HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.03.2023
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
AGENDA
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
4:00 PM
St. Lucie County Commission Chambers
2300 Virginia Avenue
3rd Floor of Roger Poitras Building
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
BOARD MEMBERS
CHAIR
Anthropology, Archaeology, History
RICHARD MCAFOOS
Land Use Planning or Historic Preservation Planning
KRISSTA KING
Architecture
MIKE MENARD
Layperson
BETTY JO STARK
VICE-CHAIR
MELANIE TREWYN
Conservation/Curation
MIKE MIDDLEBROOK
Construction
JUDY BIGLIN
Mission Statement
St. Lucie Works to deliver superior service that enhances our quality of life
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Historical Commission Tuesday, January 3, 2023 4:00 PM
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GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES – Attached is the agenda, which will determine the order of business conducted at today’s Board
meeting.
REGULAR AGENDA – Proclamations, Presentations, Public Hearings, and Department requests are items, which the Commission will
discuss individually, usually in the order listed on the agenda.
As a general rule, when issues are scheduled before the Commission under department request or public hearing, the order of
presentation is: (1) County staff presents the details of the Board item (2) Commissioners comment (3) if a public hearing, the Chair
will ask for public comment, (4) further discussion and action by the Board.
ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION – Please state your name and address, speaking clearly into the microphone. If you have backup
material, please have eight copies ready for distribution.
NON‐AGENDA ITEMS – These items are presented by an individual Commissioner or staff as necessary at the conclusion of the
printed agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Time is allotted at the beginning of each meeting for general public comment. Comments may pertain to any
matter related to the Board’s duties as the County’s governing body. General comments in support or opposition to candidates for
public office are not pertinent to the Board’s duties.
DECORUM – Please be respectful of others’ opinions.
MEETINGS – All Board meetings are open to the public and are held quarterly on the third Tuesdays of month at 4 p.m. and on the
Meetings are held in the Planning Conference Room in the Planning and Development Services Department at 2300 Virginia Ave.,
Fort Pierce, Fla. 34982. Anyone with a disability requiring accommodation to attend this meeting should contact the St. Lucie
County Human Resource Department at 772‐462‐1546, HumanResources@stlucieco.org or TDD 772‐462‐1428 at least 48 hours prior
to the meeting.
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Historical Commission Tuesday, January 3, 2023 4:00 PM
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1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. Minutes
A. Approval of the October 4, 2022 Historical Commission Meeting
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
6. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS 2023
A. Election of Chair
B. Election of Vice-Chair
7. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION
A. OLD BUSINESS
1. Historic Sign Kiosk Pilot Program Update
B. NEW BUSINESS
1. Florida Sunshine Law Overview
2. Naming Request: Betty Lou Wells Preserve
8. MEMBER MATTERS
9. DISCUSSION
10. ADJOURNMENT
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5
Edwin Binney – Initial Sign Concept & Content
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1.Copy under Binney portrait -Edwin Binney, inventor of Crayola
Crayons, began spending time in St. Lucie County beginning in 1911and was the driving force behind the creation of the Port of Fort
Pierce.
NOTE: Binney was not involved in financing/dredging the new inlet.
2.Paragraph 2, line 1 -Delete the word coined. It is not necessary and
never used as a verb in the sense of named. formed a partnership,
"Binney & Smith." Is sufficient.
3.The sentence "Binney advanced product development and businessexpansion." could be improved. Advanced expansion is redundant
plus the account goes from the company to Binney then back to the
company. Suggestion: "The business continued to expand, and new
products were introduced. In 1900, a mill in Easton, Pa., began
producing slate pencils for use on small slate school boards.
4.These "Crayolas". should be punctuated These "Crayolas," if youretain the sentence as is.
5.Suggest a smoother sentence: The name "Crayola," coined by
Binney's wife Alice, a former teacher, by combining the French "craie"
for chalk and "ola" from the French word "oleagineux" meaning oily.
6.Suggested substitute: and built a home, Florindia, at Indrio that still
stands. His daughter, Dorothy, also made her home in St. Lucie
County. Her great-granddaughter, Sally Putnam Chapman, and Sally's
husband, Jack, lived at Immokolee, the house Dorothy designed, fordecades. Immokolee was placed on the United States National
Register of Historic places in 1994. The Binney lineage still graces
The Treasure Coast in the Putnam family descendants.
7.Edwin Binney was a major stockholder in the Fort Pierce Finance and
Construction Company, builders of the Port. Binney's interest was to
provide shipping as a less expensive alternative to railway transport
of citrus. He was the driving force behind creating a deep-water port,
navigable by freighters, and later a refrigeration terminal to hold the
fruit for shipment. He was truly the Father of the Port of Fort Pierce.
Commentary by Jean Ellen Wilson
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From Cynthia Putnam:
Binney - Information Sign Concept
The following suggestions follow up on Jean Ellen’s excellent revised notes..I agree
with most of the edits, but offer the following considerations:
My “lines” references refer to the
original text.My “Paragraph numbers” references refer to the edits from Jean Ellen’s copy.
Edwin Binney Portrait:
Edwin Binney, inventor of “Crayola” crayons, first visited St. Lucie County in 1911.
He was the driving force behind the creation of the Port of Fort Pierce and many other development and community interests in St. Lucie County.
1st paragraph: no suggestions
2nd paragraph:
line 1: Smith should be replaced with Harold.line 2: Delete the double space between the word pigments and used.
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#3 edit: No comma is necessary after the word expand and new.line 4: keep the original ending to sentence beginning with “In 1900,…………
boards, used in the place of paper.”
line 5: replace sentence beginning with “Constructive feedback….”
with Teacher requests for a better chalk led to their introduction of …….line 7: add the word new between first and crayons in the sentence beginning with“A Year later….”
line 8: The name Crayola came from Edwin Binney’s wife, Alice Stead, a former
schoolteacher, by combining the French word “craie” for chalk and ola, shortenedfrom the French word “oleaginous” meaning oily.
3rd paragraph:
line 9: replace “but began spending”….with
began returning to the same Ft Pierce fishing area each season. He built,
“Florindia,” the Binney winter home in the Indrio area. The watering trough located in the History Center’s Memorial Garden
came from the Binney home. He purchased over 1,000 acres of citrus land in the
adjacent Fort Pierce Farms.
line 11: His daughter, Dorothy, also built nearby a home, “Immokolee,” which wasplaced on the National Register of Historic Homes while great-granddaughter Sally
Putnam Chapman and husband Jack Chapman lived in the historic home.
line 13: The Binney lineage continues in the Treasure Coast with Putnam family
descendants.
4th paragraph:
line 15: replace lead with led
line 16: delete the sentence beginning “Binney also created ….” with the Edit #7
paragraph. Add to the end of sentence “He was the driving….”shipment; the first ofits kind.
Delete the last sentence: “He was truly….”
Delete the sentence beginning with Edwin Binney loved…”
continue paragraph with Edit #8 beginning with:” He donated the land….”delete the sentence beginning with: “He changed his voting…..”
5th paragraph: (needs to be a new paragraph)
Edit #8 replace “He” with Binney and continue with same edit… after the
sentence”….to keep it open.” add: The bank evolved into Sun Trust Bank. Deletethe sentence beginning with “His was always….” and the sentence “He was
enroute….”
Add: Edwin and Alice Binney were generous benefactors to the Ft Pierce area
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supporting business as well as the civic, health and environmental causes of thecommunity.
6th paragraph:keep the original text
I agree a replacement of the Indrio ad would be more appropriate. I suggest the
wonderful photo of Edwin, Dorothy, Capt. Archer and Junie with the giant sea bass
located in the museum. It would give a great personal touch to the commentary.
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Planning and Development Services
Kori Benton, AICP
October 4, 2022
Historic Information Kiosks & Community Outreach Update
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Historic Kiosk –Pilot Program
•Edwin Binney
•Historic White City
•Fort Pierce Farms / Indrio Road Schoolhouse
Consult Stakeholders to
Draft Initial Text &
Exhibits
Peer Review by the St.
Lucie County Historical
Museum Team
Final Review by St.
Lucie County
Communications
before publication
Execute Fabrication &
Installation
Pinpoint Location on
Premises & Identify
complimentary
improvements
Secure Funding
Potential Program Outlook
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5
Edwin Binney –Information Sign Concept
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6
Edwin Binney Information Kiosk - Primary Location Options
Regional History Museum - Seaway Drive
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6
Edwin Binney Information Kiosk - Primary Location Options
Fort Pierce Yacht Club - Seaway Drive & IR Drive
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6
Edwin Binney Information Kiosk - Secondary Locations
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3
White City Information Kiosk -Concept
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4
White City Information Kiosk -Location Options
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7
Indrio Road Schoolhouse–Information Sign Concept
Fort Pierce Farms Schoolhouse -8850 lndrio Road
This circa-1915 Frame Vernacular building is located on the northeast comer
of Emerson Avenue and lndrio Road. This rectangular, one-story building has
a wood frame structural system that rests on a concrete block pier
foundation. The hipped roof is covered in tin shingles and the exterior is clad
in drop siding. Fenestration is obscured by wood shutters; however fixed
wood six-light transoms are evident above the shutters. Exterior
ornamentation includes cornerboards, rafter tails, knee braces, vents,
shutters and wood window surrounds. A wrap-around wooden deck addition
is present on the west, north, and east facades. Secondary structures include
a two-story, pyramidal-roofed tower on the north
end and a small wood cupola on the ridge of the main roof.
Children living in rural areas of the county attended this school from about
1915 to the 1940s. It is now owned by the county and used as a recreation
center. The building was built circa-1915 in the Frame Vernacular style;
however, it exhibits ornamentation such as decorative rafter ends, a cupola
on the roof, and a two-story tower at one end.
The school was moved a few hundred feet to the northeast from its original
location, which was closer to lndrio Road.
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8
Indrio Road Schoolhouse Information Kiosk -Location Options
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FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
Presented by:
St. Lucie County
County Attorney’s Office
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THE LAWS
SUNSHINE LAW
Protects the public from “closed door”
decision making and provides a right of access
to governmental meetings.
(F.S.Sec.286.011 (“Sunshine Law”)
and Fl.Constitution Art.I,Sec.24)
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Title XIX Chapter 286 View Entire Chapter
PUBLIC BUSINESS PUBLIC BUSINESS:MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
286.011 Public meetings and records;public inspection;criminal and civil penalties.-
(1)All meetings of any board or commission of any state agency or authority or of any agency or authority of any county,municipal
corporation,or political subdivision,except as otherwise provided in the Constitution,including meetings with or attended by any person
elected such board or commission,but who has not yet taken office,at which official acts are to be taken are declared to be public
meetings open to the public at all times,and no resolution,rule,or formal action shall be considered binding except as taken or made at
such meeting.The board or commission must provide reasonable notice of all such meetings.
(2)The minutes of a meeting of any such board or commission of any such state agency or authority shall be promptly recorded,
and such records shall be open to public inspection.The circuit courts of this state shall have jurisdiction to issue injunctions to enforce the
purposes of this section upon application by any citizen of this state.
(3)(a)Any public officer who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a noncriminal infraction,punishable by fine not exceeding
$500.
(b)Any person who is a member of a board or commission or of any state agency or authority of any county,municipal corporation,
or political subdivision who knowingly violates the provisions of this section by attending a meeting not held in accordance with the
provisions hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree,punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083.
(c)Conduct which occurs outside the state which would constitute a knowing violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the
second degree,punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083.
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•The 3 Basic Requirements of §286.011, Florida
Statutes:
1) Meetings of public boards or commissions must be open to the public;
2) Reasonable notice of such meetings must be given; and
3) Minutes of the meetings must be taken and promptly recorded.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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Meetings
•A “meeting”occurs when there is ANY gathering,whether formal or casual,of two or
more members of the same board or commission to discuss some matter on which
foreseeable action will be taken by the board or commission.
•A “gathering”may include meetings of board or commission members via telephone
or other electronic means.
•A “meeting”also occurs when a governing board moves any part of its decision
making process to a committee or group,thereby appointing an “alter ego.”
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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What Kinds of Discussions Are Covered?
Any of the following types of discussions of any matter that may foreseeably
come before the board.
•Email discussions between any two or more board members.
•Telephone conversations between any two or more board members.
•Internet discussions between any two or more board members (e.g.,chat rooms,blogs,
comments,etc.).
•Text messages!
•Any formal or casual discussions about a matter on which the Committee may foreseeably
take action,between two or more members of a Decision Making Committee.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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Liaison Rule
•Generally,individual board members may call upon staff members for factual
information and advice without being subject to the Sunshine Law.Staff members are
not members of a collegial board.
•However,the Sunshine Law does not allow a board member to use one or more staff
members as an intermediary or “go between”such that the board members are
essentially discussing matters that may foreseeably come before the board via third
parties.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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Notice of Meetings
1.Reasonable notice of meetings subject to the Sunshine Law must be given.
Requires giving the public reasonable and timely notice so they can decide whether to
attend.
What is “reasonable”or ”timely”depends on the circumstance.
Does not necessarily require a newspaper advertisement.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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Notice of Meetings
2.Public must be allowed to attend meetings;
Meetings cannot be held at exclusive or inaccessible facilities.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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Minutes of Meetings
•All meetings require recorded minutes.
•Minutes are intended as a brief summary of notes or memoranda
reflecting the events of the meeting;a verbatim transcript is not required.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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Sunshine Law:
Penalties for Noncompliance
A violation of the Sunshine Law by a Decision Making
Committee,can nullify subsequent Board decisions.
Criminal Penalties:
➢It is a second degree misdemeanor to knowingly violate the Sunshine Law.
➢Punishable with a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 60 days imprisonment.
Other Penalties Include:
➢Removal from position.
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Recommendations
•Remember NOT to talk to,email,text or correspond with fellow board
or commission members about any matters that may foreseeably come
before the board for discussion or decision outside the confines of a duly
noticed and open public meeting.
FLORIDA’S
GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE LAW
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This map is intenteded for reference only. For more information please contact the Environmental Resources Department Lands Division at 772-462-2897.
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Oxbow Eco-Center Preserve
St Lucie County
St Lucie County
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Application
Naming Public Buildings, Lands, Roads and Bridges
St. Lucie County
Date: ___________________________
Contact Information
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________________________________________________
Email: _________________________________________________________________________________
Describe the building or land you are requesting to be named, giving complete address, location, beginning
and ending points, etc.
The SLC Environmental Resources Department is requesting the naming of 4 adjacent parcels located on NE St. James Drive in Port
St. Lucie between Southern Oaks Middle School and Rivers Edge Elementary School. The parcels consist of natural habitat and
wetlands. The parcel ID (PIN) numbers are as follows; (1) PIN 3420-740-0006-020-0 (owned by SLC), (2) PIN 3420-740-0007-020-7
(owned by SLC), (3) the wetland portion of PIN 3420-740-0007-000-1 (owned by SLCSB), and (4) the habitat portion of PIN
3420-740-0008-000-8 (owned by SLCSB).
Requested Name for the facility: ___________________________________________________________________
If applicable, give the date of death of the person for which the facility is proposed to be name:
___________________________________
Describe the historical association or connection with the requested name to the facility.
The connection between the unnamed preserve and Betty Lou Wells is the power they share to introduce youth to nature in ways
that instill lifelong stewardship practices and love for the natural world. Betty Lou, who moved with her parents to Fort Pierce in
1946, became a well-known figure in the community, originally due to her work as a substitute teacher for many schools and as a
full-time teacher at Fort Pierce Central High School and Westwood High School. Betty Lou was also a frequent and erudite letter-
writer to government agencies, political leaders, and newspaper editors to educate voters or regulators and impact decisions she
felt could harm the Florida natural beauty and environment she deeply loved. Strong in her convictions yet always patient and
gracious, Betty Lou mentored and encouraged those around her to stay informed, attend meetings, communicate with elected
officials, and engage others to do the same. The proposed area is a beautiful section of natural habitat and wetland, uniquely
situated between two schools and adjacent to the Oxbow Eco-Center, managed by St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources
Department (ERD). ERD plans to utilize the area as an outdoor classroom and provide environmental programming for students as
well as help train teachers on how to use the outdoor setting for their own varied curriculums and lessons.
List below any proclamations, awards, commendations, or resolutions, made on behalf of the honoree by any
civic, charitable or volunteer organizations you wish the County Commission to consider.
Betty Louretta Wells was one of the seven original founding members of the Conservation Alliance in 1972. A dedicated lover of
nature, she turned that passion into action by serving many local organizations. In addition to helping found the Conservation
Alliance of St. Lucie County, Betty Lou was also active in the Audubon Native Plant Society, League of Woman Voters, Democratic
Women’s Club and St. Lucie Historical Society.
Attach a location map with this application along with any additional relevant information concerning this proposal and return to:
St. Lucie County Administration
2300 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
12/1/2022
Erin Cartmill, Education & Outreach Manager, SLC Environmental Resources Department
5400 NE St. James Drive
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34983
772-785-5843
cartmille@stlucieco.org
Betty Lou Wells Preserve
January 29, 2019
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NAMING REQUEST - POTENTIAL MOTIONS:
MOTION TO FIND NO OBJECTION
AFTER CONSIDERING THE PRESENTATION DURING THE PUBLIC MEETING,
INCLUDING STAFF COMMENTS, I HEREBY MOVE THAT THE HISTORICAL
COMMISSION FORWARD A FINDING OF NO OBJECTION TO THE REQUESTED
PRESERVE NAMING TO THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE….
MOTION TO APPROVE
AFTER CONSIDERING THE PRESENTATION DURING THE PUBLIC MEETING,
INCLUDING STAFF COMMENTS, I HEREBY MOVE THAT THE HISTORICAL
COMMISSION FORWARD AN APPROVAL RECOMMENDATION FOR THE
REQUESTED PRESERVE NAMING TO THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE….
MOTION TO DENY
AFTER CONSIDERING THE PRESENTATION DURING THE PUBLIC MEETING,
INCLUDING STAFF COMMENTS, I HEREBY MOVE THAT THE HISTORICAL
COMMISSION FORWARD A DENIAL RECOMMENDATION FOR THE REQUESTED
PRESERVE NAMING TO THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE….
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