A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

May 22, 1979

            The Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened in Special Session on Tuesday, May 22, 1979, at 10:00 A.M. in the Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present were: Thomas J. Windram, Chairman, C.A. "Lex" Deems; G.Y. Middleton; James R. Carson, Jr.; and Glenn C. Burhans. Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; and Mary Grover.

            The Invocation was given by Mr. Watkins and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commr. Deems.

            SEWER TREATMENT PLANTS

            Commr. Windram stated that the purpose of the Special Meeting was to review the implementation plan regarding the North Lake County 201 Facilities Plan for the Mount Dora Area.

            Mr. Bill Whidden, Post, Buckley, Schuh, & Jernigan, Inc., came before the Board to present a brief presentation of the background of the recommended plan. Mr. Whidden stated the plan was revised so all the entities could implement. The revised plan is basically the same as the one that was approved before with the exception that all cities would have their own treatment plants with the same secondary treatment and spray irrigation. There would be eight plants instead of seven.

            Mike Willett, Director of Planning, stated that there were two concerns. The first being the possible location of the spray fields. Mr. Willett stated that under County Ordinances this would require a CUP (conditional use permit). The location east of Eustis near Blue Lake is under consideration. The second concern is allowing sewers in nonincorporated areas. Mr. Willett recommended the Board's approval subject to the amending of Section 11.3.1. Mr. Willett further stated the Board should have control over the area outside the city limits that are to be sewered.

The proposed changes are as follows:

A.        Present County Ordinance as well as the adopted Oklawaha River Basin Plan will require that all existing plants that do not meet the Code or the Plan must connect with the appropriate municipal sewer district when available.

 

B.        The Board should require that new developments within the sewer district go on central sewers if the cities wish to have them hook on. This should include any commercial or residential development of more than two (2) units per acre.

 

C.        Existing developments should not be required to be sewered unless it can be documented that a health and/or pollution problem is being caused by the use of septic tanks and that the area that the city wishes to sewer has a density of three (3) units per acre.

            The city is responsible for doing an appropriate study to show that these hazards exist and that remedial work on the septic tanks will not correct the problem. The final decision would be up to the Board of County Commissioners after the review by the appropriate departments.

            Mr. Clarence E. Holmes, a resident of Mount Dora, questions where the plant would be located and where the feeder lines would run. The plant is tentatively located north of Mount Dora.

            Mr. Richard Jelsma, a resident of Mount Dora, inquired as to whether the lines would be going out on Old U.S. Highway 441 from Mount Dora or out on Old Eustis Road, which is on the north side of Lake Gertrude. The answer to Mr. Jelsma's question was it would be on Hwy. 441 right now. Mr. Gordon Dake, City Councilman from Mount Dora, stated that the main line would be on Hwy. 441, but the line would go down in the vicinity of Old Eustis Road. Mr. Jelsma further stated he had one of the best percolation areas in the County and he would not like to be hit with additional costs unless it is necessary.

            Mr. Gordon Dake, City Councilman of Mount Dora, appeared before the Board to respond to item #C on the above changes. Mr. Dake stated they have no control over sources outside the city limits.

            He further stated that Mount Dora had been led into doing something they cannot handle themselves. He stated they needed help and needed hookups outside city limits that would help pay for and operate their plant which was built for this purpose. Mr. Dake stated that the plant was too big for the City of Mount Dora.

            Mr. Richard Knost, a retired clergyman of Sylvan Shores, appeared before the Board to state his concern about being called upon to help pay for the sewer plant that is not needed in their area.

            On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Middleton and carried unanimously, the Board approved the deletion of the sentence "Lake County will also cooperate by installing sewer collection systems for existing residences on septic tanks when those residents request said service or where a public health hazard is recognized to exist by the Board of County Commissioners," and to include in the wording the intent of Mr. Willett's suggestions of A, B, and C.

            On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board adopted the 201 Program as amended.

            There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, adjournment was at 11:00 A.M.

Thomas J. Windram, Chairman

James C. Watkins, Clerk