Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting Summary

Date and Time

September 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM (convened at 10:00 AM; meeting held in-person at the Auditorium, 6500 N. Congress Avenue, Boca Raton, Florida)

Agenda Overview

The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met in regular session to consider two resolutions: one recommending amendments to the Downtown Plan (Section XI) and another scheduling 2027 meetings. A third resolution—adopting the FY 2026-2027 CRA budget and appropriating remaining Trust Fund dollars—was also on the agenda. The meeting featured extensive public comment addressing downtown parking, Memorial Park funding, police station conditions, and public participation concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of September 8, 2026: Approved unanimously by motion and voice vote. No additional consent items were listed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Police Department Facility Concerns: Multiple speakers, including Juan Caicedo (5560 Northeast 7th Avenue) and Jonathan Ungie (6501 Congress Avenue), urged the CRA to prioritize a safe, mold-free environment for police officers. One speaker stated, "I ask everyone to please... consider all the things that I'm mentioning, because it's highly important that we have the police department's work in a safe, mold-free environment." They noted the city has "tripled the amount of real estate that it owns in the City of Boca Raton for city services since 2013" and called for a council meeting to review all city real estate, current and proposed uses, and creative options for a downtown police station, including potential shared parking with a new city hall. Some speakers questioned whether the CRA should fund the police station at all, arguing for exploring alternative funding sources (e.g., general fund, other districts). One speaker expressed confusion over which entity would reimburse the CRA for expenditures: "if the city is going to get reimbursed for CRA expenditures, who is reimbursing the district?"
• Downtown Parking: A speaker (identified by staff as commenting on parking) noted that "Delray Beach... has a program already in place" for free parking and suggested Boca Raton consider similar incentives for residents, particularly during summer. The speaker cautioned against charging "full freight" for downtown parking.
• Meeting Accessibility / Public Participation: One speaker objected to holding meetings at 10:00 AM, stating, "Having meetings at this time penalizes those of us who work because when the meetings were at six o'clock, you go after you work." They also expressed concern that council members are not required to be physically present, asking for rules allowing remote participation for the public if council members can participate remotely. Another speaker raised that the agenda lacked any item discussing procedure related to Commissioner Drucker leaving the board and potential replacement.
• Memorial Park Funding: A speaker (referencing "Boca Citizens Alliance" and Bocus Citizens.org) advocated for a "real clear creative option" for funding a memorial park, suggesting a "mixture of funds" rather than exclusive CRA funding, noting the CRA is "not in a position to buy more real estate." Concerns were raised about whether the CRA's parking analysis scope included public feedback on parking: "Chen Moore does their scope does not include parking or any kind of public feedback on parking."
• Comment regarding prior election: A speaker referenced comments made by Chair Thomson about prior election decisions related to the police station, noting, "when those votes come down, and people will be saying we didn't vote for that person, and they made the decision."

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2026-06-CRA (Downtown Plan Amendment): Staff presented the resolution recommending approval of amendments to the Amended Downtown Plan, updating Section XI (Planned Services and Infrastructure Improvements) to identify specific redevelopment projects under Section 163.387(7)(d), Florida Statutes. The ordinance was introduced to City Council at the prior meeting, with a public hearing scheduled later that day. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The CRA voted to recommend approval.
• Resolution 2026-07-CRA (2027 Meeting Schedule): Staff presented the schedule for 2027 CRA regular meetings. The public hearing was opened; no public speakers came forward, and the hearing was closed. The CRA approved the resolution.
• Resolution 2026-08-CRA (FY 2026-2027 Budget): Staff reviewed the CRA budget, including a $58 million allocation for CRA parking analysis and planning. Staff clarified that the parking analysis and planning is in the early stages, with further analysis anticipated next year and no definitive start date. It was noted that multiple parking-related items have been included in CRA and Capital Improvement Program budgets over several years. The resolution also provides budget flexibility to move quickly without needing a budget amendment (ordinance requiring two meetings). Public comment on the budget included the concerns noted above. Discussion addressed the appropriation of the Redevelopment Trust Fund balance as of September 30, 2026, and an interlocal agreement between the city and CRA.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2026-06-CRA: Approved (motion and second; unanimous voice vote). Recommends City Council adoption of Ordinance 5807 updating Section 11 of the Downtown Plan.
• Resolution 2026-07-CRA: Adopted unanimously. Establishes the CRA regular meeting schedule for calendar year 2027.
• Resolution 2026-08-CRA: Adopted. Approves the FY 2026-2027 CRA budget and confirms appropriation of the Redevelopment Trust Fund balance through September 30, 2026.
• Next Steps: City Council public hearing for Ordinance 5807 scheduled later that day. No further CRA business pending.