MINUTES OF regular MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners
monday, MARCH 3, 1958
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the County Commissioners Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, March 3, 1958, at ten o’clock a.m., with the following present: Chairman Simpson; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Hooten, and Cross; and Clerk Owens.
Board called to order by Chairman Simpson.
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried that the Minutes of February 3rd and 10th be approved as read.
Mr. Karl Lehmann appeared before the Board re: Sawdust for the Fair Grounds and the Board advised that the sawdust will be hauled Thursday of this week if possible. Commr. Cross stated he is tired of patching the streets in the City of Eustis. Chairman Simpson stated if the City of Eustis will not fill the holes up by Saturday this Board should do it. Commr. Cross instructed to see the City Manager about this and notify Mr. Simpson.
Mr. Harry Gaylord and Mr. Cumbas, members of the Advisory Committee of the Juvenile Court appeared before the Board and asked that the Board establish a Child Welfare Unit for Lake County. Mr. Gaylord stated the Committee is well pleased with the Report from the National Assn. of Parole & Probation. Mr. Theus said hold the bill from the Assn. until all copies are received.
Elmer Siefert, R-2 Treasure Island, Leesburg, W. C. Barrow and Mark St. Clair appeared before the Board to make a request to the Board about Zoning Treasure Island, for the purpose of regulating building projects. These gentlemen were advised the Board will write them later.
Mrs. Eva Stanton and Mr. H. G. Dilley appeared before the Board re: their property on North Eustis Street being flooded. Mr. Cross stated he will go out and look at this drainage.
Harry Fogg, Lake Baker and Bud Wingler appeared before the Board re Place to use as a shooting range. Mr. Wingler suggested the old clay pit on the Sorrento road as a target range. Mr. Simpson asked if there is any other place you gentlemen have in mind for a target range. The gentlemen are to check this clay pit further and any other place they can locate and report back to the Board.
Thomas David and Cale Keller of the Florida Parole Commission appeared before the Board re: Moving the Parole Office from downstairs to upstairs in the Lake County Chamber of Commerce building and offered objections to this move. No action was taken by the Board on this matter.
Irving Morse, Attorney, representing Alan H. Hamlin, Executor of the Estate of R. P. Hamlin, deceased, appeared before the Board and presented a letter re: the County purchasing the office building of the old firm of Duncan, Hamlin & Duncan. Letter filed, but not action taken on the matter at this time.
John May of Inland Abstract Company appeared before the board and presented Plat of El-Mar-Jen Replat which the owners desire to turn back into acreage. Commr. Hooten stated as far as he is concerned this is all right as there ae no roads across the Subdivision. Mr. May presented insurance policy #A45939 of Title and Trust Company of Florida dated December 15, 1953. Mr. Duncan stated the Plat looks all right to him, but requested that Mr. May file with the Board a letter showing the title is OK from December 15, 1953 to present time. (Mr. May filed said letter later.)
Motion by Commr. Hooten seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, that the Plat of El-Mar-Jen Replat be closed and the property returned to acreage.
E. T. Hall, Surveyor, presented Plat of Mobile Homes Estates and insurance policy #Z996-513 of Lawyers Title Insurance Company and letter from Lake County Health Department, and requested that the Plat be approved. WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Hooten seconded by Commr. Cross, and carried, the Plat of Mobile Homes Estates was approved. WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Hooten seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, the Plat of Mobile Homes Estates was approved.
Mr. Hall also presented Plat of Picciola Island Subdivision, with insurance policy #Z2996-511 Lawyers Title Insurance Company and letter from Lake County Health Department WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Mr. Cowart and carried, the Plat of Picciola Island Subdivision was approved.
Mr. Hall also presented Plat of Hilltop View and stated the City of Leesburg has accepted this plat and asked that the Board approve same pending signatures of the City of Leesburg. Mr. Duncan stated this is simply a matter or form. WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Plat of Hilltop View was approved subject to the approval of the City of Leesburg. (Statement of Inland Abstract & Title Company re: Taxes on Hilltop View Subdivision filed with the Board, showing City and County taxes for the year 1957 and prior years and all assessments have been paid on property included in the Plat.)
Mr. Hall also presented Plat of Silver Beach Heights on two sheets and stated the Plat is on two sheets as could not get it on one sheet. This Plat was left with the Board subject to getting title opinion.
Ray Stosberg appeared before the Board re: Road. Commissioner Hooten stated Stosberg’s property is adjacent to the Johnson property and there is a dispute about the dividing line, and Stosberg has talked to Sheriff McCall about requesting Johnson to stay off his property, but McCall would not come down there. The Board requested that the Sheriff be called and he came before the Board and Hooten explained the situation to him. Sheriff stated when the parties get a survey, he can then tell the people to stay on their own land, or if he has a Court order or warrant he will execute it, but he does not intend to go down there to settle a dispute when neither party knows where the property line is. No further action taken on this matter.
Mr. Anderson and Mr. Turner of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad appeared before the Board re: The County to pay for a larger culvert under the railroad track between Umatilla and Eustis West of the Powers dairy caused by wider and deeper ditch being dug to the railroad track and from the railroad track West into Lake Yale. Estimated cost of the culvert is $1500.00 to get the water under the railroad track. Attorney Duncan stated he does not see that this is any legal responsibility of the County. No agreement was reached on this matter.
Mr. Fahs, Mr. Ware, Mr. Howell and Mr. Thomas appeared before the Board re: requests to be placed in the budget. Mr. Fahs was the speaker for the group, and stated this group has been appointed by the City of Leesburg to request that consideration be given to three road projects, which we believe to be very vital to that area of the County.
First: Four-laning of the North By-Pass which is Road 441 – Primary Road
Second: Widening of Main Street, which is an alternate of 441, also SR 44. – Pry. Rd.
Third: Designation of the South By-Pass (Secondary Road) Dixie Avenue Leesburg from South SR 25 East to intersection of SR 500 at East city limits of Leesburg.
We respectfully submit the vital needs for these 3 projects – 1 primary and 1 secondary.
Mr. Theus stated the widening of Main Street would be from immediate down town to the West is all that is planned on at the moment.
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried that the 3 requests as above outlined be placed in the Requests to be made to the State Road Department on March 11th.
Mrs. Genevieve Bishop, Dist. Welfare Director, appeared before the Board re: Lake County establishing Child Welfare Unit. She said the State will furnish some funds for this, but not for Foster home. Mr. Hooten asked how much money would it cost Lake County to establish a County Welfare Child Unit. Mrs. Bishop stated she does know how much it will cost. It costs $2.00 per day per child including everything. Sixteen counties in the State have a Unit. Two additional ones are to be established. Mrs. Bishop stated someone from the State Board could come down and meet with this Board, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, Mrs. Bishop was instructed to request the State Welfare Board to send a representative here next Monday, March tenth, at ten AM to meet with the Board of County Commissioners.
C. H. Brautcheck and Wm. Rhodes appeared before the Board re: Flooding of agricultural land, and asked the Board for assistance in getting the water lowered. The flooded land is located on North end of Trout Lake. The gentlemen stated before the Haines Creek Lock was installed we did not have this trouble. The last ten days we are submerged with water. We depend on the pastures for grazing cattle and now they are flooded. Mr. Brautcheck stated if can get an opening between Trout Lake and Lake Eustis, thinks will help our situation, and opening up of the Lock at Haines Creek. Commr. Cross stated he does not see what he can do, but will go look over the situation.
Mr. Duncan presented Amendment to the Agreement with T & G Railroad re: Crossing South of Howey and asked that the Board execute same, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Hooten seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, the Chairman was authorized to execute in duplicate the Amendment to the Agreement with the T & G Railroad Company re the crossing South of Howey.
NOTICE HAVING BEEN ADVERTISED for bids for the purchase of concrete pipe, the following bids was received:
Lakeland Cement Company – Lakeland, Florida
405’ x 48” Tongue & Groove Concrete Culvert
Pipe per lineal foot $12.75
Sherman Concrete Pipe Company – Tampa
405’ x 48” pipe per lineal foot, 2% discount, 10 days 12.75
Universal Concrete Pipe - Ocala
48” pipe per lineal foot 12.75
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Cross and carried that the bid of Lakeland Cement Company of Lakeland, Florida, to furnish Lake County 405’ x 48” Tongue & Groove Concrete culvert pipe at $12.75 per lineal foot be accepted.
NOTICE HAVING BEEN ADVERTISED for the purchase of various sizes of full round 8-inch through 84 inch, and equivalent sizes in pipe arch fully galvanized and also bituminous coated, meeting SRD specifications, the following bids were received:
Armco Drainage & Metal Products Inc. – Jacksonville – various prices listed in bid
Tri-State Culvert & Mfg. Division – Tampa – various prices listed in bid
Motion by Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, that the Board accept both of the above bids on pipe, and buy from whichever Company desire to.
VARIOUS TYPEWRITER COMPANIES having been notified that quotations for servicing typewriters and adding machines in the Courthouse would be received today the following named companies submitted quotations for servicing.
William J. Rumley – Leesburg
Service all manual typewriters for one year as follows: $12.50 per machine
30.00 Per electric
All hand adding machines 7.50
All electric adding machines 17.50
Bookkeeping machines, each 65.00
Leesburg Typewriter Service - Leesburg
Service all machines as listed for a year $1,028.50
Geo. Stuart, Inc. – Orlando
Total annual service cost on all machines as
Listed $1,547.05
Less 15% maximum discount $1,314.99
Motion by Commr. Hooten, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried that the Board accept the bid of William J. Rumley to service the typewriters and adding machines in the courthouse for the ensuing year at the price as quoted in the bid, provided same is under one thousand dollars.
Mrs. Baker, Supervisor of Registration, and Mr. Fred Duncan, appeared before the Board, re: Housing of the Voting Machines and transporting same. Mr. Duncan stated he has a complete fireproof building in which the Voting Machines can be stored. After discussion of this matter, it was moved by Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, that the Board accept the offer of Leesburg Tire & Battery Company – Fred Duncan, owner – for housing and transporting the voting machines and that the Attorney be instructed to prepare the contract on a yearly basis beginning as of March 1, 1958.
Approving of the Plat of Silver Beach Heights having been discussed earlier in the day, at this time Attorney Duncan suggested that the Board require the property owners to furnish release or subordination of the mortgage as to the public rights to the streets before approving the Plat.
Mr. Duncan stated he has acquired the appraisal of Talbot Simpson in the amount of $1,800.00 on the land on Dora Canal owned by K. A. Depew, and same would be filed with Clerk.
The Board approved the following Notary Public Bonds with American Surety Company: C. D. Robertson and J. K. Creamons.
Clerk Owens reported he has approved since the first meeting in February, the following Notary Public Bonds with:
American Surety Company of New York: David F. Lunsford 2-4-58; G. D. Beeler, 2-7-58; T. G. McFadden 2-10-58; Mary G. Bowen 2-13-58, D. Carl Smith 2-19-58; Viola A. Collins, 2-28-58; Ozni H. Cornwell 3-1-58.
American Fire & Casualty Company: Helen S. Wilson 2-5-58; Ann S. Bowsky 2-5-58.
Mr. Duncan read a request from Judge Futch for permission to buy three additional chairs to implement the new furniture in his office, at a price of $219.00 each.
Motion by Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried that the request of Judge Futch to purchase three additional chairs for his office be approved.
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, that the proposed work in the Courtroom be advertised for bids.
Clerk Owens read a request from Judge Futch re – defendant Eddie Brown, Sr., who was sentenced to serve one year in the County Jail on June 5, 1957; and on April 5, 1958, he will have accumulated 50 days’ credit as gain time for good behavior and Judge Futch suggested and requested that the Board allow an additional ten days for time spent in jail before sentence, and that he be released from his confinement by reason of said sentence on April 5, 1958.
Clerk Owens gave each member of the Board a copy of the Report of the National Association of Parole & Probation, and again read the letter enclosing the bill for $750.00 for the Survey, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Ward sending a copy of the letter to Judge Hall, that the County Commissioners have just received five copies of the Report, but know nothing about the 100 copies as they have not been received by the Board.
Motion by Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried that the Lake County Payroll for February be approved by the Board.
Clerk Owens read a letter from the Florida Children’s Commission (Miss Ina Steele, Coordinator Children’s Service), addressed to Mr. W. F. Williams, Chairman Board of County Commissioners, stating – “It is my privilege to recommend your appointment to the Governor to serve as County Commissioner on the Lake County Children’s Committee, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Singeltary.” Clerk also read copy of letter from Karl Lehmann to Miss Steele explaining that an error had been made in recommending the appointment of Mr. Williams, as Mr. O. M. Simpson is Chairman of the Board. The governor’s official appointment of Mr. Williams, as County Commissioner of the Lake County Children’s Committee was presented. WHEREUPON, on motion by Commr. Hooten seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Clerk was instructed to return the Commission to the Florida Child’s Commission, notifying them that Mr. O. M. Simpson is Chairman of the Board.
Letter from Health Department re: Springs Bath and Yacht Club Subdivision with Map attached was read by Clerk Owens and ordered filed.
Schedule of State Association of County Commissioners at Ponce DeLeon Hotel in St. Augustine was read to the Board.
Petition signed by citizens re: Road between 19 and 441, and fixing road on Holly Drive was given to Commr. Hooten.
Clerk Owens filed an executed copy of an Agreement between the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Orange and Lake Counties regarding treatment with chemicals of Lake Apopka, which was executed by this Board on February 3, 1958.
Clerk Owens read quotations from Bowen Supply Company of $163 for supply of 1958 election forms; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Clerk was instructed to order the necessary election forms for 1958 from Bowen Supply Company at the price of $163.
Clerk Owens reported that we are now ready to advertise for bids on construction of the Lake County Health Center in Leesburg, and the bids should be advertised to be accepted on Tuesday, March 25, at 2 PM. Publish 3 times starting this week; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, the Clerk was instructed to have published in the Leesburg Daily Commercial Notice to Bidders regarding construction of the Health Clinic in Leesburg.
Clerk Owens read a copy of a letter from Ralph S. Cleland to Florida Development Commission regarding the clinic and the paving around the building; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, the Clerk was authorized to notify the Florida Development Commission that Lake County will assume the responsibility of all necessary grading and paving on the lot around the Lake County Health Clinic in Leesburg, Florida, without cost to the federal government.
Motion by Commr. Cowart seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, that the action of the Board in approving on February 13, 1958 the application of John Henry Fields for admission to the School for the Deaf and the Blind at St. Augustine be approved.
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, that the action of the Chairman and Clerk in approving on February 27, 1958, the application of Edgar Wadson Stroud for admittance to the T. B. Hospital be approved.
Two requests for title search were presented to the Board, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the Clerk was instructed to request the Inland Abstract Company to make title search on No. 1153 – from old 441 to new 441 Fruitland Park – and No. 1165 S-468 – from Montclair Rd. 44 to Fruitland Park.
Clerk Owens brought to the attention of the Board that the steps at the front and back of the Courthouse should be marked in order to keep people from falling. After discussion of this matter, Clerk Owens was authorized to notify Reuben Hatcher, Janitor, to have the steps at the back and front of the Courthouse painted.
Chairman Simpson read a telegram from Chas. P. Goodson stating he can report on April 1, 1958 as County Engineer. Mr. Simpson stated the Board also has applications from Donald W. Barry and Mr. Downer.
Motion by Commissioner Cowart seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, that Chas. P. Goodson be employed by the Board as County Engineer at a salary of $700.00 per month, commending on April 1, 1968, and paid out of Road and Bridge Fund.
Mr. Simpson stated Mr. Goodson would also be engineer on the Zoning and have overall charge of voting machines.
Commr. Hooten stated that the appointment of a custodian of the Courthouse was delayed when the appointments were made the first of the year and the appointment should now be made for the balance of the year. Clerk Owens stated the Board has two applicants – Reuben Hatcher and R. A. (Rock) Reaves. WHEREUPON, Clerk Owens called for votes by Districts, which were as follows:
Districts No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 for Reuben Hatcher.
District No. 3 R. A. (Rock) Reaves.
By a 4 to 1 vote Reuben Hatcher was appointed custodian of the Courthouse for the balance of the year 1958.
Clerk Owens read a telegram from Highway Engineer of the State Road Department, stating the low bidder on Secondary road project 1165-150 S-S-44-A from SR 44 West of Leesburg North and East to SR 25 North of Leesburg is J. D. Manly Construction Company of Leesburg in the amount of $80,985.03, and reply to same concurring in the awarding of the contract. The Board now concurs in the award of this contract to said Company.
FOLLOWING FILED WITH THE BOARD
· Letters from State Road Department re: Job 1168-150, SR 448 Lake Jem and re: Bridge Dora Canal.
· Letter from Karl Lehmann to each Commissioner – expressing thanks for new office space.
· Letters from T. B. Hospital re: Priscilla Hardrick; Blanche Mildred Lucroy; Maude Holley
· Memo from Reba Harris to Zoning Commission with copy to Clerk Board Co. Commissioners.
· State Board of Administration – report Interest & Sinking Fund
· Letter of thanks from Hamlin family
· Get Acquainted brochure – Fredrick L. Bell, Engineer.
Meeting adjourned.
/s/ Frank E. Owens /s/ O. M. Simpson
CLERK CHAIRMAN