MINUTES OF regular MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners
monday – may 4, 1959
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the County Commissioners’ room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, May 4, with the following present: Chairman Simpson; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Bishop, and Cross; Attorney Duncan; and Clerk Owens.
The Board was called to order by Chairman Simpson.
Reading of the minutes of the meetings of April was omitted at this time in order to hear the delegations present.
notary public bonds
Clerk Owens reported he has approved since the first meeting in April the following Notary Public Bonds with American Surety Company of New York:
J. H. Pegram 4-15-59 and Catherine Wagner 4-27-59; and with
American Fire and Casualty Company Permita Cromwell on 4-14-59.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the Notary Public Bond of Harold E. Bridge with Massachusetts Bonding & Insurance Company.
On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the applications of O. T. Floyd for duplicate tax certificate, owner of Tax Sale Certificate No. 195 dated the 1st day of June 1951 covering S. 208 feet of East 208 feet of Lot 5, Tillmans Addition, Bloomfield; and owner of Tax Cert. No. 178 dated the 1st of June 1952, covering South 208 feet of East 208 feet of Lot 15, Tillmans Addition Bloomfield, was approved.
Mr. French, Chairman of the Zoning Commission, appeared before the Board and asked if the Board can meet with the Zoning Commission one day this week. WHEREUPON, the meeting was set for Thursday, May 7, at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Lehmann appeared before the Board regarding Civil Defense. Commr. Cross stated the Civil Defense Council has accomplished a little something. They think Alexander Springs would be the ideal place for the Civil Defense Control Center. On a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Bishop and carried, the Emergency Civil Defense Control Center is to be set up at Alexander Springs. Mr. Lehmann invited the Board to Alexander Springs for a boat ride on Wednesday, May 13 at ten AM. Commr. Simpson called attention to a letter from Col. Lauben. Commr. Cross said he has a copy of the letter.
Mr. Downer appeared before the Board and asked for assistance regarding a drainage ditch in front of his house on Lake Shore Drive between Tavares and Mount Dora. He would like for the Board to suggest to the State Road Department to fix the ditch which is about five feet deep. As this is in Commr. Bishop’s district, he and Mr. Goodson will look at the ditch and take it up with the Road Department.
A resident on Lake Saunders again appeared before the Board regarding the ditch, which has been previously discussed at a Board meeting. Mr. Goodson, County Engineer, gave a report on the inspection of this ditch and will handle this further. Mr. Duncan also gave a report on the ditch and filed copies of a letter he wrote to Holloway Concrete Products Company and Mr. Rateau regarding this matter, opening the ditch so the flood waters from Lake Saunders can be carried off before too much more damage is done.
Mr. Luton again appeared before the Board regarding the Suburban Shores Road. He stated that Mr. Sadler has removed his 59 trees, but the other party has not removed his trees. Mr. Luton asked if the foreman in District 3 could clear up the debris left from the removal of the trees. Mr. Luton stated he has agreed to pay for any right of way that is needed and would like some instructions as to how to go about securing the rights of way. A discussion followed on the obtaining of rights of way and the width required.
Douglas Igou appeared before the Board and stated he had a conference with Governor Collins and Joe Grotegut of the State Road Department concerning the road situation in Lake County, particularly the extension of R-44-A from road 437 to Cassia and the construction of SR 500 from the Orange County line to the Dreamboat corner. He had also contacted Mr. David and Mr. Green of the State Road Department, and they viewed the road and noted the condition which created the urgent need of construction of Road 44A. They suggested if the County would put up $150,000 of secondary road money, the State Road Department would construct the road immediately. He further discussed the drainage of Mud Lake and Lake Joanna. Mr. Igou requested that the Board ask the State Road Department to lower the culvert, which carried Lake Joanna discharge water to the elevation at which the original culvert had been placed prior to the construction of Road 44A from Eustis to Road 437.
On a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Clerk was instructed to request the State Road Department to make a survey from the intersection of Road 44 and Road 44A West to the Eustis city limits.
On a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the State Road Department was requested to lower at its expense the pipe which carried Lake Joanna discharge water to the elevation at which the original culvert was when they took over Road 44A from Eustis to Road 437.
Mr. McCree, a member of the Central Florida Development Commission and Chairman of the Municipal Board of Orlando, and Mr. George Daugherty appeared before the Board regarding the request of Orange, Seminole, and Lake Counties in their respective Resolutions designating roads for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1959, a road commencing at the intersection of SR 434 and 436 in Seminole County and running north through portions of Seminole, Orange, and Lake Counties, connecting with SR 46 at a point approximately 500 feet east of the RR crossing in Sec. 30-19-29; Mr. McCree stated they are interested in the development of an industrial park along the proposed road. Commr. Theus stated he thinks some of the development should be in Lake County in order to get taxes on it.
On a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the following Resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, in its request to the State Road Department for roads for the budget year beginning July 1, 1959 requested the construction of a road commencing at a point 500 feet east of the intersection of State Road 46 with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Section 30, Township 19 South, Range 29 East and running southerly to the boundary between Lake and Orange Counties to connect with a road running south from said boundaries, and
WHEREAS, the County Commissioners of Lake County are informed that Orange County and Seminole County have made similar requests for the construction of roads for said fiscal year, the same being a road continuing south to connect with State Roads in Seminole County, and
WHEREAS, the owners of a portion of the properties through which the proposed road would pass have let the contract for the construction of a bridge which will cross the Wekiva River, east of the confluence of Rock Creek and the Wekiva River, in Section 30, Township 20 South, Range 29 East, and the proper alignment of the proposed roads in said three counties should be based upon the location of said bridge;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the State Road Department be respectfully requested to make a survey of the proposed road alignment and to establish a centerline thereof at the earliest possible time in order that the plan of development for the area will not be delayed and that said alignment follow generally the following course: Begin approximately 500 feet east of the intersection of State Road 46 and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Sec. 30, Tp. 18 S. R. 29E, and run southerly through Lake County, through a portion of Orange County to connect with the bridge above described and through Seminole County to a point in the area of or near the Southwest corner of Sec. 8, Tp.2 21 S. R. 29 E, to connect with the road generally known as “Bear Lake Road” and intersecting State Road 436.
Victor Roepke appeared before the Board regarding zoning specifications for subdivisions outside of city limits. Mr. Roepke stated he has an island consisting of 26 acres in Lake County which he wants to fix for a trailer camp with entrance by boat and would like to know what size lots he would have to have. The Board thinks he should have at least one street in the project, and Mr. Duncan stated one public boat landing should be furnished.
Mr. Duncan advised the Board that the State Road Department has requested that there be one certified appraiser on the Board on SR 500, Section 11010-2111, and Mr. William Wingler has refused to serve on the Board. SRD suggested Mr. A. E. Mundy of Deland.
A motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Bishop that the resignation of William Wingler to serve as an appraiser on Road SR 500, Section 11010-2111 be accepted and that Bob Eichelberger and Emery Dillard be continued on and that A. E. Mundy of Deland, a certified appraiser, as suggested by the State Road Department be designated to serve as an appraiser on said Road from the Orange County line to the Dreamboat Corner on Road 19 was made. The motion carried. All Board members voted yes with the exception of Commr. Cross, who voted in the negative, as he feels like all appraisers should come from Lake County.
Mr. Duncan was instructed to write the State Road Department regarding accepting appraisers from Lake County.
recess and reassembly
The Board adjourned for lunch and reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
minute approval
At this time, the minutes of the meetings of April 7th and 14th were read. On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the minutes as read were adopted.
bids for purchase of pickup truck
Notice to bidders having been advertised for the purchase of a pickup truck (half ton) for District 5, the following bids were received:
HODGES EQUIPMENT COMPANY, Leesburg
1 International Model B-102 pickup truck – net price delivered $1,664.23
EUSTIS MOTOR COMPANY, Eustis
Unable to bid, as specifications call for 5.50 rims, which are not available on Ford Pickup trucks.
JUNGLE AUTO SERVICE, Leesburg
1 1050 GMC Model 101 – net tax exempt price of $1,599.00
BUTLER CHEVROLET CO., INC., Leesburg
1 1959 Chevy Model 3104, ½ ton pickup truck, net delivered price $1,749.62
Commr. Cross said he would take the bids under advisement until next Monday after he talks to his foreman.
bids for purchase of servicing of typewriters and adding machines in courthouse
Notice to bidders for servicing typewriters and adding machines in the Courthouse having been advertised, the following bids were received:
WILLIAM J. RUMLEY, Leesburg
All standard typewriters each $12.50
All electric typewriters each $30.00
All electric adding machines each $17.50
All hand adding machines each $ 7.50
LEESBURG TYPEWRITER SERVICE, Leesburg
Manual typewriters each $14.50
Electric typewriters each $27.50
Electric adding machines each $20.50
Hand adding machines each $17.50
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, the bid of William J. Rumley to service the typewriters and adding machines in the Courthouse at the price as quoted above was accepted.
Mr. Sadler and Mr. Mackey from Suburban Shores appeared before the Board. Mr. Sadler stated his mother received a letter from Attorney Duncan asking that she have some trees taken up at Suburban Shores, which are along the right of way, and she has complied with this request. Mr. Sadler asked if they would be allowed to load fruit on the road, and Commr. Bishop stated when the road is completed, if you will decide on a location you want to load from, we will clay the location for loading. We do not have the money now for hard topping.
road s-561-a, section 11660-2205 – lake sheppard to ferndale
On a motion by Commr. Bishop, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the following named persons were appointed appraisers on the above-mentioned road:
Walter Kreig, R-2, Clermont
Art George c/o Bowman & Brown, Clermont
Carl Henderson, Ferndale
road sr s-565-a, section 11681-2601, monta vista road
On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Bishop and carried, the following persons were appointed appraisers on the above-mentioned road:
R. E. Nash, Mascotte
E. L. Puryear, Groveland
John Arnold, Groveland
resolution – city of eustis
A resolution requesting that they be permitted to use the permanent registration system for City Elections to become effective January 1, 1960 was filed. Mr. Duncan stated the City of Eustis should be requested to give the Board a corrected map. On a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Bishop and carried, the Board acknowledged receipt of the Resolution and that the Board of County Commissioners concurs in the adoption of the resolution.
state road s-468, section 11650-2150
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the appraisal on the above-mentioned road in the amount of $667.13 Parcel #73 Revised; Parcel #73 $14.26; Parcel #58 $1,052.83; Parcel #58 Revised $224.10, was accepted and approved.
state road s-33, section 11640-2601
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Lake Abstract & Title Company was requested to make a title search on Road S-33 as above.
Some property owners living on Westland Road in Sylvan Shores appeared before the Board requesting the right to dig a ditch across the road. A petition signed by 18 persons stating no objection to establish the drains was filed, as well as a letter from the Lake County Health Department. WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the following resolution was adopted:
A Petition having been presented for authority to cross Poinsetta Drive in Sylvan Shores, Lake County, Florida, with a drainage ditch or culvert, and it appearing that the property owners in the vicinity of said proposed drainage project and those who would be affected by the flow of water in said drainage project have by signed consent agreed thereto,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners that the property owners located on Westland Road West of Poinsetta Drive in Sylvan Shores are authorized to construct a drainage project across Poinsetta Drive under the supervision of the County Engineer and that the surface of Poinsetta Drive shall be replaced or made as passable as it now is after the completion of said drainage project.
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, the action of the Chairman and Clerk in approving the following applications for admission to the T. B. Hospital was approved: Maggie Elizabeth Findley, Sorrento; Vivian Lucille Yose, Eustis; and Willie Spence, Jr., Leesburg.
Clerk Owens reported that the Tax Certificate is out against Lots 9-24-26-27 Bennett’s Heights, Clermont, for 1955 and 1956 taxes and should be redeemed. This information was given to Attorney Duncan.
letters
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad letter regarding the crossing in D-5 was referred to Attorney Duncan.
A letter from Koehring Company regarding improved design on the saddle block roller assembly was read, and Clerk Owens was instructed to answer same and send a copy to Commr. Bishop.
Clermont’s letter giving a recommendation for termite proofing the Home Demonstration Building was read. On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Clerk was instructed to notify Mr. Clements to termite treat the Home Demonstration Building for the sum of $150 for the initial treatment and $35 per year thereafter.
A letter from Dr. Hall, Director, Lake County Health Department, regarding storing the Civil Defense Hospital, states as follows: “I regret that I was unable to arrange for the storing of our 200 bed Civil Defense Hospital in the Eustis Armory. They simply do not have available space.” A copy of the letter from Mr. Lehmann regarding Civil Defense was read and filed.
A letter from Miss Winifred Kitching, Tallahassee, regarding the denial of R. G. Cassady, Tax Assessor, for homestead exemption. Clerk Owens was instructed to notify her when the Equalization Board meets.
A copy of a letter from Gordon G. Oldham, Jr., State Attorney, to doctors to perform an autopsy on Mrs. Dorothy Scheer was read and filed.
A copy of a letter from William Prinz, Mt. Dora, to Clerk of the Circuit Court and Chamber of Commerce, Orange County, regarding high water was read and referred to the Water Authority.
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the request of Judge Hall for two 8-roller shelf units at $362 and one Do/more Secretary chair at $75 was approved.
On a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the payroll for the month of April was approved.
Mr. Duncan stated he will investigate the procedure and time required for securing secondary road money for the purchase of rights of way and/or secondary road construction and issuing certificates in payment thereof.
land for agricultural center
A letter from Don M. Kemp, Chairman, Lake County Agricultural Center Committee, recommending two sites as being practical and conveniently located for all the citizens in Lake County, namely a ten-acre tract on Highway 19 South of the intersection with 441 and the SAL RR owned by Duncan-Peeples and Daughtry – price not determined on all this tract. Mr. Duncan stated he does not want to sell land to the County. The other piece, a ten-acre tract owned by Burke Chester bordering on 19 and the clay road running from 19 due west (known as the Lane Park Loop), price $12,500, or 20 acres if needed for $20,000.
A letter from L. R. Huffstetler asking that the County use the present land and facilities at the Lake County Fairgrounds for the Agricultural Center.
No action was taken on land for the Agricultural Center.
laws and legislature
A copy of the North Marion County Chamber of Commerce resolution urging the Legislature to oppose the coming bill abolishing school bus drivers and replacing these drivers with school students was read, discussed, and filed.
copy of the plat law filed with the board
The Plat of the First Addition of Pine Island Shores was ordered held up to check on the title, Title & Trust Company of Florida title binder #6872 shows property insured to Orange State Sales Company.
A letter from Waterman Memorial Hospital Inc. signed by E. C. Aulls, M. D., President of the Board of Directors, was read; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Theus, the Attorney and Clerk were authorized to draft a reply to the letter. The motion carried.
Commr. Theus thinks they should have a meeting with the Tax Assessor on reevaluation and get an estimate of the price from the firm of Hunnicutt & Associates. No action was taken on this.
A letter from Florida State University regarding Florida’s Delinquency Control Institute to be held at Tallahassee from June 21 to July 19, 1959 was read. Clerk Owens was instructed to contact Judge Hall and find out whom to nominate to attend the Institute.
Job. No. 11580-3601-02-31 SR 44-A typical section filed. A letter acknowledging receipt of the resolution advising that the west end of this job shall be approximately 1 ¼ miles east of the intersection of S-44-A and SR 437 filed.
typical sections filed on the following:
Job #11620-3601-02-31 SR S 561A
Job #11090-3501-02-32, SR 561
Job #111684-3601-02-41, SR S450
following letters filed with the board:
SRD regarding traffic planning, Section 11000, map attached; regarding SR S-445 and regarding SR S-450.
Lake County Health Department, Sanitarian Kelly to Clermont City Council regarding Hiwatha Subdivision
Vick Oswalt’s letter to Billy Kelly.
monthly reports
Monthly reports of R. E. Norris and 2 assistants
Mrs. Valentine and 2 assistants
J. C. Hunter
MEETING ADJOURNED.
/s/ Frank E. Owens /s/ O. M. Simpson
CLERK CHAIRMAN