many people that serve our city in many different ways, keep it running smoothly, our service members and first responders who helped do the good work of our city and keep us safe to all of them. Thank you. Lastly, once again, we recognize recent tragedies at Brown University and Sydney, Australia, though far away from here are felt here too. Our thoughts and prayers, though surely not enough, are with those affected. Thank you and welcome. Thank you, Mr. Wigder. Would everyone please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag. Thank you. Ms. Siddons, would you please call the roll? Mayor Singer. I am here. Can you hear me? Yes, sir. We can. Deputy Mayor Knackless. Here. Councilmember Drucker? Here. Councilmember Thompson. Thankful to be here. Councilmember Wigter. Here. All present. Thank you. Mr. Sahaney, are there any amendments to the agenda? Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I propose two amendments to the agenda. First, at the request of Councilmember Wigder, ordinance number 5768. Public and recreational use limitations for city-owned public parks be added as a walk-on item under introduction of ordinances as item 15G. Second, under quasi-digit judicial and related public hearings. As council will recall, our last regular City Council meeting on December 2nd extended late into the evening, at which time council directed that these items be rescheduled to today's agenda. As a courtesy to the applicants and in consideration of their time and patience, I respectfully suggest that the council consider moving these items, 11A and 11B, earlier in this evening's agenda, immediately after the consent agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Mr. Sohaney. Are there any other amendments to the agenda?
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