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Minutes 12-14-09 MINUTES OF THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 14, 2009, 5:00 P.M., AT FIRE STATION #5 BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Warren Adams Gaylord Allan Hendricks Eric D. Jones John E. McGovern {Arrived at 5:13 p.m.} Barbara Ready {Arrived at 5:07 p.m.} Linda Stabile Mike Rumpf, Staff Liaison Ed Breese, Principal Planner ABSENT: Steven Holzman ALSO PRESENT: Janet DeVries, Library Archivist 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m. 2. Introductions of staff and Committee members Mike Rumpf, Planning Director, provided a brief overview of the timeline involved with respect to the establishment of a Historic Preservation Program. A recommendation had previously been made to incorporate preservation mechanisms into the Land Development Regulations. Thereafter, attempts were made to have a mandatory ordinance which would incorporate implemented regulations following the adoption of the 1989 Comprehensive Plan. A Historic Site Survey was presented to the Commission in 1996 together with recommendations that further action be taken with respect to Historic Preservation. Staff had attempted to move the prior recommendations forward, but could not because of a lack of public interest. However, the issue had now moved forward and it was anticipated the Ad Hoc Committee would generate a formal plan of action and make recommendations for the City Commission's consideration. Mr. Rumpf would be serving as Staff Liaison pursuant to the direction of the City Manager. Ed Breese, Principal Planner, was introduced by Mr. Rumpf. ~~r. Breese 'v';ould be serving as Staff Liaisen pursuant to the direction of the City Manager. It was noted that Mr. Breese has had extensive experience with Historic Preservation Programs. Staff would provide technical information, resources, communications and agendas to 1 Meeting Minutes Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee Boynton Beach, Florida December 14, 2009 the Committee and Committee reports to the City Commission. Staff would also assist in coordinating meetings and determining locations for the meetings. It was staffs recommendation that the Committee select a Chair to assist in the administration of the Committee. Mr. Breese noted staff had established an agenda that was reviewed by the Commission and placed in the Scope of Services for the Ad Hoc Committee. He suggested the Committee might wish to discuss a ~ fine tuning to ensure comfort with that scope as well as any tweaking of the Scope of Services that might be necessary. Staffs recommendation to the Commission would likely be prefaced by an update of the Scope and an explanation as to any adjustments made with respect thereto. Mr. Breese provided an overview of the materials provided. These included an agenda, the purpose and responsibilities of the Ad Hoc Committee as drafted by the Commission, resumes and letters of interest submitted by the current Committee members. Also included was a synopsis of the Historic Preservation Program descriptions for surrounding municipalities and the manner in which they viewed their Programs. Self-introductions of the Committee members were made. Ms. Ready noted her interest in saving the Old High School downtown. To that end, she believed a meaningful Historic Preservation Ordinance, suitable for Boynton Beach, should be adopted. The Ordinance would be beneficial as it would provide opportunities to obtain grants. Ms. Stabile noted her house had received Historic designation from Palm Beach County, and it was the first private residence to have achieved this designation. Her residence was located in a County pocket which would likely be annexed by the City. She noted her interest in having some of the historic homes in the area preserved, and she favored the adoption of a Historic Preservation ordinance that was not overly restrictive. Mr. Adams provided information relating to his background as well as his reasons for joining the Committee. He also believed a Historic Preservation ordinance that benefited the City and residents should be adopted. Mr. Hendricks felt it was important to explore the Historic Preservation Programs adopted by other cities to determine what worked and what did not, and to learn from the mistakes of others. Mr. Jones provided information relating to his background and advised he joined the Committee in order to participate in the preservation of older buildings in the City. 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee Boynton Beach, Florida December 14, 2009 Mr. McGovern provided information relating to his background and believed historic structures in the City should be preserved, and in particular, the Old High School. Ms. DeVries was in attendance to provide information and support to the Committee. In addition to her position in the Library, Ms. DeVries was also serving as Vice President of the Boynton Beach Historical Society. 3. Identify preferred meeting dates and times There was consensus to meet on the second Monday of the month at 5:00 p.m. The Committee also agreed that the preferred means of communication was via e-mail. 4. Discuss mission and schedule Mr. Breese reviewed the Mission Statement prepared by the City Commission at the time the Ad Hoc Committee was formed. The Mission Statement included the following responsi bi Iities: . Identify and update historic resources within the City boundaries of Boynton Beach. . Identify funding sources. . Complete the application process for a "Certified Local Government." . Organize publiC workshops to secure public input for the creation of a Historic Preservation ordinance. . Work with City Staff Liaison. In the event the Committee felt any changes were necessary, staff could appear before the Commission with a revised work plan. Committee comments were as follows: . A good starting point would be to identify and update historic resources and identify funding sources. . The application process for a Certified Local Government should be moved to the bottom of the priority list. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee Boynton Beach, Florida December 14, 2009 . A framework for the Ordinance should be developed prior to the organization of public workshops. 5. Discuss options regarding public awareness Mr. Breese noted the importance of having the public attend the meetings. By the next meeting, staff will have had more of an opportunity to increase public awareness of the meetings by additional postings and possible announcements on BBTV. He also noted the importance of having the community present from the onset. In this manner, the community would be present to participate in early discussions including the framing of the ordinance, protection of property rights, and the permitting process. Comments offered by the Committee included: . Historic neighborhoods should be targeted to attract residents to the meetings. Information could be provided as to the benefits of attending as well as the benefits of having a Historic Preservation Program. . A "hook" was needed to draw people to the meetings. . The public should be approached in such a manner as to attract a large and diverse group of people. . Community outreach should include the entire community. . The Committee should serve as a positive influence in redirecting efforts pertaining to the Old High School. Ms. DeVries suggested meeting notices be included in water bills for a particular month in order to increase awareness of the existence of the Committee. It was questioned whether a timeframe or sunset date had been determined relative to the Committee and its purpose. Mr. Breese explained while no sunset had been established, the Commission was depending upon the Committee to accomplish its responsibilities in a timely fashion. However, no particular timeframe had been suggested. He added that after two or three meetings, it would be apparent as to the progress being made and goals could then be set. Further comments by the Committee members were as follows: 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee Boynton Beach, Florida December 14, 2009 . In addition to including meeting notices in water bills, questionnaires could be included to determine one's interest in historic preservation. . The public could be educated through the use of a newsletter. . The public could be motivated by means of an educational campaign extolling the benefits of being designated a historic district. . The cooperation of the public was necessary in order to be designated a historic district. . It was suggested promotional work in the form of a voiceover commercial be accomplished through the Library. In furtherance of increasing public awareness, Mr. Rumpf noted the City's website could be utilized, and he would work with the administrator to determine the available options. An educational newsletter could be posted on the website containing historic facts about Boynton Beach. It was suggested the City consider having a Historic Preservation Administrator. To that end, it was also suggested someone on staff might wish to assume this task. In discussing the ordinance, it was generally agreed the ordinance should not be overly burdensome, yet have enough "teeth" to govern. It was suggested the City of Delray Beach or the Palm Beach County be contacted to provide insight with regard to their Historic Preservation ordinances. Discussion ensued as to the availability of grants which would help to develop the Program. Staff would check the National Trust Website to determine whether funding was indeed available. In summary, it was agreed emphasis should be placed on "getting the word out." Public awareness and education were priorities. Interim activities discussed included the use of BBTV, water bills and other resources to get the word out, polling the public, and educating the public as to general information on historic preservation and specific information on the City's history. With regard to staff's recommendation to elect a Chair, Ms. Ready nominated Warren Adams. Mr. McGovern seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations and Mr. Adams was unanimously elected Chair. 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Committee Boynton Beach, Florida December 14, 2009 6. Summarize tasks or accomplishments for next meeting . Mr. Adams would research the availability of grants for the planning stages of the Program. . Staff would explore current options and resources on BBTV and the website. . Staff would provide sample ordinances to use as an outline for discussion purposes and to determine the manner in which they could be used to set up future agendas. . Staff would look into engaging guest speakers. . Committee members would give thought to questions to be asked of the public with regard to educational points of the Program. . Staff would determine whether a property database existed and whether it was in electronic form. Pursuant to the suggestion of Ms. Ready, staff agreed to provide copies of the agendas to Mr. Adams for his review. 7. Announce date of next meeting The next meeting would be held on Monday, January 4, 2010 at Fire Station #2. Thereafter, a meeting would be held on Monday, February 8, 2010, with the location to be determined. 8. Adjournment As there was no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:37 p.m. o,~. . Of- ~~. Stephanie D. Kahn Recording Secretary 122809 6