MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – AUGUST 17, 1970
A regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, was held Monday, August 17, 1970 in the County Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: James R. Carson, Jr., Chairman; Alex J. Macdonell, J. M. Hoskinson, Thomas J. Windram, and Kenneth VanAuken, all members of the Board. Others present were: County Attorney Christopher C. Ford, County Engineer Robert H. Norton, Clerk of Circuit Court Frank E. Owens and Deputies Clerk Doris P. Babb and Norma H. Coven.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the invocation was given by Mr. Hoskinson, after which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
budget
It now being the time advertised to hear complaints concerning the budget, the Chairman called for interested parties to be heard.
J. W. Bryant, Veterans Service Officer, appeared and objected to the budget for his department being published before having an opportunity to present his arguments.
Mrs. Louis C. Farner of Tavares appeared and questioned the telephone allocation of $16,000; dues and membership allocation of $1,050; and $6,000 for the Courthouse disposal plant.
On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the tentative budget for 1970-71 was adopted and the Clerk was authorized to forward same to the Comptroller for approval.
Later in the morning, County Judge L. R. Huffstetler, Jr., appeared and asked the Board’s consideration of the County Judges’ budget relative to an increase in funds for salaried employees. Chairman Carson advised him the Board has already adopted the budget as advertised, however, when Judge Milton returns if he feels the budget has not been properly funded, he should bring a complete breakdown to the Board for its review. The Chairman suggested to Judge Huffstetler that he and Judge Milton plan to appear before the Board at its work session on October 12, 1970.
opinions – legal
The Board asked Attorney Ford for his opinion relative to the legality of issuing awards for the capture and conviction of persons damaging and destroying County property.
complaints
Commr. Windram reported he has received assurance from the Leesburg theatre operators that they will cooperate with the Board’s concern regarding pornographic movies and this type will not be shown.
bids
It now being the time advertised to receive bids for the purchase of one Skid Mounted Vertical Drill, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids, whereupon, Clerk Owens reported receiving bids as follows:
Brainard-Kilman Drill Co., Tucker, Georgia $3,715.00
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried, the bid from Brainard-Kilman Drill Co. was accepted, subject to same meeting all the specifications.
On recommendation of the Tax Assessor and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried, the Board authorized advertising for bids for an Addressograph Machine for the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector. Bids to be received September 8, 1970.
road and bridge dept.
Chairman Carson reported Marion County has requested the loan of the County’s pumps and pipes to eliminate a flooding problem and same have been picked up by Marion County’s crew. Clerk Owens advised the Board established a rental rate on this equipment in prior years. The Engineer was instructed to determine the rental rate and so advise Marion County.
roads – county
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, a Resolution was adopted authorizing the erection of “Dead End” and “No Thru Traffic” signs on County Road #5-6862, located in Three Lakes Subdivision.
Chairman Carson presented request from the Board of Public Instruction for the installation of a directional sign to the Mount Dora Middle School at the intersection of SR 500 and County Road #4-4480 and same was approved on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
Engineer Norton submitted report of County road construction for the period July 1, 1970 to August 15, 1970.
roads – state
The Clerk presented notice from the Department of Transportation that J. D. Manly Construction Company was the low bidder on Bates Avenue in Eustis from SR 19 (Bay Street) to Grove Street. Total bid was $40,345.64.
complaints
Commr. Hoskinson reported the drainage problem on Hook Street at the Drive-In Theatre in Clermont is being corrected, and no another problem exists. The new owners of the adjoining property want the pipe removed to the lot line. They are willing to donate 7-1/2 feet, if the owners of the other lot will donate 7-1/2 feet and extend the pipe out to the lake. Can find no record of an easement for the installation of the present pipe. The Board members concurring, the Chairman asked Mr. Hoskinson to pursue this matter for a more logical solution.
courthouse
Commr. Hoskinson advised it is impossible to obtain a firm commitment on the cost correcting the platform and steps to the witness box in the Circuit Court Room. On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the necessary work was approved not to exceed $1,000.00.
bonds – misc.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, contractor’s bonds for Certificates of Competency were approved for the following:
No. 516 – Andy M. Johnston
517 – Tex A. Merritt
518 – J. F. Sanders
446 – Wm. D. Tomlinson – Cancelled
elections – primary
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved Clerks and Inspectors to work on the election boards for the First Primary Election to be held Tuesday, September 8, 1970. List of same on file in the office of the Clerk.
hospitals
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the action of the Chairman and Clerk was approved in approving application to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for Frank Sidney Johnson.
right of way easements – except roads
Drainage Easement from A. T. Wigelsworth and wife, Pearl S. Wigelsworth, was accepted on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, covering the following described property:
THE EAST 10.0 FEET OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LINE:
Begin at the Southeast corner of the Southwest quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 13, Township 19 South, Range 26 East; thence run North 582.55 feet for the Point of Beginning; thence continue running North 278.00 feet more or less to the waters of West Crooked Lake
salaries and wages
On recommendation of the Board of Visitors and on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board approved the employment of Mr. and Mrs. John Jarnigan as Assistant Superintendent and Matron of the Juvenile Shelter, effective August 1, 1970 at an annual salary of $5,500.00. Effective October 1, 1970, salary will be increased to $6,500.00.
recess and reassembly
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12:00 o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:30 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.
right of way – roads
Donald E. Stephens appeared and offered the County road right of way through his forty acres located in the Southeast ¼ of the Southeast ¼ of Section 28, Township 19 South, Range 27 East, in exchange for the following:
The West 25 feet of the Southwest ¼ of the Southwest ¼, Section 27, Township 19 South, Range 27 East; AND the East 25 feet of the Southeast ¼ of the Southeast ¼, Section 28, Township 19 South, Range 27 East.
Mr. Ward Estey appeared and objected to the exchange if it closes any portion of the continuous right of way. Commr. Windram suggested that the Board members look at these properties and it was agreed that the members would view the properties during the lunch hour on September 8, 1970.
planning and zoning
On recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and on motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, a Resolution was adopted amending the Zoning Rules and Regulations as they pertain to the following described tracts of land to the classification designated after each description:
The above motion included the following:
Conditional Use Permit No. 197-4 - Approved
Conditional Use Permit No. 198-4 - Denied without prejudice
Zoning Case No. 42-70-2 - Denied
Zoning Case No. 43-70-1 - Denied
Zoning Case No. 49-70-5 - Denied without prejudice
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, Zoning Case No. 50-70-1 was postponed until September 21, 1970 at 2:00 P.M.
roads – county
Maynard Burgess was present relative to access to property located in the Blackwater Creek area East of Eustis. County Road #4-6892, Bear Pen Road, which would give access to the property, is padlocked. Mr. Burgess advised there are two suits in Circuit Court involving this, but there has been no action in the suits in three years. This matter was referred to the County Attorney.
Civil Defense
On recommendation of Mr. Watkins and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, Step IV of the Community Shelter Plan was approved, together with Planning Directive to all Departments or Agencies having Emergency Planning responsibilities.
laws and legislature
Attorney Ford reported Chapter 70-772 providing for the bonding of race track monies requires no referendum or election unless the new Constitution requires it. The Act provides for the construction of roads, bridges, highways, rights of way, storm sewers and drains. Limited amount is $2,000,000 and top interest is 7-1/2% for 30 years. The next step is to acquire an agent to handle the bonds. He was instructed to contact the Attorney for the Board of Public Instruction for the name of their fiscal agent.
MEETINGS
The Clerk was instructed to contact the County Agent and Tax Assessor regarding a meeting of the County Agricultural Zoning Board on September 8, 1970 at 9:00 o’clock A.M.
communications
Letter from the Yale Canal Civic Club requesting road signs in the subdivision was referred to the County Engineer.
Memorandum from the Department of Interior relative to Opportunities for Participation in Spaceflight Investigations was referred to the Planning Director.
Letter from V. G. Eveland regarding 4-H Congress in Gainesville was read and filed.
Copy of letter from the County Health Department to Shady Grove Youth Camp concerning safety and sanitation requirements was read and filed.
Letter from the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills thanking the Board for Road and Bridge tax money was read and the Clerk was instructed to advise the Town of Howey that another check will be forthcoming next year.
Copy of Order from Florida Land Sales Board to Gordon and Reba Roepke concerning subdivided lands not registered with the Land Sales Board, was referred to the Planning Director.
Newsletter from the State Department of Air & Water Pollution Control was filed.
reports
Monthly report from the Veterans Service Officer was filed.
accounts allowed
Travel expense for Royce C. Williams to attend Muscadine Grape Field Day and Florida Grape Growers Assn. meeting in Jay, Florida on September 2-3, 1970 was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
Payment to Carroll Contracting Co., Inc. in the amount of $1,692.81 from Special Assessment Fund, Lake Dora Drive, Thompson Estates, was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried, the Board approved the employment of Pat Bailey as telephone relief operator at $1.75 per hour.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN