MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 TUESDAY – JANUARY 7, 1969

A special meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was held in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, Tuesday, January 7, 1969, at 10:00 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of organizing the New Board and any other matters which may be brought before the Board.

The Honorable Frank E. Owens, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners presided. The elected Commissioners present were:  James R. Carson, Jr.; J. M. Hoskinson, Thomas J. Windram, Kenneth VanAuken and Alex J. Macdonnell, who was appointed by the Governor to fill the unexpired term of the Late J. C. Cowart.  Others present were C. E. Duncan, Gordon Hays, Jr., James C. Watkins and Deputy Clerk and Deputy Clerk Norma H. Coven.

Mr. Owens called the meeting to order and the invocation was given by Mr. Watkins.

commissioners

Commissions signed by the Governor and attested to by the Secretary of State were presented as follows:

Commission of James R. Carson, Jr., as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, District No. One for a term beginning on the seventh day of January A.D. 1969 and ending on the twentieth day of November, A.D. 1972.

Commission of Alex J. Macdonnell as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, District No. Two for a term beginning on the sixth day of January A.D., 1969 until after the first Monday in January A.D. 1971.

Commission of J. M. (Jim) Hoskinson as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, District No. Three for a term beginning on the seventh day of January, A.D. 1969 and ending on the twentieth day of November, A.D. 1972.

Commission of Thomas J. Windram as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, District No. Four for the term of two years, from the Tuesday after the first Monday in January A.D. 1969 and until his successor is qualified and according to the Constitution and Laws of the State of Florida.

Commission of Kenneth VanAuken as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, District No. Five for a term beginning on the seventh day of January, A.D., 1969 and ending on the twentieth day of November, A.D. 1972.

Clerk Owens announced the first order of new business is to swear in the duly elected and appointed Commissioners; WHEREUPON, the Oath of Office was administered to the County Commissioners by the Clerk.

Clerk Owens then announced the first order of business for the new Board is to elect a Chairman.  Commissioner Hoskinson nominated Thomas J. Windram, Commissioner District No. Four, as Chairman.  Clerk Owens called for further nominations.  Commissioner Carson seconded the motion and moved that the nominations be closed and a unanimous vote was cast declaring Thomas J. Windram Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year.

Thereafter, with the new Chairman – Thomas J. Windram – presiding, the Board was called to order and the Chairman announced the next order of official business is the selection of a Vice Chairman, whereupon Commissioner Macdonnell nominated James R. Carson, Jr., Commissioner District No. One, as Vice Chairman.  The Chairman called for further nominations.  Commissioner Hoskinson seconded the motion and moved that the nominations be closed and a unanimous vote was cast declaring James R. Carson, Jr. Vice Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year.

appointments

Chairman Windram stated the Board will now consider appointments to the various County offices and requested the Clerk to submit the applications.

Clerk Owens advised we have written request for re-appointment as County Attorney from C. E. Duncan and read the request to the Board.  Commissioner Carson moved that C. E. Duncan’s services be continued as County Attorney for 1969.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Macdonnell; whereupon, the Chairman called for a roll call vote, with members of the Board voting as follows:

            District No. 1                                      Yes

            District No. 2                                      Yes

            District No. 3                                      No

            District No. 4                                      Yes

            District No. 5                                      No

 

The Chairman declared the motion carried.

Written request from Gordon Hays, Jr. as County Engineer was read by the Clerk.  Commissioner VanAuken moved that Gordon Hays, Jr. be employed as County Engineer for 1969.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carson and unanimously carried.

Clerk Owens read written request for James C. Watkins as Director of Planning.  Commissioner Hoskinson moved that James C. Watkins be re-appointed as Director of Planning for the year 1969. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Macdonnell and unanimously carried.

Clerk Owens read written request from W. Murry Lowe for re-appointment as Courthouse Custodian for the year 1969.  On motion of Commissioner Macdonnell seconded by Carson and unanimously carried, W. Murry Lowe was re-appointed Courthouse Custodian for 1969.

Written request from Mrs. Verna Eastwood for re-appointment as Director of Welfare for 1969 was presented to the Clerk.  On motion of Commissioner Carson seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and unanimously carried, Verna Eastwood was approved as Director of Welfare for 1969.

The Clerk presented request from Mrs. Mary M. Hamner for re-appointment as Director of the Lake Memorial Nursing Home for the year 1969.  Commissioner Hoskinson moved that Mary Hamner be re-appointed as Director of the Lake Memorial Nursing Home.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carson and unanimously carried.

Request from Robert S. Alderman for re-appointment to the position of Supervisor of the Surplus Commodity Warehouse for the year 1969 was read by Clerk Owens.  On motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Macdonnell and unanimously carried Robert S. Alderman was approved as Supervisor of the surplus Commodity Warehouse for 1969.

Clerk Owens presented written request from Floyd W. Hess for re-appointment to the position of Director of Civil Defense, whereupon, Commissioner Carson moved that Floyd W. Hess be re-appointed to the position of Director of Civil Defense for a period of thirty (30) days.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Macdonnell and unanimously carried.

Written request for re-appointment as Veterans’ Service Officer from J. W. (Bill) Bryant was presented by the Clerk.  On motion of Commissioner Macdonnell, seconded by Commissioner Carson and unanimously carried, J. W. (Bill) Bryant was employed as Veterans’ Service Officer for the year 1969.

The Clerk read written request from J. Paul Milton for re-appointment as Mosquito Control Director for the year 1969.  On motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Carson and unanimously carried, J. Paul Milton was re-appointed to serve in the capacity of Mosquito Control director for the year 1969.

The Chairman called for applications to the position of Assistant Courthouse Custodian and the Clerk replied we have no written applications.  On motion of Commissioner Macdonnell seconded by Commissioner Carson and unanimously carried, the position of Assistant Courthouse Custodian was abolished.

Mrs. Katherine L. Baker, Supervisor of Elections, was present and spoke in behalf of Daniel Heald, who has held this position in the past and who has been a member of her staff since action of the previous Board in July or August 1968.  Mrs. Baker said Mr. Heald has been a loyal and dedicated employee for ten years and asked that he be transferred to her office as a permanent employee under her jurisdiction.

After much discussion Commissioner VanAuken moved that this matter be tabled until the next regular meeting of the Board.  Mrs. Baker requested that the Board make a decision on this question today, at which time Commissioner withdrew his motion.

Chairman Windram asked if the salary of Asst. Courthouse Custodian is budgeted in the General Fund and the only necessary action would be a transfer within the budget.  Clerk Owens stated this is correct.  Commissioner Hoskinson asked if the position of Assistant Courthouse Custodian is necessary.  The Chairman said this is a matter for the Board to decide, if the work involved warrants the employment of Mr. Heald as a full time employee of the supervisor of Elections.  Mrs. Baker assured the Board Mr. Heald’s duties keep him busy full time.  She also volunteered his services to assist the Custodian when necessary for sickness or vacation.

Commissioner Macdonnell moved that the necessary budget adjustment be made to place Mr. Heald under Mrs. Baker’s employ.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner VanAuken, whereupon, the Chairman called for a roll call vote with the members of the Board voting as follows:

                        District No. 1                          No

                        District No. 2                          No

                        District No. 3                          Yes

                        District No. 4                          No

                        District No. 5                          Yes

 

The Chairman announced the motion is defeated.

Chairman Windram requested that Mrs. Baker meet with the Board members at one o’clock P.M. to discuss this matter further.  Mrs. Baker agreed to the meeting.

At this time the Board resumed the business of appointments.

Clerk Owens presented written request from James W. Salter for re-appointment as Custodian of the Agricultural Center.  On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and unanimously carried, James W. Salter was approved as Custodian of the Agricultural Center for the year 1969.

This concluded the appointments of County employees for the year 1969.

minutes

Commissioner Hoskinson moved that the Clerk provide the members of the Board with a copy of the minutes of the meetings as soon as practical and prior to the following commission meeting.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried.  The Clerk further instructed to furnish copies of the minutes to the County Engineer and Director of Planning.

resolutions not classified elsewhere

On motion of Commissioner Carson seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, a Resolution was adopted urging the Legislative Delegation to assist Lake County and other counties that have been hurt financially due to the enactment of the new Constitution, in particular the loss of secondary road money.

maps and plats

Attorney Duncan submitted for the Board’s approval a Resolution adopted by the former Board on January 6, 1969, relative to the proposed plats entitled “General Plan for ‘Marina:’ and “Isle of St. Johns” of Astor Forest Campsites, Inc.

budgets

Clerk Owens presented each member with a copy of the present budget together with a copy of the November budget statements showing the expenditures and balances as of November 30, 1968.

county surveyor

Mr. T. O. Moorhead, County Surveyor, was present and informed the Board he has not received his Commission since being elected.  Chairman Windram instructed Mr. Moorhead to bring the Commission to a regular meeting of the Board when it is received.

 

Sheriff McCall was present and congratulated the new Commissioners and offered his continued cooperation as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for Lake County.

 

On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Macdonnell and carried, the Board adjourned at 12 o’clock noon until later in the afternoon.

At 2:45 o’clock P.M. the Board convened in adjourned session with all members of the Board present.

funds – transfers

Commissioner Hoskinson moved that the Clerk be authorized to transfer $3150.00 in the General Fund from Acct. No. 22102-2 to Acct. No. 21002 for the purpose of the Supervisor of Elections to employ help in her office to maintain the voting machines and any other duties necessary.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Macdonnell and unanimously carried.

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

 

 

___________________________________                                                                                                                                                  ______________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                                                                                           CHAIRMAN