Boca Raton CRA Regular Meeting - June 9, 2026
Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting – June 9, 2026
The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met in regular session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Auditorium at 6500 N. Congress Avenue. The meeting was called to order by Chair Andy Thomson with all five commissioners present. Key topics included a public request for a valet parking revocable license, public comments on property tax revenue, pedestrian safety, and the status of a softball field agreement at Sugar Sand Park. The meeting adjourned at 10:25 AM.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: The minutes of the regular meeting of May 26, 2026, were approved unanimously without revision.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Neil Schiller (Government Law Group, representing 101 NE First Ave sales gallery): Requested council direction to prepare a revocable license agreement allowing use of up to four on-street metered parking spaces along NE First Avenue for a valet service. He stated the valet would operate Monday–Sunday, 9 AM–6 PM (with limited evening valet for special events), use one stand and one attendant, and be for one year with a renewal option. He noted the application was reviewed and approved by the Transportation and Zoning departments but was not processed due to a prior council directive not to shrink downtown parking inventory.
- Mike Liebelson (398 NE Third Court): Expressed concern about a 71% increase in city property tax revenue (from $85 million in 2022 to $145 million today) while population grew only 2.9%. He argued that the city should easily find $8–$16 million in annual operating reductions to cover proposed homestead exemptions rather than raising millage rates or cutting services, and questioned where the additional $60 million per year in revenue has been allocated.
- Brianna Hackquist (5710A Coach House Circle): Asked whether the City Council needs to formally repeal Resolution 98-2025 regarding softball fields at Sugar Sand Park, noting the Beach and Parks District had already repealed it.
- Martin Bell (761 SW Third Street, Royal Oak Hills): Urged improved pedestrian safety on Palmetto Park Road between I-95 and the South Beach Pavilion, specifically citing a 0.8-mile unprotected stretch with high traffic volume and speed near Royal Oak Hills and St. Paul Lutheran School. He requested investments in pedestrian crossings similar to those downtown.
- Fran Knuckles (2427 NW 49th Lane): Requested an update on the 29-minute free parking pilot study that started nearly two years ago, suggesting it be included when staff provides parking data.
Discussion Items
- Valet Parking Revocable License Request (Public Request): Chair Thomson expressed support for allowing the specific request to come back for a noticed public hearing and vote. Vice Chair Drucker noted the broader policy question of downtown parking usage and requested staff data on previously approved valet locations and types of businesses (e.g., restaurants vs. sales offices). Commissioner Pearlman asked to include in the analysis the type of businesses previously approved. Commissioner Sipple noted the same property has a pending application for modifications that may require additional parking. Staff confirmed they would bring back a history, background of the policy change, and a staff recommendation.
- Attorney's Report – Sugar Sand Softball ILA: City Attorney Kalar explained that the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the Beach and Parks District for softball fields at Sugar Sand Park had been terminated by the District without cause (30-day notice provision). He stated no additional council action is legally required but a repeal resolution would be symbolic. Commissioner Pearlman asked to be notified when the termination letter is officially received by the city.
Key Outcomes
- Valet Permit Direction: Council directed staff to return at the July 2026 meeting with a history of previously approved valet permits (including business types) and a staff recommendation on the broader parking policy, with the specific revocable license request to be agendized for August 2026.
- Sugar Sand Softball Agreement: The termination of the ILA is effective upon the 30-day notice, and no further council action is required; the city will await formal receipt of the termination letter.
- Parking Pilot Study: Acknowledged the public request for an update on the 29-minute free parking pilot; staff will include it in the July parking data presentation.
- Minutes Approved: Unanimously approved.
Meeting Transcript
I am calling to order the meeting of the Book Ratone Community Redevelopment Agency. The date is June 9, 2026. The time is 10 a.m. If everyone could please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Undergone individual with Mother and Justice Forall. Thank you, Ms. Siddons. Can you please call the roll? Chair Thompson. I am thankful to be here. Vice Chair Drucker. Here. Commissioner Grow. Here. Commissioner Perline. Here. Commissioner Simple. Present. All present. Thank you, Mr. Director. Do we have any amendments to our agenda today? Thank you, Mr. Chair. There are no amendments to this agenda. Very good. Next up we have our minutes. We have a set of minutes from the regular meeting on May 26, 2026. Are there any revisions or corrections to those to those minutes? If not, I'll entertain a motion in a second to approve those minutes as presented. So moved. Second. Very good. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Moving to presentations, we have none. Same with quasi-judicial and related public hearings. We have none there. So it's time for public requests. So if you'd like to step forward and be heard for three minutes relating to the community redevelopment agency or CRA, please do so now. Oh, I do have a card. Yes, that's true. Mr. Neil Schiller. Can I just pass these out before we get started? I thought that was a pizza box at first. By all means pass that out. Thank you so much if I could just wait until they're all passed out. Thank you so much, Mr.
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