MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – OCTOBER 2, 1967
A regular meeting of the Board County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, was held in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, in Tavares, Florida on Monday, October 2, 1967 at 10:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: Commr. Dykes, Chairman; Commrs. Theus, Cowart, Livingston and Babb. Also present were Clerk Owens, Attorney Duncan, Engineer Hays and Zoning Director Webb and Deputy Clerk Norma Coven.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the invocation was given by Mr. Webb.
cemeteries
George Drossos and Otis Lee appeared representing the Trustees of the Astor Cemetery and requested that the County erect monuments on the property line. On motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Engineer was directed to establish boundaries and erect markers in the cemetery.
petitions
Mr. Frank Donovan appeared relative to financing the balance due on the Sylvan Shores paving. Clerk Owens advised there is a balance of $7,154.49 due from uncollected assessments and Mr. Donovan agreed to deposit this amount with the Board. On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, a Resolution was adopted authorizing the Clerk to pay Mr. Donovan all sums collected for taxes assessed against the lots bordering the streets, together with 6% interest, until the amount advanced by Mr. Donovan is paid in full.
The Engineer filed final figures on the completed paving job.
hospitals
Attorney Duncan filed signed agreement with Waterman Memorial Hospital Assn., Inc. guaranteeing payment of bonds for the hospital improvements.
insurance
Engineer Hays reported on the meeting with insurance agents regarding group coverage for County employees. All companies represented advised the coverage will not be considered unless 25% of the employees accept the plan and they will not insure anyone over 64 years. As a guarantee to the successful bidder, the County will be required to participate 25%, which will amount to approximately $500 to $600 per month on hospitalization only. The Clerk informed the Board there are no funds in the budget for this participation. Attorney Duncan said he knows of no authorization for such funds. The Attorney was instructed to contact several other counties regarding authorization for participating in such a program and to review the Statutes and special Acts for same.
On motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, Dexter E. Ward was appointed Agent of Record to represent The Prudential Insurance Company in Lake County relative to the employees’ group coverage now under consideration.
roads – state
Attorney Duncan submitted letter from the State Road Department advising that survey for the construction of Kurt Street has been completed and the plans will be completed by November 12, 1967. Mr. Duncan also advised the Resolution from the City of Eustis regarding this project was forwarded to the State Road Department last week.
The Engineer advised the State Road Department is giving the Board a choice of typical section for Kurt Street. On motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Board approved the No. 2 typical section at a cost of $50,000.00.
Engineer submitted recommendation for a 5-year secondary road program as requested by the State Road Department. On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the following changes were made to the original list:
ADD – Bates Avenue – Reconstruct from Grove Street (SR 19 Northbound) to Bay Street (SR 19 Southbound) in the City of Eustis.
ADD – Williams Road, County Road #3-3158, from SR 448 to SR S48.
DELETE – Items 7 and 8 – SR S452 from Marina Bridge to SR 19 in Eustis.
AMEND – Items 9 and 10 – SR S452 A from SR 44 and SR S452 to SR 19.
On motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the following Resolution was adopted and the Clerk was authorized to forward same to the State Road Department:
“RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A FIVE YEAR SECONDARY ROAD PROGRAM
YEAR 1967 LAKE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the State Road Department each year requests Lake County to furnish a list of projects to be considered by the Department in the preparation of its Secondary Work Program for Lake County;
WHEREAS, the State Road Department is now developing a program of advanced planning for projects to be constructed in future years; and
WHEREAS, the State Road Department has requested Lake County to submit a list of projects which the County anticipates will be its Secondary Road Program needs during the next five years.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the State Road Department consider the following projects as Lake County’s secondary road program needs during the next five years:
1. Acquire right of way for proposed SR 500-A commencing at the intersection of Third Street with State Road 500 and running Southerly to intersect Dixie Avenue in Leesburg.
2. Acquire additional right of way for four laning on SR 50 and SR 33 commencing at the intersection of SR 33 with SR 50 in Mascotte, and extending Southeasterly to the point of division of SR 33 and SR 50 in Groveland.
3. Acquire additional right of way for four laning on SR 44, commencing at the intersection of SR 44 with East Sumter County line and extending Easterly to intersect SR 25 in Leesburg.
4. Acquire additional right of way for four laning on SR 19 from the approximate North city limits of Eustis to the South city limits of Umatilla.
5. Acquire right of way and grade, construct and pave road commencing at SR 19-A where Kurt Street extended South intersects SR 19-A and run North crossing SR 500 and continuing along Kurt Street in the City of Eustis to its intersection with Lakeview Avenue, thence continuing East along Lakeview Avenue to intersect SR 19 (Bay Street) in Eustis.
6. Acquire right of way and grade, construct and pave roadway commencing at the approximate intersection of SR S-452 and SR 44 and extending Easterly to SR 19 North of Eustis (SR S-425-A).
7. Acquire right of way and grade, construct and pave a road designated as SR S-474 through Green Swamp in the Southern part of Lake County, commencing at SR 33 at the approximate southeast corner of Section 20, Township 24 South, Range 25 East, and continuing Easterly to intersect SR 25.
8. Acquire right of way for road designated as SR 530, commencing at the approximate intersection of SR 25 at the South boundary of Lake County and run Easterly to intersect the West boundary of Orange County.
9. Reconstruct pavement on Bates Avenue in the City of Eustis, commencing at its intersection with SR 19 Northbound (Grove Street) and continuing West to its intersection with SR 19 Southbound (Bay Street).
10. Grade, construct and pave road known as “Williams Road” and designated as County Road #3-3158, commencing in Section 15, Township 20 South, Range 26 East at its intersection with SR 448 (48) and continuing Southerly to intersect SR S-48-A in Section 26, Township 20 South, Range 26 East.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the order in which these projects are listed, subject to amendment with the approval of the State Road Department, are considered by this Board to be the priority of need for secondary road projects to be constructed in Lake County.”
Roads – county
The Engineer presented for the Board’s approval form letter relative to blanket approval for the County to remove trees on County right of way and clay pits, with the stipulation that the County survey and determine if the trees are on County property. The owner will be notified to have the survey checked and he will have until March 1, 1968 to transplant the trees. The letter was approved on motion of Commr. Cowart seconded by Commr. Babb and carried and the Engineer was instructed to proceed in this manner.
On inquiry from the County Engineer, the Attorney advised the County may clear the shoulders of prescriptive roads to a distance of 10 feet.
roads – state
Chairman Dykes stated the appraisal is completed on SR 19 North of Eustis and feel the State Road Department should be requested to appoint a Lake County resident as right of way agent on this project.
right of way – roads
Clerk Owens read a letter from the County Attorney expressing his opinion of the width of the street in the Town of Astor, through which the railroad ran and the width of the right of way claimed by the railroad. Railroad right of way appears to be 60 feet with 42-1/2 feet on each side as dedicated street.
Clerk Owens submitted a letter from Shands & Baker expressing appreciation for the Board’s consideration of a proposed road South of SR 50 and East of Clermont, as an access road into the “Caruso” property they hope to develop.
railroads
Engineer Hays presented two agreements from Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company for the construction and maintenance of railroad crossings located 513 feet southwest of Mile Post TA-787, Sorrento; and 374 feet east of Mile Post TA-788, Sorrento. Motion was made by Commr. Babb, adopting a Resolution to approve the agreements with the stipulation that Dr. Herbert Hawthorne pay the cost of the crossing to his property. The motion was seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.
county property
Engineer Hays presented a map showing abandoned clay pit adjoining P. G. Jeffcoat’s property, from which the County has also removed clay without reimbursing Mr. Jeffcoat. Appraisal made by L. W. Huey of the two properties involved was filed showing the value of 3.030 acres Lake County property as $441.60 and 2.518 acres P. G. Jeffcoat property at $881.30. Mr. Hays advised Mr. Jeffcoat is willing to an exchange of properties provided the property will revert to him when the clay has been exhausted. On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, a Resolution was adopted authorizing the Clerk to advertise the exchange of the properties.
Clerk Owens was instructed to secure a firm price from Volusia-Lake Realty Company for the South ½ of Block 44, Tavares and from Willis V. McCall for the North ½ of Block 44, West of Railroad, Tavares, as a tentative site for the new Health Department Building.
deeds
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, deeds conveying the following described properties to Lake County were accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records:
GRANTORS:
Henry K. Williams and wife, Marjorie M. Williams – Recorded O. R. Book 344, Pg. 577
R. W. O’Steen and wife, Inez Harris O’Steen – Recorded O. R. Book 344, Pg. 578
Leighton L. Baker and wife, Ann Elizabeth Baker – Recorded O. R. Book 344, Pg. 579
James W. Parrish and Elizabeth Parris, his wife – O. R. Book 344- Page 580
Dorothy L. Ogiste and her husband, Norris Ogiste – O. R. Book 344, Page 581
James McMillan and Alberta McMillan, his wife – O. R. Book 344 Page 582
Virginia McMillan and her husband Joe McMillan – O. R. Book 344, Pg. 583
Elliott L. Brailsford and Melvina R. Brailsford, his wife – O. R. Bk. 344, Pg. 584
Lizzie Hall, a widow – O. R. Book 344, Page 585
Manch Bryant and Josephine Bryant, his wife – O. R. Book 344, Pg. 586
Finney Lambert and Mary Louise Lambert, his wife – O. R. Bk. 344, Page 587
J. E. Hayes and Rebecca Hayes, his wife – O. R. Book 344, Page 588
Mary Martin, a widow – O. R. Book 345, Pg. 130
E. H. Mitchell and wife, Clara T. Mitchell, O. R. Book 345, Pg. 131
road and bridge dept.
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Road and Bridge Department was authorized to install 12” drainage culvert on Fern Drive when cost of same is received from the property owners - $105.00.
On motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Road and Bridge Department was authorized to expend approximately $55.00 for repairs to pedestrian crossing at the Florida Central Academy.
recess and reassembly
The Board recessed at 12 o’clock noon for lunch and reconvened at 1:15 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.
water levels
Clerk Owens submitted a letter from Gee & Jenson Consulting Engineers, Inc. to the Southwest Florida Water Management District recommending the installation of three additional gauges and a control structure in the Lake Yale Watershed. Commr. Babb stated with the Oklawaha Water Authority’s permission, he would like this letter forwarded to Marion County and request Marion County to support this project. Clerk Owens advised Mr. Babb the Water Authority is meeting on October 4, and Mr. Babb said he would attend this meeting.
road maintenance – subdivISION
The Engineer presented letter from W. F. Austin, Jr., agreeing to pay one-half the cost of resurfacing streets in Silver Beach Heights. On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Clerk was authorized to advertise for bids to be received November 6, 1967.
safety council
The Clerk submitted a Resolution from the Lake County Safety Council requesting the Board to make a feasibility study of operating the motor vehicle inspection stations. Chairman Dykes directed the Clerk to notify the Council that Lake County will not undertake the operation of the inspection stations.
state agencies
The Clerk submitted annual cooperative agreement between the Florida Board of Conservation – Division of Geology and Lake County and the Oklawaha Water Authority covering water resources investigation of the Lake County area. On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute the agreement.
Clerk Owens read a letter from the Florida Board of Forestry relative to the Cooperative Fire Control program in the County.
Report of haul seine operations in Lakes Beauclair and Dora during the week of September 17 from the Fish Commission was filed.
zoning
Request from Ed Stuerhoff of Portland, Oregon, to park a mobile home for a few weeks on the property of relatives on County Road 3-4353 was read and referred to the Zoning Director.
county property
Clerk Owens presented notice from the Division of Plant Industry advising that the following described property has been approved for movement of soil into citrus producing areas:
Sec. 6, Twp. 23, R 26, Block, 3 acres located Clermont – junction of Hiway 50 and 27, .3 mile South, .3 mile West, 1.8 miles SW, .7 mile South on East side of road.
licenses and permits
Request for permit to core drill test holes on County right of way from L. W. Mixon was referred to the Engineer.
Use permits to the following were filed:
Florida Power Corp. for the construction and maintenance of a distribution power line along County Road 5-7363 between Umatilla and Deland.
American Tel. & Tel. Co. for the construction and maintenance of a buried cable across and on a portion of County Road 3-0542 between County road 3-0539 and Cypress Lake.
bonds – misc.
Bonds for carrying firearms were approved for the following on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried:
LeRoy H. Brown
Dean Martin
H. E. L. Brainard
Carl Dann
Deputy Sheriff bond for Lonnie M. Trawick was approved on motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.
Notary Public bond for Bernice P. Conner with personal sureties W. L. Duncan and E. I. Burleigh was approved on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
Contractors’ compliance bonds numbered 1 – 97 were approved on recommendation of the Building Administrator and on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
budgets
Clerk Owens presented a Resolution as adopted by the Board of Public Instruction in special meeting on July 31, 1967 determining the millages to be assessed for school districts for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1967 and ending June 30, 1968, whereupon, on motion of Commr. Cowart seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the millages as submitted by the Lake County Board of Public Instruction for the said fiscal-year were approved and the Clerk was instructed to order the Honorable R.G. Cassady, Tax Assessor, to assess the millages as contained in said Resolution, and to instruct the Honorable Paul H. Reed, Tax Collector, to collect the taxes according to the millages contained therein. Said Resolution being filed and made a part of these minutes. SEE PAGE 85.
inventory
On motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, two window air conditioning units located in the Nursing Home, County Nos. 123 and 3115 were declared obsolete and of no value, and the Nursing Home Director was authorized to dispose of same.
The Clerk presented request from the Tax Collector to dispose of two obsolete bookkeeping machines, County Nos. 433 and 3025, advising that Sumter County is interested in purchasing the machines for parts. The Clerk was instructed to have Mr. Reed secure an offer from Sumter County for the machines.
county depositories
Clerk Owens advised the Board needs to designate a depository for monies collected from the Special Assessment Roll for improvements to Sylvan Point Drive. On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the First National Bank of Mount Dora was designated and the Clerk was instructed to notify the Tax Collector.
bids
On recommendation of the Building Administrator and on motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Clerk was instructed to advertise for three (3) two-way radios to be installed in the inspectors’ cars and one remote control office unit. Bids to be received November 6.
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Cowart seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Clerk was instructed to advertise for two new dump trucks and one farm tractor with trade in of Case Tractor #1891 and 1962 Chevrolet; County #1962 and 1963 Chevrolet County #1954. Bids to be received November 6.
resolutions not classified elsewhere
Circuit Court Judge W. Troy Hall, Jr. appeared and congratulated the Board on Mrs. Babb being elected to the office of President of the State Assn. of County Finance Officers. Motion was made by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, a Resolution was adopted commending Mrs. Babb on her election to the office of President of the County Finance Officers Assn.
accounts allowed
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, Nolco Chemical Company of Winter Park was authorized to run monthly tests on samples from the Courthouse sewage treatment plant at a cost of $25.00 per month, including picking up the samples.
On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, expenses of the Board members, Engineer, Clerk and Attorney were approved to attend County Commissioners’ Annual Meeting in Clearwater on October 22 – 25.
Motion was made by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, approving postage in the amount of $1330 for the Supervisor of Elections to mail biennial postcard purge.
Request from the Building Department for advance of $25.00 petty cash fund was approved on motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
On recommendation of the Chairman and on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, $200.00 was approved for the purchase of loading rollers in use at the Surplus Commodity Warehouse.
On motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the low proposal of $382.68 from Lake Office Equipment, Inc. for secretary desk and chair for the Building Department was approved.
Request from Clerk’s Office to purchase two Civil Action Dockets #5 and #6 from Bowen Supply Company at a total cost of $213.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
Requisition from the Sheriff’s Department for $27,150 was approved on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court for $600.00 advance to pay State Trial Witnesses for the Fall Term of Court was approved on motion of Commr. Cowart seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.
Expenses of Wm. M. Nixon incurred while attending meeting in Gainesville on new methods of law and golf green turf care, September 26-28, were approved on motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried. Also, expenses of Marian B. Valentine to attend National Home Economic Assn. meeting in Jackson, Mississippi on October 22 – 29.
On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, J. W. Bryant was authorized to attend County Service Officers’ Assn. meeting in Clearwater on October 22 – 24; also, expenses to attend Mid-Winter Conference in St. Petersburg on October 17 – 21.
On motion of Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, repairs to eight (8) speakers in the Nursing Home was approved in the sum of $250.00 from Executone Systems.
On recommendation of the Architect and on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, Change Order No. 2 to the Nursing Home contract in the amount of $37.80 was approved.
Clerk Owens presented letter from the Architect certifying that all work for the construction of Addition to the Nursing Home has been completed and the terms of the contract have been complied with, whereupon, on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, request from Thompson Brothers Construction Co. for final payment in the amount of $4,243.00 was approved.
Balance due on Architect’s fees in the sum of $415.32 was approved on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.
On motion of Commr. Livingston seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, payrolls for the month of September were approved.
accounts disallowed
Action was deferred on request from the Lake County Development Commission for $5,000.00 and the Clerk was directed to contact Mr. Oberdahn relative to this.
tax delinquent
On motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, application for duplicate tax certificates were approved as follows:
Certificate No. 4 dated June 1, 1967
6 dated June 1, 1967
347 dated June 1, 1967
communications
Letter from Richard C. Fellows, Volusia County Commissioner, requesting information concerning the private nursing homes operating in Lake County, was referred to Clerk Owens for reply.
Letter from R. P. Burton Company relative to access to property located in the Lisbon area was referred to the Engineer.
Copy of letter from the State Board of Health regarding Imperial Mobile Homes Terrace was filed and copy of same forwarded to the Zoning Director.
Letter from Umatilla High School requesting permission to use the Umatilla barn to work on school floats was approved based on the stipulations as outlined in the letter.
Correspondence with Florida Citrus Production Credit Assn. concerning the Right of Way Agent was read and Commr. Theus was instructed to answer the letter.
reports
The following monthly reports were filed:
Veterans Service Officer
Planning & Zoning Department
Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor
Building Department
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN