A special MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
july 23, 1974
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, July 23, 1974 in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, to discuss the budget for the Fiscal Year 1974-75 and also to discuss any items of business that may come before the Board. The following members were present: Glenn C. Burhans, Vice Chairman; C.A. Deems; Thomas J. Windram; and J.M. Hoskinson. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Doris Babb; and Patricia Halstead and Debby Potter, Deputy Clerks. James R. Carson, Jr. was absent.
courthouse
The Clerk stated that the Board should meet with the Architects to renegotiate the contract now that the other two floors in the new Courthouse Complex are being designed. He also asked for authorization to proceed with the placement of furniture in the new Courthouse. On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Clerk’s request was approved.
The Board of County Commissioners will meet in special session on Tuesday, July 30, 1974 to talk with the Architects regarding the contract and to hold a work session on the budget.
state agencies
The Clerk reported that he has been checking for office space for all the agencies in the Pioneer Building except for the Driver’s License Bureau. He has looked into modular housing that could be placed near the Tax Assessor’s Office. The Board feels that the Clerk should continue looking for office space and report to the Board on his progress.
water pollution
Commr. Hoskinson reported that hyacinths from Lake Apopka are flowing in their lakes. Commr. Deems feels the Board should notify Southwest Florida Water Management District concerning this matter.
The Board deferred action until they could discuss the procedure with Mr. Ford, County Attorney. The Clerk was requested to contact Mr. Ford and ask him if he could be present sometime during the morning.
animals
Commr. Burhans reported that bids have come in for the Animal Shelter. Because of the expense, the inside wall and the chain link fence will have to be eliminated if the cost is to be within the $7,000.00 allocated. After discussion with the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried by those present, the Board approved that the fence at the Animal Shelter be erected at a cost not to exceed $300.00 over the original $7,000.00 allocated.
machinery and equipment
The Clerk asked the Board’s permission to obtain three quotes for a lawn mower to be used for the Courthouse lawn and authorization to accept the lowest bid. On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Clerk was authorized to obtain three quotes for a lawn mower and bring back to the Board.
mosquito control
Mrs. Doris Babb stated that some of the men that work at Mosquito Control during the day are driving the fog truck at night. She would like to know if the recent five percent increase in pay would be based on their salary during the day and also apply at night. They are being paid at two different salary rates at present.
Commr. Hoskinson stated that the fog truck should be driven eight hours a night, then full time employees could be hired and paid accordingly.
After discussion, it was the Board’s feeling that time and a half should be paid to these employees based on their full-time position rate.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. and the Commissioners went into a work session for the budget of 1974-75. After lunch, the meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m. Christopher C. Ford was present at this time.
water pollution
Discussion continued regarding the hyacinths flowing into Lake County lakes from Lake Apopka. On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously by those present, the County Attorney was instructed to immediately contact the Southwest Florida Water Management District and request that they immediately repair the lock to stop the hyacinths from flowing from Lake Apopka into Lake Beauclair. If unable to immediately correct the situation, then request they close the lock immediately and leave it closed until the lock can be repaired.
ordinance
Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney, presented an Emergency Ordinance removing the conflicts in the beverage laws created by newly enacted State Legislation.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Board declared that an emergency did exist because of the conflict between State Laws and existing local regulations.
Commr. Windram stated that he voted in favor of the motion only because he feels that an emergency does exist because of the conflict with the State Laws and that innocent citizens could be arrested if the situation is not corrected. He opposes in general the individual counties taking action concerning the regulation of the sale of alcoholic beverages. He believes the law should be uniform statewide.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Emergency Ordinance was placed on first reading by title only, said title being:
An emergency ordinance removing the conflicts created by the amendment of the florida state beverage laws and allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages between midnight and two a.m.; providing an effective date.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Emergency Ordinance was adopted on first reading.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Emergency Ordinance was placed on second reading by title only.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the Emergency Ordinance was adopted on second reading.
On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously by those present, the Emergency Ordinance was placed on third and final reading by title only.
On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously by those present, the Emergency Ordinance was adopted on third and final reading.
county buildings and grounds
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously by those present, the Board approved the request that the prisoners be allowed to clean the Historical Society’s grounds.
accounts
A letter was read concerning a pay raise for Mrs. Mary J. Valentine, Secretary to the Veteran Service Officer, to the rate of $568.98 per month, effective July 1, 1974. This was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously by those present.
There being no further business, the Vice-Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m. and the work session on the budget continued.
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james r. carson, jr., chairman
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James C. Watkins, Clerk