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Minutes 09-09-13 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013, AT 6:30 PM, IN CITY HALL CHAMBERS 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Roger Cope, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Resource Michele Dion, Vice Chair Preservation Planner Dr. Ginger Pedersen Linda Stabile Jason Shaffer Eric Salomonsson Robert Weiss Barbara Ready, Alternate 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Cope called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and declared a quorum was present. Dr. Pedersen led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. Agenda Approval There were no changes to the agenda; however, Mr. Adams advised there was a designation application on the agenda and the application was a quasi - judicial matter. The Recording Secretary administered an oath to the members and noted ae+ther the applicant was present for this item. 3. Approval of Minutes There were two changes made to the minutes as follows: Page 6, third paragraph was changed to " ...and the Armes Andrews and Magnuson House. . ." Page 8, fourth paragraph, remove the sentence: " may have beeR Fneved—." Motion Ms. Ready moved to approve the amended minutes. Chair Cope seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL September 9, 2013 4. Communications and Announcements None. 5. Old Business: A. Historic Preservation Program Update At the last meeting, Mr. Adams was asked to send out the wording for the Historic Preservation Ad Hoc Advisory Board Mission Statement, which was: "Boynton Beach will foster an atmosphere that preserves and promotes reverence for the architectural and cultural history of our community." He sought direction whether the Board wanted to change the wording or adopt the Statement. There was very brief discussion and Mr. Shaffer noted many organizations and companies include in the Statement the intention of how they would achieve those goals. Mr. Adams suggested the members give the Statement some thought for the next meeting. In the interim, he would investigate the process of having the Statement recognized. Mr. Adams explained a proposal regarding the Conrad Pickel exhibit and lecture was sent to the Historical Society inquiring if they would like to be involved in organizing the event. The plan was to make this an annual event with hopefully a benefit for both the City and Historical Society. This was a good way to effectively work together for Preservation Month each year. The Historical Society would discuss the inquiry at their next meeting. There was a draft program created for Preservation Month with a proposed date of Saturday, May 24, 2013, one week after the Florida Trust Conference held in Tampa next year. If the Florida Trust Preservation Conference is held nearby, they would hold the Preservation Month event that weekend. If it was not, they would avoid that weekend. The proposed program included a bus tour of selected sites containing Mr. Pickel's work, a presentation and demonstration by Paul Pickel, the artist's son, an exhibit in the Library and a reception for the opening of the exhibit. If the Historical Society opted to participate, they will work together on the program. Mr. Adams would also attend the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting the next evening. Mr. Adams had received $1,500 from the Agency to host a realtors training course with Delray Beach; however, that did not move forward. Instead, he was requesting the funds be transferred to the next fiscal year to offset the cost of the exhibit event. Mr. Adams explained he has still not received the CLG grant award agreement, but he did receive an email from the State indicating some changes were being made to the agreement which was delaying the matter. He would request an extension because 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL September 9, 2013 staff would lose a few months to complete the project due to the delay. The Small Matching Grant application for 2014/2015, was reviewed this last week. Mr. Adams was on a teleconference with the Review Panel and they only had one question. Ten applications for CLG funding were received from throughout the State. The rankings were announced at the end of the teleconference, and Boynton Beach was ranked first. He was awaiting official confirmation from the State of the award and noted they requested $27,000. He also advised the award has not yet been publicized. Mr. Adams announced the CRA was given an award for the Little House from the Florida Redevelopment Association for an outstanding rehabilitation, renovation or reuse project. They made a promotional video last week, which he was featured in, and he spoke about preservation in general. This would be viewed at the upcoming conference. B. 918 SE 4 th Street Mr. Adams explained this property is adjacent to the Women's Circle. At the last meeting, he had indicated staff was trying to relocate the building for nearly a year, but had not been successful. Mr. Adams had one more slim possibility for the home and had a meeting scheduled with a property owner around the corner from the dwelling. This property owner was attempting to have their home designated, and Mr. Adams noted they had three lots. The owners came in for a designation and left with potentially a second home. Within a week, contractors, forestry and building staff were on site. They walked the proposed moving route and the builder was getting an estimate for the move. If the move did not make financial sense for the property owner, there may be other options such as selling a lot or offering a ground lease to the lot if someone else would move the building. The owner was moving forward with the ad valorem tax incentives for both properties and discussion followed there could be a savings for the owner, who was also working on the existing house, which is a one -story, mission -style home. There would be one application for each home and two separate applications for the tax exemptions. Mr. Adams explained the owner had not received a response from the mover, but he thought they would go forward with the designation of their existing home, regardless of what else occurred. Ms. Ready explained she was familiar with the family. The home was originally moved from Federal Highway, and it still had original door knobs. Mr. Adams explained if this home is moved, instead of putting wooden beams under the home, they would use a metal plate and the home be moved like a "wedding cake." There are about six trees along the route to move the home. A few needed to be trimmed and there are three service lines. If the move comes to fruition, Mr. Adams agreed to notify the members so they could be present. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL September 9, 2013 6. New Business: A. Historic Designation of the Boynton Hills Lights Mr. Adams had emailed the members the designation report for the Boynton Hills Lights which he reviewed. The lights are ornamental street lights, manufactured by Westinghouse Electric and they were common throughout the City, although there were only five remaining. Four lights were in Boynton Hills and the fifth in front of the Boynton High School. The lights are situated along NW 1 St Street at the intersections of NW 3 rd 5 t 7th and 9 th Courts. The plinths are six -feet tall, with a 13 to 15 -foot column topped with a single glass and metal lighting unit. The lights were painted. There was no archival material giving an exact time of manufacture and installation; however, the estimate date of circa -1925 was obtained from a 1925 plat map of the Boynton Hills subdivision. An advertisement in the local paper from 1925 detailed the lights and it was known they were an integral part of the subdivision. The 1925 Westinghouse Catalog also showed the exact same style of light. The catalog did not show the plinth for the lights which could mean it was made by another company or was a special order for the subdivision. The lights are eligible for inclusion on the Boynton Beach Register of Historic Places as they embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, and for their significance with regard to architecture and streetscape design. They retain most of their integrity with regard to location, setting, design materials, workmanship, association and feeling. Some of the street patterns were changed, but it did not affect the lights and the positioning. They still maintained their importance in the street layout. The lights were well maintained although they were not working. They tried to install solar lights in one of the lights, but he thought it did not work because there was not enough sunlight or they were not powerful enough. The recommendation would be to obtain some type of solar fitting because they would not be reconnected to the power grid. The recommendation to the City Commission is approval of the historic designation of the Boynton Hills Lights. Chair Cope thanked Mr. Adams for his research. Mr. Weiss thought the lights were worthy of the designation. Discussion followed the City owns the lights and as they are the City's responsibility, he was confident the City would maintain them. If designated, any alterations made to the lights would come before the Board. The cost for a solar component was about $29. They want to install something that will make the lights glow, not necessarily illuminate the neighborhood, because it was thought the lights glowed in the past. They sought unobtrusive ways to achieve the effect they were looking for. It was unknown how many of these lights remained in the country, but if Westinghouse developed a solar fitting, they could do well. The light in front of the high school was the same as the others, but it was not on a plinth. When redevelopment of the school was 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL September 9, 2013 discussed, the light was to be included. If not, Mr. Adams would make inquiries whether anyone wanted a historic light pole. If the lights were designated and there was money from the City, they could apply for a grant. Discussion followed the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation or the Historical Society may be interested in sponsoring the lights and Dr. Pedersen explained if the information is forwarded to the Historical Society, they would put it on their agenda. Westinghouse has a charitable donation program for 501(0)3 organizations, but the Board could not take advantage of it. The lights were in good condition with some cracks and the bases were surrounded with mulch. Since the lights are located on City property, the Garden Club may be able to provide landscaping around the bases. It was unknown what the original color of the lights was and Mr. Adams did not know if they were originally unpainted. It was thought Westinghouse may be able to identify what the original color was. Motion Ms. Stabile moved to approve the placement of the Boynton Hills Lights on Boynton Beach's Local Register. Dr. Pedersen seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Adams explained the item is scheduled for the City Commission on September 17 and then again in October. He agreed to email the members so they can attend the meetings and show their support for the designation. 7. Other Mr. Adams spoke about a demolition application at 1633 NE 4th Street and commented the building was severely damaged by fire. There was nothing historically or architecturally significant about the building which was a 1950s concrete block home. He had also been contacted by someone else interested in designation, and he was figuring out how to have a meeting. Mr. Well's father was one of first African - American settlers responsible for laying out the Wells Subdivision and MLK Boulevard. He also had a house. He noted none of the properties exist anymore and it appeared the man should be recognized, but he unsure how to do so. He agreed to research the matter and contact the Historical Society. Mr. Well's was also instrumental in setting up St. Paul's AME Church and there may be some type of crossover to recognize both, but he has not yet heard back from the Church. He believed the Board would begin to see inquiries and designations coming in. 8. Comments by members Ms. Ready wanted to alert the members the City is in budget talks. They preliminarily approved the budget September 3 rd and will hold their second public hearing to adopt it 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resources Preservation Board Boynton Beach, FL September 9, 2013 on September 17th. She hoped they will designate funds to historic preservation to do more next year. She thought the Board needed to refresh pamphlets and conduct outreach. Mr. Adams explained there were many positive things occurring and more to come. If they are successful in getting the grant discussed earlier, they will have received close to $50K in grant funds without a match over two years. He explained he has to think carefully whether they would submit a grant application next year because it takes a long time to put an application together. Last year, there was only funding for three projects, and next year if there is only funding for one project, they will get it. If they can come up with another great idea, they would be considered, but he expects 15 applications for smart phones next year whereas this year, all the CLG applications were for survey and designations. The Board was the only Board that included education in its applications. Mr. Adams had one idea for next year that was rather ambitious, but it involved education. Dr. Pedersen noted the next morning at 9 a.m. was the dedication of Dewey Park. The Historical Society was holding a free presentation with David Wilson on September 16 at 6:30 called "Billionaires and Butterfly Ballots" at the Library. He is the cartoonist with the Palm Beach Daily News. He has been there for 20 years and compiled some of his more popular cartoons over the years. The presentation is a free event. Mr. Salomonsson complimented Dr. Pedersen on her research and efforts with the renaming of the Dewey Park. It was near and dear to her heart and he congratulated her on her work. 8. Public Comments Chair Cope opened the Public Comments. Chair Cope closed the Public Comments. 9. Announce date of next meeting - October 14, 2013 11. Adjournment There being nothing further to come before the Board, Chair Cope properly adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m. ( I I "'(1 0-W41 - Cherry Minutes Specialist 930917 6