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Public speakers urge CRA not to sign Boca Raton City Center deal before March referendum
Summary
At the Jan. 5 Boca Raton CRA meeting, residents criticized contract language and urged officials to delay any signature on the Boca Raton City Center agreement until a March 10 referendum; the city attorney said the wording was meant to preserve the voters' decision and account for mailing and force‑majeure timing issues.
John Perlman, a Boca Raton resident, and Mike Libelson, a mayoral candidate, used the public‑comment period at the Jan. 5 Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency meeting to urge officials not to approve ordinance "57 69" or sign any contract with Boca Raton City Center LLC before voters decide in a March 10 referendum.
Perlman said about 150 emails had been submitted to the city opposing the contract language and argued the draft agreement contained provisions that would allow certain obligations to survive termination and thereby circumvent the promised voter decision. "You should not and cannot, without neglecting your duty to live up to your promises to the voters, approve ordinance 57 69 or sign any agreements concerning the Boca Raton City Center LLC project prior to the referendum vote," he said, calling the action misfeasance if the contract were signed before the vote.
Libelson, who identified himself as a candidate for mayor, said council actions earlier to extend the deal and change ballot timing had paved the way for what he called an "anti‑democratic" move. "No deal should be signed until the voters have spoken on March 10," he said.
City Attorney Mr. Koehler responded during the board's discussion, saying the transaction documents as drafted are intended to be clear so voters know exactly what they are being asked to approve. Koehler said the language at issue was added to prevent circumstances beyond the control of the city or the partner — for example, a declared state of emergency or other force‑majeure event — from being interpreted as a voter rejection. He read proposed clarifying language stating that a postponement, delay or rescheduling of the referendum due to factors outside the decision‑making authority of the city or partner "shall not constitute a rejection of the referendum."
Mayor (name not given) and other members of the board said staff had worked over the weekend to respond to concerns and reiterated a commitment to a public vote. Koehler noted logistical constraints driving the proposed January action, including a supervisor of elections mailing deadline on Jan. 24 and a planned City Council action on Jan. 20 to finalize terms so a complete agreement can be publicly posted before the March election.
No vote on the City Center contract or ordinance occurred at the CRA meeting. Procedural business at the start of the meeting included a motion to approve the minutes, which the board approved without recorded opposition. The chair adjourned the meeting at 1:48 p.m.; the council is scheduled to consider final deal terms on Jan. 20, the supervisor of elections' mailing deadline is Jan. 24, and the referendum is set for March 10.
Claims and rebuttals in the session remained contested: public commenters alleged the draft contract would undermine voter approval if signed early, while the city attorney said the clause was designed to protect the integrity of the referendum schedule and ensure voters see a finalized agreement prior to voting.
