Boca Raton City Council Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Boca Raton City Council held its regular meeting on September 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The meeting included approval of minutes, appointment to the Community Appearance Board, adoption of the consent agenda (with one item pulled for separate discussion), a resolution for the Downtown Civic Area/Memorial Park Master Plan, three public hearings on code amendments, and introduction of several ordinances. The meeting adjourned at 12:21 PM, with a tentative budget hearing scheduled for later that evening.

Consent Calendar

• Approved (4-0): Minutes of August 24 (Workshop) and August 25 (Regular); Sole Source (Knox Key Secure System, $589,715); Change Order (Storm Drain Cleaning, $1,300,000); Resolutions 100-2026 (Emergency Services Agreement with Palm Beach County), 101-2026 (Revocable License with Tower 155 Condominium Association for parking spaces at $2,000 per space for first year), 106-2026 (Hidden Valley Pump Station Renovation), 108-2026 (Amended Investment Policy), 109-2026 (First Amendment to Burkhardt Construction for 32nd Street Seawall), 110-2026 (Beach Concessions with Oceanside Beach Service), 111-2026 (Insurance Procurement Waiver), and 112-2026 (Old Floresta Infrastructure Upgrades with Ric-Man International).
• Pulled for separate discussion: Item 8F (Resolution 107-2026, Fund Balance and Reserve Policy).
• Public Comment: Richard Warner (1322 SW 9th Terrace) requested explanations for several consent items. Staff responded: the mutual assistance agreement is a standard renewal for emergency services with Palm Beach County; the Tower 155 license is a three-year agreement for two parking spaces at $2,000 per space for the first year; and the investment policy (Item G) was updated per recommendations from an outside investment firm and reviewed by the Financial Advisory Board.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Agenda (Item 8F removed): Richard Warner expressed confusion about the fund balance policy changes and asked whether the city manager could move funds without council approval.
• On Resolution 113-2026 (Downtown Civic Area/Memorial Park Master Plan): Mike Liebelson (398 NE 3rd Ct.) opposed the cost ($519,925 plus $52,000 contingency), citing a comparison with Boulder, Colorado's master plan for 64,000 acres that cost $600,000 over two years. Earl Starkov (3260 St. Charles Way) supported a broader vision for a 21st-century city hall and a community-oriented park. Richard Warner (1322 SW 9th Terrace) argued the park did not need extensive re-planning and called the consultant choices inadequate. Jonathan Unjin (6501 Congress Ave.) recommended using the Urban Land Institute (ULI) for a cheaper study (around $25,000) and expressed concerns about the lack of a quorum due to Deputy Mayor Grau's recusal. Ryon Hadquist (5710A Coach House Circle) strongly supported Chen Moore, citing their professionalism, diverse team, and ability to secure historic grants.
• On Public Requests: Mike Liebelson (398 NE 3rd Ct.) spoke about $80 million in property taxes paid to Palm Beach County for sheriff services that do not benefit Boca Raton, and urged the council to stay focused on this issue, noting it could offset the cost of a new police station bond.

Discussion Items

• Item 8F – Resolution 107-2026 (Fund Balance and Reserve Policy): Deputy City Manager/CFO Jim Zervis presented updates to the policy, including increasing the minimum unassigned fund balance from 10% to 17% (aligning with GFOA best practices), establishing an emergency reserve at 10% of budgeted expenditures, creating a retirement sustainability reserve within the general fund, and extending similar minimum balance requirements to enterprise funds. Councilmember Drucker questioned whether the city manager's authority to assign fund balances (without council approval) was a change; staff clarified the prior policy also assigned this to management and that commitments (by council) cannot be overridden. The public hearing was opened; Richard Warner asked for a simpler explanation, and staff reiterated that the change is mostly classificatory and does not allow spending without appropriations. The resolution was adopted 4-0.
• Item 9A – Resolution 113-2026 (Downtown Civic Area/Memorial Park Master Plan): Deputy City Manager Eny Lucasik presented the contract with Chen Moore and Associates for $519,925 plus a $52,000 contingency. The plan has four phases over six months: strategy development, community listening, a design charrette, and a final plan with implementation recommendations. Councilmember Drucker noted that a more affordable option (Treasure Coast Planning Council) was previously rejected, while Councilmember Sipple responded that the public requested independent consultants. Deputy Mayor Grau recused herself because her husband's firm works for Chen Moore. After public comment, the resolution was adopted 3-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (excluding 8F): Approved 4-0.
• Resolution 107-2026 (Fund Balance Policy): Approved 4-0.
• Resolution 113-2026 (Memorial Park Master Plan): Approved 3-0 (Deputy Mayor Grau recused).
• Ordinance 5794 (Building Recertification Inspection Program updates): Approved 4-0 after no public comment and no council questions.
• Ordinance 5796 (Firefighter pension past-service purchase): Approved 4-0 after no public comment. The ordinance addresses a narrow group of firefighters affected by a pension cap; maximum projected cost is $56,922.
• Ordinance 5797 (Procurement Code exemptions): Approved 4-0 after no public comment. Updates clarify and expand exemptions for artistic services, health professionals, used equipment, lobbying, public relations, actuarial services, and copyrighted materials.
• Introduction of Ordinances (First Reading): The following ordinances were introduced by various council members (no vote): 5795 (creating a Public Affairs Department), 5798 (final millage rates and ad valorem taxes), 5799 (final budget for FY 2026-2027), 5800-5805 (C&D debris franchise agreements with six companies), 5806 (amendments to public service tax sections), and 5807 (amending the Downtown Plan redevelopment project list). All will be considered at second reading.
• City Manager Report: George Sahaney noted the Community Advisory Panel for the Palmetto Park Road corridor project will report on September 22, and thanked CFO Jim Zervis for budget work. He also congratulated IT Director Sandra Stevens on receiving the 2026 Florida Local Government Information Systems Association Lifetime Achievement Award.