Loading...
Minutes 03-08-21 Minutes of the Historic Resource Preservation Board Meeting Held on Monday, March 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. In the Community Room, Boynton Beach City Hall 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Mike Rumpf, Board Liaison Thomas Ramiccio Dr. Ben Lowe Michael Wilson Absent: Rev. Bernard Wright Hollis Tidwell Rhonda Sexton, Alternate 1. Call to Order Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Agenda Approval Motion Mr. Ramicco moved to approve the Agenda. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. 4. Approval of Minutes —January 11, 2021 Mr. Wilson moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Ramiccio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Communications and Announcements Mr. Rumpf received an email from REG Architects, who were the architects and project manager for the Old High School rehabilitation project. Tomorrow is the deadline for an award application they want to submit. He shared the template for a letter of support with Chair Ready. They were seeking awards for a 2021 Florida Preservation Award for an adaptive reuse turning the building into a cultural arts hub for the City. It gave the history of the building, which is on the Boynton Beach Registry of Historic Places. The Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 8, 2021 inside was adaptively reused and the exterior remained original. The building was on the State's endangered list for several years. The Board had no objection to signing the support letter. Mr. Rumpf also advised the City was asked to partner with Harvey Oyer, III's efforts to install a Charlie Pierce History Trail. A brochure was included detailing Mr. Oyer's fundraising efforts for the improvements he would like to see. It would be similar to the Downtown Trail and have trailhead kiosks and markers. The Historic Preservation website would be updated for the Downtown Trail system referencing the Charlie Pierce History Trail. There are current discussions about labeling the train in the brochure tying it to the original train they had in the area and tying it to a replica scaled down version of Charlie Pierce's home that he had in the area that would be placed at the termination point of the trail, which was near the amphitheater. There was a possible additional art component of items regarding water lands, upland scrub or wetland bird species. The elements are taken from Harvey Oyer's, III children's book, "The Barefoot Mailman and Charlie Pierce." Chair Ready believed the information is taught in the fourth-grade student curriculums. She asked if there was a map and how long the trail was. Mr. Rumpf explained all is just conceptual. It was a history trail not a walking trail. He will apprise the Board about the effort as he learned about the effort recently. He was asked to see if the former Historic Preservation Planner could assist with the matter and he has not said no and he has helped Mr. Rumpf gain better access to him. When they discuss strategizing, they would use Mr. Lowe's suggestion and look to see what kind of intern resource they could use. 6. Old Business: A. Historic plaques for designated properties (Informational Item) — Staff will provide an update on the status of acquiring plaques for historic properties. Mr. Rumpf advised they were working on a couple of plaques and he received a proof of one of them. The Board had approved the proof so they will have something in hand by the next meeting. The year 1925 is one of the more common dates of the most valuable homes in the survey. A former Board member may be willing to purchase the plaque, which was a little over$200. He requested Chair Ready approach the Historical Society to see if they would make a partial or three-way payment. Mr. Rumpf will provide an update and take pictures on posting the plaque on the first house in the City to the City Commission. The plaque was a smaller plaque intended to be placed on homes. Ms. Sexton had voiced support for the smaller 8 x 15 plaque. The A.5 plaque, which the company recommended so the letters would not be so pressed was 10 x 20, and Mr. Rumpf was curious to see how it would look. He thought the larger and more visible, the better as long as it was to scale with the house. There was a mock up for the high school plaque. Mr. Rumpf already started working with the same company and the Board will need to approve the layout. 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 8, 2021 B. Rosenwald Schools (Informational Item)— Staff will provide the Board with informational material on the Rosenwald Schools awareness program and status of coordinating with former City Historian/Archivist Janet Devries Naughton and a representative from the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation in obtaining and displaying a historic plaque near Poinciana Elementary School. At the last meeting, there was a discussion about the placement of a Rosenwald School plaque, a suggestion to feature more information and the Rosenwald School program. He encouraged the members to read about Mr. Rosenwald and how he got into the Sears company. The document was written by Janet DeVries. Board Member Wright was also heading an effort to have a plaque recognizing the efforts of his ancestors at Poinciana the school. Mr. Rumpf explained the other plaque being presented is the Rosenwald School Plaque. Mr. Rumpf explained a representative of the Jewish Society for history preservation has been doing this throughout the State and they can get a State issued plaque. They have been looking at this option, but there is a time delay as they review them on a scheduled basis. They missed the first deadline for this option, but staff will re-approach. He thought a local registry should be sufficient. There is more versatility for the Rosenwald School. The meeting materials showed Rosenwald one side of it has a map, and they would like to use that plaque for focus on the overall program in addition to it focusing on the Poinciana area. Mr. Rumpf was not looking to the Board as they have no funds. He spoke to the Public Works Director who may be able to assist. He hoped it would have some similarities between the plaques. The members talked about the layout. Staff tracked down the elementary school national designation plaque in storage and will get installed soon. Mr. Ramiccio asked when would be a good time to present a proposal to the City Commission for the plaques and perhaps a couple thousand dollars. The City has a Historic Resource Preservation Board and Ordinance and the Commission should find value in investing in the plaques. He noted the plaques were on the agenda this year and all of last year. Mr. Rumpf explained the City began the FY 21/22 budget process about a month ago and he would be requesting funds. Mr. Ramiccio also commented the City will need a survey, as some developments are turning over 50. He thought amendments to the Code were needed so a demolition would come before a review board, otherwise developers could come in and buy up the land. There should be a cursory look by a Board and it can even be on the Consent Agenda. Dr. Lowe commented they need to find out how much the City is getting from the Cares Act as it would be a significant amount, and they need to be able to write the project into the budget. This is an opportune time to hire another Historic Preservation Planner. He noted Mr. Rumpf is wearing multiple hats. The Board meets every other month and they need a driving force and push to get something in the budget. The Cares Act funds do not have to be used until mid-2023. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 8, 2021 Mr. Wilson suggested a survey as well. Old Boynton, Treasure Island, Venetian Isles, and a few wood frame homes from the 1930s and 1940s. Chair Ready spoke with Mr. Rumpf about using interns from the college for assistance updating the inventory. She hoped that was something they could work out and requested the members make a list of what a historic planner would do. There is a job description for a Historic Planner position, but they need to justify it. It is beneficial to have a current survey and Mr. Rumpf will also review the CLG requirements. Mr. Rumpf s focus with the limited resources they have is the older homes, 1920's mission homes, some frame vernacular and to renew public notification and update the public and new owners about the program. Now that they have a plaque, they could send out a brochure or letter about it. The City never had a plaque program. Mr. Rumpf could use an intern to update the website. The framework of the existing program was poor. At the last meeting, the members discussed the placement of the Rosenwald School Plaque near Poinciana Elementary School, recognizing the historic action of getting the school built originally as a colored school, and a debate followed. Additional information about the Rosenwald School program was included in the meeting materials. He encouraged the members to read the information to gain a better understanding of the program. Board Member Wright was also in touch with the school officials about the efforts of his ancestors regarding the school. C. Historic Preservation Programming and the local Ordinance — Staff will continue advancing the Board's awareness of the status of program implementation, as well as prompt continued discussions on program direction by featuring the prior attempt at establishing a historic district. Mr. Rumpf wanted to bring up past efforts and listed the established registered properties in the City and where they are mapped. He wanted to expand on this at the next meeting expanding out the registered properties about other more notable City- wide sites listed in the 1996 inventory. The idea behind a District is to place a boundary and a set of rules in an area with a high concentration of homes. There was no notable concentration, but one was initiated at the request of a property owner residing in the area and the former Historic Preservation Planner attempted to establish that district, which requires a vote of the property owners. Support materials for the prior effort was reviewed. They talked about strategizing where they wanted the program to go, funding, having a dedicated staff person, a historic preservation planner and the use of interns. It will take extra effort. The former City Historic Planner worked in concert with the FAU planning program as students have to have internship hours. Dr. Lowe could find out how to get involved. The person who did the last survey at the City, Dr. Sandra Norman, is still at FAU and she is in charge of the intern program. She has done work in other municipalities. She has classes that is individually run, but the interns and she works with someone at the Historical Society or the City. She would work with Mr. Rumpf to develop a program and she evaluates them based on reports and consultants with the person overseeing the progress. The students in the program end up in public history 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 8, 2021 positions. When they are ready to move forward, she can address the Board or the City Commission, or Dr. Lowe could be the conduit. It would have to work through a semester system. The interns do not usually work during the summer. The interns do not get paid, but a lot of them who do are offered paid internship or part-time positions afterward. It may not be a bad idea if they ask for funding for internship support. They could also use it for the materials to do the survey. Dr. Norman is a great person and she works well with the point person for the agency. He noted FAU also hired a new Public Historian who is reaching out to all the historical societies. She is interested in African America History in Palm Beach County. Mr. Ramiccio agreed a Historic Preservation Planner would be in charge of coordinating interns. A dedicated planner to work daily on a survey would be beneficial. He commented the education process before establishing historic districts was important. He noted he has not seen any Certificates of Appropriateness while on the Board and he thought many properties went away without a Board review. As to education, a good education process is needed. It starts with a good story and the improvements they could make are used as a carrot. It is comprehensive, and when it is put all together, the program will offer property owners some improvements and investments and show them the value they will get back. Staff would also have to implement the recommendations about changes in doors and windows and it takes a lot of that takes a lot of time. They need staff to manage the interns or the programs. He thought a $100M budget could certainly fund a planner position for$100K to $200K. Dr. Lowe agreed. Chair Ready explained the Ordinance specifies they do not have the authority to stop a historic demolition. Mr. Ramiccio understood, but he explained when a Board member makes a comment, do not take it literally. Often people think if a Board Member is for Historic Preservation, they are against development. There needs to be a mechanism in place. He recalled the train station that was torn down 20 years ago. It was a signature for what could have been a neat redevelopment. The Delray train station had a fire and Delray said they are going to preserve it and the adaptive reuse is where the awards come. Historic homes can blend in with new homes. He thought they needed to go in a different direction. The agendas last year all pertained to the plaques. They can implement a program. Taking pictures of a home before demolition is not Historic Preservation. He could make recommendations and the Board could make recommendation to the City Commission how the Ordinance could be amended. He noted there were only nine properties. The program has to choose how to nominate the homes. He wanted to change the nomination process so those who want to improve properties can go to the website. He requested the members look at the definition of historic in the Ordinance. The historic downtown is gone and only a few historic sights remain. He thought there was a lot more history in the City. He repeated a survey needs to be done on the west side of the community as there are a lot of little gems. Mr. Ramiccio thought City staff needs to have a workshop to understand how the history has evolved and what is good historic preservation. There was a disconnect between 5 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 8, 2021 the program and the City Commission. He did not understand how the City could have a program with no funds. it Ready explained the Ordinance was created by an Ad Hoc Committee. Chair Ready explained the members' homework was to make a list of why we need a historic planner. Mr. Ramiccio thought they need to educate the Commission out historic preservation and how it fits in with development. They do not want two factions fighting with each other. Dr. Lowe asked when was the last time they met with the Commission and discussed the matter. There is a board liaison, but no member of the Commission was assigned as a liaison to the Board. Dr. Lowe thought there needs to be education and communication. He asked when was the last time a Commissioner attended a Historic Preservation meeting. Mr. Rumpf explained none oft Advisory Boards have a Commissioner liaison. Chair Ready explained they cannot go before the City Commission unprepared. The Board needs a list to justify why the program is good, why they need a planner, and why the Certified Local Government status is good for the City. They need their ducks in a row. Mr. Ramicclo explained they need a story. They need to be part of understanding history and how it fits in with redevelopment. It can increase the tax base and have downtown Mr. Wilson asked what would be the best way to proceed. Mr. Ramiccio thought the first meeting should be a PowerPoint presentation by a local historian with the story of Boynton Beach. It improves property values and how itshould correlate it with the tax base. It could correlate tot budget. They can tell little stories like Charlie Pierce that could be woven into a larger fabric aft City. They could do more with the program, especially with the changing of doors and windows and Certificate of Appropriateness. With the new Cottage District, they presented a square box with a window and a door, if nobody cares about the design of the home, this is what we get. A Cottage District should reflect a Cottage District. He questioned whether the Board could conduct a Certificate of Appropriateness fort project. There is a lot of work that can be done and there is a lot of value in historic preservation. The City has evolved. Mr. Rumpf advised the points made at the meeting have reinvigorated him and National Preservation month is coming up. They could make some type of presentation. They should put something together tot advantage of the moment. He was happy the Cottage District will return tot CRA. Planning staff conducted a preliminary design review and offered very good recommendations to prevent it from looking like regular homes. One proposal had great looking models. They will try to assert some influence on that. Dr. Lowe noted Dr. Norman and Jane Day conducted the 1996 survey and they have their own consulting business. Discussion followed about using interns. Dr. Lowe did not think interns would not be working over the summer, sat first real use of interns would likely be August. Mr. Rumpf thought he could reintroduce himself to Dr. Norman. Dr. Lowe explained he is 6 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida March 8, 2021 the Chair of the department. He will provide the email address to Mr. Rumpf. He thought she could team up with the Board and help craft a presentation. They need advice and could use interns. It could create awareness, education and funding. 7. New Business: A. None Dr. Lowe was in the Old High School for the kinetic art event and they had tours of the school. There are a lot of rooms and he thought they could recreate an old classroom from when the high school was started. There is history in the old high school that they tried architecturally to keep. The building is a centerpiece in the downtown, but there is nothing historic in it. He thought they could put a sign in there that talks about the historic nature. Mr. Rumpf explained they did that at the elementary school museum. Chair Ready thought all the rooms were used except for a small room for a sandwich shop or cafe. It would be nice to have a piece of history. They could put up posters or have artifacts. Something more historical would be nice as an orientation to the history of the City. In the future, if rooms are not being used, they could create a small museum or recreate a classroom. Chair Ready thought the City Archivist may have items on display in the Library they could use. She also thought the members should attend the City Commission meeting on May 41h for the Historic Preservation Month Proclamation. 8. Other 9. Comments by members 10. Public comments 11. Announce date of next meeting — May10, 2021 12. Adjournment There being no further business before the Board, Chair Ready adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 7