Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting – April 14, 2026

The Boca Raton City Council held a regular meeting on April 14, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, board appointments, consent agenda items, resolutions, quasi-judicial hearings, and public comments. Key actions included approval of a Memorial Park plaque revision (5-0), creation of a Downtown Civic Engagement Task Force (3-1), approval of a private school at BRIC (3-1), and a tie vote (2-2) on a DRI amendment, effectively denying the request. The council also approved a budget amendment and pension plan updates. Public comments centered on softball field equity, the Save Boca petition, and community safety.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from March 23, March 24, and March 31, 2026 meetings (unanimous).
• Approved consent agenda items (except those removed) by roll call vote (5-0). Items removed were Resolution 27-2026 (telecommunications rights-of-way) and Resolution 31-2026 (architectural services for building assessments).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Resolution 31-2026 (building assessments): Multiple residents expressed concerns about the $224,232.25 cost for a visual/non-destructive inspection of nine city buildings. Some urged tabling the item, while others supported the assessment, noting it was more thorough than a drive-by. Councilman Pearlman proposed targeting specific buildings for full inspection instead.
• Resolution 32-2026 (Memorial Park plaque): Several speakers (including Joe Kaufman, Frank Patton, and Vivian Lesher) supported removing the existing plaque and installing a revised version that acknowledges the 1947 dedication and recent civic advocacy. Some opposed the change, calling it "dancing on the graves" of prior officials.
• Resolution 33-2026 (Task Force): Public opinions were divided. Some supported a task force for community input, while others opposed it, arguing the council should act directly on the Save Boca petition. Ms. Madsen advocated for using a professional urban planner instead.
• Boca Technology Center DRI Amendment (Item 11A): No public speakers besides the applicant and a representative from Geo Group, who asked about the future of the DRI and the association. Ms. Paschke questioned the redundancy of the DRI process.
• BRIC Private School (Item 11B): Public comments focused on security for students in a mixed-use building and the adequacy of bathroom facilities. The applicant clarified security measures and that tuition ranges from $11,000 to $29,000.
• Public Requests (Section 14): Multiple residents spoke on traffic safety (crossing bridge, intersection), police presence, softball field equity, Sugar Sand Park preservation, skate park location, Boys & Girls Club, and the Save Boca petition. Several urged immediate passage of the Save Boca ordinance.

Discussion Items

• Presentation from State Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman (Item 6A): The representative discussed state appropriations, her legislative achievements, and an unclaimed 100-year-old fountain at the Boca Raton Hotel, offered to the city via quitclaim deed. Lobbyist Jared Rosenstein highlighted three upcoming special sessions (redistricting, property taxes, budget) and two pending city projects ($750K drinking water transmission, $500K public safety dock).
• Board Appointments (Item 7): Heather Lacey was appointed to the Citizens Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board (unanimous). Three incumbents (Mayotte, Horty, Newman) were reappointed to the Environmental Advisory Board (unanimous). Marine Advisory Board vacancy held open.
• Resolution 31-2026 – Work Order with Currie Sowards Aguila Architects (Item 9D): Council debated the $225,000 contract for condition assessments of nine city buildings, including City Hall, police station, historic structures, and fire station 7. Councilman Pearlman argued for targeted full inspections instead, but the motion to approve passed 4-1 (Pearlman opposed). The scope includes structural, mechanical, ADA, and life cycle analysis.
• Resolution 32-2026 – Memorial Park Plaque (Item 10A): After public comment, the council adopted the revised plaque language that includes the 1947 dedication and recognition of resident advocacy. The resolution was amended to change "designated" to "dedicated" to align with historical accuracy and potential grant eligibility. Unanimously approved 5-0.
• Resolution 33-2026 – Downtown Civic Engagement Task Force (Item 10B): Mayor Thompson proposed a nine-member task force (with a professional urban planner liaison) to gather community input on the future of city hall and the community center. Councilman Pearlman opposed, arguing the council should act directly. Councilwoman Grau favored using professional planners rather than a task force. The resolution was amended to remove the mayor as chair. Passed 3-1 (Pearlman dissenting; Councilwoman Drucker absent).
• Boca Technology Center DRI Amendment (Item 11A – Resolution 26-2026): The applicant sought to remove 129.6 acres (BRIC campus) from the DRI, citing redundancy and the city’s Doulas exemption. Staff recommended approval. The vote tied 2-2 (Pearlman and Grau opposed; Drucker absent), resulting in denial. The council discussed options for reconsideration or bringing the item back with a future EMD master plan application.
• Palm Beach International Academy at BRIC (Item 11B – Resolutions 28-2026 and 29-2026): Conditional use for a 5,711 sq ft private school (grades 6-12, max 50 students on-site) within an existing building. The hybrid model offers flexible hours. Approved 3-1 (Pearlman dissenting) for both resolutions.
• Ordinance 5779 – Executive Employees Retirement Plan (Item 12A): Cleanup amendments to definitions, service purchase limits, and DROP timing. No actuarial impact. Approved unanimously 4-0.
• Ordinance 5782 – First Budget Amendment (Item 12B): Adjustments for compensation study implementation, fire rescue salary corrections, Wave Crest seawall emergency repair ($1.4M), and other items. Approved 4-0.
• City Manager Report (Item 17): Update on police chief search (over 100 applicants, survey launched) and response to Memorial Park safety issues, including increased police presence, lighting, restroom closures, and homelessness outreach via partnerships.
• Council Member Reports (Item 19): Councilman Pearlman displayed hundreds of emails urging immediate adoption of the Save Boca ordinances. Councilwoman Sipple and Deputy Mayor Grau emphasized the need for careful review to ensure legal durability. Mayor Thompson urged collegiality and a thoughtful two-week timeline for language refinement.

Key Outcomes

• Memorial Park Plaque: Approved revised plaque (5-0) with language recognizing the 1947 dedication and 2025-2026 civic advocacy. Resolution amended to use "dedicated" throughout.
• Downtown Civic Engagement Task Force: Created (3-1) with nine members appointed by council, no mayor as chair. Will include an urban planning consultant. First meeting to be scheduled.
• DRI Amendment (BRIC): Motion failed on a 2-2 tie vote. Effectively denied, but applicant may resubmit with a combined future application.
• Private School at BRIC: Conditional Use and Site Plan Amendment approved (3-1). School limited to 50 students on-site at any time, hybrid schedule.
• Building Assessments: Work order approved (4-1) for $224,232.25. Scope includes nine buildings; softball field restrooms/dugouts can be added.
• Budget Amendment: Ordinance 5782 adopted (4-0), restoring funds for seawall repairs and accounting for compensation study.
• Retirement Plan Cleanup: Ordinance 5779 adopted (4-0).
• Consent Agenda: Items approved (5-0) after removal of two items for separate votes; both later approved.
• Board Appointments: Heather Lacey (Pedestrian/Bikeway), and three incumbents (Environmental Board) appointed unanimously.
• Next Steps: City Attorney to circulate draft language for Save Boca ordinance by April 21 for consideration at April 27-28 meeting. Police chief candidate interviews to begin after community survey.