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Minutes 02-12-24 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024, AT 6:30 P.M. IN CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS 100 E. OCEAN AVENUE, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Barbara Ready Amanda Radigan, Director of Development Tom Ramiccio Jae Eun Kim, Principal Planner Dr. Ben Lowe Kelly Armstead, Manager, Cultural Arts Programs Rhonda Sexton Bradley Jackson ABSENT: Roy Smith Michael Wilson Victor Norfus, Alternate 1. Call to Order Chair Ready called the Meeting to Order at 6:30 P.M. 2. Agenda Approval Chair Ready requested to add a discussion about adding potential sites to the Local Register as Item 4B and a discussion about the Bernard Thomas Mural that was removed from the Women's Club as Item 4C. She asked for a motion to approve the amended agenda. Motion Ms. Sexton moved to approve. Dr. Lowe seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of Minutes Motion Mr. Ramiccio moved to approve. Mr. Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 12, 2024 4. Communications and Announcements A. Presentation of the Unity Project Jae Eun Kim, Principal Planner, stated that Kelly Armstead, Art and Cultural Center Manager, was present to discuss the project. Ms. Armstead stated that she was presenting on behalf of Craig Clark, Director of the Arts and Culture Center, who was out sick. She explained that the project was a City collaboration with the Heart of Boynton (HOB) Community and Boynton Arts, to create a series of events and activities to be held from February to May, with Unity as the theme. She said that the events will celebrate the community's past and future, with activities and public art displays. She reviewed their partners, as contained in the meeting materials and upcoming events . She advised that on February 20th, the City will repeal three City Ordinances dealing with segregation and have a ceremonial burning of them on the 24th . She explained that a Call to Artist was issued and two artists were selected to paint murals celebrating Unity and the community, which includes community input and participation. She advised that the final mural concepts will be reviewed by the Art Advisory Board on March 14th. She provided the meeting dates of the HOB Community Association. Mr. Ramiccio noted that they had a similar situation in Lake Worth, where they used a mural to change the theme of the Africa- American Quarters from segregation to unity. He said that he was impressed the City was repealing the three Ordinances and he suggested looking at the original City platting. He commented that it sends a strong message to the community. He noted that the City does not have an MLK statute and he thought that the perfect place for it was the new downtown HOB area, which could create a sense of community again. Ms. Armstead commented that they have a sample of a historic marker, but have not identified locations of where to place the markers. She stated that the community would like to place a marker at the Greater St. Paul AME Church, and one or two other locations, which she listed for a total of three markers. Chair Ready stated that of the three other locations on the list, only the Barton Cemetery is eligible for a Historic Marker and that the Board would be thrilled to add more locations. She commented that the churches would probably be eligible for designation on the Local Register, but the Carolyn Sims Center and the Hester Center were not eligible. She further stated that the community can place a marker talking about the sites, but it should not designate the sites as historic, because they are not 50 years old. She also commented on the Poinciana Marker and pointed out that it takes months to order, and that the markers are expensive. Ms. Armstead noted that the markers are $7K each. 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 12, 2024 Mr. Ramiccio commented that the community was not asking for historic markers. He noted that the Greater St Paul AME is historic, but that the community was requesting a marker for the sites' historic significance, not designation. Ms. Armstead commented that they will look at other areas that have historic significance. Ms. Sexton also referred Ms. Armstead to the Delray Beach Historic Preservation Planner, because they obtain their markers for significantly less money. B. Potential Sites for the Local Register. Chair Ready noted that there are more than two places in that community that could be added to the Local Register. She suggested designating the Little League Field, as it has been there for 70 years. Dr. Lowe agreed. Discussion ensued that the park is being redone, but the use will remain. He noted the cemetery next to the Little League Field, Boynton Beach Memorial Park, has an old section where early Bahamian immigrants that helped build the City were interred, and he further noted that the Intracoastal Bridge is an important landmark in the City. He thought that their historic value should be recognized. Mr. Ramiccio suggested conducting a survey again using a part-time volunteer. He noted that there are very interesting potential historic homes in Forest Park, but without having a program or funding to leverage and make a home historic, designation is difficult. Ms. Sexton noted that there is a $75K African American Heritage Grant that was granted to whoever gets their applications in, in April. She commented that those funds would pay for the markers, and that the City's Grant Writer has to identify the grants from the State. Chair Ready commented that she thought there was a $50K grant from the State Historic Preservation Office, and it could be used to designate the Black Churches. Dr. Lowe pointed out that this is why the City needs a Historic Preservation Planner. He said that it has been a Board priority for a number of years and that he will put it on record at each meeting, that the City needs to have it, because the City is unique. Mr. Ramiccio commented that the Leisureville neighborhood should be considered for designation and perhaps some others. Chair Ready recalled that the Board had previously spoken about this with the former Historic Preservation Planner, and designation of those sites would be in recognition of the person's contribution. He pointed out that 51% of the residents would have to agree for designation as a Historic District. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 12, 2024 The members discussed that Chapel Hill will soon be 50 years old and that there are homes with interesting architectural features. Chair Ready stated that now is the time for the Board to look at taking steps to budget for a Historic Resource Preservation Planner. She said that, as Board Members, they can attend City Commission meetings and talk about it during Public Comment. She suggested that they put this item on the next agenda for discussion. Mr. Ramiccio said that he thought they could collaborate with the Historical Society about having a Historic Home Tour, as Lake Worth and Delray Beach were able to raise a substantial sum of money for their programs through the tours. He suggested that they offer funds to facilitate designation of Historic Districts. He noted that some homes are already being demolished and they should have some review. He urged that protections need to be put in place. Discussion followed that Historic Preservation is an economic driver. Chair Ready commented that the members should think of potential sites for designation that the Board could take to convince the City Commission Historic Preservation is a worthy effort. Mr. Ramiccio stated that the Magnuson House wood framing around the windows is rotting and it is demolition by neglect. Chair Ready noted that there is a contract on the property, but they have to wait until the City or CRA does something. Amanda Radigan, Planning and Development Director, said that the contract on the property is still valid and the property is owned by the CRA. She stated that she will make the CRA aware of the issue. C. Bernard Thomas Mural Chair Ready explained that the Bernard Thomas Mural was removed by the CRA when they took ownership of the building. She said that it is a precious historic artifact and the City should not lose track of it. She noted that the piece did go missing and she learned that the former Art Director put the mural in the City's divest pile. She spoke about the history of the art piece. Motion Dr. Lowe moved to have Ms. Radigan approach the City and ask if they can reclaim that mural in the Women's Club with the plaque on it and that she report back to Chair Ready. Ms. Sexton seconded the motion. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 12, 2024 Mr. Ramiccio asked if the mural was designed for that spot, and if there have been other issues that warranted removal that the Board is not aware of. He suggested that an artist could paint an American Flag over the Confederal Flag or some type of a wrap could be used. Chair Ready responded that the option was explored, but a temporary plaque over the flag would not alter the mural. She said that trying to amend the portrayal of the Confederate Flag alters the piece. She said that the mural was in the building when it was on the National Register. She commented that it is part of the designation as a national historic building, and then the City designated it on the Local Register, so it is doubly registered. She also emphasized that if the Board was consulted before removal, they could have made a recommendation. Mr. Ramiccio commented that the mural may not have been appropriate for weddings or other types of event. Chair Ready said that the basis for the removal was that the flag was offensive. After further brief discussion, Ms. Radigan said that she would approach the City and report back to the Board with the results. Vote The motion passed unanimously. 5. Old Business - None. 6. New Business Chair Ready asked about the Andrews House and relocation. Ms. Radigan stated that the developer of the Southern parcel has scheduled a preapplication meeting to review the new project and that they are still discussing the use of that parcel, on which they would relocate the Andrews House. She advised that she would keep the Board apprised. 7. Other 8. Comments by Board Members Chair Ready announced that the Historical Society is holding a walking tour this Saturday and that another tour is scheduled in March. She said that the next program for the Historical Society is February 26 about the Beatles. She noted that this month is the 60th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to Florida. She stated that In March the next program 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 12, 2024 will be Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Rachel Cason, two artists who impacted the Everglades. 9. Public Comments Relative to Historic Preservation 10. Announce Date of Next Meeting Ms. Kim announced that the next meeting is May 13th, as there are a few items that will need approval, unless they need to meet sooner. Dr. Lowe asked to receive a Board list. Ms. Radigan agreed to forward it. 11. Adjournment Chair Ready adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M. aC1-401-1/4-e b-V1, Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 6