MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 monday – january 11, 1971

A regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida was held Monday, January 11, 1971, in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members in attendance:  J. M. Hoskinson, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr., C. A. Deems, Thomas J. Windram and Kenneth VanAuken.  Others present were County Attorney, Christopher C. Ford; County Engineer, Robert H. Norton; Clerk of the Circuit Court, Frank E. Owens; and Deputy Clerk Norma H. Coven.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, and the invocation was delivered by Mr. Carson, after which the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.

minutes

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting held December 14, 1970, were approved as submitted.

audits

Mrs. Marie Bowden, Comptroller for the Leesburg General Hospital, RK Evans, City Clerk and Bob Taylor Fire Chief, were present with reference to the remarks contained in the recent audit report that the City of Leesburg had failed to abide by the terms of the agreement between the City and County by submitting an unaudited report of receipts and expenditures, submitted a report for a fiscal period other than stipulated in the agreement and failure to report at the end of each six months on efforts made to collect unpaid bills for ambulance service.  Mr. Evans explained the financial statement filed by the Hospital shows a deficit of $18,000 in uncollected bills for ambulance service, due mostly to the fact that the City is unable to collect the bills.  The patients are billed directly by the Hospital together with the hospital bill, and unless the entire bill is paid, the ambulance fee is charged off.  Among suggestions made to correct the dilemma was to bill the ambulance costs separately and to consider a private operator similar to the one operating in Eustis.  Mr. Evans assured the Board that the audit reports will be made in accordance with the agreement in the future.

Paul Milton appeared regarding recommendations contained in the audit report concerning the Mosquito Control Department.  He explained the procedure used by the Department when issuing purchase orders, and advised the Department has conformed to the recommendations made in the report.  On miscellaneous purchase orders issued in advance of purchases, he was instructed to limit the amount to $10.00 in the future.

Mr. Norton, Engineer, reported his department has recently instituted a program whereby tires, batteries and other automotive supplies are inventoried in the Road and Bridge Department, in accordance with remarks in the audit report concerning the Department.

With reference to the criticism in the audit report relative to the promissory note accepted from W. F. Austin & Sons, Inc., the Attorney was instructed to pursue the collection of the unpaid balance of $2,277.58 plus interest.

bids

It now being the time advertised to receive bids on the construction of a Livestock Show Building at the Fair Grounds, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids, whereupon, Mr. Owens reported receiving bids from the following:

Ajax Construction, Inc.                                             $21,888.00

James L. Mabery                                                         23,163.00

Harvey Spears General Contractor, Inc.                     16,960.00

Sunspan Engineering & Construction, Inc.                18,477.00

Thompson Brothers Construction Co.                        17,250.00

 

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the bids were referred to the Architect, Louis C. George, for study and recommendation.

Later Mr. George and Mr. Spears appeared and advised Mr. Spears has contacted the manufacturer of the metal building he is bidding on and same can be delivered in time to allow for the construction and completion of the building within the specified time, whereupon, on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the low bid of Harvey Spears General Contractor, Inc. was accepted as the lowest and best bid and the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute the contract.

indigents

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the present indigent list was approved with no changes.

complaints

Howard Maxwell appeared and complained of discourtesies extended him at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Station.  The Chairman advised him the County Engineer will check into his complaint and correct same.

John Smith appeared and complained of the intolerable burning conditions at the Lady Lake Landfill.  Chairman Carson advised him Commr. Deems will contact the Mosquito Control Director and attempt to improve the conditions at the Landfill.

contracts and agreements

On recommendation of the Planning Director and on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to sign a contract between Lake County and the City of Leesburg for the Lake County Planning and Zoning Department to assist the City of Leesburg in its future planning and zoning program.

Mr. Watkins advised the Town of Montverde is also desirous of assistance and advice from the Planning Department on its problems, and the town of Howey in the Hills is asking permission for the Building Inspectors to make inspections within the Town of Howey.  Mr. Watkins was instructed to work out an agreement with the Towns and the Attorney.

elections

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, Lake-Sumter Community College was granted permission to use two voting machines in student elections on January 20, 21 and 22, 1971, with transportation costs paid by the College.

Indigents

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, Page-Theus Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida, was granted authority to release the body of a white female who was deceased on December 31, 1970, and who has no living relatives.

veterans service officer

J. W. Bryant appeared and introduced Mr. Harry Hersey, who is presently employed by the Florida Division of Veterans Affairs in St. Petersburg and recommended that Mr. Hersey be considered for the position of Veterans Service Office.  The Board informed Mr. Hersey his application will be considered along with others already received and that he will be notified when to return for an interview.

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board designated January 15, 1971 at noon as the deadline for receiving applications for the position of Veterans Service Officer and one o’clock in the afternoon of January 22, 1971 the time to interview the applicants.

resolutions not classified elsewhere

Commr. Carson moved for the adoption of a Resolution to the Florida Public Service Commission opposing the closing of the Central Truck Lines, Inc. terminal in Leesburg.  The motion was seconded by Commr. Windram and unanimously carried.

On advice from the Planning Director that John D. McLeod, Jr. has resigned as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, a Resolution was adopted extending the Board’s gratitude and thanks to him for his faithful and regular services while a member of the Commission, on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

recess and reassembly

The meeting recessed 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.

maps and plats

It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing to consider a petition to vacate the plat of Second Addition to Haines Creek Heights, and a portion of First Addition to Haines Creek Heights, and no one appeared to object to the vacating, a motion was made by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, that the Board adopt a Resolution vacating the following described lands:

All of Second Addition to Haines Creek Heights, a Subdivision in Lake County, Florida, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 14, page 8, public records of Lake County, Florida.

 

Lots 137, 138 and 139 of First Addition to Haines Creek Heights, a Subdivision in Lake County, Florida, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 13, page 54, public records of Lake County, Florida.

 

roads – county

Chairman Hoskinson announced Thursday, January 28, 1971, is the date set for the next quarterly road inspection trip.  Commr. Deems asked that County Road 2-2831 (Orange Blossom) be added to the list of roads.

Commr. Carson asked the Board’s consideration of a policy between Sumter County and the Department of Transportation whereby the County road crew constructs the base and the Department contracts the surfacing work and then the Department turns the road back to the County for maintenance.

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Orville Smith Loop (County #3-2255-A) was accepted into the County road system for maintenance.

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, Lake Dora Drive, Thompson Estates, (County #3-3743) was accepted into the County road system for maintenance.

deeds

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, right of way deeds were accepted conveying the following described properties to Lake County, and ordered same recorded upon the public records:

GRANTOR:      Milo B. Jackson and Margaret C. Jackson, his wife

 

The North 25 feet of the following described property:

 

Begin at the Northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 29, Township 19 South, Range 24 East; thence run East 475 feet; thence run South 145 feet; thence run East 80 feet; thence run South 170 feet; thence run East 105 feet; thence run South 1005 feet; thence run West 660 feet; thence run North to the Point of Beginning.

 

GRANTOR:      Zebulon Teeter, Sr. and Alma Teeter, his wife

 

The South 25 feet of the following described property:

 

The Northwest quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 29, Township 19 South, Range 24 East; LESS the East 629.75 feet; AND South 25 feet of the East 1111 ¼ feet of:  The Northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 29, Township 19 South, Range 24 East.

 

GRANTOR:      Flying Barron Estates, Inc.

 

The North 25 feet of the following described property:

 

The Southeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 29, Township 19 South, Range 24 East; LESS the West 208.75 feet.

 

county buildings

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the first floor of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Building was assigned to the Lake County Juvenile Court and the Clerk was instructed to notify the Court to make plans for the necessary improvements to the offices.

bonds

Bond for carrying firearm for Louis Burg was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.

Contractors’ bonds for Certificates of Occupancy were approved as follows, on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried:

Nos.     560 (New)                   John E. Accola d/b/a Accola Electric Co.

            317 (Cancel)               H. E. Beals

            354 (Cancel)               Modern Movers, Inc.

            400 (Cancel)               Oscar Poole

 

hospitals

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the action of the Chairman and Clerk was approved for authorizing applications to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for the following:

            Horace Johnson, Jr.

            Richard Deshazior, Jr.

 

railroads

The Clerk was instructed to write the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company for the approximate cost of installation of a public crossing located 1,533 feet South of Mile Post AS 805 on SR 25-A near Leesburg.

salaries and wages

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Board authorized straight hourly pay to the Courthouse Custodian for overtime work.

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the position of Draftsman was revised to Technician and the annual salary adjusted to $7,000.00 annually.

department of transportation

The Clerk presented a letter from the Department advising that the maximum amount allowed for the County Engineer’s salary through September 30, 1970, is $10,000.  the amended Statute was effective October 1, 1970, however, only $10,000 is included in the County’s Secondary Fund Resolution for the fiscal year 1970-1971, therefore, the increased amount will not be paid Lake County until the next fiscal year.

rights of way – roads

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Attorney was instructed to order a title search on the railroad right of way from Umatilla to Altoona.

reports

Annual report of commodities supplied to families and public institutions for the year 1970 was filed by the Commodity Warehouse Supervisor.

Road construction report for the month of December was filed by the County Engineer, together with summary of activities in the Engineering, Road and Bridge, and Motor Vehicle Inspection Departments from July 1 to December 31, 1970.

communications

Notice from the U. S. Department of Agriculture that the Forest Service has optioned to buy land in Lake County to help consolidate National Forest lands, and asking the Board for its comments on the proposal, was read and filed.

accounts allowed

On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board authorized Mr. Carson’s signature on warrants issued for the month of January.

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved a maximum expenditure of $100.00 to C. B. Joynor & Associates to make a study and recommendation of a heating system in the Old Health Department Building.

Travel expenses were approved for the Board members and Paul Milton to attend conference on Solid Waste Management in Jacksonville, February 16-18, on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.

Request from the Tax Assessor for $20,000 advance on commission on the 1971 tax roll, was approved on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.

Request from the Tax Collector for commissions on taxes collected in the amount of $45,164.76, was approved on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried.

On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, payment to the Lake County Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $2,083.33 for January expenses, was approved.

Request from the Lake County Chamber of Commerce for $400.00 reimbursement for moving expenses, was approved on motion of Commr VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

Travel expenses were approved for the Supervisor of Elections and Emogene Stegall to attend Mid-Year Conference of Supervisors in Orlando, January 27 – 30, on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried.

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, travel was approved for Jeanne M. Allen, Extension Home Economics Agent, to attend meeting of Association of Southern Agricultural Workers, Inc. in Jacksonville, February 1 – 4.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, travel was approved for J. W. Bryant to St. Petersburg on January 6, 1971.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the following vouchers were approved for payment:

General Revenue Fund

Nos. 504-736

Mosquito Control – State I

11-15

Mosquito Control – State II

11-17

Auto Inspection Fund

44-68

Road and Bridge Fund

173-255

Fine and Forfeiture Fund

57-75

Capital Outlay Reserve

    County Home

    County Buildings

 

6

3-5

Northeast Hospital

3

Northeast Hospital Ambulance

5-6

Northwest Hospital Ambulance

5-6

 

 

cancellation of warrants

The Clerk was authorized to cancel General Revenue Fund Warrant #815, dated December 14, 1970, payable to Sea Vic Service Station in the amount of $1.75 because of duplicate payment.

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 o’clock p.m.

 

 

_________________________________                                                                                          _____________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                               chairman