MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY – february 8, 1972

The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, convened in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Tuesday, February 8, 1972, at 9:00 A.M. with the following members present:  Thomas J. Windram, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.; C. A. Deems; J. M. Hoskinson; and Kenneth VanAuken.  Others present were J. C. Watkins, Planning Director; Fred M. Harpster, County Engineer; C. C. Ford, County Attorney; Frank E. Owens, Clerk of Circuit Court; and Deputy Clerk, Norma H. Coven.

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

oklawaha basin study

Chairman Windram presented a letter in answer to communication from the Congressman relative to an Oklawaha River Basin Coordination Council asking for another meeting concerning the study, and recommending that the Council be reduced in number.

commodity program

Commr. VanAuken informed the Board the Food Stamp Program has been extended to all counties and hopefully this will not be in addition to the Surplus Commodity program.  Mr. Watkins reported the Division of Family Services knows nothing about the food stamp program.  Mrs. Verna Eastwood was present and said she has received correspondence on this and understands the program is being implemented to go into effect May 1, 1972.

indigents

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the following change to the present indigent list was approved:

            CANCEL – Warren Hanna – District 5 = $40.00

 

roads – state

The Engineer presented notice from the Department of Transportation that a public hearing on proposed location, social, economic and environmental effects on SR 44 from SR 44-A East to SR 25 in the City of Leesburg will be held March 29 at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Building.

youth services bureau

On recommendation of the Attorney and Planner, a resolution authorizing Robert S. Stroud as Planner-Coordinator for the Youth Services Project was tabled as this action has previously been handled by letter.

public health

Mr. Harpster reported on the landfill operations for January showing 3,377 cu. yds. refuse received and $1,322.40 revenue.  He also filed information received from adjoining counties relative to landfill operations.

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, contracts with the Cities of Eustis, Mount Dora and Tavares for the operation of the County Landfill were approved as corrected, and the Chairman and Clerk authorized to execute the same.

right of way – roads

The Engineer reported with reference to petition of Leroy Bronson for release of road reservations on three five-acre parcels of lands and recommended that the release be granted.  On instructions of the Chairman, Mr. Harpster was instructed to seek more information as to why the releases are needed and if the releases will isolate lands owned by others.

roads – county

Engineer Harpster presented each Board member with a map of his district showing County roads by name and number, and recommended a resurfacing program at an approximate cost of one-half million dollars.

roads – state

Mr. Harpster submitted a letter from the Department of Transportation advising that the Department does not have sufficient funds to accomplish a major resurfacing project on SR 19 in the Groveland area.

courthouse

Mr. Harpster said he has received a proposal from Joyner & Associates of converting the air conditioning system in the Courthouse from a chiller system to an air cooled system.  Cost of the design work is estimated at $1,280.00 with the cost of conversion from $15,000 to $17,000.  The Board members concurring, the Chairman recommended that discussion of this work be tabled until after the March election and we know if the Amendment to Article V of the Constitution passes, for the reason that additional court rooms and office space will be needed.

suits affecting county

Attorney Ford reported on the Yeager injunction advising that hearing was held and he was allowed 20 days to comply with the court order.

Attorney Ford reported that Tyler Crusades has complied, and there is a hearing on Britizus suit this afternoon in Ocala.

ordinances

Attorney Ford presented a draft of proposed ordinance concerning sewer and water systems to be reviewed by the members before public hearing.

county employees

Mr. Harpster asked the Board’s consideration of changing the pay periods for the Road and Bridge employees in order that a minimum of one week’s wages will be withheld.  He was directed to pursue this with the Finance Department.

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Board authorized Saturday work on regular pay basis for the Survey Team to get backlog of work caught up.

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Engineer was authorized to employ alternate MVI inspectors for the peak period of each month and keep the stations open during the lunch hour during this period.

right of way – roads

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board accepted dedication to the public for roadway purposes right of way of Pennsylvania Avenue, Astatula, subject to determination by the Town of Astatula that the street does not lie within the town limits (O.R. Book 456, Page 886).

Mr. Harpster presented a request from Harley G. Morse to clear a road right of way in Ravenwood Subdivision leading to Lake Dorr.  On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the request was granted subject to survey at Mr. Morse’s expense by a registered land surveyor and concrete markers installed.

recess and reassembly

The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:00 noon and reconvened at 1:30 P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.  Emmett Tally, Attorney, was present in Mr. Ford’s capacity during the afternoon session.

road maintenance

Mr. Harpster submitted a cashier’s check in the amount of $1,064.38 from residents of Ocala Forest Campsite No. 3 in payment for improvements to Deer, Bear, and Ringneck Roads in the subdivision, and same was accepted on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, and the Road & Bridge Department was authorized to do the work.

A discussion was held concerning the Board’s intent in doing this type of work when the same can be handled by private contractors.  On future inquiries the Engineer was instructed to contact local contractors to determine if any are interested in bidding on the work.  Mr. Deems remarked the estimating and planning takes up a considerable amount of the Engineer’s time.

road closings

Petition of Joseph F. Mitchell and Catherine Mitchell to close dedicated roads in Mount Plymouth Subdivision was accepted and a public hearing was authorized for March 7th to consider same.

elections – primary

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, the Board appointed clerks and inspectors who served at the last election to serve on election boards during the Presidential Preference Primary on March 14.

bonds – misc.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, bonds for carrying arms were approved for the following:

            Richard L. Register

            Joan G. Register

            Larry E. Givens

 

On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, contractor’s bonds for certificates of competency were approved for the following:

            No. 287 – Donald W. Graham (General)

                   780 – Wm. T. Poole (Painting)

                   781 – Richard E. Cameron (Plumbing)

                   782 – Jack Pack (Masonry)

                   783 – Harry A. Ferran d/b/a Ward Air Conditioning, Co.

 

tax assessments

Request from the Tax Assessor for approval of Certificates of Error and Correction on the 1971 Tax Roll numbered 180-191 was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.

eea program

Request from LCEO for a teacher’s aide under the EEA program was referred to the County Attorney.

county property

Jim Livingston representing the Eustis Pistol Club appeared regarding the requirements in the lease of $500,000 liability insurance and asked the Board’s consideration of reducing the limits to $100,000.  Chairman Windram recommended that the limits not be reduced, saying he does not feel the difference in the cost of the insurance would be excessive and asked Mr. Livingston to take this back to his membership.  The Engineer was instructed to survey the portion of the pistol range owned by Lake County.

licenses and permits

Use Permit No. 337 issued by the County Engineer to Fla. Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable along County Road #1-5306 between Fruitland Park and SR 44-C was approved.

accounts allowed

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, travel expenses were approved for the Board members, department heads and assistants to attend special meeting called by Senator Chiles for Monday, February 14, 1972, in Lakeland.

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, travel was authorized for Tom Chapman to attend Veterans Service Officers School in St. Petersburg on January 4 and 5.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, Commr. Hoskinson was authorized to attend SACC Directors meeting in Tallahassee on February 25.

On recommendation of Judge Milton and the Planning Director, the Board approved payment to Robert S. Stroud as Consultant on the Youth Services Project for services rendered from September 23-30, $311.50, and travel to Orlando September 27 and 29, $17.50.

The Engineer was authorized to attend SACC Road Superintendents meeting in Sebring on February 17 and 18, on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $1,739.52 on contract with Carroll Contracting Co. was approved, and total amount of $14,143.63 was authorized.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Board authorized the Engineer to purchase standard emblems for all county owned vehicles.

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board rescinded its former action authorizing expenditure of $900.00 for a front end loader bucket.

On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, 1970 Tax Certificate No. 266 in the amount of $278.53 was approved.

Request of the Clerk to purchase IBM typewriter for $459.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.

Medicaid for November in the amount of $10,194.64 was approved on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried.

Bills for repairs to Crawler Tractor (Mosquito Control) in the amount of $808.67 were referred to Commr. Deems.

Request from the Small Claims Court to purchase 2,500 casebinders from F & R Office Supply at a cost of $175.00 per M was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.

Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court to purchase three volumes Register of Instruments Files was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.

On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, travel was approved for Mary Hamner to attend Nursing Home Administrators School and State Board Examination in St. Petersburg and Clearwater on February 13-18.

Request from Lake County Chamber of Commerce for February expenses in the amount of $2,083.33 was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.

On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken, the Board approved payment of $80,000 to Waterman Memorial Hospital.

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

            General Revenue Fund                                   Nos. 696-910

            MVI                                                                         67-91

            Fine & Forfeiture Fund                                           95-132

            Youth Services Bureau                                            29-40

            Road & Bridge Fund                                               262-349

            Construction Trust Fund                                         6

            Capital Outlay Reserve-County Bldgs.                   1-2

            Fish Conservation Fund                                          2

            Certificates of Indebtedness-Sinking Fund            1-2

            NE Lake County Hospital District                          5

            NE – Ambulance                                                     7

            NW – Ambulance                                                    7

 

salaries and wages

On recommendation of the Planning Director and on motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Board approved the employment of Frank Lawton to the position of Associate Planner to be paid under the EEA program at an annual salary of $8,500.00.

reports

The following monthly reports for January were filed:

            Veterans Service Officer

            Junk/cars/trucks, etc.

 

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

 

 

_________________________________

chairman

 

___________________________

Clerk