Boca Raton council names Yvette Drucker deputy mayor, swears in new and returning members

Boca Raton — At an organizational meeting on April 1, Mayor Singer presided as the city council honored outgoing Deputy Mayor Monica Mayotte, administered oaths to re‑elected Councilmember Yvette Drucker and newly elected Councilmember Andy Thompson, and approved a series of committee and interlocal appointments, including naming Drucker deputy mayor.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call by City Clerk Miss Sittins; all members were present. City Manager Brown and the city attorney offered brief tributes to Deputy Mayor Monica Mayotte for her years of service and leadership on sustainability and process improvements.

Mayotte, who is leaving the dais after more than 15 years of service, thanked family, staff and supporters and highlighted environmental accomplishments during her tenure, saying, "Sustainability is a conviction that suggests that today's generation of industries, governments, and the people of earth share in the responsibility to consume and preserve natural resources in a manner that will sustain the same quality of life for future generations." She closed by thanking voters and colleagues and said she looks forward to becoming a grandmother.

The council then administered oaths of office. Re‑elected Councilmember Yvette Drucker affirmed the oath and used her remarks to emphasize transit, mobility and resiliency priorities, saying she will continue her work as a "transit champion" and pursue policies and grants to begin planning and implementation phases. Newly sworn Councilmember Andy Thompson reflected on his earlier term and pledged to work with colleagues on the city's centennial planning and other priorities.

During the organizational business, Councilwoman Noklis moved to appoint Councilmember Yvette Drucker as deputy mayor; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The council also approved nominations for several post‑election committee and interlocal appointments, including the appointment of a CRA chair (Councilwoman Noklis) and vice chair (Councilmember Andy Thompson); a chair for the auditor selection committee; a representative to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) voting representatives and alternates; the Palm Beach County League of Cities voting delegate and alternate; and an Interlocal Plan Amendment Review Committee (IPARC) representative and alternate. All appointments recorded in the transcript were confirmed by voice vote with ayes from the dais.

Mayor Singer used the occasion to note near‑term priorities for the council, including updates to the land development regulations and downtown plan, efforts to infuse sustainability into local code, and investments in infrastructure and economic development to support walkability and the city's long‑term brand. Several council members emphasized process improvements and fiduciary stewardship amid inflationary pressures.

The mayor reminded residents of upcoming meetings — a regular city council workshop on April 8 and a council meeting on April 9 — and promoted the State of the City community celebration scheduled for April 10 at 6 p.m. at Meister Park Amphitheater. With no further business the mayor adjourned the organizational meeting.

Actions taken at the session were procedural appointments and nominations; no ordinances, budget measures, or policy adoptions were debated or voted on at this meeting.