Loading...
Minutes 03-09-20 Minutes of the Historic Resources Preservation Board Meeting Held in the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse 2240 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach, Florida On Monday, March 9, 2020, AT 6:30 P.M. Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Mike Rumpf, Board Liaison Ben Lowe Mike Wilson Also Present: Eleanor Krusell, Communications Manager. A quorum was not present and the meeting did not take place; however, Eleanor Krusell, Communications Manager, was present to make a presentation about the City's Centennial activities. Ms. Krusell reported part of the planned activities was to give a historic tour. She was asking the Board to assist and form some type of a working group. Two main tasks were to identify sites for the tour and who might help in terms of speaking to tour attendees on a bus tour on a mapped-out route. Discussion followed the tour should not be limited to designated sites on the local or national registry, it could include other sites in the City that have history behind it. As an example, the SE Headquarters for Motorola was in Renaissance Commons and it is part of the City's past. There are a couple of businesses in town that also have a long history. Ms. Krusell explained the City Commission approved what she presented a month ago and she distributed a City Calendar containing Centennial activities each month. There were funds allocated for the bus. The free tour would be held during Historic Preservation Month and could be offered several times if necessary. She read the activities as contained in the meeting material. She thanked the Historical Society for providing additional postcards and explained she hoped to get 100 volunteers involved in the event. They have a website people can visit and sign up to volunteer. A Steering Committee was appointed by the City Commission and Ms. Krusell agreed to send Chair Ready the list of appointees. They wanted representation from each district. This month, the City is holding a logo contest. The Post Office will allow the City to put a "Barefoot Mailman" postmark on mail distributed in Boynton Beach, and stamps to purchase online throughout the year. There will be a postcard campaign in the schools teaching students to write and to send postcards and the City will pay to mail them. Thursday will be a free day at the Beach from 8 to 5, as on March 12t", 99 years ago, the City bought land for the beach. The City will advertise the Centennial at the Blarney Bash and there will be hidden Centennial coins. If attendees find Centennial coins they can cash them and receive a discount on item that will be at the 4t" of July event. The City will unveil a large artwork on the corner of the Town Square on March 27th. April will feature the Easter Eggstravaganza and staff will hide the Centennial coins. The Fire Station opens April 15th so there will be history included. On Earth Day at Sara Sims Park, the City will distribute seed packs and trees native to Boynton Beach. May is Preservation Month, but the City has not yet selected a date for the proclamation. Students will write letters for the time capsule telling future students what school was like 100 years past, and the developer will place the time capsule in a vault with a plaque. The newly renovated Woman's Club will host a Mother's Day Tea with 100 year old tea cups. In June, the Police Department Headquarters opens. The Police Department is creating a history book as the Department is also 100 years old and will have a Grand Opening. Lionfish Derby will take place and the City incorporate history there. The Golf Course opened June 7th and feature free play for the day for the first 100 people. The City incorporated 1921 on July 21St, The July main event is the 4th of July with expanded fireworks and the City will provide a veteran's tent that 100 year- olds can use to watch the show. Additional bus service from Boynton Beach Mall will be available and the Post Office will be on site stamping postcards people fill out. The new Town Square Grand Opening will be on July 21St and the City will be offering tours of the Cultural Center, Museum, Kapok tree and City Hall. The first City Commission meeting they will place the time capsule in new lobby with postcards and staff is creating a coffee table book. There will be an August Block Party at Sara Sims Park. There will be a Back to School Bash at the pool. September is the Cultural Center's public Grand Opening. In October, the Coalition of Clergy will have dinner and music at the church and kinetic art installations will take place for the Avenue of the Art. Pirates Fest will take place in October on Ocean Avenue with coins and November will feature 100 turkey giveaways. December is the tree lighting. The tree lighting and parade is separate. Ms. Krusell explained the City wants 100 parade entries for the Centennial. It is the City's 50th parade and they hope to get a Grand Marshal that is 100 years old. The tree lighting will be by City Hall. A platform created for the tree similar to by the Schoolhouse Children's Museum will be historically decorated for the Centennial. December 12th is the Centennial Gala upstairs with music and a sit down dinner. Ms. Krusell explained the City needs volunteers to assist in the planning process. All the activities are based on funding and volunteer music. Mr. Lowe inquired if the City was looking for someone born in Boynton Beach that is 100. Ms. Krusell responded they were. She noted the hospital was just celebrating its 50th so any potential candidates likely had to be born at Saint Mary's Hospital. Ms. Ready suggested contacting Dr. Weens daughter as her father delivered probably more than 7,500 babies in his 46-year career. A suggestion was also made to contact Harvey Oyer. It was noted he would help with a video. Mr. Lowe inquired if the High School was open and learned it was not. He hoped they could tour It on the 21St. It was noted some classes would start there, but it is the parking that will be the challenge. The City planned to move staff there the last week in June, plus parking is needed for the Children's Museum. Ms. Krusell advised there will be a temporary lot. Mr. Rumpf asked the members what they may want to contribute to the effort, or who they could get to participate that is knowledgeable. Mr. Rumpf advised he will send an email talking about that and try to arrange a kick-off brainstorming meeting about sites (map) and who can contribute information to it. Mr. Rumpf thought the meeting would last three or four hours. Ms. Ready noted all the historic sites already had QR codes. The tour could also drive by the historic cemetery. Mr. Lowe suggested having a long tour and a short tour to rotate. Some people may want a two-hour walking tour, but it would all hinge on what they have to look at. Mr. Lowe noted Janet DeVries-Naughton took people on a two-hour walking tour in the past. There will be a trolley on the 21St to show off the art on the Avenue. Discussion followed Boynton was home to Indian Alligator Shows and, a sponsor of the show, Pepsident bought the land. The mangroves had deep roots in Boynton and it will be the topic of a Historical Society's presentation on April 19th at the First Presbyterian Church. Next Monday, Ms. DeVries-Naughton will speak about women's suffrage. In 1966, Sunshine Square was a stand-alone building facing Woolbright Road. It was a two-lane country road but the aerial showed it to the south of the mangos. Pineapples also grew on Ocean Avenue and tomatoes were also sold. Mr. Wilson noted Boynton Billiards had an old broadcasting studio and someone told him about a room there. He thought a walking tour may be appropriate. Ms. Ready suggested a Teach your kid how to fish at the marina would generate excitement from the younger generation and she offered to help. The events will be advertised in the water bill. The City will print a tri-fold brochure, and have additional advertising via billboards and social media, etc. There are light poles on Boynton Beach Boulevard and by the bridge that can be used to help celebrate the events as the City has done for past celebrations. Ms. Krusell also found some records and a re-enactment and a skit about the incorporation may be popular. Mr. Wilson recalled for years incorporation kept surfacing but the residents did not want I, but in 1919, 1920 there was consensus. Ms. Ready recalled Boynton used to have a beauty pageant at the marina, and community fish-frys where the boat captains would come back with their catch. She thought the City could pre-sell tickets and Kim Kelley and her husband may be interested. The Sea Mist and Buds have also been around for a long time. Ms. Ready agreed to help Mr. Rumpf agreed to email all the members about what kind of ideas they have.