MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – august 1, 1966
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse in Tavares on Monday, August 1, 1966, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: Chairman Theus, Commrs. Cowart, Dykes, Babb and Livingston. Also present were Clerk Owens, Deputy Clerk Norma Coven and at ten o’clock Gordon Hays, Engineer and Robert S. Webb, Zoning Director were present. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman who gave the invocation.
Tax valuation and equalization
Complaints were heard from the following:
1. William Gehlbach, Minneola – Mr. Gehlbach complained of the high assessment on a new service sation constructed on Lot 8 West of Highway, Block 43.
2. John Korem, Bassville Park – Mr. Korem complained of the increased assessment on his residence.
3. Jack Endsley representing Shands & Baker – Assessment increased from $24,000 in 1965 to $32,000 in 1966.
4. John T. Stewart, Jr., Paisley – Assessment on Lot 4, Lost Lake Hills, $1,600.00. No improvement on property.
Letters from the following were submitted:
1. Wm. C. Lovelace, Groveland Farms – Abandoned grove property assessed too high.
2. Margaret R. Dyer, Clermont – Request for homestead exemption.
All complaining parties were notified their requests would be considered and discussed with the Tax Assessor later in the day.
Plats
Mr. Henry Pringle appeared with reference to petition to vacate Blocks 9 and 10 in Silver Lake Estates. He presented for the Board’s consideration map and aerial view of the subdivision. The Board members concurring, Chairman Theus instructed the Engineer to study this request and discuss same with the Attorney when he returns from vacation. The Chairman advised Mr. Pringle action on this petition will be deferred until the Engineer studies same.
Road closings
It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing to consider the closing of portion of platted street, on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, a resolution was adopted to close the following described street:
That part of Tenth Avenue according to the Plat of Umatilla Turpentine Company Subdivision recorded in the public records of Lake County, Florida, in Plat Book 10, Page 62, lying East of the East line of Church Street extended North across Tenth Avenue, and running thence West to the Drainage Canal crossing Tenth Avenue between Lot 40 according to Merrill-Vaughn Subdivision, as shown by Plat Book 4, Pave 23, public records of Lake County, Florida, and Lot 10 of Umatilla Turpentine Company Subdivision.
Bids
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Engineer was instructed to prepare annual bids on the following products and the Clerk was authorized to advertise same:
Hot Asphaltic Concrete Plat Mix and Cold Mix
Steel and Aluminum Pipe
Concrete Pipe
Sign Materials
Diesel Fuel and Gasoline
Asphalt Material
Maintenance Two-Way Radio Equipment
Crushed Stone, Limerock and Slag
County Roads
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, a resolution was adopted determining speed limits as follows and instructing the Engineer to erect signs accordingly:
Washington Avenue in Eustis (County Road 4-5470) from Hazelton Avenue (County Road 4-5167) to Joanna Shores Subdivision – 45 MPH
Washington Avenue (County Road 4-5470) from Joanna Shores Subdivision to State Road 44 – 25 MPH
Bates Avenue (County Road 4-5771) from Eustis City Limits East to State Road 44A – 35 MPH
The Engineer was instructed to erect county road sign on the Bear Pen Road.
Clerk Owens submitted copy of a letter from Dr. Hall to Commr. Dykes requesting that the entrance road and a small parking area in back of the Clermont Clinic be paved. Commr. Dykes sated he has not received the original letter.
Letter from McLester McKee agreeing to give 12 ½ feet right of way to relocate road in McKee’s Manor and requesting the County to remove the trees from the right of way was referred to the Engineer.
Roads – State
Clerk Owens read a resolution adopted by the City of Eustis urging the Board to activate the construction of Kurt Street from SR 500 to SR 19 and the widening and rebuilding of Orange Avenue from State Road 44 from Bay Street to the East City Limits. The Board took no action on the request, the members feeling that further action would be repetitious.
Deeds
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, deed conveying the following described property to Lake County was accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records:
GRANTORS: J. H. and Bernice Harden
The East 25 feet of the NE ¼ of the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 34, Township 21 South, Range 26 East.
ALSO; Commence at the Northwest corner of the NE ¼ of the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ of Section 34, Township 21 South, Range 26 East; thence run South 0o14’45” West 19.97 feet; thence run North 81o05’45” East 125.58 feet; thence run North 89o45’15” West 123.98 feet to Point of Beginning.
Tax Collector
Recapitalization of Errors, Discounts, Insolvencies and Double Assessments on tangibles and real estate as submitted by the Tax Collector against the 1965 tax roll was approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.
Interest
Clerk Owens reported the amount of interest earned on time deposits through July of this budget year is $21,968.48.
Appointments
The Clerk advised the Oklawaha Water Authority recommends John Nelson, Umatilla, to fill the vacancy on the Oklawaha River Basin Water Management Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Motion was made by Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, that the Clerk notify the Governor’s office of this recommendation.
County depositories
The Clerk presented letter from J. Carlisle Rogers, First National Bank of Leesburg, expressing appreciation to the Board for funds on deposit and requesting that additional deposit be made with the First National when available.
Hospitals
The action of the Chairman in Clerk in approving application to the Southwest Florida Tuberculosis Hospital for Leona Carol Maynard was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried.
Notices from the hospital were filed as follows:
Imelda Carney Greenwell was discharged with medical advice on July 1, 1966
Claudie McNealy was given a disciplinary discharge on July 20, 1966
Alfred Howard Glover left against medical advice on July 21, 1966
Elections – precincts
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, a resolution was adopted authorizing that the voting place for Precinct No. 2 (Altoona) be moved to the Methodist Church, and Precinct No. 30 (Leesburg) be moved to Gulf Service Station, 1500 E. Main Street, and the Clerk was instructed to advertise same 20 days before the General Election.
Maps and plats
Harold Peters appeared and presented plat of Lady Lake Cemetery, owners Lady Lake Cemetery Association. Mr. Peters stated this is an unrecorded subdivision and the purpose for filing the plat is to put same on record in order that proper descriptions of lots can be made. In lieu of title option, the Board accepted Mr. Peters’ statement that the title has been vested in the Lade Lake Cemetery Association since the 1880s. Motion was made by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb that the plat be approved and accepted for record. The motion was unanimously carried.
Licenses & permits
Bonds for Carrying Firearms for the following were approved on motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried:
Henry B. Adams
Fred William Robbins
The Right of Way Agent filed use permit to Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. for the construction and maintenance of power line along County Road 2-2005.
Copy of letters from the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission were read and filed recommending dredging permits for the Lake-Sumter Junior College in Silver Lake, and Blue Springs, Inc. in Lake Harris.
Road closings
Clerk Owens presented letter from George B. Buell advising that road traversing the eastern edge of Lot 1, Blk. D, Cathedral Arch Estates, Lady Lake was closed for 24 hours July 4 – 5, 1966.
Tax assessments
Clerk Owens submitted letter from the Tax Assessor listing the new assessed valuations caused by the recent decision of the Supreme Court and advising that the valuations submitted to the Board on July 1, 1966 are voided and canceled. The estimates of values including the 25 percent increase are as follows:
County-Wide Non-Exempt aggregate value 371,253,336
County-Wide aggregate value 453,540,736
South Lake Hospital District 129,805,340
Northeast Lake County Hospital District 137,014,256
Northwest Lake County Hospital District 104,433,740
Inventory
Notice from the Inventory Clerk that three air conditions, County Property Nos. 210, 505, and 1110, are obsolete and worthless was read by the Clerk, and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Clerk was instructed to correct the inventory records accordingly.
Roads – county
Doug Igou appeared with reference to the establishment of county road running East from State Road 439 in the SW ¼ of NW ¼ of Sec. 26, Twp. 18, Rg. 27. Mr. Igou said Floyd Laseter has fenced in the 35’ right of way he reserved for an access road. He further stated everyone involved is agreeable to accepting the survey of H. O. Peters except Mr. Laseter and he feels the County Surveyor’s survey is correct. Clerk Owens advised on July 5, 1966 the Attorney was instructed to prepare the necessary affidavits declaring the road which has been maintained by the County as prescriptive road. The Engineer was directed to secure description of the road in order for the Attorney to prepare the affidavits.
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.
Commodity program
Clerk Owens presented letter from the State Department of Public Welfare together with amendment of Handbook on Distribution of Foods to Needy Households, which is effective August 1, 1966.
F. W. Hinson, Executive Director of the Lake County Economic Opportunity, Inc. appeared with reference to the federal surplus commodity program in conjunction with the County’s commodity program. After giving the recommendations for such a combined program, Mr. Hinson said it is estimated there is 18,600 recipients in Lake County. The Board members concurring, Chairman Theus directed the Clerk to notify Mr. Elwood Selsor, State Department of Public Welfare, Lake County’s Welfare Director and Assistant, and the Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor to be present on August 8th at 2:30 P.M. to discuss this program further with Mr. Hinson.
Zoning
It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing to consider a proposed amendment to the Zoning Rules and Regulations, the Chairman called for interested persons to be heard at this time:
Dorman Ewers of Palms Mobile Home Estates was preset as a spectator.
No one appearing in objection to the amendment and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the following resolution was adopted amending the Zoning Regulations: SEE PAGES #482, 483, 484, 485, 486, and 487.
Planning & Zoning
The Zoning Director filed with each member of the Board a copy of the Preliminary General Planning Objectives as prepared by Adley Associates, Inc. and adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 28, 1966.
complaints
Mr. E. C. Smith appeared and advised he purchased Lot 13, Bassville Park, with the understanding from the seller that the area was zoned for mobile homes and he has moved his trailer on the lot and has been informed the area is not zoned for mobile homes. The Zoning Director stated the area is zoned residential and Mr. Smith cannot keep his trailer on the lot unless he intends to build within six months.
Accounts allowed
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the payrolls for the month of July were approved.
Service Agreement with Recordak Company for one year’s service on 397 Reader-Printer and 498 Image Control located in the Clerk’s office for the sum of $200.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried. Agreement will be effective August 23, 1966.
Clerk of the Small Claims Court filed four quotations on casebinders, whereupon, on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the low quotation from F & R Office Supply, Inc. to supply 1,500 casebinders for the Small Claims Office in the amount of $288.05 was authorized.
Cancellation of warrants
Motion was made by Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, authorizing the Clerk to cancel Road and Bridge Warrants #1136 and #1172, dated July 11, 1966, payable to Eustis Lake Region News, in the amount of $12.34 and $39.04, said warrants being returned by the payee.
Communications
Resolution was read and filed with request from the Pinellas County Board that each County Commission in the State of Florida adopt a similar resolution requesting Federal action in regard to Employees’ strike against major airlines.
Copy of two letters from the State Board of Health regarding the City of Leesburg and Tropic Builders, Inc. were filed.
Letter of appreciation from the Lake County Welfare Unit for the window air condition was read and filed.
Letter and brochure from Wood and Associates, Inc., engineering firm at Ft. Pierce, Florida were filed.
Reports
The following monthly reports were filed:
Veterans Service Officer
County Agents and Assistants
Florida Division of Corrections regarding Lake County Jail & Stockade and Road Prison No. 58
Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor
Courthouse
The Clerk advised the Courthouse Custodian does not feel we need a service contract to maintain the temperature controls in the Courthouse at this time, and we have so notified Johnson Service Company. Letter to them of July 15 was filed.
Board of equalization
At 2:30 o’clock P.M. the Board met as an equalization board in the Tax Assessor’s Office to consider the assessment roll.
After considering the complaints made in person and in writing, Commr. Dykes moved that the Assessment Roll for the year 1966 as submitted by the Tax Assessor be approved with the change as made by the Equalization Board. Motion was seconded by Commr. Cowart and unanimously carried, said change being as follows:
Wm. C. Lovelace – Tracts 17 and 32 in Section 21, Township 22 South, Range 25 East, Groveland Farms Assessment Reduced from $10,100 to $8,000.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN