MINUTES OF THE CALLED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1960
The Board of County Commissioners met in called session in the County Commissioners’ room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Friday, October 14, for the purpose of considering purchase of pumps and pipe on purchase rental basis, and such other matters as may be brought before the Board, with the following present: Chairman Cross; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Bishop and Simpson; (Mr. Duncan absent on vacation) (Mr. Owens absent attending Court) Mr. Aulls, Mr. Duncan’s assistant was present, and Deputy Clerk Robertson also present.
The Board was called to order by Chairman Cross.
The following named persons from State Road Department were present:
Mr. Al Church, Chief Engineer, Mr. Richey Green, District Engineer, and Mr. Hunt, Purchasing Engineer. Mr. Bill Reedy, Representative was present.
Chairman Cross announced this meeting is called for the purpose of procuring equipment for extraordinary drainage work, and would like to hear expressions of opinion before the bids are opened.
Mr. Theus expressed his appreciation for getting the “High Brass” from the State Road Department here today, and thanked them for everything they have done. I know other people are in trouble with high water, but we just think ours is the worst there is because we are living in it. We realize that you have 67 counties you are trying to assist. We certainly appreciate what you have done and more what you are going to do in the future.
Chairman
Cross stated we have a list of the suppliers who have been contacted and six
have sent proposals. Mr. Goodson opened the Proposals, which are as follows:
BOOZER SUPPLY – Winter Haven (Earl & Carl Boozer and A.
T. Race present)
Price $72,247.00 – a thousand gallon tank for each Unit – 2 Units.
Interested only in sale or straight out rental. Not interested in purchase rental. Have pump and power unit in stock. Mr. Goodson thinks will take 60 days for the work. The flooded area is 150 to 190 ac.
FARM & HOME MACHINERY COMPANY – Orlando (Mr. Thos. E. Yandre present)
12-inch pipe $60,732.00
Rebuilt pump unit $63,457.00
Delivery in 20 days.
Alternate – 3 separate units $72,075
$45,050
30 days delivery Deming Pump with Chrysler power
FINLEY TRACTOR COMPANY – Jacksonville (Representative present, but had no bid to submit)
Mr. Cross stated if can get your bid to Mr. Goodson by tomorrow noon, will consider it. The representative said they could not bid on the pipe.
FISHBACK – Orlando
Bid $55,532.77
HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY – Orlando. (Representative present and filed bid on pump – no pipe.
IGOU FARM STORE – (Representative R. W. McMullen present)
4- six inch pumps straight sale $60,584.45
Add for short lengths 1,686.85
Delivery 30 days first unit – second unit 2 weeks later
1,000 gallons per minute per pump
MEREDITH CORP – Orlando (Representative not present)
Bid filed 1-unit 210 HP $12,393.32 (Used $7,000) Alt 3 Units $7,725.00
McIVER – Winter Haven (W. H. McIver and Mr. Van Duyne present)
Bid $53,087.84
Delivery 2 weeks or less discount 1,961.00
PRESCOTT TRACTOR COMPANY – Leesburg (L. L. Prescott & Sam Bowers, Eng., present)
Did not submit a bid, but said would get information in not later than noon tomorrow.
JOE PRIVIDEL – Leesburg - present
No bid, just wants to talk about equipment
SOUTHERN PIPE & SUPPLY COMPANY – Orlando (Ben Saffer & Mr. Murdock present)
4-model 55M-IND56 Gorman Rupp 6”x6” pumps with $ 9,165.52
Portable engines
(QUO #II) (2 primary pumps and 2 booster pumps 100 GPM or more, each)
2 17,730’ lines of 8”x40’ portable aluminum irrigation pipe, with
Double latch for high pressure at 1.40 ft. (35,460 feet) $49,644.00
$58,809.52
SILVER SPRINGS PLUMBING & SUPPLY- Ocala
Pump $7,382.40
2 “ small $7,125.60
Mr. Cross asked for comments or suggestions from the bidders. No comments.
Mr. Goodson said he thinks he can get this work – checking the bids – done by Monday October 17, 1960.
Mr. Reedy said he called Mr. Church and he said he would come down today.
Mr. Church stated “I am the one who authorized the well to be started. Now it is a forgotten issue.” The drainage well would have cost us about $10,000.00, and we will commit this amount to the project. You have broad authority in an emergency of this kind. I will take the matter up with the Road Board and recommend for part of the money from Secondary Road Fund and maybe take some from ad valorem. The main problem is yours as far as draining the lake is concerned. I will make recommendation to the Board for operation costs, and would like to see you all go ahead. Mr. Reedy said he would to go Tallahassee at noon Tuesday with Mr. Goodson to the budget hearing and request funds. Mr. Cross said he thinks the County should own the equipment. Mr. Church said would like to go ahead with the well. Mr. Cross said think would wind up with more than one well as other places in the County are just as bad as Lady Lake, but not on a U.S. Highway and do not have the publicity this has. Mr. Cross said would try to have a decision by Monday morning.
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, because of excessive high waters South of the center of the Town of Lady Lake and particularly at Lake Silva, State Highway 500 has become impassable; that because said highway is an important arterial highway connecting various parts of the State of Florida, it is essential that a by-pass be provided until such time as water levels can be reduced so as to permit passage over State Road No. 500; and
WHEREAS, a by-pass has been located commencing South of the block where high waters make said Road 500 impassable and continuing Westerly to the right of way of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, thence Northerly to the center of the Town of Lady Lake, thence Easterly to State Road 500, a distance of approximately .6 miles, the right of way for which is available for public purposes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the State Road Department be requested to construct a by-pass along the right of way above described to accommodate through traffic until such time as waters can be reduced and traffic may be resumed on State Road 500; and that the cost thereof be paid from Secondary Funds due Lake County.
Mr. Bishop stated that Harry W. Clark has two pieces of property that he needs for a clay pit. This property has been appraised at $600.00 per acre for less than 3 acres. The North 350 feet of the West 350 feet of the N ½ of the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 6, Township 23 South, Range 26 East, containing 2.8 acres, more or less $1,680.00.
The West 350’ of the N ½ of the SE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 27, Township 24 South, Range 26 East, slightly over 5 acres . . . . . . . . . . $2,000.00
Mr. Clark wants to sell the 3 acres but wants $800.00 per acre and says he will go to Court for damages before will take less than $800.00 per acre.
The appraisal of O. H. Keene, W. Ben Harmon and Arthur George on the above property was filed October 3, 1960.
MEETING ADJOURNED.
/s/ Frank E. Owens /s/ Fred Cross
CLERK CHAIRMAN