HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.04.2023
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
AGENDA
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 4, 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, April 4, 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, April 4, 2023 4:00 PM
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1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
6. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR
7. MINUTES
A. Minutes 1/3/23
8. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION
A. OLD BUSINESS
1. Historic Sign Kiosk Pilot Program Update
B. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of the County's Teague Hammock: A 300-acre natural area within the larger
Steven J. Fousek Preserve.
9. MEMBER MATTERS
10. DISCUSSION
11. ADJOURNMENT
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HISTORICAL COMMISSION
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Regular Meeting
January 3, 2023 Convened: 4:00 PM
Adjourned: 4:36 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM by Chair McAfoos. He requested all present to silence their
devices.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair McAfoos.
3. ROLL CALL
Present
Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Mike Menard, Commission Member Betty Jo
Starke, Commission Member Judy Biglin, Chair Richard McAfoos
Staff
Kori Benton, Historical Preservation Officer & Ciara Forbes, Assistant County Attorney
Absent
Commission Member Mike Middlebrook and Vice-Chair Trewyn
4. Minutes
A. Approval of the October 4, 2022 Historical Commission Meeting
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Commission Member Betty Jo Starke
SECONDER: Commission Member Mike Menard
AYES: Richard McAfoos, Betty Jo Starke, Mike Menard, Krissta King, Judy Biglin
NAYS: None
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Historical Commission Tuesday, January 3, 2023 4:00 PM
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5. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
6. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS 2023
A. Election of Chair
Chair Richard McAfoos was nominated and elected to serve an additional term as the
Historical Commission Chair.
B. Election of Vice-Chair
The Commission decided to postpone Vice-Chair Elections due to the absence of Vice-Chair
Melanie Trewyn and Mike Middlebrook
7. ITEMS FOR ACTION / CONSIDERATION
A. OLD BUSINESS
1. Historic Sign Kiosk Pilot Program Update
STAFF PRESENTATION:
Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, SLC Planning Division, made a presentation. Mr.
Benton gave an update from the October meeting discussions. Mr. Benton was able to speak
with Jean Ellen Wilson, Librarian at the St. Lucie County Regional History Center, and Cynthia
Putnam. Mr. Benton showed the text feedback from both collaborators, in their review of the
proposed Edwin Binney Sign Kiosk at the History Center. He stated that the exhibits are still
under review and staff is merging the information for further Peer-Review. Mr. Benton
acknowledged the continued commitment from the Fort Pierce Lions’ Club for the Sign
Display Frame, to support the final display board contact and fabrication. From that step,
coordination with the appropriate staff to complete installation is necessary.
B. NEW BUSINESS
1. Florida Sunshine Law Overview
Ciara Forbe, Assistant County Attorney gave an update regarding the Florida Sunshine Law.
She highlighted that any Commission meeting must be noticed in advance and opened to the
public, Meeting Minutes must be taken, and that a “meeting” is / could mean 2 or more
members conversing about Commission matters. Ms. Forbes spoke about violations of the
sunshine law that can lead to legal penalties as well. Ms. Forbes also passed out a memo
containing additional details.
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Historical Commission Tuesday, January 3, 2023 4:00 PM
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Member Matter, during this agenda topic: Betty Jo Starke wanted to make sure Krissta King's
email was correct and on file to receive the Historical Commission invites sent out from Corey
Barnes (Commission Secretary). Mr. Barnes went over the email address on file and Krissta
King confirmed it was correct.
2. Naming Request: Betty Lou Wells Preserve
STAFF PRESENTATION:
Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, SLC Planning Division, made a presentation. Mr.
Benton displayed the exhibits on screen for the commission members. The SLC Environmental
Resources Department is requesting the naming of 2 parcels, owned by St Lucie County,
between Southern Oaks Middle School and Rivers Edge Elementary School. The parcels
consist of natural habitats, wetlands and recreational space. The renaming request is specific
to the parcels held by the Board of County Commissioners, seeking to name the lands “The
Betty Lou Wells Preserve.” Mr. Benton spoke about the renaming process along with the
history of the Historical Commission, distinguishing the request from those that may included
historic resources, structures, etc. Mr. Benton explained some of the characteristics and
advocacy Ms. Wells was known for, and her impact on the St Lucie County Environmental
Resource Department.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Mr. Menard asked if there are nature trails within the preserve. Mr. Benton showed on the
screen display some of the trails that would be enhanced. Mr. Benton spoke about some of
the events that are currently going on at these locations and the educational information that
is available during these events. Chair McAfoos asked about measurements. Benton showed
the Commission approximate land area measurements on display via the St. Lucie County
Property Appraiser Website.
MOTION: Motion to Approve:
Commission Member Biglin made the motion to forward an approval recommendation for
the requested preserve naming to the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners,
because there were no issues found during the presentation along with staff comments that
would show any discrepancies.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Judy Biglin
SECONDER: Betty Jo Starke
AYES: Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Mike Menard,
Commission Member Betty Jo Starke, Commission Member Judy Biglin, Chair
Richard McAfoos
NAYS: None
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Historical Commission Tuesday, January 3, 2023 4:00 PM
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8. DISCUSSION & MEMBER MATTERS
Betty Jo Starke stated she went to the SLC website but noticed there was not a lot of historical
information on it . Ms. Starke would like more information on what the Historical Commission does
along with more historical information about St. Lucie County. Mr. Benton stated he would approach
Erick Gill from the Communication Dept. to consider it. Chair McAfoos also agreed.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 4:36
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Mike Menard
SECONDER: Judy Biglin
AYES: Commission Member Krissta King, Commission Member Mike Menard, Commission
Member Betty Jo Starke, Commission Member Judy Biglin, Chair Richard McAfoos
NAYS: None
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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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2
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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8.B.1.
2023-59498
ITEMS FOR ACTION /
CONSIDERATION - PLANNING &
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
AGENDA REQUEST DATE: 4/4/2023
*DISCUSSION ITEM
QUASI-JUDICIAL ITEM? No
TO: Board of County Commissioners
PRESENTED BY: Kori Benton, Planning Manager
Mike Middlebrook, Environmental Resources Assistant Director
SUBMITTED BY: Planning & Development Services
SUBJECT: Discussion of the County's Teague Hammock: A 300-acre natural area within the
larger Steven J. Fousek Preserve.
BACKGROUND:
In 2005, St. Lucie County purchased the Teague Hammock, a 300-acre natural area encompassed within the
larger Steven J. Fousek Preserve, located at 8550 Carlton Road. The land, in western St. Lucie County, was
acquired for conservation purposes for approximately $4.3M through the local voter approved
Environmentally Significant Lands bond program and the State’s Florida Communities Trust grant
program. The property preserves large expanses of open freshwater marsh, wet/dry prairie, prairie
hammocks, and several unique historic resources.
Prior to the introduction of agriculture and drainage at the turn of the century, the property was centered in
the heart of the Alapatioka Swamp (more commonly known as the Allapattah Flats) which spanned from the
headwaters of the northern Everglades and connected the Cypress Swamp headwaters of the St. Johns River
(Stick Marsh). Much of the landscape at that time resembled the modern-day Everglades, with large open
expanses of sawgrass and freshwater marsh littered with upland tree islands. Today the relic tree islands are
preserved onsite as prairie hammocks, which were once a critical resource for Native Americans moving
between the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and Lake Okeechobee, as well as the Everglades and the St.
Johns River. As part of a recent state-funded multimillion dollar wetland restoration project, the County
completed some initial historic resource surveys that indicate the project area is of historic significance and
may qualify for listing on the National Register of Historic Places
(https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/how-to-list-a-property.htm).
PREVIOUS ACTION:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
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Staff recommends the Commission allow a brief presentation.
COMMISSION ACTION:
RESULT:
MOVER: None
SECONDER: None
AYES: None
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
Coordination/Signatures
Date: March 31, 2023
Ciara Forbes, Assistant County Attorney II
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CarltonRd
Carlton Rd
Carlton
Rd
Carlton Road
Sanborn, FDOR, Esri Community Maps Contributors, FDEP, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc,
METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, NPS, US Census Bureau, USDAPage 28 of 29
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