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Minutes 10-10-22 Minutes of the Historic Resources Preservation Board Meeting Held on October 10, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers 100 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Barbara Ready, Chair Amanda Radigan, Director Planning and Zoning Tom Ramiccio Jae Un Kim, Principal Planner Dr. Ben Lowe (Arrived 6:39 P.M.) Craig Pinder, Planner 11 Michael Wilson Mike Rumpf, Consultant Bishop Bernard Wright Rhonda Sexton (Arrived at 6:36 P.M.) Absent: Alexander Ranbom 1. Call to Order Chair Ready called the meeting to order at 6:34 P.M A quorum was present. 2. Agenda Approval Motion Mr. Ramiccio moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Wilson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes — Minutes from July 11, 2022, meeting to be available at a subsequent board meeting. The minutes were deferred to the next meeting 4. Communications and Announcements None 5. Old Business: A. Historic Preservation Programming and the local Ordinance — Staff has been reviewing the preservation regulations relative to the subject of tax exemption and exploring the possibility of amendments to increase its applicability. Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 10, 2022 (Ms. Sexton arrived.) Mike Rumpf, Consultant, recalled a prior conversation about the above and explained that staff is still going through the County, because the Ordinance involves the County's Tax Collection System. He advised that they are preparing to make an amendment in the LDR to allow non-homestead properties to receive the exemption and he noted that the tax abatement is on the improvements for 10 years. B. Historic Property Designation Reviews/413 NE 12 Avenue — The designation report for the review of this property's addition to the City's Local Registry is nearly complete and ready for the approval stage of the process. (Dr. Lowe arrived.) Mr. Rumpf reviewed the item and stated that Dr. Meeks is looking into it, to be used as a museum. C. Historic Woman's Club maintenance — The status of the property maintenance will be discussed with an emphasis on the building's balconies and compliance issue of the railings with current building codes. Mr. Rumpf stated that there are physical improvements ongoing. He said that the balconies are closed to public access because during renovations, it was determined that the railings are a few inches too short and do not meet the Building Code. He mentioned that he had provided documentation of his findings and said that staff is researching having accordion shutters mounted and columns have to be modified. Chair Ready suggested leaving the balconies closed. Mr. Ramiccio stated that the building is really the City's crown jewel. The railings were replaced between the 70s to the 90s, so it was either permitted or not. Looking at the aesthetics from the outside, the roof features, style, and window features were modified and there was an awning feature that was there. He urged that the Board do something really important to preserve the character of the building because once it is lost, it detracts from the historical nature of the property. Chair Ready suggested leaving the balconies closed. Mr. Ramiccio stated that the building is really the crown jewel, and that the railings were replace between the 70s to the 90s, so it was either permitted or not. He urged the Board do something really important to preserve the character of the building, because once it is lost, it detracts from the historical nature of the property. Chair Ready inquired if they could add something to the top of the railing. 2 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 10, 2022 Mr. Ramiccio explained that it would have to be made, and he suggested that the community or private investors would invest in it. There was discussion regarding accordion shutters and impact windows. D. Rosenwald Plaque for Poinciana Elementary School — The marker has been delivered to the City that recognizes the historic event involving the granting of seed money in 1926 from the Rosenwald Fund for the construction of a new elementary school building. Staff will finalize the precise location for the plaque destined for the southwest corner of the N. Seacrest Boulevard/MLK Jr. Boulevard intersection, and coordinate an event for its installation with all involved including the Board. Bishop Bernard Wright commented that the members of the Board are part of the Historic Resource Preservation Board, whose purpose is to preserve history as factually as possible. He stated that Poinciana was previously on Federal Highway prior to 1925. He mentioned that this is sensitive because they are talking about 1926 and segregation, and they moved the greater St Paul AME from Federal Highway to across the railroad tracks. He said for the Board to place a Jewish plaque in a Black neighborhood, because they gave seed money to reconstruct a building they already had on Seacrest was offensive to their neighborhood. He mentioned that if there is going to be a plaque, it should be to the founder, which was his grandfather, and he advised that he has a problem with the plaque. He stated that he is running for elected office and felt there is injustice and inequality. Chair Ready explained that the plaque represents a slice of the Rosenwald School's history and that the group that offered money to pay for this plaque, offered money to get a plaque for Bishop Wright. Bishop Wright objected and stated that the plaque is not true. He wanted his great grandfather to have his proper due. He said that he wanted his great grandfather to have his proper due, and asked if he had to take this to the Ethics Committee. Chair Ready explained that they amended the wording in the first sentence, that was agreed on, in order to accommodate him. Bishop Wright stated that he did not want the plaque and so moved to reject it and he did not want history distorted. Mr. Rumpf noted that only after meeting with Bishop Wrights concerns, as it did not have local recognition. He said that the first paragraph was changed to acknowledge the St. Paul AME Church. Bishop Wright pointed out that the plaque still does not mention the man who founded the Church. He noted that he had not worked on the wording for the second plaque because he objected to the first plaque. He stated that there is White Supremacy. 3 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 10, 2022 Mr. Ramiccio left the meeting at 7:17 P.M. Chair Ready advised that the Board had offered to help Bishop Wright. Bishop Wright stated that he will litigate and protest the plaque, during his campaign, and until he dies. He asked Mr. Rumpf what he thought of it. Mr. Rumpf responded that they will not see eye-to-eye. He objected to some of the things Bishop Wright said that it is in total disregard of the origin of the City's Black History. Mr. Rumpf said that this plaque represents a national program supported and recognized by the Federal Office of Historic Preservation, and there are only 11 plaques nationwide that were funded this way. Ms. Amanda Radigan, Planning and Zoning Director, stated that she understood that the plaque and the language was approved by the Board. Bishop Wright objected stating that the Board was a White Board. Ms. Radigan stated that staff takes the recommendation of the Board and move it forward. Bishop Wright contended that was what the Board has been doing and it is specific racism. Ms. Radigan explained the language is from a majority vote of the Board. Bishop Wright reiterated the Board is comprised of White members. Dr. Lowe advised that the Board was being threatened. 6. New Business: None. 7. Other: Board meeting schedule and staff support for new fiscal period—Staff has discussed the most efficient use of the limited resources available for the new fiscal period, which is intended to advance the program as well as maintain compliance with the State's criteria for Certified Local Government status. Ms. Radigan distributed a revised work program that has been initiated for the transition due to Mr. Rumpf's retirement. 4 Meeting Minutes Historic Resource Preservation Board Boynton Beach, Florida October 10, 2022 Mr. Rumpf commented that the Board will meet every three months as opposed to monthly. Mr. Rumpf introduced Planner II, Craig Pinder, and Principal Planner, Jae Un Kim and said that these staffers will handle day-to-day operations and continue to work on the work program. He mentioned that Interns will help update the City's inventory and that they will need a desk and a supervisor. Ms. Radigan stated that City Internship programs are regulated by Human Resources. Registration begins at the end of this month to start in January. She mentioned that Interns need to be paid. Dr. Lowe clarified that the Internship program is through FAU and that students get on- the-job training and are not paid. He said that staff will need to think long term as they have a resource to work on a project and plan it with the City. He commented that if there is a work program, they have to work it out with the professor for the spring. Ms. Sexton commented that there are all kinds of grants, and a lot of grants are in-kind. She said that they want to take the work plan and start action items. 8. Comments by members Chair Ready announced that on October 24th, the Historic Society has a Zoom program at 7 P.M. on Pirates and Pirateers. Bishop Wright commented that pirates bought Black people to the country as slaves and the City celebrates Pirate Fest. He said he was glad the City was not celebrating it this year. 9. Public comments relative to historic preservation None. 10. Announce date of next meeting — January 9, 2023 There was no further business to discuss, Chair Ready properly adjourned the meeting at 7:40 P.M. f Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 5