Boca Raton City Council Workshop - August 24, 2026

The Boca Raton City Council held a workshop meeting on August 24, 2026, beginning at 1:37 PM and adjourning at 2:40 PM. The agenda included board interviews for multiple advisory committees, a Vision Zero Action Plan update, public comments, a presentation of community polling on the new police headquarters, and council member reports.

Board Interviews

• Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: No applicants.
• Community Advisory Panel: Applicant Mr. Ferris did not appear; no interviews.
• Community Appearance Board: No applicants. Council expressed interest in architects applying.
• Financial Advisory Board: No applicants.
• Marine Advisory Board: Mark Eierman (4857 NW Third Avenue, 31-year resident) interviewed, citing experience with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, CERT, and Guardian ad Litem. No questions from council.
• Sustainability Advisory Board: No applicants. Council noted all appointments will be made during the regular meeting on August 25, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Earl Starkov (3260 St. Charles Way) expressed strong support for Vision Zero but requested it be presented as a separate resolution (not on the consent agenda) to ensure public visibility. He urged a year-round, omni-channel communications campaign targeting drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and young e-bike riders, with positive education and visible enforcement. He offered to assist the city’s communications team.

Discussion Items

• Vision Zero Action Plan Update (presented by Zach Beer, Public Works & Engineering Director):

  • Background: City Council adopted a Vision Zero policy in October 2022, unlocking federal grant funding. A $300,000 grant funded the action plan; a 2024 grant ($4 million) for demonstration projects; a 2025 grant for emergency response vehicles. Boca Raton is the top Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant recipient in Florida.
  • Statistics (2018–2023): Average of 7 crashes per day, 45 incapacitating injuries per year, 5–6 fatalities per year, ~2,500 crashes annually. 13% of crashes are off-road (unusually high). Road network ownership: FDOT 34%, Palm Beach County 33%, City 33%. FDOT and County roads account for two-thirds of high-injury crashes.
  • High Injury Network identified via data and community input. Tools include speed management and roadway departure countermeasures.
  • Next step: City Council adoption of the Action Plan at the September 1, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Council discussion: Councilmember Sippel questioned spending (none of the $4M spent yet; expected to start in 2027), how success will be measured (staff emphasized data-driven updates), and use on non-city roads (grant prioritized city roads; staff advocates with FDOT/County). Concerns about e-bike regulation were raised by Councilmember Grail and Councilmember Trucker (noting upcoming e-bike seminar in September and vetoed state legislation). Councilmember Trucker expressed pride in the grant awards and supported an all-of-government approach.

• City Manager Reports – Police Services Complex and Community Polling:

  • City Manager Al Sahaney recapped two options: Option 1 (central complex with downtown station) and Option 2 (downtown complex at base parcel). Community engagement continues, including a September 2 Community Advisory Panel meeting.
  • Dr. Richard Bernard (FM3) presented results of a survey of 256 likely March 2027 voters (margin of error ±6.1%, 95% confidence). Key findings:
    • 53% believe at least some need for new police HQ; 56% initially favored building (77% after info).
    • Initial location preferences: Central 64% favor, 27% oppose; Downtown 59% favor, 28% oppose. After introducing building size/height, Central held at 64%, Downtown dropped to 49%. After cost info (Central $100M–$125M; Downtown $112M–$140M), Central 59%, Downtown 48%. After supportive and opposition statements, Central 61% favor, Downtown 58% favor. Intensity of support consistently higher for Central (36% strongly favor vs 21% for Downtown).
    • Forced choice: 54% prefer Central + downtown station; 24% prefer Downtown new HQ; 18% oppose both.
    • Consistency: 49% consistently favored Central; 36% consistently favored Downtown.
  • Councilmember Sippel questioned the sample size (256 vs typical 300); Dr. Bernard noted demographics matched likely voters and MOE is acceptable.
  • Councilmember Perlman reiterated support for the Downtown location.

Key Outcomes

• Board Interviews: All vacancies will be filled during the August 25, 2026 regular meeting.
• Vision Zero Action Plan: Will be presented for adoption at the September 1, 2026 regular meeting.
• Police HQ Polling: Results will inform continued community engagement and potential future ballot measures.
• Conflict Disclosure: Councilmember Grail disclosed that her husband's company has a client relationship with Chen Moore & Associates (ranked #1 for Memorial Park Master Plan); she will abstain from voting on the contract award.
• Councilmember Trucker reported on MPO annual report, Florida League of Cities updates, federal transportation reauthorization delays, and back-to-school traffic safety.