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Minutes 05-13-93NINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY CONNISSION NEETING HELD IN CONNISSION CHANBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON THURSDAY, NAY 13, 1993, AT 4:00 P,,, N, ,PRESENT Edward Harmening, Mayor Jose Aguila, Vice Mayor David Katz, Commissioner Lynne Matson, Commissioner J. Scott Miller, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harmening called the Public Hearing on the Boynton Beach Historic Schools to order at 4:00 P. M. for the purpose of receiving input from the public on the future of the two historic schools in Boynton Beach. REPORT OF SNITH ARCHITECTURAL GROUP/GEE & JENSON STATUS A. Structural Analysis - Elementary School, High School B. Life/Safety/ADA Compliance, Elementary School, High School C. Historical Restoration D. Interior Plans Review E. Asbestos Update Timothy Hullihan of Gee & Jenson and J. Kenneth Brower of Smith Architectural Group, Inc. were present. Mr. Hullihan advised that Gee & Jenson is handling the engineering analysis and some of the Building Code analysis aspects of this project, and Smith Architectural Group is handling the restoration aspects. Gee & Jenson's Struc- tural Inspection Report identifies the areas requiring immediate attention, the areas dealing with primary structural elements (life/safety concerns), and suspicious areas needing further investigation during the actual renovation work. Mr. Hullihan stated that there are many items which need to be addressed with regard to life/safety and ADA issues. The building systems analysis revealed that the plumbing and electrical systems are out-of-date, and the air conditioning system will have to be replaced. Mr. Hullihan advised that these items are costly. Mayor Harmening inquired if the plaster has been inspected to see if it contains asbestos fiber. Mr. Brower advised that the report from the School Board is very confusing as to the actual findings. Therefore, a cost estimate was pre- pared based on the worse case scenario. Mayor Harmening asked how much it would cost to remove all the plaster in the old school, if necessary. Vice Mayor Aguila mentioned more cost effective ways to rectify this problem. Mr. Brower stated that based on the worse case sce- nario, asbestos abatement for the elementary school building would be about $135,000 and $543,000 for the high school. Mr. Brower advised that structural cost for the elementary school would be $73,000 and about $205,000 for the high school. Mechanical, electrical, and - 1 - MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 13, 1993 plumbing for the elementary school would cost approximately $200,000 and $918,000 for the high school, which would include complete renovation of the bathroom. The ADA and Life Safety concerns for the elementary school would cost about $227,000 and $570,000 for the high school. It would cost a minimum cost of $2,879,000 to open both schools without doing any historical restoration. Mayor Harmening inquired about cost, based on the historical and all the finishes and replacements of the destroyed or damaged elements. Mr. Brower advised that, including the roofing, replacement of all windows, cast stone and stucco detailing, replastering and painting where necessary on the interior, and refinishing all the floors, the cost would be as follows: Elementary School Exterior Interior Roof Windows Patch and paint Railings, steps, concrete, landscape Lighting $ 70,000 65,000 12,000 Ceilings, floors and walls $ 70,000 Bathroom {tiles and trim} 5,000 Wood and other misc. trims throughout entire building 20,000 50,000 25,000 $222,000 $ 95,000 Total: $317,000 Mr. Brower confirmed for Mayor Harmening that this figure is on top of the $2,879,000. High School Exterior Interior Roof Windows Paint and patch Railings, step, concrete, landscape Lighting $400,000 150,000 40,000 Ceilings, floors and walls $210,000 Bathroom tiles 10,000 Woodwork and misc. 160,000 70,000 35,000 $695,000 $160,000 Total: $955,000 Mr. Brower advised that it would cost a minimum of $956,000 (($639,000 plus restoration costs of $317,000) to open the elementary school, and $3,195,000 {$2,240,000 plus $955,000 for restoration} to open the high school, which equals $4,151,000 for both schools. Mr. Brower confirmed for Mayor Harmening that these figures do not include the land, other than what would be necessary for handicap parking spaces, access -2- H~NUTE$ - SPECIAL CITY COI4HI$$]ON MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NAY 13, 1993 ramps, etc. Mayor Harmening wondered how much the School Board would charge for the land. Vice Mayor Aguila wondered what it would cost to totally gut the building and redo the interior from scratch. Mr. Brower stated that the interiors of both schools are reparable. Mayor Harmening felt it probably would be cheaper to bulldoze and rebuild. Vice Mayor Aguila saw no historical significance in restoring the interiors of either building. Ms. Parker advised that the School Board conceptually approved a four year lease purchase arrangement; however, the City decided to wait for the reports on the structural analysis of the building before going back to them with a price. She stated that the School Board has, on occasion, donated property to the City. They also, on occasion, required the City to purchase property. She pointed out that in.the last five years, the City donated six acres of property to WXEL, which allowed the School Board to take over the ITV site on Congress Avenue. In addition, the City donated twenty acres of land to the School Board for South Tech. At that time, a memo indicated that a swap of the downtown property for the.South Tech property was contemplated; however, this is not fully documented. In hopes of getting the land donated, the City intends to point out to the School Board that it donated twenty acres of very valuable property in the 1960s, with the understanding that these schools were going to be turned over to the City shortly. Ms. Parker advised that the School Board had three appraisals of the buildings and the land done in 1990. The lowest appraisal was $88,000 because the appraiser assumed the'buildings were to remain on the property and their use restricted. The middle appraisal was $518,000. The highest appraisal was $810,000 because the appraiser assumed the property would be commercially devel- oped. Ms. Parker said the City feels the $810,000 appraisal is not realistic. In response to Mayor Harmening, Ms. Parker advised that the original deed does not contain a reverter clause. Mayor Harmening noted that Gee & Jenson's Buildings and Site Compliance Review indicates it would cost $11,000 for stair tower pressurization and thought that was only required in high rises, according to the 1982 Code. Mr. Hullihan was not sure this will be required and advised that it was included in case of the worse case scenario. Interior plans of the elementary school and high school were displayed. MARKETING/USE REPORT A. Elementary School, High School This report was prepared by LORD Cultural Resources Planning & Management, Inc. Mr. Brower stated that according to the telephone and newspaper surveys that the interviews of the people in the community which the City conducted, the primary -3- NINUTES - SPECIAL CITY CONNISSION NEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA NAY 13, 1993 uses found to be acceptable for the elementary school were a hands-on children's museum, a Motorola communications gallery, and a Boynton Beach historical museum and archives. Mr. Brower advised that LORD Cultural Resources recommended that the Civic Center activities be moved to the high school. Other uses included a community theatre, the Little Palm Theatre, an adult community theater, art and drama classes, meeting rooms for cultural groups, a senior day care center, Chamber of Commerce offices, limited trade and hobby show exhibits, and an emergency center for the City of Boynton Beach. Mr. Brower advised that these uses for the high school will have to be thoroughly explored. Mayor Harmening advised that the roof will have to be done up front and early at a cost of $400,000 if the high. school is kept for renovation or use at a later date. He pointed out that a roof could be put on for $45,000 if no attempt is made to match the one already there. Mr. Brower pointed out the possibility that if the City does not take over the use of this building for four years, the School Board might still be using and maintaining it. DESIGN OPTIONS - FOUR BLOCK AREA Mr. Brower displayed four plans. The first one showed little change of the existing site, with a little bit of paving connections, a few more trees, slight widening of Ocean Boulevard, and a functional playground. It was a slight face lift dealing primarily with a two block area. In the second plan, the Civic Center is eliminated and developed as a park more than a parking lot as it currently functions. This plans includes a drop off in front of the high school and more landscaping. In the third plan, the Civic Center is eliminated. This plan shows a major theme in the middle for art shows, community theatres, etc. The fourth plan is the most expensive from the standpoint of development and would call for commercial development of some of the property.. It shows many useful plaza areas and multi story buildings with retail, office, and residen- tial. It is hoped that this plan would revitalize Ocean Avenue as the downtown area of Boynton Beach. Vice Mayor Aguila felt this project would only be possible if grant money and/or community support bond money is received. He felt the exterior should be pre- served, the interior modernized, and the two buildings connected to City Hall and the library. He felt the Civic Center should be destroyed and all its func- tions transferred to the high school building. However, the Civic Center should not be destroyed until the high school building is restored and upgraded. Vice Mayor Aguila was in favor of doing this project in phases, starting with the smaller building. He liked the idea of an open park for activities and enhancing Ocean Avenue to encourage pedestrian traffic. Mayor Harmening was at a luncheon with the Garden Club yesterday. Three of the nineteen members of the Garden Club who were present are also members of the -4- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 13, 1993 Historical Society. Mayor Harmening said he presented a rough sunmary of the proposal and gave a little bit of background and advised the members of the Garden Club that there might be a small tax increase to pay for this project. All nineteen members were not in favor of paying this small tax increase. Mayor Harmening was of the opinion that a portion of this project might be viable if the City received the grant and the community raised about $1,000,000. He suggested going out for a general obligation bond issue and if the public appeared to support it, put it on the ballot for the next election. Mayor Harmening was not sure it would be viable for the City to fund this project, outside of the purchase of the land. Mr. Brower felt phasing of the project might be crucial to gaining community support. His ideas for phasing were to start with the elementary school building and generate programs to help generate money. Vice Mayor Aguila felt the first phase should be the high school building; however, Mr. Brower advised that the results of the survey heavily favored the elementary school building. In response to Commissioner Matson, Vice Mayor Aguila said he preferred a pavi- lion over a fountain because the fountain is too large. He preferred open spa- ces for activities and heavy landscaping. Commissioner Matson preferred the fountain over the pavilion so people could gather around it at lunch time and for concerts. Commissioner Katz stated that his wife took a poll amongst people with young children and they were more than willing to pay a tax increase over a short period of time to fund a project like this to help future generations of the City. COMMENTS A. Historical Schools Task Force Chairman, Stanley Weaver Mr. Weaver stated that the Task Force has reviewed the reports presented to them by Gee & Jenson and LORD Cultural Resources. The recommendations of the Task Force are listed on a separate sheet of paper and attached to the original minutes of this meeting. Mr. Weaver advised that when he was on the City Commission in 1955 or 1956, at one of their meetings, Harry Watkins, in charge of public construction at that time, said the school would be abandoned in the very near future and that possibly there could be an even trade of some sort. Mr. Weaver asked the City Commission to support this project. B. Boynton Beach Historical Society Chairman, Curtis Weaver Mr. Weaver stated that the Boynton Beach Historical Society was organized in 1968 by a group of local citizens who had a common interest researching and pre- serving the history of Boynton Beach and the surrounding area so that future generations would know what actually took place in the past~and to record the present..Soon after the Society was formed, the need for'a place to store and -5- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA I~Y 13~ 1993 display records and memorabilia became apparent. With funds donated to the City by the Society, an addition was made to what was then the City library. This room has since been replaced and now some of the Society's materials are being stored in the City library in a small closet and some are being stored through the courtesy of a local bank. Mr. Weaver advised that the Society needs a place to store their materials and that it has always had its eye on the 1913 building. Mr. Weaver stated that the Society recently donated $2,000 to the City to promote this project, endorses the recommendations of the Task Force, and hopes the City Commission will take them into consideration and approve them. Commissioner Katz was in favor of doing this project in phases and working on the larger building first. Mayor Harmening stated that the Commission needs to bear in mind that after the two buildings are restored, it will cost in the vicinity of $150,000 for opera- tion and maintenance. City Manager Miller felt it would cost more. PUBLIC HEARING H~rve~ Oyer, 227 S. W. 15th Avenue, agreed with the recommendations made by the Historical Schools Task Force. In addition, he felt the land could be acquired from the School Board by pointing out a pro rata difference. He also felt people would be willing to pay a tax increase if the proposal was presented to them by the right leadership. Mr. Oyer suggested starting with the elementary school. Vice Mayor Aguila asked Mr. Oyer what kind of programs were suggested for the elementary school building to generate income. Mr. Oyer advised that a histori- cal museum was discussed. In addition, LORD Cultural Resources suggested Motorola come in with their traveling exhibit. Vice Mayor Aguila felt there would be more flexibility for temporary and permanent museum displays and multi- purpose activities if the larger building is done first. Mr. Oyer disagreed. He felt the gymnasium in the larger building should be converted into a theatre since the community does not have a place for concerts and plays to bring people together in a cultural manner. Mayor Harmening felt the City might be able to maximize its grant potential if the two buildings were treated as separate sites and entities. Ms. Parker advised that the minimum cost to rehab the elementary school would be $369,000, plus $317,000 for restoration. The maximum matching grant the City could get is $300,000. This would amount to $600~000 for the first year to start minimum life safety and rehab on the smaller building. It would be completed and opened within two years. This figure does not include the land. Ms. Parker stated that the $300,000 would go further on the smaller building than on the high school building. Mayor Harmening inquired about securing a grant for the high school building, assuming the State gives the City the $300,000 grant and the City finishes the elementary school building. He pointed out that the high school building does -6- MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY CO#HISS:TON #EETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 13, 1993 not have quite the historic significance as the elementary school building. Ms. Parker stated that both buildings are eligible for National Register Nomination and that the City preliminarily submitted a joint package to the State for review and comment. Both buildings were accepted as a joint package. Mayor Harmening stated that the City may get more money up front by keeping them together; however, the City may notget as much money in the long run than if they were presented separately. Mr. Brower said he was informed there might be some program grants available in conjunction with old historical type grants. Ca1 Cearley, stated that B.R.A.G. has taken the position that the successful redevelopment of downtown Boynton Beach to an economically viable community that people enjoy going to includes these two schools, which are part of our history. He felt it would be a shame if these properties are not acquired and made part of the focus of downtown redevelopment. Mr. Cearley advised that B.R.A.G. and the Chamber of Commerce have always been in favor of this and that B.R.A.G. is very interested in keeping these two buildings as they are. Rick krrowo~l, President of the Little Palm Theatre, was excited about the possibility of moving the Little Palm Theatre into one of these buildings. He implored the Commission not to tear down the buildings. He felt the younger people with children would be willing to pay a tax increase. Nick Cassandra, 8852 Jaspers Drive, spoke of having a plan and a public rela- tions person to promote this project. He spoke of committing TIF money to a bond so tax increases would not be as large. NO ONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK, MAYOR HARMENING CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING. Assuming the land cost $400,000 and the City receives a grant for $300,000, Mayor Harmening wondered where the City would get the $700,000 {$400,000 for the land and $300,000 in matching funds}. City Manager Miller advised that there is $800,000 or $900,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund. However, the City will be utilizing a portion of this for capital equipment and capital outlay needs for the upcoming budgetary process. This would include the acquisition of an addi- tional pumper at a cost of $175,000. In addition to the CIP Fund, additional dollars will be coming in on the new money from the refunding of the 1986 and 1990 bond issues. However, City Manager Miller pointed out that the City Commission previously considered expending $500,000 or $600,000 for Poinicana. The funds needed for this project, Poinciana, and the pumper total $1.4 million, which is the entire amount of new money from the bond issues. Furthermore, if the CIP Fund is utilized for this project, there would only be $100,000 left in it. Motion Vice Mayor Aguila moved to acquire the properties as cost effectively as possible and direct the consultants to create a master plan for the area. Commissioner Matson seconded the motion, which carried 3-1. Mayor Harmening cast the dissenting vote. -7- NINUTE$ - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION NEETING BOYNTOH BEACH, FLORIDA NAY 13, 1993 With regard to the plans displayed by Gee & Jenson, Mayor Harmening preferred the first one. Vice Mayor Aguila and Commissioner Katz preferred the second one. Commissioner Matson also preferred the second one; however, she preferred the pavilion be replaced with a fountain. Mr. Brower was instructed to proceed with the second plan and incorporate some programs into it. Notion Commissioner Matson moved to advise staff to proceed with the $300,000 grant on the basis of the elementary school. Vice Mayor Aguila seconded the motion, which carried 3-1. Mayor Harmening cast the dissenting vote. A/)JOURNNENT There being no further business to come before this Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:00 P. M. ATTEST: C'tt~y C~jT/6 r k Recordii~g Secr'eta)'y (Two Tapes) THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Mayor -8- HISTORIC SCHOOLS TASK FORCE COMMENTS ON THE LORD GROUP REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION OF BOYNTON BEACH FROM STANLEY WEAVER, CHAIRMAN The Historic Schools Task Force makes the following recommendations: The City should proceed to acquire from the School Board ownership of both school buildings. The current 4-year phase-in program is suitable, however, every effort should be'made to have these facilities transferred to City ownership at no cost or as low as possible. National Register Nomination should be pursued once buildings are under City ownership. Schools should be restored under the National Historic Register guidelines with the 1913 elementary school undergoing restoration and reuse first. An agreement should be drafted between the City of Boynton Beach and The Boynton Beach Historical Society to rent the entire building to the Society at a minimal rate ($1.00 per year) and for the Historical Society to establish and operate a Historical Museum, open to the public. A children's museum with historical/school general theme and a corporate/traveling exhibit area should be established in the building. A director should be hired. Operational expenses should be funded 50% from City funds and 50% from community contributions. The Task Force is recommending to have the Historical Society spearhead the fund raising with a goal of $25,000 for salaries and operational expenses prior to staff hiring. 6. A decision should be made on the future use of the Civic Center/Freedom Hall. Parks and Recreation professional staff and the Advisory Board should be solicited for input into this decision. A decision on the specific uses for the ~. 1927 High School should be deferred to a later date. Stanley Weaver/, Chairman Historic Scho6is Task Force