Boca Raton council extends downtown-campus interim agreement to allow March referendum after heated public comment

The Boca Raton City Council voted 5-0 on Oct. 14 to extend an interim agreement with developer Tara Frisbie for the city’s downtown campus project, moving the contract deadline to May 1, 2026 to permit additional negotiations and to prepare ballot language for a March 2026 referendum.

Mayor Singer introduced and the council considered Resolution 155-2025, which authorizes the city manager to execute a first amendment to the interim agreement to extend the termination date. City staff emphasized the amendment “does nothing other than extend the possible date for the interim agreement and negotiation framework to 05/01/2026” and does not create new financial obligations for the city.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comment in which residents voiced sharply divergent views. John Perlman (498 Northeast 8th Street) urged the council to add language preventing the developer from making campaign contributions for a set period, to require disclosure of litigation history including any Surfside‑related suits, and to guarantee residents “several months” to review appraisals and independent financial analyses before a ratification vote. Perlman said: “Let's add that in to this interim agreement.”

Other speakers echoed concerns about transparency and the pace of on‑the‑ground work. Pam Paschke warned about recent land transfers elsewhere and asked the council to ensure citizens have a say on public land. Brianna Aquest said survey markings and ribbons at Sugar Sand Park appeared to show work had already begun and urged the council to “stop the destruction of Sugar Sand Park” and pause field activities until after the public vote. Buffy Tucker asked the council to “take a beat” and to communicate more clearly with residents before advancing surveys or construction activities.

Several speakers questioned whether the city had been neutral in public outreach. John Perlman and others alleged the city was promoting the developer’s position online and through mailers directing residents to 1boca.com; Perlman told the council his group had compiled evidence of paid social‑media advertisements. The council asked the city attorney’s office to examine those claims. Mayor Singer responded that claims the city had paid for pro‑developer social advertising were “wholly inaccurate.”

An attorney for the city told the council that ballot language must be submitted to the Palm Beach County supervisor of elections by Dec. 5 and be limited to 75 words; final wording depends on the city’s approved plan. Council members said the extension was intended to allow additional public input, necessary reports and voter ratification if the council ultimately approves a master partnership agreement.

Council member Thompson reiterated his opposition to the overall plan and said he had previously recommended terminating the agreement; he said he would continue to press for termination. Other council members said terminating the project would foreclose opportunities to negotiate improvements and to put a finalized plan before voters.

The resolution passed by unanimous vote. Mayor Singer said the extension preserves time for public participation and due diligence and reiterated that residents would ultimately have a vote on any plan the council approves.

Next steps: City staff said they will work on the ballot question wording to meet the supervisor of elections’ Dec. 5 deadline and will continue public meetings and studies requested by the council. The council also removed a separate consent item at the applicant’s request to allow further review.