Council appoints three to affordable‑housing advisory panel as public critics threaten legal action

Boca Raton Mayor Singer and the City Council on June 11 appointed three people to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee while sparring with public speakers who said the council was slow to enforce code and unclear about state housing law.

The council amended a nomination and approved appointments of Krinsky, Kristen Ritchie and John Scannell to the committee by voice vote. Ritchie told the council she has lived in Boca Raton since 1986 and “serve[s] on many local boards, including the planning and zoning board pursuant to Florida statute 163.3174,” and said she wanted to help review incentives to encourage affordable housing.

The appointments followed questioning about another applicant, Mr. Anjan, whom Mayor Singer said had threatened litigation and whose “only activity in this space would be potentially doing something for his own property,” creating what the mayor described as an “inherent conflict of interest.” The mayor moved to remove that applicant from the current slate of appointments; council members proceeded to appoint the three candidates who had interviewed that evening.

During the public‑comment period, resident George Myers urged the city attorney to issue written notices on alleged code violations near his home and said his family had waited “3 years” for action. Jonathan Ungeen, who identified himself as a property owner and potential developer, criticized the council’s handling of state bill SB 102 and said, “As you all say you care about affordable housing, what I think you care about is affordable housing not being in this city.” Ungeen also said he would withdraw his application to avoid further conflict after heated remarks at the dais.

City Manager Brown told the council staff had been reviewing materials related to the complaint and would provide a written response. Council member Wigder encouraged continued public participation, saying advisory boards are advisory only and that residents remain “entitled to come to any meeting… and give your opinion on anything.”

The council left additional advisory‑committee vacancies open for later interviews; members said unfilled slots would be considered at the July meeting. There were no ordinance decisions tied to the appointments at this meeting.

Meeting administrators recorded the appointments and closed interviews for this agenda item; the council moved on to other business.