MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – DECEMBER 7, 1970
The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, convened in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Monday, December 7, 1970, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: James R. Carson, Jr., Chairman; J. M. Hoskinson, Thomas J. Windram, and Kenneth VanAuken. Alex J. Macdonell was absent due to illness in his family. Others in attendance were: County Attorney Christopher C. Ford, County Engineer Robert H. Norton, Clerk of Circuit Court Frank E. Owens and Deputy Clerk Norma H. Coven.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman who delivered the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given.
minutes
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the minutes of the meeting of October 5, 1970 were approved as corrected.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the minutes of the meeting of October 12, 1970 were approved as submitted.
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the minutes of the meeting of October 26, 1970 were approved as corrected.
insurance
Mr. Hardin Powell of Consolidated Insurance Agency appeared and advised the Board that the Florida Inspection and Rating Bureau has revised and rerated all Lake County buildings resulting in an increase in the annual fire premium of $259.00 and an additional extended coverage premium of $888.00. Mr. Powell recalled that his bid on the fire insurance coverage was subject to this revision by the Rating Bureau as stated in his bid of October 26, 1970. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved the increase of $1,147.00 in the annual premium and authorized payment of same.
Mr. E. H. Daniel, Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager of Nationwide Insurance Companies and J. C. Noblitt, Agent, were present concerning a discrepancy in the premium submitted by Mr. Noblitt on Inland Marine coverage on the County’s off-highway equipment. Mr. Daniel explained that the error was made in the company office and he submitted a computation of the premiums and losses based on actual cost of equipment and asked the Board’s consideration of an equitable adjustment. On recommendation of the Attorney and on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board refused to reconsider the corrected premium or make an adjustment in the premium bid on October 26, 1970.
fire districts
Commr. Windram submitted a letter from the Sylvan Shores Association, Inc. requesting the Board to consider establishing fire districts outside incorporated areas and same was referred to the Attorney.
water pollution
Members of the Lake County Air and Water Pollution Control Board were present and submitted recommendations for the control of phosphates in detergents. After discussing the recommendation, the Attorney was instructed to prepare an Ordinance for the Board’s consideration based on the “Chicago Plan” to require manufacturers to label and limit the phosphate content in detergents effective March 31, 1971 and banning the sale of same. Limitations concerning synthetic detergents to be effective January 1, 1972.
Mr. Hill, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, reported the Board has had no success in interesting anyone in the position of Pollution Control Officer. The Chairman referred this matter to the Committee.
bonds - COUNTY
Mr. Wagner and Mr. Powell of Stone & Youngberg, Financing Consultants, appeared and presented written recommendations of the various details and the approximate cost to the County. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Attorney was instructed to review the Resolution and prepare the necessary papers for a thirty year bond issue.
Commr. Hoskinson submitted a letter from Representative Glisson in which he states, “it is my belief that within the next two years Lake County is going to lose its share of the Race Track Funds.” Chairman Carson stated he has been contacted by Representative Brown on this same subject.
BONDS – OFFICIAL
Public Official Bond for C. A. “Lex” Deems as County Commissioner, District No. 2, was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, same to be forwarded to the Comptroller for approval.
Attorney Ford advised Florida Statute 137.05 is quite specific that each January and June the Board should examine carefully the sufficiency of the bonds of all County officers. The Clerk was instructed to request all County officers to present proof of their bonds to the Board at the second regular meeting in January.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken, Public Official Bond for Thomas J. Windram as County Commissioner, District No. 4, was approved to be forwarded to the Comptroller for approval.
bonds – misc.
Bond for carrying firearm for C. C. Roberts was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
Contractors’ bonds for Certificates of Competency were approved for the following on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried:
Renewals – No. 418 – Chris Dodds
468 – Harold M. Rose and Dann & Rose Electric Co.
473 – Guy John Love
496 – Aubrey M. Long
New – No. 550 – Arthur Henry Lee
551 – James Alex Ekberg
552 – Von McElroy dba Morton Electric
553 – Charles W. Turner and Tillman’s Plumbing Services
555 – Roger R. Stage
Cancel – No. 42 – Elmer D. Warren
233 – Alfred Rehbaum dba Rehbaum’s Hardware
363 – John Morton dba John Morton Electric
420 – Allen D. Conerly
roads – county
Commr. VanAuken again brought to the attention of the Board the request from residents of Three Lakes Subdivision for a flashing light and acceleration and deceleration lanes at the entrance to the access road to the subdivision. He was directed to take this up with the County Engineer.
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, an extension of County Road #5-9380, Dillard Road, (.2 mile) was accepted into the County Road System for maintenance.
On recommendation of the County Engineer that the following streets in the vicinity of Bates Avenue School, Eustis, have been maintained by the County for at least four years, same were accepted into the County Road System for maintenance on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried:
Virginia Avenue
Dawes Avenue
Hollywood Avenue
Ellsy Avenue
Commr. Hoskinson reported that Blanton Lane, Tropical Shores Subdivision, is a connector road and not primarily a subdivision street, whereupon, on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the portion of the road between the railroad track and the pavement at the entrance to Imperial Mobile Terrace, was accepted into the County Road System for maintenance, County Road #3-4539.
Commr. Hoskinson recommended that road in Ferndale Called Orville Smith Loop be accepted as a County Maintained Road, subject to the proper affidavits that same is a public road by prescription.
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.
fairgrounds
Louis George, Architect, and Ken Hart of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce were present relative to the plans for heating the Multi-Purpose Building at the Fairgrounds. Mr. George said the approximate cost of the work is $5,000.00. On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the plans as submitted were approved and the Architect was authorized to prepare the specifications to receive sealed bids for the work on January 4, 1971.
Mr. George also submitted preliminary plans for the construction of a livestock building, dimensions 70’ wide, 125’ long and 16’ high, estimated cost $20,000 incudes electrical work but no plumbing.
contracts and agreements
Agreement between Lake County and Mr. George for architect’s services on the Livestock Show Building at 7% of the cost of construction was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
Contract between the City of Eustis and Lake County covering the maintenance of the Fairgrounds was approved on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, and the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute same.
On recommendation of the County Attorney, the Board accepted a cash bond through the Bank of Tavares from Coven Construction Company in the amount of $2,437.00 in lieu of a performance and contract for work performed in the Engineering Building which was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
sheriff
Sheriff Willis McCall appeared at the request of the Board and Commr. VanAuken presented a petition signed by residents of Astor and Astor Park areas requesting the assignment of a Deputy Sheriff to this area. Sheriff McCall said the time is coming when more deputies will be needed in the County, but do not have the funds this year. He recommended that the petitioners apply directly to him in the future on requests of this nature.
road maintenance
Commr. Hoskinson informed the Board he has received complaints of damage to a road North of Anderson Hill Road, Clermont. Borings were made by an individual who should repair the road. The Engineer advised this particular road does not meet County regulations and recommended that the County not consider taking this road into the system.
roads – subdivision
Commr. Hoskinson reported W. B. Burch needs access to three lots in Suburban Shores. The roads are shown on the original plat but have never been opened and are now planted in grove. Attorney Ford advised the Board would be fully authorized to take action and request the owner to remove the citrus trees; however, it is not the County’s duty to see that every dedicated road is free from obstruction. Mr. Hoskinson will pursue this matter further with the County Attorney.
roads – county
Engineer Norton submitted report of County road construction for the month of November.
A letter from Grand View Greenhouses regarding a traffic problem at the intersection of SR 48 and County Road #2-3221 was read, and Engineer Norton advised he has ordered a traffic count at this intersection.
tax assessments
Certificates of Error and Correction on the 1970 tax roll filed by the Tax Assessor were approved on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.
Application from Montverde Academy for exemption from ad valorem tax on the following described property was referred to the Tax Assessor:
The South 75 feet of Lot 3, Block 6, Division E, Town of Montverde, Florida.
deeds
Right of way deeds conveying the following described lands to Lake County were accepted on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried and ordered same recorded upon the public records:
GRANTOR: Beatrice J. Ettinger
Commence at the Northeast corner of the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 12, Township 23 South, Range 25 East; thence run South 30 feet to the Point of Beginning; continue running South 20 ft.; thence run South 89°0’40” West 25 feet; thence run North 46°0’40” West 28.63 feet; thence run North 89°0’40” East 45 feet to the Point of Beginning; AND THE North 30 feet of the Southwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 12, Township 23 South, Range 25 East.
GRANTOR: Edward C. E. Olivenbaum
THE EAST 25 FEET OF: Commence at the southeast corner of the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 14, Township 23 South, Range 25 East; thence run North 653 feet more or less to the South right of way line of Minnehaha Lake Shore Drive and being County Road #3-1040.
hospitals
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved the action of the Chairman and Clerk in approving application to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for Lee Nathan Torrance.
Discharge notices from the Hospital were received as follows:
Inelda Greenwell was discharged with medical advice on 11/4/70
Jack Arthur Pearson was discharged with medical advice on 11/18/70
licenses and permits
The following Use Permits filed by the County Engineer were approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried:
No. 244 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable paralleling a portion of County Rd. #2-2605 between SR 33 and Sumter County.
No. 247 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable paralleling a portion of County Rd. #1-5009 between U.S. 441 and the end of the road.
No. 248 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable paralleling a portion of County Rd. #5-7528 between SR 44 and County Rd. #5-6836.
No. 250 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable crossing County Rd. #5-8589 between SR 42 and Chain O’Lakes.
No. 251 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable paralleling a portion of County Rd. #4-5174 between County Rd. #4-4872 and SR S-44-B.
No. 252 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable paralleling a portion of County Rd. #4-4872 between County Rd. #4-5175 and County Rd. #4-5174.
No. 253 – Florida Telephone Corp. to construct and maintain buried cable paralleling and crossing a portion of County Rd. #5-5942 between SR 44 and Harbor Shores.
records
Request from the Clerk to destroy all vouchers and cancelled warrants for the years 61/62, 62/63, 63/64 and 64/65, was approved on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the 1967 Florida Statutes in the Small Claims Court were declared surplus and of no value and the Court was authorized to dispose of same.
county employees
Resignation from Luncy A. Wilson effective December 4, 1970 was accepted on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
county buildings
Chairman Carson requested that action be deferred on letter of December 1 from County Judge W. A. Milton, Jr. requesting additional office space in the Old Health Department Building for use by the Juvenile Court and the Mental Health Counselor.
Commr. Hoskinson reported the improvements to the building are shaping up very nicely and that he has made an inspection of the building with the Juvenile Counselor.
county property
Engineer Norton informed the Board a private operator is planning to move all junk cars in the Astatula area to the Astatula pit and advised this will make a terrible mess of the pit for future use by the City as a playground. Commr. Hoskinson stated Paul Milton, Mosquito Control Director, has agreed to clean up the pit after the salvage work is completed. Mr. Milton thinks this is a good deal since the salvage operator is doing this at no cost to Lake County.
water pollution
Chairman Carson submitted copy of letter directed to the Mosquito Control Director from the Corps of Engineers concerning the hyacinth harvesting machine demonstration in Lake Griffin and same was filed.
The Clerk submitted letter from the Lake Improvement Assn., Inc. requesting the Board to enter into a cooperative program with the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission to conduct a pilot program of hyacinth harvesting to be funded by $20,000 of the fund set aside from the fishing licenses for fishing improvement.
Letter was read and filed from the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission advising an inspection was made of lakes in the Eustis, Clermont and Howey areas where hydrilla or elodea was suspected of growing and that none of the weeds were hydrilla or elodea.
indigents
Notice from the Tumor Clinic of the Orange Memorial Hospital, Orlando, that in the future all patients referred to the Tumor Clinic must be accompanied by written statement by proper authority of the referring county that, if necessary, hospitalization is authorized and the referring county assumes responsibility for payment of the patient’s hospital bill, was read and referred to the Welfare Director.
municipal corporations
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Clerk was instructed to notify the municipal corporations that Lake County voting machines will be made available for city elections on the basis of transportation charges only.
appointments
Chairman Carson advised he is in receipt of a letter from Jack W. Stoodt declining the appointment to the Board of Examiners and recommending the appointment of J. Philip Owens, whereupon, on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, Mr. Owens was appointed to the Board of Examiners.
communications
Chairman Carson stated he has been contacted to request the Board to reconsider the possibility of the County entering a float in the Inaugural Parade. He was advised that a float could be decorated and moved to Tallahassee and back for $999.00. The Board declined to act on the request.
checks received
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, U.S. Treasury check was accepted in the amount of $111.14, representing Lake County’s share of adjusted cost of land involving Lake Woodruff Refuge, payment being made in accordance with Public Law 88-523.
cancellation of warrants
General Revenue Fund warrant #237 dated November 9, 1970 in the amount of $15.00, payable to Wheatflour Institute, was cancelled because of duplicate payment.
accounts allowed
On recommendation of Mr. Ken Hart and on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved the purchase of public address system to be installed in the Multi-Purpose Building at the Fairgrounds from Audio Systems of Florida, Inc. for the sum of $995.00
Payroll for the Clerks and Inspectors who served at the polls during the General Election, November 3, 1970, in the amount of $6,119.08 was approved for payment on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.
Travel expenses for the Board members to attend meeting at Florida State University, Division of Continuing Education, January 18 and 19, 1971, were approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Board approved agreement with Richard’s Carpet Maintenance to clean the carpet in the Courthouse, Courthouse Annex and Engineering Building for the sum of $515.55.
Travel expenses were approved for Ted Wicks and C. W. Sheffield to attend legal school with the Department of Air and Water Pollution in Tallahassee on December 3, 1970, on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, travel expenses were approved for J. W. Bryant to go to the Veterans Administration Regional Office, St. Petersburg, December 9.
Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court to purchase Clerk’s Record of Conviction from Bowen Supply Company for $126.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
reports
Feasibility report form the Southwest Florida Water Management District regarding the proposed Lake Harris-Lake Griffin Waterway was referred to the Chairman and Board members for study.
Report of cigarette tax collections and distributions for the month of September was filed.
Accountants’ report of the assets and liabilities of the Leesburg Hospital Assn., Inc. as of June 30, 1970 was filed.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN