MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 MONDAY – OCTOBER 7, 1968

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened in regular session in the County Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, in Tavares, Florida, on Monday October 7, 1968, at 10:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present:  Commissioner Babb, Chairman; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Dykes and Windram.  Others present were Clerk Owens, Attorney Duncan, Engineer Hays, Planning Director Watkins, and Deputy Clerk Norma Coven.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the invocation was given by Mr. Webb.

bids

It now being the time advertised to receive bids on the following items, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open the bids and the Engineer to tabulate same, whereupon, Mr. Hays reported receiving bids as follows:

TWO CABS & CHASSIS AND PICKUP TRUCK

            Lake County Chrysler Plymouth

            Hodges Equipment Company

            Jungle Auto Service

 

POWER SHOVEL

            Square Deal Machinery

            Florida Equipment Co.

            Adams Construction Equipment Co.

            State Tractor and Equipment Co.

            Linder Industrial Machinery Co.

            Ring Power Corp.

 

On motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Cowart and carried, the bids were referred to the Engineer for study and recommendation to the Board.

ELECTRONIC PRINTING MACHINE

            Friden, Inc.

            Smith Corona

 

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, the low bid from Sadler-Simpson & Waite Agency was accepted by the Board.

On request of the Fair Association and on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Cowart and carried, plans were approved for the construction of restroom facilities, sanitary connections and fence in the carnival area of the Fairgrounds and bids were authorized for November 4, 1968.

fair association

On motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, the Board adopted a Resolution authorizing the construction of a building upon the Fairgrounds for which Lake County will advance the sum of $10,000 and said sums will be replaced by the Lake County Fair Association not later than June 1, 1969.

licenses and permits

Mr. Fred Rutledge of Leesburg Cablevision was presented relative to permit to run television cable along County rights of way.  The Attorney advised this company is willing to pay a reasonable percentage for this privilege.  Commissioner Dykes commented any damage to the rights of way should be repaired by the company.  Mr. Rutledge stated his company is willing to pay the County 4% of the gross service income.  Members of the Board concurring, the Chairman referred this matter to the Attorney.

Mr. Robert Wohlt appeared and requested a permit from the County to excavate a channel from his property across County-owned land to connect with the Palatlakaha River.  He has already secured the necessary permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  The Attorney was instructed to determine if the County has the right to issue such a permit to Mr. Wohlt.

The following Use Permits were filed by the County Engineer:

On County Rd-3-414- permits fo the installation of pipe across the road between Dead River and the Cemetery Road were issued to the following:

Mable K. Schutt

Bert West

Theodore Flaiz

James W. Fisk

 

To Paul A. Miller for the construction and maintenance of irrigation pipe under County Rd. 5-5327 to Silver Lake.

 

To the City of Leesburg for the construction and maintenance of natural gas line along County Rd. 1-5110 between Leesburg and Fruitland Park.

 

To Sumter Electric Coop., Inc. for the construction and maintenance of power line along County d. 2-0527 between SR 33 and SR 561.

 

To Florida Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable along County Rd. 5-6748 at Grand Island.

 

petitions

Charles Morton was present and presented petition requesting the resurfacing of Cypress Drive, Tropical Shores Subdivision, under Chapter 63-1505.  On motion of Commissioner Dykes, seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, the petition was accepted provided it meets the requirements of the law.

roads – county

On motion of Commissioner Cowart seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, a Resolution was adopted establishing a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour on the portion of “Old Haines Creek Road” commencing at the intersection with the paved road where the Church of God is located and extending Easterly and Northerly; and that appropriate signs be erected.

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, a Resolution was adopted establishing a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour for County Road 1-6808 (Hartsock Sawmill Road) and authorizing appropriate signs be erected.

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried a Resolution was adopted prohibiting the dumping of garbage or refuse along County Road No. 5-5832, extending from SR 473 Westerly to the County Road which passes by Radio Station WLBE.

water levels

Mr. Jake Varn representing the Southwest Florida Water Management District was present with reference to Resolution adopted by the Board establishing the mean water line in Lake Griffin.  Also present were representatives for the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission, Oklawaha Basin Board and Mr. E. T. Hall, Surveyor.  After a lengthy discussion, the Attorney commented the interpretation is the “mean high water line will be the bulkhead line.”  The Board members concurring, the Chairman stated the owners will be allowed to continue with the fill in accordance with the survey.

public health

Jack Jones, Architect, appeared and submitted preliminary drawings on the Health Center to be erected in Tavares, which have been approved by the Federal Government, the State of Florida and Dr. Hall.  On motion of Commissioner Dykes, seconded by Commissioner Cowart and carried, the plans as submitted were approved.

recess & reassembly

The meeting recessed at 12:15 P.M. for lunch and reconvened at 2:00 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.

insurance

Mr. Tom Tremoleon representing Travelers Insurance Company was present and requested the Board’s permission to contract County employees relative to a disability income plan with the premiums to be handled by payroll deduction.  On motion of Commissioner Theus, seconded by Commissioner Cowart and carried, the permission was granted and the Clerk was authorized to have the necessary payroll checks printed provided the employees enter into the program.

county property

Mr. Bob Free of Clermont appeared and presented petition from Sportsman Club to lease abandoned clay pit to be used as a shooting range.  Attorney Duncan advised the County does not have the right to lease property to private enterprise, but can issue a permit for the use of the property.  Mr. Free said the Club intends to spend quite a bit of money preparing the property and do not believe they would accept a permit.  Commissioner Dykes moved that the Engineer survey the property for its usefulness to the County.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cowart and carried.

road closings

It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing to consider petition to close unnamed street in King Homestead Subdivision and no one appearing to object to the closing, a motion was made by Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, that the Board adopt a Resolution closing the following described street:

That certain unnamed street or road lying between the waters of Lake Nettie and the Easterly line of Lot 26 in King Homestead, a subdivision in Lake County Florida, according to the plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 1, page 47, Public Records of Lake County, Florida.

 

It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing to consider petition to close unnamed street in Mount Homer Subdivision and no one appearing to object to the closing, a motion was made by Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, that the Board adopt a Resolution to close the following described street:

All of the unnamed streets or roads according to the Map of Lands of George M. Bowen “Mount Homer” filed 31 March 1914 and recorded in Plat Book 2, page 29, Public Records of Lake County, Florida, SAVE AND EXCEPT, that portion of that certain unnamed street or road bounded on the East by the Westerly line of Block 8 and bounded on the West by the Easterly line of Block 10 and Except the road bordering the railroad.

 

It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing to consider petition to close unnamed platted street in the Plat of Francis J. Hinson’s Plan of the Town of Altoona and no one appearing to object to the closing, on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, a Resolution was adopted closing the following described street:

That certain unnamed platted street lying between Lots 11 and 12, according to the Plat of Francis J. Hinson’s Plan of the Town of Altoona as the same appears filed and recorded in the Public Records of Lake County, Florida, in Plat Book 1, page 28.

 

It now being the time to reconsider petition to close unnamed platted street in the Plat of Francis J. Hinson’s Plan of the Town of Altoona and no one appearing at the hearing on September 9 to object to the closing, on motion of Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, a Resolution was adopted closing the following described street:

That certain unnamed street lying between Lots 13 and 14 according to the Plat of Francis J. Hinson’s Plan of the Town of Altoona, as the same appears filed and recorded in the Public Records of Lake County, Florida, in Plat Book 1, page 28.

 

right of way easements

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, deed was accepted conveying the following described property to Lake County and ordering same recorded in the public records:

Commence at a point where the Easterly boundary of Lot 7, Block C, Rainbow Ridge, as recorded in Plat Book 11, Page 43, Public Records of Lake County, Florida, extended Southerly, intersects the Southerly right-of-way line of East Crooked Lake Drive; thence run Southwesterly along said extended East boundary to the waters of East Crooked Lake; begin again at the Point of Beginning, thence run Northwesterly 10 feet along the Southerly right-of-way line of East Crooked Lake Drive; thence run parallel to the East boundary of said Lot 7, to the waters of East Crooked Lake; thence run Southeasterly 10 feet ± along the waters of East Crooked Lake to intersect the first line described above.

 

deeds

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, deed was accepted conveying the following described property to Lake County and ordering same recorded in the public records:

GRANTORS:  Richard Edgerton and Marie Page Edgerton, husband and wife,

            P. C. Gorman and L. V. Gorman, husband and wife,

            William S. Simpson and Elizabeth Page Simpson, husband and wife

            The West 74.90 feet of the South 50 feet of the SW ¼ of SE ¼ of Section 25, Twp. 18 South, Range 27 East.

 

road maintenance – subdivisions

Commissioner Windram reported the residents of Rainbow Ridge Subdivision and Broadvue Heights are interested in improving the streets under the Act 63-1505, but want a commitment from the Board of the maximum cost per front foot.  The Clerk was directed to advise the residents of the cost, which will be furnished by the County Engineer.

road maintenance

Engineer Hays informed the Board of a bad drainage condition from Hook Street in Clermont.  The entrance and exit to the Drive-in Theatre are not paved and this is causing the trouble.  He presented drawing of the area and proposed that a drain be installed as a solution to the problem.  He was instructed to page the strip between the two pipes and make an Agreement with the City that they will keep it cleaned out.

On motion of Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, the following road improvements were approved:

            Drainage easement on Marshall Road (County #4-6580)

            Open two blocks of Colmar Avenue (County #4-4388A) in Mount Plymouth from

            Westward Avenue to Deal Drive.

 

The Board accepted Engineer Hays recommendation that the County not accept 15 acres on Tracy Canal from Mr. Martin in exchange for a road from the Sawgrass Field (Fill) Road to the Canal as he sees no need for the road.

roads – state

The Clerk presented letter from the State Road Department acknowledging Lake County’s request to relocate the proposed two east bound lanes of SR 530 and advising that the plans are almost complete and do not recommend the relocation of the road.

Letter from the State Road Department was read and filed advising that traffic does not meet the requirements for a signal light at Citizens Boulevard and North Boulevard in the City of Leesburg.  Letter further states that improvements to marking the intersection are underway.

Notice from the State Road Department that bids on Kurt Street were received and J. D. Manly Construction Company was low in the amount of $149,511.22.

roads – county

Request from residents along County Rd. #5-8599 (Tall Palm Landing Fish Camp) for improvements to the road was read.  Chairman Babb instructed the Engineer to include this on the next road inspection trip.

Letter from the Leesburg Post Office that County Rds. 2-4105 and 2-4006 are in bad condition.  Engineer Hays advised this has been referred to the Road Superintendent.

Letter from James O. Farnum, Tampa, seeking information concerning location of County roads was referred to the Engineer.

planning & zoning

On recommendation of the County Planner, and on motion of Commissioner Dykes, seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, the Building Department was placed under the supervision of the Planning Director which will include the Building Administrator when employed.

maps & plats

The Clerk presented Plat of Pease Subdivision located in Astor Park, owners Spencer T. Pease and Muriel Pease, his wife.  Lawyers Title Insurance Corp. Title Policy #V 885415 was filed showing the title to be in order.  Letter form the County Engineer recommending septic tank sewage disposal was read and filed.  The Plat was approved on motion of Commissioner Dykes, seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried.

bonds – misc.

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, the following bonds were approved:

Firearms –                  Abe T. Gaskins

                                    James T. Glenn (2)

Deputy Sheriff -         Paschal Lamar Hood

 

bonds – official

Bond for James R. Carson, Jr. as a member of the Board of the Oklawaha Basin Recreation & Water Conservation & Control Authority was approved on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

autos & trucks

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, the Board agreed to a cash settlement of $725.00 for 1962 Ford Pickup Truck, County #3320, which was damaged in an accident.  The Engineer reported repairs to the truck amount to $792.00.

inventory

On recommendation of the Mosquito Control Director, the Board declared surplus and of no value White Tractor, County No. 2120.

appointments

On motion of Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, James C. Watkins was named ex-officio member to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

salaries & wages

On motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, the Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor was authorized to employ a helper at the minimum wage of $1.65 per hour.

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried the salary of the County Engineer, Gordon Hays, Jr., was increased to $16,000 annually effective October 1, 1968.

On motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, the County Planner was authorized to employ an aide at an annual salary of $3,000.

contracts

Contract with True Temp, Inc. for servicing the heating and cooling units in the County Buildings was cancelled on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, effective October 1, 1968.

funds – transfers

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, the following transfers of funds were approved:

           

General Revenue Fund

$1,500 from Account #67745-1 and $1,500 from Account #67742-2 to Account #67702-3

 

$750 from Contingency Item to Acct. #68102-9

 

$100 from Acct. #88182-2 to Act. #68102-5

 

$200 from Acct. #88182-2 to Acct. #68102-6

 

$800 from Acct. #88282 to Acct. 68102-9

 

$100 from Acct. #88282 to Acct. #68202-4

Fine & Forfeiture Fund

$4,100 from Contingency Item to Acct. #20702

 

The Board also approved transfer of funds in the Juvenile Budget to employ an Assistant Superintendent and Matron at the Juvenile Shelter if the Juvenile Court feels the necessity for the assistants.

cancellation of warrants

The Clerk was authorized to cancel the following warrants:

R&B Fund Warrant #1715 dated Sept. 9, 1968 payable to Masons Concrete, Inc.      for $1.50 – duplicate payment.

 

General Revenue Fund Warrant #3386 dated Sept. 9, 1968 payable to Allen             Summersill, inmate at Raiford, returned by the Prison.

 

complaints

D. C. Smith, O. T. Jenkins and Henry Strawder, Bassville Park residents, appeared and complained of junk in the streets.  Feel the County should keep the rights of way cleaned even though they are not dedicated streets.

John B. Korem of Bassville Park was also present and complained of zoning allowing horse raising on Missouri Street.  Mr. Watkins advised certain permit does allow pets and the owner must have applied and received permit to erect the shed.

Mr. Korem also requested that the shoulders of Lockwood Street be mowed.  The Chairman stated this is not a County road but in the interest of safety, the weeds should be mowed.

Memory Martin appeared and complained that a drainage canal has been filled north of Trout Run.  Engineer Hays said filling the canal definitely land locks the lake.  The Attorney advised the Board cannot do anything to remedy the situation without the owner’s permission or condemnation.  The Engineer was instructed to contact the State Road Department.

Hospitals

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, action of the Chairman and Clerk was approved in approving admission to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for Nettie Workman.

elections – special

Certificate of the Canvassing Board on the Special Democratic Primary on September 17, 1968 was filed.

tax assessor

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, Certificate of Correction of Error and Corrections on the 1967 tax roll numbered 146 was approved.

suits affecting county

Attorney Duncan informed the Board Mrs. Stephenson has filed an Injunction Suit against the County, Civil Action #3297.

zoning

Copy of Resolution adopted by the Board of Zoning Appeals granting Appeal Case #9-68 was filed.

tax assessor

Affidavits of R. G. Cassady, Tax Assessor, certifying the intangible personal property assessment roll and real and tangible personal property were approved and signed by the members of the Board on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, and the Clerk was instructed to record the warrant to the Tax Collector in the minutes of this meeting as follows:

 

THE STATE OF FLORIDA

 

To:         Paul H. Reed

 

Tax Collector of the County of Lake

 

-----------------

 

  You are hereby commanded to collect out of the real estate and personal property, and from each of the persons and corporations named in the annexed roll, the taxes set down in each roll opposite each name, corporation or parcel of land therein described, and in case taxes so imposed are not paid at the time prescribed by law, you are to collect the same by levy and sale of the goods and chattels, lands and tenements so assessed, or of the person or corporation so taxed; and you are to pay to the legally qualified Depository all sums collected for County taxes, district school taxes and other special taxes; and you are further required to make all collections on or before the first Monday in April; and on or before the first Monday in July you will make a final report to and settlement with the Comptroller and County Commissioners.

 

  Given under my hand and seal this the 7th day of October, in the year A. D. 1968.

 

/s/ R. G. Cassady

 

Assessor of Taxes Lake County

 

(Authority Sec. 193.35, Fla. Statutes) 

 

county buildings

Notice from the Florida Industrial Commission recommending improvements to the general housekeeping of the Courthouse was referred to the Custodian.

communications

Clerk Owens submitted opinion from the Comptroller’s Office that employees of the County Chamber of Commerce are not eligible to come under the County’s retirement program.

Letter of appreciations from the Lake-Sumter Junior College for road work done on the college campus was read and filed.

Copy of letter from State Board of Health regarding Lake Griffin Isle Mobile Home was filed.

Copy of letter from the Governor to the Lake County Water Authority with reference to the Lake Apopka Restoration Committee was read and filed.

Copy of letter from the Florida Industrial Commission to Walter S. McLin, III regarding claim under Workmen’s Compensation in behalf of Vivian P. Ritter was referred to the Attorney.

Resignation from Guy Merry as a member of the Alexander Springs Association was read and filed.

reports

Report of the Clerk of Circuit Court of funds expended for trail witnesses at the Spring Term of Court was filed.

The following reports were filed:

Building Department

Veterans Service Officer

Surplus Commodity Warehouse supervisor

Home Economic Agent and Assistants

County Agricultural Agent and Assistants

Statistical Report from the State Board of Health

Florida Division of Corrections Reports on Lake County Jail for August & September

 

accounts allowed

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, the Road & Bridge Department was authorized to replace the timbers under the bridge on County Rd. #3-1038 (Bronson Road) at an appropriate cost of $3,000.00.

On motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried, the action of the Engineer accepting the low proposal to have twelve (12) concrete forms fabricated for $72.00 was approved.

No action was taken on the Engineer’s recommendation for an overage and shortage fund for the Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations.

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, petty cash advance of $50.00 to each of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations was approved.

Low proposal from F & R Office Supply, Inc. was accepted for three file cabinets at $87.45 each on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

Bills from Jack Jones, Architect, were approved as follows on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried:

Preliminary work on Tavares Health Building                                  $1,447.50

Chamber of Commerce Building                                                              85.36

Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations (Final)                                             133.14

 

On motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried, travel expenses were approved for Doris Babb to attend County Finance Officers Association Fall Conference in Miami Beach October 9 – 12.

Travel expenses were approved on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Theus for Marian Valentine, Home Economics Agent, to attend National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona October 25 – November 2.

On motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried, four (4) Civil Action Dockets for the Clerk’s Office at a cost of $358.00 was approved.

On motion of Commissioner Windram seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried requests for funds were approved as follows:

Waterman Memorial Hospital                                   $22,441.95

Leesburg General Hospital                                               668.22

South Lake Memorial Hospital                                     5,343.83

South Lake Hospital Ambulance                                   1,081.26

 

Request from the Building Department for $25.00 petty cash fund approved on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court for $1,000 advance to pay state trial witnesses at Fall Term of Court was approved on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried.

Requisition from the Sheriff in the amount of $28,750 was approved for payment on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

Reimbursement to the Clerk of Circuit Court for Court work during the Spring Term in the amount of $3,410.55 was authorized on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Theus and carried.

Proposal from True-Temp, Inc. for repairs to the Agriculture Building roof in the sum of $647.00 was approved on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

Offer of $5.00 from R. A. Young for surplus safe was accepted on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Dykes and carried.

Requisition rom the County Judge in the amount of $10,945 was approved for payment on motion of Commissioner Theus seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

Payrolls for the month of September were approved on motion of Commissioner Dykes seconded by Commissioner Windram and carried.

 

 

 

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 P.M.

 

___________________________________                                                                                                                                                              ______________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                                                                                                       CHAIRMAN