MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 MONDAY – december 2, 1968

The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, convened in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Monday, December 2, 1968 at 10:00 a.m. with the following persons present:  Herbert A. Babb, Chairman; Commissioner C. C. Theus, Vice Chairman; Commissioner Herman T. Dykes; and Commissioner Thomas J. Windram.  Others present were Clerk Frank E. Owens, Attorney Carl E. Duncan, Engineer Gordon Hays, Jr., and Deputy Clerk Barbara L. McCall.

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

hospitals

Mary Hamner appeared before the Board and advised on behalf of the Lake Memorial Nursing Home that many bills are long overdue.  Such bills are primarily from those entitled to some help by Welfare, where the remainder of the expenses is to be carried by the individual’s family.  Mrs. Hamner advised that at the time of the patient’s admittance to the nursing home, they signed a Financial Agreement.  Mr. Duncan stated the legal technicalities involved.  Mrs. Hamner was instructed to refer the agreements to Mr. Duncan for his appraisal.

contracts and agreements

Attorney Duncan presented the Agreement between Lake County and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce regarding the care of the fairgrounds during the period of time the fair is not in operation.  The agreement has been approved by Mr. Kenneth Hart and Mr. Jack Pae, both of whom were in attendance.  The Agreement was approved on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, and the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute same.

Harry E. Gaylord appeared before the Board with reference to the Lennon Ambulance Service contract, which needs to be renewed to May 31, 1969 retroactive to June 1, 1968.  The renewal to the contract was approved on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

Clerk Owens brought to the Board’s attention that the Leesburg Ambulance Service contract should be continued and renewed with an increase to $1,650 monthly, retroactive to October 1, 1968.  Renewal to the contract was approved on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried.

laws and legislature

Mr. Duncan presented a proposed act amending the present act regarding the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.  The proposed bill would enable the Lake County Chamber of Commerce to buy new furniture or trade the old, as all furnishings are the property of Lake County.  The bill was approved on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, and the Attorney was instructed to handle to a conclusion.

Mr. Owens brought to the Board’s attention that the Law Library Board was proposing an additional $3.00 to the now existing $5.00 filing fee, which would make the new Law Library fee $8.00.

maps and plats

E. T. Hall appeared and presented the Plat of “La Dora Manor.”  He discussed the problem he is having getting street signs for the six corners of the subdivision, which consists of 44 lots.  Mr. Duncan reported the subdivision is located east of Tavares on a state-federal highway, and the streets are of proper width.  The Title Insurance Binder issued by Lawyers Title Ins. Corp. #V885654 shows Carthen and Williams, Inc. are owners, subject to two mortgages, one held by Bank of Tavares and one by Charlie and Gladys Squibb.  Mr. Hall presented two Partial Releases of Mortgages releasing the streets from the mortgages.

A letter was filed from the Engineering Department showing that the property is suitable for proper sewage disposal.  Attorney Duncan recommended that the plat be approved subject to street signs being erected within thirty (30) days, whereupon, on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Plat of La Dora Manor was accepted subject to the above condition.

roads – county

Engineer Hays advised the Board that on December 16th the members will review County roads in Lake County to determine what improvements should be made within the next three months.

On the recommendation of the Engineer and on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, Learn Road in Bassville Park (County #5-5737) was accepted as a County-maintained road.

Attorney Duncan presented a letter from Attorney VanDeventer regarding Mr. and Mrs. Briley, property owners in Lake County.  The letter advises that the Brileys do not have access to their property, to-wit:  an orange grove.  They request that a road be created to link a now existing road some ½ mile to the south of their property with their grove.  Action was deferred until the field trip on December 16, at which time the members will view this site.

On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, Moody Road (County #1-6811) was accepted as a County-maintained road.

road maintenance – subdivisions

Attorney Duncan submitted a petition to surface streets in Broadview Heights and Rainbow Ridge Subdivisions pursuant to Chapter 63-1505.  The petition was referred to Mr. Hays to report on the financial arrangements at the next Board meeting.

Mr. Duncan also presented a resolution relative to surfacing Cypress Drive in Tropical Shores and authorizing a public hearing for January 13, 1969 to hear objections to the paving under Chapter 63-1505.  On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the resolution was adopted.

road and bridge dept.

Mr. Hays requested on behalf of Finney Lambert of Umatilla that the County clay a loading area for citrus trucks on his property.  Mr. Lambert will give the County a 15 ft. easement in exchange for a 600-ft. clayed area.  On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board approved the proposal of a 200-ft. area clayed in exchange for a 15-ft. easement.

deeds

On the recommendation of the Engineer and on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, deeds conveying the following described road rights of way were accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records:

GRANTORS:  Ivan D. Bush and wife, Dovie Bush

THE SOUTH 30 FEET OF:  The South ½ of the North ½ of the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of the Section 26, Township 18 South, Range 24 East, LESS that portion lying South of Lake Hiawatha.

GRANTORS:  First National Bank & Trust Co., Trustee for Edward S. Choate and wife, Margaret W. Choate

THE NORTH 20 feet of:  The South ½ of the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Sec. 26, Tp. 18, SR 24 E AND the South 30 feet of:  The South ½ of the N ½ of the SW ¼ of the NW ¼, Sec. 26, Tp. 18S, R. 24 E., lying south of Lake Hiawatha.

right of way easements – except roads

On the recommendation of the Engineer and on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the permanent drainage easement from William A. Sellers and wife was accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records.

boundaries

Gordon Hays asked the Board permission to rectify an error of four years ago and relocate a corner on the access road to Lakenridge Subdivision in District 5.  Permission was granted on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

county property

Mr. Hays discussed the Harrington Clay Pit and advised that Mr. Harrington is interested in buying the property back.  On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, he was instructed to have Ed Waite appraise the property.

Mr. Hays discussed the Jeffcoat borrow pit and presented appraisal of the property made by L. W. Huey.  On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, a deed was authorized conveying the subject land to Mr. Jeffcoast subject to a five-year lease from him.

Jim Payne from Groveland was present and approached the Board relative to purchasing a four-acre tract of County land that has a sandbar on it.  He wants to fill in the sandbar as it is a breeding ground for mosquitos and a general nuisance.  Attorney Duncan advised the Board of the legal technicalities involved, and Gordon Hays was instructed to view the property.

recess and reassembly

The meeting recessed at twelve o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. to take up the remaining items of business.

courthouse

Clerk Owens advised the Board that on December 11, 1968 at 4:00 p.m. the unveiling and hanging of portraits will be held in the Circuit Courtroom.  The following portraits will be hung:  Andrew Jackson Hinson, Boyce Williams, Dewey Livingston, and Karl Lehmann.  Commr. Theus suggested that it would be most appropriate if Mr. Cowart’s portrait could be hung at the same ceremony.  Mr. Owens is to call Jack Pae to see if same is possible.

county employees

On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Board approved the employment of the following:

Marcella Ann Baker effective November 26, 1968 – annual salary $3,320.00.

Conrad Klein, Building Inspector, effective December 1,1968 – salary $350 mo.

On the recommendation of the Civil Defense Director, Mary Valentine was placed on sick leave without pay.

civil defense

Mr. Hess appeared, and Commr.  Theus handed him a letter from the Lake Sumter Junior College asking him as Civil Defense Director to appear before them one evening and speak.

bonds – official

The Oath and Bond of Commissioners-elect Kenneth VanAuken and James R. Carson, Jr. were approved upon a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried and were thereupon executed.

bonds – misc.

Contractors’ bonds for certificates of competency were approved on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried as follows:

Renewals –     Nos. 136-69    Huston Hales

199-69             Virgil Morison dba Morrison Electric, Heating & AC

195-69             Frank’s Plumbing Service

268-69             Grant Smallwood

376-69             Clifford W. Hull dba Hull Electric Company

New Bonds – Nos. 371          Curtis Grigsby

                        372                  Fred W. Young dba Young’s Trailer Sales

                        373                  Lacy Brame

                        374                  Zimmer Poster Service, Inc.

                        376                  Clifford W. Hull dba Hull Electric Company

On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, bond for carrying firearm for Virginia Gayle Collins was approved.

licenses and permits

A license to carry firearms was received from Willis Fairley, and on a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, US Fidelity & Guaranty Company, Bond #21085-13-152-68 was cancelled.

hospitals

Application for admission to the Florida State Tuberculosis Hospital from John Trumbell Lee was approved on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried.

e. central florida regional planning council

On the recommendation of the Attorney and on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the agreement with the Council was approved and the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute same.

motor vehicle inspection

Attorney Duncan presented the proposed resolution approving the reduction in auto inspections from two to one, whereupon, on a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the resolution was adopted.

municipal corporations

Clerk Owens submitted a letter from the City of Eustis relative to street repair work caused by the re-routing of the fair traffic.  Commr. Windram suggested that he and the County Engineer inspect the streets and work with the City on an equitable solution.

state agencies

The cooperative Equipment Lease between the Florida Board of Forestry and Lake County came up for discussion with regard to firefighting equipment.  Clerk Owens is to call Mr. Grubbs and have him the arrangement to the Board at the next meeting.

salaries and wages

On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, overtime rates as follows for road and bridge employees were approved, retroactive to October 1, 1968:

Rodman II       $1.75 per hour ($3,420 annual salary)

Rodman I        $1.60 per hour ($3,060 annual salary)

Rodman I        $1.66 per hour ($3,240 annual salary)

resolutions not classified elsewhere

On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and unanimously carried, the following resolution was adopted by the Board:

RESOLUTION

Life on earth has ended for one of our most respected, loyal and devoted public servants.  In the passing of the Honorable John C. (Jake) Cowart, we have lost the service of one who has served Lake County and the People of Central Florida for nearly two decades, and has been faithful to his duties under all conditions.  His loss will long be felt.

Jake Cowart served Lake County as one of its Commissioners from 1949 until the date of his death, and during his term of Office, served as the Chairman of the Commission for several terms.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that this Board express to Mrs. Claudia Cowart, his widow; to John Cecil Cowart, Jr., his son; and to Mrs. Gayle Falluca, his daughter, our deep sorrow and regret upon the passing of our friend and co-worker, the Honorable Jake Cowart; that we extend to them our sincere belief and conviction that Jake has been called by his maker to his Permanent Home, to await the coming of his loved ones.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT A COPY OF THIS Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Board of County Commissioners, and a copy be sent to the members of the Family of the Honorable John C. Cowart.

safety council

W. H. (Bill) Reedy’s resignation as Chairman of the Lake County Safety Council was accepted on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.

commodity warehouse

Clerk Owens submitted notice from the Department of Public Welfare that the income scale used in determining eligibility of non-public assistance applicants was revised effective December 1, 1968.

bonds

In connection with the resolution relative to the bond issue passed at the November 4th meeting, Attorney Duncan was instructed to go to the Attorney General’s Office for a definite decision and interpretation of same.  Commissioners-Elect Hoskinson, Carson, VanAuken and Commr. Windram will accompany him.  Date tentatively set for Thursday, December 5, 1968.

bids

On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Architect was authorized to prepare plans and specifications for the telephone and information booth in the Courthouse Lobby, and the Clerk was instructed to notify the Florida Telephone Corp. to order the necessary equipment.

funds – transfers

On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Clerk was authorized to make the following transfer of funds:

From the Contingency Item in the General Revenue Fund $3,794 to Acct. #20245

From the Contingency Item in the General Revenue Fund $600 to Acct. #20108-4

From the Contingency Item in the General Revenue Fund $2,717 to Acct. #55702-1

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, travel was approved for J. C. Watkins to attend the workshop seminar January 16 and 17, 1969 in Tallahassee.

On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Board approved $2,000 surety bond for J. C. Watkins, Robert F. Oatman and Marcella Baker.

Travel expenses for Floyd Hess and Capt. Drake to attend the Mid-Winter Conference of Civil Defense Association in Palm Beach, December 4 – 6 were approved on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.

On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the following payments were approved to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council:

$1,072.05 November expenses

$1,323.21 October expenses

A request from the Clerk of Circuit Court for indexing equipment in the amount of $910 from Bowen Supply Company, Inc. was approved on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.

The low proposal from Florida Forms & Systems to furnish 3,000 case binders for the Clerk’s Office in the amount of $574.50 was accepted on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

Payrolls for November were approved on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

communications

A letter of appreciation from the Lake County Chamber of Commerce was read and filed thanking the Board for assigning furniture from the Development Commission office to the Chamber office.

reports

The following monthly reports were filed:

Building Department

Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor

Extension Agent and Assistants

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned.

 

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CLERK                                                                                   CHAIRMAN