A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OCTOBER 11, 1977
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened in regular session on Tuesday, October 11, 1977, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Present were: C.A. “Lex” Deems, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.; Thomas J. Windram; and Glenn C. Burhans. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; Andrea Gambrell and Jennifer Kennedy, Deputy Clerks.
The Invocation was given by James C. Watkins, Clerk, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by James R. Carson, Jr.
minutes
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried by those present, the Board approved the revised portions of the minutes of July 12, 1977.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried by those present, the Board approved the minutes of August 16, 1977, as amended.
courthouse complex/parking
In reviewing the minutes, the parking situation around the Courthouse was once more discussed. The importance of getting the parking situation straightened out with the possibility of assigning certain parking sections to certain departments, along with the possibility of centralizing the overnight parking of all county vehicles was highlighted. The Building Department will further consider all the possibilities and get back to the Board with its suggestions.
county employees
Commr. Deems brought to the attention of the Board that he and Mr. Andrew, County Engineer, had narrowed down the applicants for the vacant position of Road Superintendent. Commr. Deems and Mr. Andrew had jointly interviewed three applicants and were now ready to make a recommendation to the Board.
At this time Commr. Hoskinson arrived for the meeting after being detained at the Animal Shelter.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of the Board, as a whole, talking with the candidate for the “Field Superintendent” position. It was decided that Commr. Deems and Mr. Andrew’s final choice would be contacted and asked to appear before the Board later in the day.
civil defense
Mr. Ben Nation, Special Project Officer of Group 20, Civil Air Patrol, appeared before the Board to acquaint them with his groups’ activities and find the Board’s willingness in supporting their projects. Mr. Nation presented to the Board a brief history of his groups’ activities and aims, highlighting their volunteer emergency rescue cadet program. Mr. Nation then introduced Capt. Chuck Smith, the Group Commander, to the Board.
After some discussion with the Board, Mr. Nation asked if the Board would be agreeable to support their projects; namely, the construction of an emergency service building located at the Leesburg Airport, which when constructed would act as a co-ordination base for communications during a disaster or emergency.
No action being required, the Board thanked Mr. Nation for letting them know of the Civil Air Patrol’s activities and suggested that he talk with not only our County Planning Department, but also Mr. Driggers, of Disaster Preparedness, both of whom would be most interested in his groups’ activities.
county roads
Mr. Bill Horan, a Lake County Resident, appeared before the Board briefly regarding his recent request for repairs to Spring Lake Road.
Commr. Carson informed Mr. Horan that it had been decided that Spring Lake Road would be widened to 24’ and that a section of the road would be resurfaced sometime during the 2nd year of the 5-year resurfacing road program.
courthouse
Commr. Hoskinson brought before the Board a letter from Mr. Robert Pierce, Public Defender, expressing a need for additional office space. This request was referred to the Building Committee.
Commr. Hoskinson then brought to the attention of the Board a letter from the League of Women Voters requesting approval from the Board for them to sponsor an Open House at the Courthouse. Discussion followed. The request was turned over to the Building Committee to coordinate this suggestion.
accounts allowed
Commr. Hoskinson brought before the Board two Travel Requests from Mr. Driggers, Director of Disaster Preparedness.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved for Mr. Driggers to attend the Florida Civil Defense Association Annual Conference at Homosassa, Florida – Nov. 16 - Nov. 18 at a cost of $85.55. Also covered under the motion was authorization to attend Phase I Course in Civil Preparedness Career Development Program from No. 28 – Dec. 2 in Gainesville, Florida. It was pointed out that the Federal Government pays the expense of meals and lodging for this course. Lake County expense will be for travel only, which is 50% P&A funded by the Federal government. Estimated total cost $25.34.
contracts & agreements
Commr. Hoskinson reported to the Board his talks with Postal Colony, Inc. regarding the grove they are leasing from the County. Discussion followed.
No action was necessary at this time and the matter was referred to Commr. Deems to contact the Postal Colony officials and renegotiate the contract at $200/acre, subject to renegotiation at the end of next year.
reports
Commr. Carson brought to the attention of the Board that we need a cost report done for the Nursing Home.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board moved for Fred Shaw to audit the Nursing Home books as required by State Statutes. Commr. Burhans was absent for the vote.
resolutions/outdoor recreational facilities
Mr. Michael Willett, Planning Director, presented to the Board four (4) Resolutions and Boating Improvement Agreements, and two (2) Housing Rehabilitation Contracts.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board moved to sign the four (4) Resolutions and Agreements for the Florida Boating Improvement Program Project as follows:
1) Ramp Project for the City of Tavares
2) Lakeshore Drive Ramp project for the City of Leesburg
3) Leesburg Ramp and Dock for the City of Leesburg
4) Singeltary Roadside Park for City of Leesburg
contracts & agreements/grants
On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board moved to sign the two Southeast Umatilla Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Contracts as follows: Ida Mae Weatherspoon in the amount of $1,400, and Lula Richards in the amount of $3,600. Mr. Willett pointed out to the Board that the actual contract cost may be slightly less due to window prices which had not been firmed-up yet.
planning & zoning
Mr. Laurier A. Beard, a Lake County resident, appeared before the Board to ask that they reconsider the requirement for acceleration and deceleration lanes in regards to CUP 571-5, which the Board approved July 19, 1977. Discussion followed.
The Board decided to postpone any action regarding Mr. Beard’s request until 10:00 A.M., October 18, 1977. This postponement would allow the Planning Department to further investigate the matter and check the site plan.
county animal shelter
Discussion was held on the recent problems which have arisen at the County Animal Shelter. Commr. Hoskinson reported that Frankie Rouse, manager at the Shelter, had been on vacation the week of Sept. 26th and currently was out of the Shelter manning the control truck due to the injury of an employee.
reports & checks accepted
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board accepted the Excess Fees Report from the Clerk of the Court for the fiscal year 1976-77 along with a check in the amount of $73,466.73, covering those fees for the above-mentioned year.
accounts allowed
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board approved payment in the amount of $8.60 to cover an overpayment made to the Board at the end of the Fall Term of Court 1976.
bonds
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, the Board approved the following Contractor Bonds:
92-78 – Herb Spell (Residential)
105-78 – James R. Horst (Air Conditioning & Roofing)
157-78 – L. H. Baird (General Contractor – Painting)
196-78 – Norman G. Shrode, Sr. (Plumbing & Mechanical)
291-78 – Wise Marine Construction (Building Class B)
418-78 – Chris Dodds (Electrical)
633-78 – Eli E. Weirich (Heating and Air Conditioning)
649-78 – Thomas F. Evans (Electrical)
1032-78 – Glen Pelfrey (Masonry & Roofing)
1267-78 – M. Wayne Strong (Electrical)
1583-78 – Terry Neal (Electrical & Painting)
1584-78 – Harold D. Simmons (Air Conditioning)
1585-78 – Russell Blakeslee, Jr. (Electrical)
1586-78 – Jimmie Weekly (Sign Painting & Installation)
1587-78 – Thomas A. Walker (Building – Class C)
1588-78 – John W. Davis (Electrical)
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, the Board approved the cancellation of the following Contractor Bonds:
1022-77 – Harry Showers (Cement Contractor)
196-77 – Norman George Shrode (Plumbing & Mechanical)
489-77 – Lester Kalmanson (Building)
68-70 – Marcus Watters (General Contractor)
1432-77 – James Crabtree (Plumbing)
1521-77 – Ronald Wiley
92-77 – Herb Spell (General Contractor)
591-71 – Harry Moody (Signs)
1470-77 – Thomas Rausch
1114-75 – John Long
1334-77 – Jack Roberts
491-70 – Merry Sign Company
620-78 – Howard E. Lapierre (Aluminum Siding)
891-73 – Everett Miller (General Building)
1205-74 – James Shirley (Building Contractor)
1451-78 – James M. Bowen
1519-77 – Donald Ferrell (Electrical Contractor)
1368-77 – E. J. Hogan
1276-77 – Curtis Futch (Electric)
1418-77 – Daniel Davenport (Electrical)
1127-77 – McDonald Air Conditioning, Inc.
797-77 – Edward B. Plotner (Aluminum)
75-78 – Lee D. Poth Building Contractor
142-77 – Henry Purvis (Plumbing)
contracts & agreements/outdoor recreational facilities
On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board accepted for signature, subject to the approval of Christopher Ford, County Attorney, the Agreement between the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the Board for a Cooperative Seining Program.
accounts allowed
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved the purchase of an IBM Correcting Selectric II typewriter at a cost of $774.00 for Judge Caldwell. This purchase request was referred to Gary Knuckles, County Purchasing Agent, to negotiate and check on trade-in possibilities.
funds transfer
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the transfer of $4,439.66 from Mosquito Control’s Insecticides, Pesticides and Herbicides (Acct. #4212206-1) to their Equipment Account (#4212402-1) to cover the purchase of their new truck.
accounts allowed
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the purchase of one Latham Time Stamp for the Supervisor of Elections at a cost of $217.50.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Request for Travel from Jackson Haddox at the Agricultural Center for he and two additional employees to attend the 90th Annual Meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society at Lake Buena Vista, Nov. 1, 1977 – Nov. 4, 1977 at a cost of $90.00 per person for a total of $270.00.
reports & accounts allowed
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, the Board accepted the Spring Term Report of the Circuit Court from the Clerk and authorized payment of $10,899.50 to cover same.
contracts & agreements
At this time Christopher Ford, County Attorney, informed the Board that we had received the signed lease back from the Department of General Services for parts of the old Courthouse. Discussion followed regarding their expectations of us in regards to the Fire Marshall’s report.
Christopher Ford presented to the Board for signature the contract between the Lake County Health Department and the Board of County Commissioners covering the purchase of county gasoline.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Board approved for the Chairman to sign the above contract. Commr. Burhans voted “No.”
recess and reassembly
At 11:25 A.M. the Chairman announced a five-minute recess. The Board reconvened at 11:35 A.M.
accounts allowed/bids
Gary Knuckles, Purchasing Agent of the County, appeared before the Board. Discussion followed.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board moved for Mr. Knuckles to purchase a standard county letterhead, quantity 25,000.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved for Mr. Knuckles to purchase, as recommended county tires from whatever source is available at the state contract price.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved for Mr. Knuckles to advertise the bidding on two (2) new 1-1/2-ton trucks to be used to transport the prison work crews. The time and date of the bid opening to be determined by the Clerk.
On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board authorized Mr. Knuckles to purchase, as recommended by the Bigelow carpet representative, one (1) Model S Certified Pile Brush at $495.00 and one (1) Speedmaster Carpet Cleaner with stainless steel tank and nylon brush at $740.00 from Earl Horne, provided he is willing to demonstrate the machinery satisfactorily on our carpet before purchase.
county policy
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, the Board moved to adopt, as a guideline for the Purchasing Agent, the Bid Forms for county vehicles he submitted.
recess and reassembly
At 12:00 NOON the Chairman announced the Board would adjourn for lunch at the Silver Lake Golf and Country Club in Leesburg. The public and press were invited on a Dutch-treat basis.
The Board reconvened at 1:30 P.M.
road closing
At 1:30 P.M. the Chairman announced that the advertised time had arrived for the Board to consider the closing of cul de sac in Dexter Estates.
The Clerk stated that proof of publication had been received and the description of the road is as follows:
ALL THAT PORTION OF PERCH STREET ROAD CUL-DE-SAC LYING EASTWARD OF THE PROJECTION OF THE LOT LINE BETWEEN LOTS 1 AND 2 NORTHWARD IN DEXTER ESTATES, A SUBDIVISION IN LAKE COUNTY AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 18, PAGE 8 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF LAKE COUNTY.
Mrs. Lackey, petitioner, appeared before the Board regarding this road closing. Discussion was held on alternate ways to vacate the cul-de-sac because, according to law, the road would be divided between Mrs. Lackey and another property owner. Further discussion was held.
On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board postponed the closing of this road until November 15, 1977, at 1:30 P.M.
county employees
Mr. Andrew presented to the Board a traffic ticket which two of his men received from a Highway Patrolman. Mr. Andrew stated that the County Employees had apparently parked their vehicle on the roadway while obtaining information from a County sign. Mr. Andrew stated that signs were posted on the road the men were working and he feels they were given the tickets unjustly. Discussion was held. The Board requested the County Attorney to represent the two County Employees in Court on November 14th, 1977, at 10:00 A.M. regarding this matter.
zoning
zoning violation 77-57 J. Pospisil
No one appeared before the Board regarding this case. On a motion by Commr. Carson seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Pospisil in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave him 30 days to comply with Ordinance 1971-6.
zoning violation 77-66 Langley Fruit Company
No one appeared before the Board regarding this case. Mrs. Sandy Casburn, Code Enforcement Officer, informed the Board that the owner of the property was attempting to clean up the property in violation. Discussion was held.
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried, the Board postponed this case until November 8, 1977, at 2:00 P.M. or as soon thereafter as possible.
Commr. Carson voted “No” because he felt the property owner should be given 60 days to comply.
zoning violation 77-60 George Mouyas
Mr. Mouyas appeared before the Board regarding this case. He stated that he did not feel that the two cars in question were junk vehicles. Discussion was held as to what constitutes a junk vehicle.
On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Mouyas in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave him 60 days to comply with Ordinance 1970-1.
zoning violation 77-63 Carey Nettles
No one appeared before the Board regarding this case. On a motion by Commr. Burhans seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board found Carey Nettles in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave him 30 days to comply with Ordinance 1971-6.
zoning violation 77-51 Tommy Merrill
No one appeared before the Board regarding this case. Mr. Willett stated that Mr. Merrill had corrected the violation. On a motion by Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board dismissed the violation because Mr. Merrill had come into compliance.
recess and reassembly
At 2:30 P.M. the chairman announced that the Board would adjourn until 4:15 P.M.
county employees
Mr. Hennessey appeared before the Board’s consideration to make Ted Wicks, Acting Pollution Control Officer. Discussion was held.
Mr. Hennessey requested the Board consider giving Mr. Wicks some financial encouragement in order that he could continue with his education and become eligible for the position of Pollution Control Officer.
No action was taken on this request at this time.
checks received
On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board accepted the following checks from the Tax Collector which are the County’s share of the income collected for the tax districts as listed:
Northwest Lake County Ambulance Hospital District $ 622.79
Lake County Board of County Commissioners 93,419.24
Northeast Lake County Ambulance Hospital District 415.19
Northeast Lake County Hospital District 1,972.18
Board of Oklawaha Recreation, Water Conservation and
Control Authority 518.99
accounts allowed/budgets
On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved payment to the Sheriff in the amount of $122,680.59 which represents 1/12 of his budget for the 1977-8 Fiscal Year.
county employees
Mr. Porter appeared before the Board regarding the accidental omission of the position of Equipment Operator III at a salary of $8,200 a year. On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved for this position to be included in this year’s budget as stated above.
Mr. Wilbert Benedum appeared before the Board for an interview for the position of Field Superintendent in the Public Works Department. Upon completion of the interview it was moved by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, that Mr. Benedum be offered the position of Field Superintendent at a salary of $17,500 with a raise to $18,200 upon completion of the probationary period. His employment will begin as soon as possible.
POLLUTION CONTROL
Commr. Carson discussed with the Board the need for a Pollution Control Department in Lake County. Commr. Windram stated that he would look into the need for a Pollution Control Department in Lake County and report back to the Board at a later date.
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 P.M.
______________________________
C. A. “lex” deems, chairman
__________________________
jAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK