MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – May 2, 1966
A regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida was held in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse at Tavares at 10:00 o’clock A.M., Monday, May 2, 1966, with the following members present: Chairman Theus, Commrs. Dykes, Livingston, and Babb. Also present were Clerk Owens, Attorney Duncan, Engineer Hays, Zoning Director Webb and Recording Secretary Coven.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman who gave the invocation.
Bids
It being the time advertised to receive bids for resurfacing streets in Remly Heights Subdivision, the Chairman directed the Engineer to open and tabulate the bids; whereupon, the Engineer reported receiving bids from the following:
Lindsley Paving Company, Inc.
Basic Asphalt Corp.
Orlando Paving Company
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded Commr. Cowart and carried, the bids were referred to the Engineer for study and recommendation of the Board.
Later in the day the Engineer reported Lindsley Paving Company, Inc. was low bidder at 52¢ per square yard, total cost $1,794.00; whereupon, on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the low bid of Lindsley Paving Company, Inc. was accepted.
Complaints
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Royal of Cassia appeared and complained of a resident of Mt. Plymouth Subdivision parking tractor-trailer unit on the County parkway. Mr. Royal stated the road is being damaged from constant traversing of the unit and also obstructs view of the road by other residents. On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Attorney was instructed to write a letter to the owner of the tractor-trailer unit to remove the unit from the county property and park same on his private property.
Mr. Arthur C. Post of Bassville Park appeared and presented petition signed by twenty-eight (28) property owners requesting that J. M. Booth Trucking Company be forced to clean up the litter at their site located at Haines Creek Road and Crossen Street. Attorney Duncan advised this is a portion of the road that will soon be under contract for resurfacing and this matter most likely will be cleared up by the construction.
Mr. Post asked what can be done to improve Crossen Street and Commr. Babb advised him if the property owners will pay the cost of the necessary materials, his road crew will furnish the clay and apply the materials.
Mr. Frank Gause appeared and complained of the water pollution in the County’s lakes. Clerk Owens advised Mr. Gause the Water Authority is calling a meeting on this problem for 10:30 o’clock A.M. Wednesday, May 4, 1966, in the conference room in the Engineering and Zoning Building, and advised Mr. Gause he is welcome to attend. Chairman Theus appointed Mr. Dykes to represent the Board at this meeting.
Roads – county
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, a resolution was adopted prohibiting the dumping of trash and garbage on any County road and making the violation of same as a misdemeanor, and authorizing the erection of signs to this effect where necessary.
Engineer Hays reported Mrs. Shaddick is requesting that two county roads running north of Griffin View Road be kept open so she will have access to her property. Attorney Duncan advised it will be necessary to have evidence declaring the roads to be prescriptive roads. The Attorney was instructed to prepare affidavits to this effect for signatures.
Clerk Owens submitted letter from V. Buchta with reference to relocating County Road 3-2232. Mr. Buchta’s letter states he has had the road surveyed and it is on his property. Commr. Cowart and Commr. Dykes stated this road has been maintained by the County for years. Attorney Duncan advised we will need evidence to this effect and he was instructed to prepare affidavits declaring the road a prescriptive road.
County property
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, a resolution was adopted declaring house located on Lot M, in Block 40, City of Tavares, surplus property and placed upon the market for sale, exclusive of the real estate upon which it is located.
Engineer Hays filed letters from the Division of Plat Industry that the following clay pits have been approved for moving soil or clay into citrus producing areas:
Griffin View Pit located 2.6 miles East of US 441 on South side of Griffin View Rd.
Lake Norris Pit located 0.8 miles East of SR 437 North of Sorrento
Conant Pit #1 located West of Old US 441, North of Lady Lake
Beulah Heights Pit located North side of SR 44A on US 441, Leesburg
Nathanial Allen Pit located 2 ½ miles West of Fruitland Park on SR 466A
Carlton Village Pit located East of Lady Lake and East of Carlton Village
Orange County Pit located East of US 441 on SR 448, South of Tangerine
Also, letter advising that the following clay pit has not been approved by the Division of Plat Industry:
Conant Pit #2 located West of Old US 441 North of Lady Lake
Clerk Owens submitted appraisal from Memory Martin covering exchange of property with Maurice E. and Katherine C. Day, said appraisal declaring the two properties to be of equal value with no money being paid by either party.
Outdoor recreational facilities
Representative W. H. Reedy appeared and presented letter addressed to him from the Florida Outdoor Recreational Planning Committee regarding release of funds for the Lake Harris recreation site on State Road 25. Letter requests that $2,000 item specified for playground equipment be deleted and apply the funds to picnic shelters, tables, etc. On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, Mr. Reedy was authorized to advise the Planning Committee this request is granted.
Engineer Hays presented two letters from the State Road Department to the Outdoor Recreational Planning Committee regarding the Lake Eustis State Park advising that the contract will be let in May. Rep. Reedy advised the Planning Committee has released $35,000 to the State Road Department for the construction of this park.
Safety council
Rep. Reedy stated the Lake County Safety Council needs office space and a part-time secretary and asked if the Board could assist them. Motion was made by Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, Rep Reedy was instructed to contact the Civil Defense Director for the necessary assistance.
Suits affecting the County
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Attorney was instructed to secure abstract of title on railroad right of way purchased North of Umatilla and to prepare Suit to Quiet Title.
Planning & zoning
Commr. Livingston submitted letter from Representative Sydney Herlong together with letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development with reference to obtaining funds under the “701” project, and advising that Lake County’s application has been placed in the non-priority category.
Zoning Director Webb requested the Board’s approval to proceed with the planning program immediately. Chairman Theus advised the amount budgeted for this program has been cut $7,000.00 leaving a balance in the budget of $7,000.00 and said he would like to see a preliminary plan in force before the end of the budget year. Mr. Webb was instructed ot proceed with this program bearing in mind the amount of funds available.
Railroads
On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, a resolution was adopted authorizing the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company to install a public crossing at point 1,559 feet northeast of Mile Post TA-787 in Sorrento, and authorizing the Chairman and Clerk to execute the agreement covering same.
Tax assessment
Attorney Duncan reported the Tax Collector refuses to comply with a resolution adopted on December 6, 1965 instructing him to cancel taxes on the following described property, for the reason the instructions to him are illegal:
“Unnumbered lot in Southeast corner of Plat of Lake Dore Estates.”
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, a resolution was adopted rescinding the resolution adopted by the Board on December 6, 1965 and recorded in Minute Book 20, Page 348, and instructing the Clerk to notify the City of Tavares to pay the taxes on the property, and the County will refund the amount of the taxes to the City of Tavares.
Courthouse
Clerk Owens was instructed to contact the County officials with reference to shorter working hours for the Courthouse employees.
Recess and reassembly
The Board recessed for lunch at 12 o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:30 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.
Lake levels
Mrs. Kathrine Day appeared and requested that the water level of Lake Yale be lowered. Commr. Babb stated the lake is not dangerously high and the spillway was built to protect property beneficial to the County. Chairman Theus advised Mrs. Day the Board will contact the State Road Department of the advisability of an easement under the highway to ease the flow of water.
indigents
The Clerk presented two requests for assistance from the Waterman Memorial Hospital for the accounts of Alfred Reed, $67.25, and Wm. Woodford, $703.10. The Clerk was instructed to refer the requests to the Welfare Directors.
Elections – primary
On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Clerks and Inspectors who served on the election boards in the First Primary on May 3, 1966 were appointed to serve in the Second Primary on May 24, 1966. List of election boards on file in the Clerk’s Office.
Soil survey
Memorandum from the Soil Conservationist advising that 12,139 acres were mapped during April, making a total mapped to date of 284,351 acres.
Inventory
Clerk Owens presented property record report from the County Service Officer that Thermo Fax Machine, inventory #131, is an obsolete machine and inoperable and impossible to obtain necessary part for same. On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, this machine was declared obsolete and the inventory records to reflect this action.
Tax assessor
Certificates of Corrections of Errors and Corrections on the 1965 tax roll numbered 175 through 200 were approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.
Licenses and permits
On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, bonds for carrying firearms were approved for the following:
James B. Daugherty
R. A. Clarke
Budget
The Clerk presented letter and resolution from the Leesburg Hospital Association requesting that Board to levy ½ mill tax in the Northwest Lake County Hospital District for the year 1966-67. Action was deferred until the budget hearing.
Tax assessment
Clerk Owens presented letter from the Tax Assessor Lester Aycock, Jr. located in Section 26/18/26 was assessed for 1964 in the amount of $1,200.00, whereas it should have been assessed in the amount of $200.00; also there is tax certificate outstanding against this property. Motion was made by Commr. Dykes that the Clerk will notify Mr. Aycock if he will redeem the certificate before May 31, 1966 for the sum of $30.56, the County will reimburse him for the over assessment of $1,000.00. Motion was seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.
Municipal corporations
Letter was read and filed from the City of Mount Dora together with copy of Ordinance passed by the City Council on April 5, 1966 of its intent to annex the right of way of Donnelly Street Extended from the North City limits to the intersection of New Highway 441.
State agencies
Notice from the Florida Aviation Division, Board of Commissioners of State Institutions advising of application, inspection and approval of Public Airport site to Noel E. Griffin, Jr. located approximately three miles East of Eustis in Section 8 and 18, Twp. 19 S., Range 27 East, to be known as Mid-Florida Air Service Airport, was read and filed.
Hospitals
On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, petitions to the Southwest Florida Tuberculosis Hospital were approved for the following:
Wm. Sylvester Rybolt
Elizabeth Ashe
Deeds
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dyke and carried, deed conveying the following described property to Lake County was accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records:
GRANTOR: Lela O. Selman, a widow
Commence at a point 210 feet South of the Northwest corner of the Northeast ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of Section 20, Township 19 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida; thence run East 210 feet; thence run South 208.75 feet; thence run East 25 feet; thence run South 150 feet; thence run East 725 feet; thence run South 50 feet; thence run West 775 feet; thence run North 358.75 feet; thence run West 185 feet; thence run North 50 feet to point of beginning.
ALSO: Commence 410 feet South of the Northwest corner of the Northeast ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of Section 20, Township 19 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida; thence run South 710 feet; East 25 feet; North 710 feet; thence West 25 feet to point of beginning.
Subordination of Mortgage from Phil Williams Coal Co., Inc. covering road right of way conveyed to the County by James D. Phillips and Dian S. Phillips, his wife, located in Section 21, Twp. 24 S., Range 26 E. was accepted on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried. (Recorded O.R. Book 311, Page 542.)
Roads – state
Copy of letter from the State Road Department to Commr. Babb recommending the original northerly alignment for SR S-440. No action taken on this.
Funds – transfer
Written request from County Judge W. A. Milton, Jr. for transfer of $4,750.00 from Contingency Item to the County Judge’s Monthly Requisition was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes, with the additional amount to be paid in five qual sums of $950.00 monthly effective May 1966.
Hyacinth control
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Board agreed to purchase an outboard motor for the spraying boat, cost approximately $300.00 including trade-in of $71.50 for the old motor.
The Board discussed purchasing an airboat for the hyacinth spraying but did not consider an airboat feasible at this time.
Bids
On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Clerk was authorized to advertise for two new pickup trucks, one for District #1 and one for the Guard Captain.
East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
Minutes of meeting held March 16, 1966 in Titusville were filed and copy of same distributed to each Board member.
Permits – Use
Lake County Use Permits Nos. 75, 76, 77, and 78 were filed by the Engineer.
Lake county development commission
Copy of letter from the Development Commission to Leesburg Chamber of Commerce outlining the Commission’s policy regarding County Chambers of Commerce was read and filed.
Planning & Zoning
Letter from the Zoning Director to Erden R. Craven regarding zoning regulation governing the Ocala National Forest Campsites No. 4 was filed.
Outdoor recreational facilities
Letter from the Tavares Chamber of Commerce expressing appreciation to the Board for its efforts in implementing the Lake Eustis Recreational Site was read and filed.
Checks received
On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, checks from property owners in McDonald Terrace totaling $69.00 were accepted and the Clerk was instructed to deposit same and credit to the cost of materials for improving the streets.
Accounts allowed
Expenses of Bob Webb to attend Census Tracting Workshop in Winter Park on May 5 and 6 were approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried.
On recommendation of the Florida Rating & Inspection Bureau and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Board authorized the purchase of 6 – 2 ½ pressure water fire extinguishers for a total cost of $150.00 including installation at the Health Department Office in Tavares and the Heal Clinics in Leesburg and Clermont.
The Board authorized the purchase of 2 – 2 ½ pressure water fire extinguishers and 2 – 5# dry chemical fire extinguishers for a total cost of $87.00 to be installed in the Tax Collector’s Office.
Bill for appraisal from Memory Martin in the amount of $25.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
Communications
Letter from Reba Harris complimenting the Board on the new office building for the Engineering and Zoning Departments was read and filed.
Copy of letter from the State Board of Health regarding Skycrest Mobile Park was filed.
Letter from K. B. Luton of Suburban Shores expressing appreciation to Commr. Dykes for the interest he has shown in patching streets in this subdivision.
Letter from Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen regarding Interstate Commerce Commission hearing on Atlantic Coast Line’s application to discontinue passenger trains #37 and #38 was filed.
Notice from the Florida Public Service Commission regarding application of Florida Telephone Corp. for Extended Are Service was filed. Said notice lists dates of hearings to be held on this application.
reports
Monthly reports from the Veterans Service Officer and the Commodity Warehouse Supervisor were filed.
Annual report of the Lake County Arthropod Control was filed.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 2:45 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN