Minutes 01-14-25 Joint City Commission/CRA Meeting
Held Online Via the GoToWebinar Platform and
In-Person at the City Hall Commission Chambers
100 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.
Present:
Mayor Ty Penserga Daniel Dugger, City Manager
Vice Mayor Aimee Kelley Shawna Lamb, City Attorney
Commissioner Angela Cruz Tammy Stanzione, Deputy City Clerk
Commissioner Woodrow L. Hay
Absent:
Commissioner Thomas Turkin
1. Openings
A. Call to Order - Mayor Ty Penserga
Mayor Penserga called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
Roll Call
Deputy City Clerk Tammy Stanzione called the roll. A quorum was present.
Agenda Approval:
1 . Adoption
Vice Chair Kelley requested that Public Comment to be added to the agenda.
Motion:
Commissioner Cruz moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Hay seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Regular Business
A. Discussion and update on the potential relocation of the Andrews House.
Requested by unanimous consensus of the City Commission.
Rick Hopper, Assistant Director of Public Works, presented the following: Andrews House
Location; Potential Relocation Sites; Potential Location 1: General Location; Potential
Location 1 : Street Views; Potential Location 1 : Concept Site Plan; Potential Location 2:
General Location; Potential Location 2: Street Views; Potential Location 2: Concept Site Plan;
Potential Location 3: General Location; Potential Location 3: Street Views; Potential Location
3: Concept Site Plan; Timeline: Historical Designation to Design Complete; and Budget
Cost/Timeline.
Minutes of the Meeting
City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL January 14, 2025
Commissioner Cruz inquired about the budget of the project.
Mr. Hopper stated that quotes were obtained from consultants and companies specializing
in house moving. Data from the CRA's past projects in Delray Beach also informed the cost
estimates.
Commissioner Cruz asked about the reference project. Mr. Hopper said that it was 10-15
years old, but used only as a data point, with updated quotes also obtained. He noted that
costs depend on negotiations and construction factors, with estimates developed using staff
input.
Commissioner Cruz suggested referencing a more recent Pompano Beach house move and
asked if direct quotes could be obtained. Mr. Hopper confirmed a quote ranging from $75,000
to $150,000, adjusted based on additional data points, and welcomed further input to refine
estimates.
Vice Mayor Kelley asked about the timeline for accommodating the Magnuson House.
Assistant City Manager Adam Temple said boundary issues might require vacating a public
right-of-way and setback variances, estimating the process would take several months.
Commissioner Hay asked if the $375,000 estimate covered a single move.
Mr. Hopper clarified it included consultant fees, design, and site planning.
Commissioner Hay also inquired about ongoing maintenance costs versus leaving the house
in place. Mr. Hopper said maintenance costs had not yet been assessed but could be
reviewed.
Mr. Tim Tack, Interim Director of the CRA, estimated property maintenance costs at
$10,000—$15,000, including boarding, sealing, painting, and fumigation, as the house is
currently not maintained.
Mayor Penserga asked if the timeline applied to all location options. Mr. Hopper confirmed
the estimate remained the same regardless of location.
Mayor Penserga opened public comments.
Minutes of the Meeting
City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL January 14, 2025
Barbara Ready, Chair of HRPB, presented three recommendations: the City CRA should
pursue ownership and request the developer allocate demolition funds for relocation; the
house should be moved next to the Magnuson House on Ocean Avenue; and it should be
used for light commercial or public use to boost downtown economic activity.
Susan Oyer, Move Andrews House, criticized misleading communication about a fire report
and the lack of notification to the HRPB about the demolition permit. She urged the city to
take ownership, relocate the house near the Magnuson House, designate it historic, and use
it for light commercial purposes like a café.
Mack McCray, former City Commissioner, supported moving the house to Ocean Avenue but
stressed the importance of setting hours, including weekends, to maximize public benefit. He
suggested using it as an information center to promote local businesses and events.
Mike Fitzpatrick, Chair of Move Historic Andrews House, proposed reorienting the house to
face east, creating a quieter space at the back while meeting fire code requirements. He
expressed frustration over the city's reluctance to explore alternative layouts.
Valentina Broglia, HRPB Member, highlighted the economic benefits of preserving the house,
comparing it to St. Augustine's historic sites. She noted that historic designation could qualify
the house for tax exemptions and regulatory waivers, reducing costs.
Ginger Peterson, Move Historic Andrews House, criticized inflated cost estimates as a tactic
to delay the project. She emphasized downtown revitalization, urged relocation to the
Magnuson site, and stressed the need for historic designation and economic reuse.
David Merker, former City Commissioner, urged the City to listen to Fitzpatrick, McCray, and
Ready, stating they are knowledgeable on the matter.
Flynn Holland supported repurposing the house as a community gathering space, such as a
coffee or tea house. She urged officials to consider reports showing the structure is well-
maintained and to prioritize its relocation.
Brittany Patterson, a local business owner, stressed the importance of investing in historic
preservation to strengthen community identity. She supported relocating the house to Ocean
Avenue and cited the CRA's positive impact on local businesses.
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Minutes of the Meeting
City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL January 14, 2025
Tom Warneke, Vice Chair of Move and Save the Magnuson House, highlighted successful
relocations in Delray Beach, refuted outdated cost estimates, and emphasized the economic
potential of repurposing the house as a café or shop.
Mary Law urged relocating the house to the Magnuson site, securing it, treating it for termites,
and negotiating with the developer to cover moving costs. She recommended obtaining local
estimates to avoid overpaying.
Stephen Grant, speaking virtually, supported moving the house to Northeast Third Avenue,
citing lower costs and less preparation work. He questioned the practicality of placing another
structure at the underutilized Magnuson site.
Mayor Penserga closed public comments.
Mayor Penserga reaffirmed support for saving the Andrews House but emphasized the need
for accurate cost estimates and careful planning. He proposed issuing an RFP to gauge
business interest and urged a methodical approach, given the developer's willingness to
provide more time.
Commissioner Hay supported preservation but opposed rushing the decision. He questioned
whether the project aligns with the city's master plan and preferred either leaving the house
in place or considering Third Avenue over Ocean Avenue.
Mayor Penserga requested that if the developer is willing to delay demolition, staff should
formalize the agreement in writing.
Vice Mayor Kelley stressed the urgency of relocating the house before time runs out. While
supporting placement on CRA-owned land, she questioned adding another vacant building
at the Magnuson site without a clear activation plan.
Mayor Penserga suggested selecting a location now to allow cost estimates and the RFP
process to proceed simultaneously. Assistant City Manager Temple confirmed this could
work but noted the RFP would require careful wording and a slight delay between steps.
Vice Mayor Kelley agreed to move forward quickly to protect the house, given that the
developer cannot enter a formal agreement. She emphasized the CRA's role in economic
development and suggested a two-step process to ensure both preservation and a long-term
plan.
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Minutes of the Meeting
City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL January 14, 2025
Amanda Radigan, Planning and Development Director, stated that the developer plans a
major site plan amendment for Phase Two, requiring full review. She noted that the timeline
depends on Phase One's progress, which is about to begin.
Commissioner Cruz prioritized preventing demolition and securing historical designation for
grant eligibility. She proposed a citywide survey for public input and emphasized aligning the
project with economic development goals.
Commissioner Hay asked about creating a historic district. Barbara Ready confirmed that
efforts had been made but noted that the designation requires a 51% ownership vote. She
emphasized that moving the Andrews House near the Magnuson site could help establish a
heritage district.
Mayor Penserga emphasized the need for more time to save the house and proposed
directing city and CRA staff to negotiate an agreement with the developer to delay demolition.
He also raised liability concerns, noting residents had to secure the house themselves.
Vice Mayor Kelley asked if the demolition permit could be withdrawn. Assistant City Manager
Temple explained that the developer could let it expire, cancel it, or reinstate it later, but the
city cannot revoke it. Vice Mayor Kelley supported discussions with the developer to request
a withdrawal to buy time while fully vetting options.
City Manager Dan Dugger left the dais at 7:25 P.M. and returned to the dais at 7:31 P.M.
There was a consensus to do a City-wide survey.
Deputy City Manager Mack noted that while the Andrews House could physically fit at the
Magnuson site, factors like code requirements, variances, and accessibility features must be
addressed. He requested board consensus to fund a feasibility study and updated survey,
as the existing survey is outdated, and underground utilities need assessment before
proceeding.
Mayor Penserga requested staff to return with more information on the developer's position
and proposed terms.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 P.M.
Minutes of the Meeting
City Commission Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL January 14, 2025
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH
ATTEST:
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Tammy L. Stanzione, CMC
Deputy City Clerk
[Minutes prepared by TBaclawski,Prototype-Inc]
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