Boca Raton City Council member Monica Mayotte will be on the ballot in the city’s March 9 Municipal Election. Here’s an interview in her own words.
Q: Every council person has a niche and yours has been climate change and sustainability. What credentials did you bring to the table and what are you proudest of doing so far?
A: Before I was on council, I was a member of the city’s Green Living Advisory Board, now known at the Sustainability Advisory Board. I was the chairperson for several years. In that role, we advocated for a sustainability position on city staff. I also felt the city needed to begin to take the necessary steps to take sea level rise and climate change into consideration when planning for the future. The city council is unanimous in taking this seriously and we now have a full-time sustainability manager. Council approved the city’s first Sustainability Action Plan, which is available on the city’s website for all to review.
Q: What do you still want to do, both in that area and any others during a second term?
A: First and foremost, we need to keep people safe with reasonable and responsible mask usage, social distancing and common sense COVID-19 responses so we can get our economy back on track. There are still many families and businesses that are struggling because of the pandemic, and I never forget that. The city council will continue to do everything within our power to advocate for assistance for families and businesses that need it to ensure they can keep their families and/or employees safe and employed. Of course, I will stay focused on smart growth and demand exceptional design, planning and infrastructure improvements, as well and always putting neighborhood needs first. I’m known for that, and I will continue to be resident focused in my second term.
Q: When were you made CRA chair? [The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency governs the downtown district and has separate public meetings, staff and regulations.]
A: In the fall of 2020, my council colleagues appointed me CRA chair after Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers had to take a leave of absence from his council position because he was called to active duty by the U.S. Navy. Council member Andrea Levine O’Rourke was appointed deputy mayor and I was appointed CRA chair unanimously by my colleagues.
Q: What is your campaign platform for the downtown?
A: As the CRA chair, I am focused on continuing to address traffic congestion, speeding and improving all mobility methods, including walkability and pedestrian safety in our downtown and throughout the city. The new lighted crosswalks installed recently downtown are much safer, and I am pushing to have lighted beacons installed on more crosswalks in the downtown. I will also work to ensure new development and redevelopment throughout the CRA and the entire city is done responsibly and aligned with the city’s core values and land-use regulations to protect our way of life and improve property values. Again, it must take into consideration the effect it will have on our infrastructure, public safety and surrounding neighborhoods.
Q: When were you first elected to city council and if you are re-elected will this be your last term allowed under term limits?
A: I won my seat on the Boca Raton City Council on March 13, 2018 and was sworn in on April 2, 2018. This would be my final term.
Q: Do you have any endorsements?
A: Here’s my endorsement so far:
Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer
Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Andrea Levine O’Rourke
Boca Raton Professional Firefighters and Paramedics
Police Benevolent Association
Congressman Ted Deutch
Palm Beach County Commissioner Robert Weinroth
Palm Beach County School Board member and Chairperson Frank
Barbieri
State Sen. Tina Polsky
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council
SEIU/Florida Public Services Union
renowned tennis champion Chris Evert
Mayotte’s only opponent is Brian Stenberg. The Municipal Election is non-partisan. https://myboca.us/1927/2021-Municipal-Election
By Marci Shatzman
