Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – January 6, 2026

The Boca Raton City Council met on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting. The agenda included presentations, board appointments, consent agenda, a major discussion on the Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership Opportunity (introduction of Ordinance 5769), and several public hearings. Councilmember Marc Wigder was absent due to illness.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the December 15, 2025 workshop and December 16, 2025 regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• Board Resignations accepted: Elysse Dallas and Brian Wood from the Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board.
• Resolution No. 001-2026: Authorized Work Order No. 2 with Craven Thompson & Associates for Delray Manors Infrastructure upgrades design and bid preparation.
• Resolution No. 002-2026: Authorized agreement with Institute of Police Technology and Management for overtime funding for pedestrian/bicycle safety enforcement.
• Resolution No. 003-2026: Authorized agreement with Shenandoah General Construction, LLC for storm drain cleaning, repairs, and maintenance services.
• Resolution No. 004-2026: Recommended Project Vernon (confidential quantum computing company) as a qualified applicant for incentives up to $500,000, leveraging state tax credits at a 12:1 ratio. Approved 4-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jonathan Unjin and Richard Warner spoke on the consent agenda, questioning the $500,000 incentive for an unnamed quantum computing company, urging caution on the company’s viability.
• Lorraine Blank criticized the city’s handling of tree preservation, alleging planned tree destruction from construction, and announced the website DowntownBocaRioFacts.org.
• Michael Massarella read a Sun Sentinel op-ed supporting the One Boca project, emphasizing economic benefits.
• Steve Zentoval (CPA) argued the discount rate used (4.5%-5%) is too low, stating proper rates of 7-12% would drastically reduce net present value, showing city subsidizes developer.
• Richard Warner accused the council of ignoring public opposition.
• Michelle Grow (CPA, council candidate) detailed risks in the Letter of Intent, including high risk from discounted rents, loss of control, and only 15-year affordability (later corrected to 30 by staff).
• Jerry Legroya advocated for Mediterranean architecture consistent with Addison Mizner’s vision.
• John Perlman (founder of Save Boca) accused the city of subverting democracy by hiding contract language that could avoid the referendum. He stated he spent over $100,000 of his own money and vowed to ensure the March 10 referendum occurs.
• Jason Haber (adjunct professor) supported the project as people-centric transit-oriented development, comparing it to Mizner Park’s 1989 approval.
• Mac Johnson praised the simplicity of the Save Boca ballot language.
• Pam Pashke (CPA) questioned revenues: condominium development on adjacent private land should not be included in city revenue projections for the lease deal.
• Martha Parker (CPA) raised concerns about transparency, insufficient public discussion by the Planning & Zoning Board, and called for clear summaries of key terms.
• Joe Majus argued the project is a bad deal—the city pays $200M+ for facilities while giving away 8 acres for 99 years. He requested neutrality in the referendum clause: if referendum is delayed by force majeure, it should be rescheduled for the next available election.
• Brianna Hayquist opposed the project, speaking on behalf of gopher tortoises at Sugar Sand Park, and urged council not to sign the contract before the referendum.
• Mike Liebelson (mayoral candidate) noted $201 million city funding for public facilities; he argued the city doesn’t need Terra Frisbee and should scrap the deal.
• Leslie Del Monte (planner/architect) criticized the exclusion of LERP zoning district from the freestanding emergency facility ordinance, stating LERP is exactly where such facilities are needed.
• Jacob Abraham called Ordinance 5766 a "mockery" of the Save Boca ballot measure, enabling council to bypass a referendum with only two public hearings.
• Several other speakers expressed opposition to the government campus project and supported the referendum.

Discussion Items

• Government Campus Redevelopment Partnership (Item 10A): Deputy City Manager Luke Lucasak, CBRE (Leanne Corse, Mike McShea), and City Attorney Joshua Kaler presented the project. The plan involves a 99-year ground lease for mixed-use transit-oriented development on 8 acres east of NW 2nd Avenue, with civic facilities (city hall, community center, police substation) on the west side. The developer, Terra Frisbee, will pay percentage rent and a $7.8 million mobility improvement fee. The city retains fee simple ownership. A critical issue was Section 23.24 of the Master Partnership Agreement (MPA) regarding the March 10, 2026 voter referendum. Councilman Thompson proposed amendments to ensure the referendum is not subverted—adding language that postponement due to circumstances outside city/developer control would reschedule for the next available election, and removing survival clauses that could keep the agreement alive if the referendum fails. City Attorney Kaler agreed to remove the survival clause and incorporate new language. Council scheduled the second reading and potential vote for January 20, 2026.
• Ordinance 5762 – Live Local Act Amendments: To align with 2024/2025 state law changes, including maximum FAR of 1.5, parking reductions, height limits, administrative approval, and rental affordability for 30 years. Adopted 4-0.
• Ordinance 5767 – Freestanding Emergency Facilities: First reading; allows such facilities as conditional uses in B-4, MC, City CG, and City CHO districts, with specific locational criteria (not adjacent to single-family, direct arterial access). No vote taken; second hearing February 10, 2026.
• Ordinances 5763 and 5764 – Construction & Demolition Debris Franchise Agreements: Authorized franchise agreements with MST Scrap Metal Inc. and S. MacDonald Contracting LLC. Each requires $2,500 annual fee and 15% monthly gross revenue. Adopted 4-0 each.
• Ordinance 5765 – Trespass Warnings on City Property: Establishes procedures for issuing warnings on city property. Adopted 4-0.
• Ordinance 5766 – Protection of City-Owned Lands (Public Purpose Safeguards): Requires two public hearings and written findings for sale/lease/disposition of city land >0.5 acre. Exceptions for easements, routine municipal purposes. Adopted 3-1 (Councilman Thomson opposed).
• Introduction of Ordinance 5769: Authorizing the transaction with Boca Raton City Center LLC for the downtown campus redevelopment. Introduced without vote; public hearing and potential approval on January 20, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved (including Project Vernon incentive) – 4-0.
• Board Appointments: Elliot Popper to Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board; Annaly Hambrick and Michael Zimmerman to Community Advisory Panel; Valerie Selznick to Sustainability Advisory Board.
• Ordinance 5762 (Live Local Act) Adopted – 4-0.
• Ordinance 5763 and 5764 (Franchise Agreements) Adopted – 4-0 each.
• Ordinance 5765 (Trespass Warnings) Adopted – 4-0.
• Ordinance 5766 (Protection of City-Owned Lands) Adopted – 3-1 (Thomson dissenting).
• Government Campus Discussion: Council will consider amendments to MPA referendum language and take a vote at the January 20, 2026 meeting.
• Next Steps for Freestanding Emergency Facilities: Second public hearing on February 10, 2026.
• Next Steps for Government Campus: Second reading of Ordinance 5769 on January 20, 2026, followed by comprehensive plan amendments in February and voter referendum on March 10, 2026.