New Boca Raton City Manager Mark Sohaney might respond to “Skipper” or “SoHo,” both of which are monikers he picked up during his time in the military.
As a former leader at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii and at the Naval Air Station in Key West, Sohaney said he’s well-versed in “major crisis management.”
This could prove useful as Sohaney begins his tenure with Boca Raton amid a significant movement by residents opposing a major redevelopment project. There’s also a city election just six months away.
“I look at this as perfect timing for me, where other people said, ‘You got this job, and are you regretting it because you got all this going on?’ No, it’s the opposite for me,” Sohaney said. “The fabric of Boca Raton is second to none, and I’m in the middle of that, so for me, I want to do my part into really advancing Boca Raton forward, so it’s exciting, and we’ll get through this and we’ll figure out what the citizens want and we will make it happen.”
Sohaney assumed the city manager position, replacing George Brown, on Sept. 29.
These days, there has been lots of community engagement.
Members of Save Boca have submitted signatures to the city clerk for a proposed charter amendment that, if approved at the March 10 election, would grant city residents the right to vote on any selling or leasing of city-owned land. Signatures for an identical ordinance amendment were submitted and approved in August.
The city’s March ballot also will feature a question pertaining to whether the city should move forward with the proposed redevelopment of the government campus plan with Terra and Frisbie groups. Currently, the plan proposes residences, recreational facilities, shops, dining and green space at the 30 acres between West Palmetto Park Road and Dixie Highway near the city’s Brightline station.
Voters also will cast votes for a new mayor, along with City Council Seats A, B and D, which currently are held by Fran Nachlas, Marc Wigder and Andy Thomson.
The inevitable City Council change, however significant, doesn’t shake Sohaney, though. He’s accustomed to that, too, he said.
“I’m used to leadership change in my line of work, that’s all we do is constantly change. You’re either getting a new leader or you’re leaving because of the nature of the military,” he said. “I see the election and the ongoing dialogue really as an opportunity to continue building trust communication, and collaboration with the public.”
Unlike the City Council seats, Sohaney’s role isn’t a political one. His main responsibility is executing the policy and direction decided by the council members, from fire and police to transportation and the library system.
Sohaney sees the six months from now until the election as a gracious buffer rather than as a race against time to be “very well prepared for the next mayor” and fully understand residents’ primary issues. This is Sohaney’s first foray into Boca Raton government — unlike other candidates, Sohaney didn’t already work for the city.
And Save Boca’s continued momentum allows for Sohaney to see city officials interact with citizens on a “hyperscale,” especially as the government campus redevelopment project is adapted in real time.
“There could be some frustration and anxiety initially, but the process is working, and the citizens are going to get the final say, so it’s a healthy thing,” Sohaney said.
During his time in the military, Sohaney oversaw large-scale construction projects, managed a $300 million budget and responded to national disasters and national security concerns.
Sohaney’s experience was a primary driver in council members’ decision to choose him for the job.
“Mr. Sohany was just a master of major complex infrastructure projects, really looked at the big picture, and the city management officer in this city, I see as a person who’s got to be able to manage the big picture, and work with this team who manages operations, who manages planning, who has a great nuts-and-bolts operations,” Council member Wigder said during a public meeting on Aug. 12 when Sohaney was selected.
“He has just an unbelievable expertise in dealing with every level of state and federal government, which I think in this next phase of the city and starting off the next cycle I think will be just critical and and unmatched.”
Council member Yvette Drucker called Sohaney “the bold choice, a new perspective, a visionary.”
Though not quite on par with the national security concerns Sohaney is familiar with, Boca Raton is attempting to address different interests: improving upon the city’s civic functions and further turning Boca Raton into a destination while maintaining a small(ish)-town charm.
“We’ll find the right balance I’m sure, and I’m just glad and proud that I can be a part of it and use my leadership and expertise to help move the ball forward, if you will, and get Boca Raton in the best possible position for today and for future generations,” he said.
Sohaney’s first public City Council meeting will be on Oct. 14. Until then, he’s making his way through a massive binder on his desk simply titled, “City Manager.”