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Minutes 05-08-17 MINUTES OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION BOARD MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017, AT 6:30 P.M. IN CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Barbara Ready, Chair Warren Adams, Historic Preservation Planner Eric Salomonsson, Vice Chair Cheryl Black Susan Oyer Dr. Ginger Pedersen Jason Shaffer Hollis Tidwell Jesse Feldman, Alternate ABSENT: Michael Wilson, Alternate 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Oyer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 2. Agenda Approval Motion Ms. Oyer moved to approve the agenda as presented. Dr. Pederson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 3. Approval of Minutes  January 9, 2017 meeting minutes Mr. Adams had one change to Item 5 A. second sentence “.The materials were match was $70,000.” Motion Ms. Oyer moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Salomonsson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2017  April 10, 2017 meeting minutes Item 6A. second paragraph, “Mr. Adams commented if interested, the owner can complete the report herself or staff could prepare it.” . Motion Mr. Shaffer moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Oyer seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 4. Communications and Announcements 5. Old Business: A. Certified Local Government Grant: Black History Interactive Website update Mr. Adams explained the work and research is still ongoing for the Black History Interactive Website. There was a three-month delay obtaining the 3-D Pictometry images because of contractual issues. The City wanted to handle obtaining the matter through a purchase order, but Pictometry wanted a contract. Mr. Adams advised it seems to be resolved and he anticipated receiving the aerial very soon. Mr. Adams th also completed and submitted the third progress report to the State on April 28. He commented he asked for a project extension to the end of July, but staff was still pushed for time on this project. B. 206 NW 6th Street National Register eligibility Mr. Adams recalled a SEARCH report needed for alterations to intersections at Boynton Beach Boulevard, Gateway Boulevard and I-95 identified the above structure and recommended it was National Register eligible. Dr. Pedersen contacted the owner through Facebook and then spoke with her and the owner was excited and interested in both the Local and National Register designations. She told Dr. Pedersen the only major exterior change was hurricane windows and Dr. Pedersen advised it would not be an issue as the State was already familiar with the home. Dr. Pedersen agreed to try to set an appointment with the owner and determine what needs to be done to get the process started. She will also assist Mr. Adams with some of the paperwork. Mr. Adams noted Local Register designation has a more straight forward application than National Register designation which requires a lot more detail and research. He suggested, if the owner wanted to move quickly, she proceed with Local Register designation first. If the owner has time, they may be able to get all the research done for the National Register application. Dr. Pedersen hoped she would have original documents, such as blue prints and others as it could save some time and help ascertain how the home relates to the subdivision and who constructed it and lived in the home. Mr. Adams recalled the sales office may be that home or the one next to it. 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2017 Dr. Pedersen was aware the sales office was the Hartley house and they will start their research from there. C. Celebration of Conrad Pickel event th Mr. Adams announced the Conrad Pickel event will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The bus tour is from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. stopping by the Mausoleum, Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Joseph Episcopal Church and will stop outside Gallery Fantasia. Mr. Adams hoped to gain access to Gallery Fantasia, but has not been able to organize it yet. Dr. Pedersen will host the tour this year and the Historical Society covered the cost of the bus. He thanked the Society for the bus. After the tour, lectures will take place in the Library Program Room from 10:30 to about 1 p.m. Mr. Adams will give a lecture on Mr. Pickel’s Boynton Beach buildings. Dr. Pedersen will talk about the Iglesias Adventista Church window in West Palm Beach, and Mr. Pickel will talk about a new book coming out about Conrad Pickel entitled A Tapestry in Stained Glass by Jean Moody. Limited copies of the book will be available at the event. He wanted to have Mr. Moody talk about the book, but Mr. Moody will be in Europe, but he will talk next year. The books are $30 or $40 dollars which have a lot of images. He pointed out the event is free of charge and the event was moving ahead as planned. It was also noted there were 19 seats reserved in the 35 seat bus, leaving 16 seats available. 6. New Business: A. Local Register Historic Site Designation: Boynton School (Schoolhouse Children’s Museum), 129 E. Ocean Ave. At the last meeting, Mr. Adams had suggested the City would apply for a small matching grant for repairs to the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum. He advised the building is on the National Register, and alterations do not require Board review. He commented alterations to Local Register properties do. Mr. Adams advised when applying for grant funds, the State likes to see the site on the Local Register because it means any work funded by grant monies will be reviewed by the Board. Mr. Adams explained when he was completing the grant application, he also completed a designation application to add the structure to the Local Register. Mr. Adams explained the site boundaries are unique and he suggested the Board may want to change the boundaries at some point as the boundary wraps around the Old High School and incorporates the parking lot and a strip of land next to the high school. Mr. Adams explained when property is designated, the site is designated and not the building. As a result, any alterations to the car parking lot would have to be reviewed by the Board which would not make sense. He noted with the pending Town Square designs, he would attempt to change the boundaries and move ahead with the designation. Mr. Adams explained the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum is Boynton’s oldest school building constructed in 1913. It was added to the National Register in 1994. It was 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2017 designed by William W. Maughlin, a prominent local architect, who designed many other local, public and private buildings in the County, including the 1908 West Palm Beach High School. The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum is likely one of his last projects as he passed away not long after work on the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum got started. The building is masonry vernacular styled and the National Register Report states it is architecturally potentially one of the best examples of the remaining early schools in the County. The design, facilities and construction demonstrated the significance the community placed in education. The school had interior restrooms, was built with masonry and had two stories. At the time, it was a substantial school and a large building compared to other schools. The growth of Boynton Beach and the school development reflects developments in the educational system, the community and in Palm Beach County, giving the building historical significance. The building was used as an elementary school from 1913 to the 1990s and it continues to provide education as it is been used as a children’s museum since 2001. He noted a member of the museum staff indicated it is the only children’s museum in Florida that is housed within a historic school. Another significant factor is the building also sits next to the Old High School which is a historic site. Mr. Adams explained there are two historic schools next to each other with different architectural styles sitting right next to each other. The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum retains most of its integrity, but changed over time and was altered somewhat in 1996 and 1999 when it was upgraded for use as a museum. The City added a disabled access ramp, and the opening on the west side of the porch was enlarged. Another alteration was in the back of the building and the two fire escape stairs were moved and one new fire escape was installed. The City converted two original escape doors to windows and converted one second floor window to a door. At one point, the building had metal awning windows which were replaced with more appropriate looking wood frame windows of impact glass, but the windows do not open. A canopy on the west elevation was removed. Other alterations included reconfiguring the interior space to accommodate new restrooms, an elevator and other upgrades. The building retains most of its integrity. All the alterations were done appropriately using correct materials and high standards of workmanship. All of the changes are reversible, if any needed to be reversed. Photos of the interior were viewed and in its original setting. Mr. Adams concluded the site is eligible for designation based on its significance in the areas of architecture and education. It is associated with events that made a significant contribution to City’s history. It has characteristics of masonry vernacular style and early school design. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it retains much of its integrity. Mr. Adams explained if the Board recommends thth approval, it will come before the City Commission on May 16 and then on June 6. He requested the Board vote to recommend the Boynton School be added to the Local Register of Historic Places. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2017 Motion Ms. Oyer moved to recommend the building be added to the Boynton Beach Register of Historic Places. Vice Chair Salomonsson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Adams noted if the building is added, it would be the ninth Local Register historic site. Ms. Oyer thought the recommendation was a great step forward for the City. Chair Ready suggested the members contact their Commissioners in support of the application. B. 2017 Small Matching Grant application for repairs to the Boynton School (Schoolhouse Children’s Museum), 129 E. Ocean Ave. Mr. Adams explained the City decided to submit a small matching grant for repairs to the building, which was one reason to push for Local Register designation. Mr. Adams had previously indicated the City would apply for a grant of $35,000, but later decided they will ask for the entire amount for repairs to the soffits, fascia and flashings, preparation and painting the exterior of the building including all doors and windows and interior flooring repairs. Visuals of the building were viewed showing some of the woodworking and newer doors and windows need to be painted; some paint on the exterior was discolored and some of the masonry was chipped and damaged. Inside the building, there were many temporary repairs to the flooring. A lot of the floor boards are original and thin as they have been worn down over the years. There is some delamination of the floors as well. Mr. Adams explained this information was contained in the grant application, and pointed out they may find damage behind the soffits and would want to repair that damage. The figures are tentative. It is possible the City may have to spend all the money on the soffits or not. The State expects hidden repairs. As the work is done, the numbers may change. A breakdown of the request was viewed. Mr. Adams explained there is no match required because of the City’s CLG status, but the City will provide an $8,000 cash match and donated time of $5,856 for Mr. Adams to administer the grant and for Public Works staff to manage the project. The total match is $13,856, and the total requested is $50,000. Mr. Adams allotted $3,000 for a preservation architect. Mr. Adams checked with the State as most of the work is repair work and a preservation architect may not be required, but if damage is found, the State should know the repair is done correctly. Soffits, fascia and flashing had $20,000 allotted, flooring was $15,000, and exterior painting was $20,000. Mr. Adams hoped to piggy back on other jobs with the City to have the work done in the most economical way possible. He spoke to Public Works and Engineering and the estimates were good. Flooring repairs were added so if there was left over money, they had something they could use the funds for. Mr. Adams anticipated the project would take about nine months and the grant period is from to July 2018 to June 2019. Mr. Adams allowed a month to obtain bids from an 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2017 architect, a month for specifications, a month for bids from contractors, two months for repairs, one month for painting and one for closing up, with time to spare. It is a good application, but not an exciting application. Mr. Adams pointed out if they do not make the repairs, there will be bigger problems later. Mr. Adams received an email back from the State the work meets the criteria and the application is complete. There will be a review via telephone and hopefully the building will be on the Local Register because Mr. Adams noted on the application the building was submitted for designation. Mr. Adams had seven letters of support and more letters can be sent as long as they are received prior to the State’s review. He added this is one of the most important buildings in the City and preventative maintenance is needed. Mr. Adams clarified he received letters of support from the Library, the CRA, Historical Society, and Janet Devries. C. 2017 Special Category Grant application for the 1927 Boynton High School, 125 E. Ocean Ave. Mr. Adams had indicated at the last meeting, he would apply for a Special Category Grant for the Boynton High School. He advised the City Selection Team chose the development consortium that will do the work for the street the Museum, the Old High School and the Library is on, and REG Architects should hopefully work on the Old High School. REG Architects contacted the CRA with a proposal that they would handle the application and Mike Simon, Interim CRA Director, contacted Mr. Adams asking if it was a good idea or not. Mr. Adams had responded he anticipated Mr. Adams would complete the application and REG provide the information that is required, but on second thought, if REG is doing the work, timeline and cost, it may be better if REG submitted the application as well, and the CRA entered into a contract with them for them to do the Special Category Grant application. Mr. Adams will assist and provide input. The application will request the full $500,000 which requires a $250,000 match. If awarded, Mr. Adams will handle the grant maintenance and submit the quarterly reports. Mr. Adams explained this was good as it frees up Mr. Adams to work on the Black History Interactive Website and REG has a good reputation with the State. Mr. Adams did not think it would do any harm if REG submitted the application, noting the thth application period is May 15 through June 15 of this year. The fact REG will handle the work saves Mr. Adams from having to monitor REG throughout the process and may make the process cleaner and simplified. 7. Other 8. Comments by members Ms. Oyer was looking forward to the Conrad Pickel event. Vice Chair Salomonsson commented Mr. Adams held another successful presentation at N. Broward Preparatory School and the students loved the presentation. 6 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida May 8, 2017 9. Public comments 10. Announce date of next meeting – June 12, 2017 11. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Chair Ready properly adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. 7