A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AUGUST 6, 1974
A regular meeting of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened at 9:00 a.m. on August 6, 1974, in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. The following members were present: James R. Carson, Jr., Chairman, C. A. Deems, J. M. Hoskinson, Thomas J. Windram, and Glenn C. Burhans. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; and Andrea Gambrell, Deputy Clerk. The Invocation was given by Mr. Watkins, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commr. Carson.
minutes
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried unanimously, the Minutes of the regular meeting of December 11, 1973 were approved as amended. Amended copy is on file in the Minute Folder for December of 1973.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram, and carried unanimously, the minutes of the regular meeting of December 18, 1973 were approved as amended. Amended copy is on file in the Minute Folder for December of 1973.
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried unanimously, the minutes for the special meeting of June 26, 1974 were approved as submitted.
communications
The Chairman presented a letter from Florida State University requesting the County to complete the questionnaire which they have sent. The information is to be used in an energy study that is being done by the University. This questionnaire was referred to the Clerk’s Office.
Commr. Carson presented a handbook he had received from the Department of Revenue for those involved in the 1974 Board of Tax Adjustment.
The Clerk presented a Resolution from the League of Cities regarding equal representation of all taxpayers consistent with the services provided in the unincorporated areas of Lake County. This was read and filed in the Minute Folder for August of 1974.
Mr. Watkins reported that the Board had received a copy of a letter from the Department of Revenue accepting the proposed Budget of the Tax Assessor.
public health
Mr. Michael Donoghue, County Engineer, appeared and presented information regarding transfer stations in Lake County. He stated the Landfills that had been ordered closed were still in operation. On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried, the County Engineer was instructed to close the Landfills in Montverde, Bay Lake and Astor. The Board requested a sign be placed at these landfills stating that they have been closed by order of the Florida State Pollution Control Board, effective July 1, 1974. Commr. Burhans voted “no.”
Mr. William Hennessey, Acting Director of Pollution Control, presented a letter from Leesburg requesting a “letter of intent” from the Lake County Board of County Commissioners stating that it will cooperate with the City of Leesburg in the development of a 201 Facility Plan. It is the Board’s opinion that it would assist Leesburg in any way possible insofar as the County will not be committed to any financial aid. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried unanimously, the Board adopted a Resolution to cooperate with the City of Leesburg in development of the 201 Facility Plan and the County Attorney was instructed to draw an appropriate Resolution stating same.
schools – misc.
On motion of Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the painting of a school crossing at Clifford and St. Clair Abrams (SR 452).
resolutions
The Chairman presented a letter from Florida Power Corporation requesting the Board to take affirmative action in responding to the plight of Lake County citizens with regard to high cost of electricity. On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Windram, and carried unanimously, the Board adopted a Resolution requesting the Federal Government take action against the oil-producing countries to reduce the high price of oil to more realistic and competitive levels.
roads – county
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried unanimously, the Board adopted a Resolution establishing a speed limit of 35 mph on East Crooked Lake Road, DR 4-5167.
road material
Mr. Donoghue reported that an emergency existed regarding sign materials. He stated McCain Sales was not honoring its bid of August 21, 1973. Mr. Donoghue presented price quotations from the Vulcan Signs in Foley, Alabama, as follows:
24” x 24” aluminum blanks $4.12
Rigid double slotted crosses 1.85
10’ round posts 9.50
10’ channel posts 6.60
Mr. Donoghue stated that this is the only source of supply in this area for the materials that he needs.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram, and carried unanimously, the Board stated an emergency existed and authorized the County Engineer to order 50 of each item at the price listed above.
planning and zoning
Mr. Charles Seligman of Eustis appeared regarding 165 acres near Cassia, which he owns and would like to develop. He is unable to develop because the County requires the roads in his subdivision be paved. The cost would be prohibitive to Mr. Seligman. Discussion was held as to whether Mr. Seligman would be grandfathered in.
After studying the matter, the County Attorney stated that technically Mr. Seligman was a week late submitting his preliminary plat and it would be a matter of policy by the Board of County Commissioners if the Board wanted to vary the interpretation of the Ordinance. Commr. Burhans moved that Mr. Seligman be granted permission to develop his property without having to pave the roads. The Chairman announced the motion died for lack of a second.
road closings
On a motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried unanimously, the Board approved advertising to vacate an unnamed public road in the Howey area.
maps and plats
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried unanimously, the Board approved advertising for the vacation of a portion of Orange Heights Subdivision.
road maintenance
Commr. Hoskinson stated that he had been contacted by the City of Minneola requesting assistance in grading some of its roads. It is against County Policy to lend County equipment to a city but the County can do the work on a standard charge basis, which is $13.50 per hour for a motor grader. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram, and carried unanimously, the Board authorized the Road and Bridge Department to help the City of Minneola with the grading of certain roads on a standard charge basis. The County Attorney was instructed to draw up an Interlocal Agreement between Lake County and City of Minneola.
county property
The Clerk presented quotations from H. A. Smith, Roofer, regarding the repair to the damaged roofs at the Pollution Control Office, Tax Assessor’s Office and the courthouse. Mr. Watkins reported the total cost would be $4,535.00 due to the emergency of the roof leaking. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried, the Board approved roof repairs in the amount of $4,535.00, subject to Mr. Harry Nies researching to see if the present roof is still under bond.
courthouse
The Clerk presented the new draw schedule from Gutmann, Dragash and Matz, Architects, Inc. It is filed in the Courthouse Complex file for 1974.
deeds
The Clerk presented a response from Groveland stating that it has no objection to the release of Murphy Act Deed No. 1535, which lies within their City Limits. On motion of Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried, the Board approved the release of Murphy Act Deed No. 1535.
bonds
On motion of Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried, the Board approved the following Contractor Bonds for Certificates of Competency:
449 Jack W. Eichenburg dba Jack’s Construction
1195 John W. Horne (mechanical)
1196 Jack G. Corley
1197 Douglas E. Brown (specialty)
1198 Estel L. Surplin
1199 Gerald G. Gaffney dba Gaffney’s Metal, Inc.
1200 James David Bass dba Aquarian Plumbing
1201 David Sopotnick dba D.S. Electric
1202 Dick Harper dba Cee Jay Custom Pools
1203 John T. Graczol
1205 James E. Shirley dba Erections Unlimited
On motion of Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried, the following Contractor Bonds were cancelled:
91-74 Ronald N. Tarr dba Ronnie’s Drywall
587-74 Karl A. Ericksson (drywall)
588-74 Terrance E. Martin dba Milford Mechanical
817-72 Harold Edward Hughes dba Bud Hughes Construction
863-74 Leo Harward dba Fiesta Pools and Central Construction
On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried, the bond for S. L. Kilgore, member of the Northwest Lake County Hospital District, was approved.
contracts and agreements
On motion of Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried, the Cooperative Equipment Lease Agreement between the Division of Forestry and Lake County Board of County Commissioners for the Forest Hills Volunteer Fire Department was approved; as well as the addendum to the Cooperative Equipment Lease with the Division of Forestry and the Lake County Board of County Commissioners for the Bassville Park Volunteer Fire Department.
recess and assembly
The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:00 P.M. and reconvened at 1:30 P.M. The Chairman announced the Commissioners will lunch at the Silver Lake Golf and Country Club and the press and public are invited on a Dutch-treat basis. Commr. Windram was not present for the afternoon session.
hospitals
Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney, reported on the status of the $18,000, Emergency Medical Funds, which Lake County received from the State. Mr. Ford stated that a compatible agreement could not be worked out with Waterman Memorial Hospital or Lennon’s Ambulance Service. His office, therefore, has written a letter to the State requesting that it allow Lake County to give $9,000 to Leesburg General and $9,000 to South Lake Memorial Hospital in Clermont. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried, the Board approved dividing the money equally among those legally recognized Ambulance Services and/or Hospitals that will agree to use and match those funds in the proper manner as designated by the State. Commr. Burhans voted “no.”
maps and plats
Mr. Ford, County Attorney, reported that he had received an Attorney General’s Opinion regarding the fishing maps that Lake County was going to purchase from Southern Guide Fishing Maps. The County Attorney stated that he would like to research the matter before making a final recommendation to the Board.
LAWS AND LEGISLATURE
The County Attorney reported on the Labor Law Seminar he attended in St. Petersburg. He informed the Board that they would be receiving a letter regarding information covered by the seminar along with recommendations.
Mr. Ford stated that basically unions will not be allowed to represent anyone until after January 1, 1975, which is when the law becomes effective.
appropriations
James C. Watkins, Clerk, presented a memo concerning the CETA II and the EEA Programs. The Clerk stated that there had been a misunderstanding as to who is to administer these programs if the County decides to take advantage of them. The Clerk stated that Mr. Glyn Faircloth is presently the Coordinator and Administrator of the CETA I program, which is entirely different from the two programs mentioned above. However, Mr. Faircloth is under the impression that he is also administrator of the CETA II and EEA Programs. Mr. Watkins suggested that if the Board would like the two programs to be administered by Mr. Faircloth, they should officially notify him of the assignment. At the present time staff members in the Clerk’s Office are attending meetings regarding these programs, as well as Mr. Faircloth.
It was the Board’s opinion that since the Board of County Commissioners will be liable for the funds involved with these programs, it should be administered through the Clerk’s Office. The Board requested a letter be sent to Mr. Faircloth informing him of the Board’s decision.
After much discussion, the Board of County Commissioners decided that the County would be unable to implement the funds available from the EEA program to its fullest extent and, therefore, on motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried, James C. Watkins, Clerk; was designated Project Coordinator of the EEA Funds, which will be distributed to the municipalities through the Clerk’s Office according to the population.
There was no action taken with regards to the CETA II Program until the Chairman could obtain more information about it.
checks received
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried, the Board accepted a check in the amount of $911.30 from the Supervisor of Elections for the sale of Voters list.
road maintenance – sUBDIVISIONS
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the resurfacing of North Palmetto Circle in Eustis Heights Subdivision on a 1/3 – 2/3 cost participation basis, being built to County standards, and that it be taken into the County Maintained System.
ACCOUNTS
Mr. William Hennessey, Acting Director of the Pollution Control Department, appeared regarding the conditions of his offices in his department. He presented three quotations for the purchase of carpeting. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the purchase of carpeting for the Pollution Control Office from Scotty’s in Eustis in the amount of $424.00. This is to be taken from the budget of the Pollution Control Department.
The Clerk presented three quotations for a new mower for the Courthouse lawns. On motion of Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried, the Board approved the purchase of a four cylinder, self-propelled, Snapper Lawn Mower (Commercial) at a total cost of $230.00. The lowest quotation was not accepted because it would not serve the purpose for which it would be used.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans, and carried, the Board authorized the payment of back dues for the East Central Florida Planning Council. Commr. Deems voted “no.”
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
_________________________________ ___________________________________
Clerk Chairman