MINUTES OF called MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners
monday, january 21, 1957
The Board of County Commissioners met in called session in the County Commissioners Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, January 21, 1957, at ten o’clock a.m., for the purpose of considering bills to be presented to the Legislature and such other matters as may be brought before the Board, with the following present: Chairman Cowart; Commissioners Singeltary, Hooten, Simpson, and Cross; Attorney Duncan; and Clerk Owens.
The Board was called to order by Chairman Cowart.
A delegation from Clermont, Mr. Young, Mr. Berry, and others of the South Lake Waterways Club, appeared before the Board to request that the Board cooperate with them in the early construction of a bridge over the recently dredged Monte Vista Canal connecting Lake Minnehaha, Lake Crescent, Lake Hattie, and Lake Williamie and filed a letter regarding this matter from Major General John K. Rice, USA, Ret’d, President, South Lake Waterways Club, stating the estimated cost by the Gregg Brothers for the bridge is about $11,896. After discussion of the construction of the bridge, Commr. Cross, Commr. Hooten and Commr. Cowart were instructed to go down tomorrow and look over this situation and see what can be done about building the bridge. Mr. Young said he would meet with them at the site for the proposed bridge.
A letter from the Florida Telephone Corp. requesting permission to bury a toll cable, 6 feet from the pavement at a depth of 3 feet along Lake Shore Drive from Mount Dora to Tavares was read to the Board; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Simpson, seconded by Commr. Singeltary and carried, the Clerk was authorized to notify Mr. W. T. McDaniel, District Manager, Florida Telephone Corp., that the Board grants permission to put the toll cable 6 feet from the pavement at a depth of 3 feet along Lake Shore Drive from Mount Dora to Tavares.
Clerk Owens was instructed to call I. C. C. Jacksonville for the minimum height for underpass on roads.
Dr. Hall, Director, Lake County Health Unit, appeared before the Board and stated the Health Department is ready to report on the bids received at the regular meeting in January for the purchase of a dragline and reported the Health Department concurs with the Board of County Commissioners that in its judgment, the Koehring appears to be the best bid due to the fact that they have service available at Orlando, which is a very vital consideration in the purchase of equipment of this size. WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Singeltary and carried, the bid of the Florida Equipment Company to furnish Lake County one Model 205 Koehring heavy duty dragline with a trade in P&H model 105 truck crane on 1055 crane carrier complete as originally delivered, allowance $9,153, at a net difference of $10,000 was accepted, as it costs too much money for service on other machines, and the acceptance of this bid would be a savings in time for service.
Mrs. C. Tobey, President of the Lake County Council at PTA, appeared before the Board and stated that on February 4th at 7:30 p.m. there will be a Legislative Conference held in Lake County, and they would like for a Member of this Board to be Moderator, as there will be a panel discussion. The Board informed Mrs. Tobey the meeting could be held in the Courtroom but took no action on the member for Moderator.
Clerk Owens read a letter from USDA office at the Lake County ASC Committee submitting a rent agreement for office space requesting the Board to approve same for free rent; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the Board approved the request for free rent for the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Committee in the Pioneer Building, second floor.
Clerk Owens read a letter from Hiram Favor, Clerk, Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County, inquiring as to the Lake County Board’s practice in providing street lighting, particularly in subdivisions. Clerk Owens was instructed to advise Mr. Favor that this Board does not operate under a special act with reference to furnishing street lighting, as it does not furnish street lighting.
Clerk Owens read a Public Notice from the Florida Development Commission regarding the application of Mr. Eugene E. Henderson, Ferndale, Florida, for the personal use airport site located in Section 28, Tp. 21 S. R. 26. The Board had no objections to make regarding this matter.
Clerk Owens presented an estimate of Steeple Jack Woods to paint 3 flagpoles in front of the Courthouse for the sum of $35 and furnish paint and labor. No action was taken on this estimate.
Clerk Owens read a letter from M. E. Randle, Secretary, Doranco Inc., regarding Alcar Estates Plat. Attorney Duncan advised the Clerk to refer him to the chapter number under which we operate and advise him to consult with the Board Member in the District in which the land is located.
Commr. Hooten reported on the bill from Waterman Memorial Hospital, Inc. for Melvin Brondex stating Mrs. Sudderth has investigated this matter and says the party was in a cut and scrape fight, and he does not think this bill should have to be paid by the County. The Clerk was instructed to notify Mrs. Sudderth to see what she can work out with Lake Region Packing Association on the bill, as the party works there.
Commr. Hooten asked permission to register his vote as opposing the appointment of Mr. Harry P. Johnson as County Prosecuting Attorney at the meeting on January 8, 1957, as he did not cast his vote at that time. WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried that Commr. Hooten be granted permission to register his vote today as opposing the appointment of Mr. Harry P. Johnson as County Prosecuting Attorney.
Commr. Cowart, Chairman of the Board, stated if the Board is ready to hire a custodian for the Courthouse, this should be done today. Commr. Hooten announced he has an application from Mr. Johnnie Broome in District No. 3 and thinks he would make a good man for custodian. Commr. Hooten stated Mr. Broome lost a leg while working for the County in District No. 3, and he thinks he is a very capable man; therefore, Commr. Hooten nominated Mr. Johnnie Broome as custodian of the Courthouse for one year.
Commr. Cross nominated Mr. Reuben Hatcher as custodian of the Courthouse for one year, and this nomination was seconded by Commr. Simpson.
The Chairman asked for further nominations; there being no further nominations, Commr. Cross moved that the nominations be closed, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried.
Mr. Duncan announced the Board should vote on the two nominees; WHEREUPON, on a poll of the votes in favor of Reuben Hatcher for custodian of the Courthouse for one year, the votes were as follows:
District No. 1 – yes; District No. 2 – yes; District No. 3 – no; District No. 4 – yes; and District No. 5 – yes.
On a poll of the votes in favor of Johnnie Broome for custodian of the Courthouse for one year, the votes were as follows:
District No. 1 – no; District No. 2 – no; District No. 3 – yes; District No. 4 – no; and District No. 5 – no.
Therefore, as the votes by Districts showed 4 for Reuben Hatcher and 1 for Johnnie Broome, the Chairman declared Reuben Hatcher elected custodian of the Courthouse for one year.
Commr. Singeltary nominated Mrs. Annie Smith as matron of the jail for one year and asked that her salary be retroactive to January 1, 1957. The nomination was seconded by Commr. Cross and carried. There being no further nominations, on a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, Mrs. Annie Smith was hired as matron of the jail for one year, with her salary retroactive to January 1, 1957.
Commr. Hooten reported that he has the appraisals on the land in Clermont he wishes to sell, and Mr. Duncan has the description of the property.
Mr. C. B. Treadway, Mr. Karl Lehmann, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Newcomb, Forest Supervisor, appeared before the Board for the purpose of discussing the reconstruction of Road 445 from Road 19 via Alexander Springs to Astor Park. Mr. Newcomb stated the Forestry Board would hold out enough money for 50 percent of the cost of the road if the Commissioners would put in next year’s budget 50 percent of the cost for this secondary road. WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the following Resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, State Road 445 commencing at a point north of Pittman where the same leaves State Road 19 in Lake County, Florida and continues northerly over Alexander Springs Creek and joins State Road 40 at Astor Park was released by the State Road Department as a State Road upon the completion of State Road 19, and
WHEREAS, said road passes through portions of the Ocala National Forest and is an important connection with Alexander Springs Creek and with the National Forest Conservation Facilities, and
WHEREAS, the United States Forestry Department is interested in the rebuilding and resurfacing of said road and has agreed to pay fifty per cent (50%) of the cost thereof, provided Lake County will authorize the payment of the remaining cost of rebuilding and resurfacing Road 445 from Secondary Funds due Lake County, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, has determined that such road is of sufficient importance to require rebuilding and resurfacing, as in its present condition it is unsafe for travel.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that Road 445 commencing north of Pittman where the same leaves State Road 19 in Lake County, Florida, and running northerly to intersect State Road 40 at Astor Park be included in the 1957-1958 budget of the State Road Department and that one half of the cost thereof be paid from Secondary gas tax funds due Lake County, and one half of the cost thereof be allocated to the United States Forestry Department with its approval.
Mr. Owens and Mr. Duncan were instructed to work out the problem of disposition of houses on rights of way where the owners wish to buy the houses back.
Mr. Duncan read the bill he has prepared regarding zoning of the County and read a letter from the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce regarding the Zoning Bill. Mr. Duncan stated if the Board is sufficiently interested to study the program, they should go ahead and get it in the Legislature; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, Mr. Duncan, Attorney for the Board, was authorized to go ahead and advertise for the passage of the Zoning Bill.
Mr. Duncan read the bill regarding Plats. Commr. Singeltary stated subdivisions outside of the corporate limits should have streets 66 feet minimum width.
Mr. Duncan asked that the County Commissioners give him authority to go ahead and publish the Notice and prepare the bill; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, C. E. Duncan, Attorney for the Board, was authorized to go ahead and publish the Notice and prepare the bill regarding plats.
Mr. Duncan stated this bill should be submitted to the Board of Realtors and ask them to submit any comment they have to the Board. Therefore, Mr. Duncan was instructed to notify the Board of Realtors.
MEETING ADJOURNED.
/s/ Frank E. Owens /s/ O. M. Simpson
CLERK CHAIRMAN