The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Tuesday, July 31, 1990, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Michael J. Bakich, Chairman; C. W. "Chick" Gregg; Don Bailey; Richard Swartz; and Thomas J. Windram. Others present were: Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney; Alan A. Thelen, County Manager; Ava Kronz, Assistant to the County Manager; Robert K. McKee, Chief Deputy Clerk; and Toni M. Austin, Deputy Clerk.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Mr. Don Findell, Director of Environmental Services, appeared before the Board and stated that the workshop would begin with discussion regarding the Water and Wastewater Master Plans, which have been revised significantly since the previous workshop with the Board and have incorporated input received from the municipalities in the last two months. He stated that he would like to accomplish several items, including the presentation of the revised plans, to request approval of the plans by the Board, and to request authorization from the Board to prepare and execute contracts with Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. to implement the activities specified in the contracts, not to exceed $165,000.00, with the funds partially budgeted in this years budget, and partially in next years budget.
Mr. Marc Walsch, Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., appeared before the Board to discuss the Water and Wastewater Master Plans. The study had identified four areas, which could potentially be served through a County wastewater system, as follows: Northeast Service Planning Area; Central Service Planning Area; Astor Service Planning Area; and the Northwest Service Planning Area. At this time, Mr. Walsch discussed one of the items brought up by the cities, which was the fact that some of these
service areas overlap areas where the cities would like to provide service. He then discussed the need for interlocal agreements
with the cities, with the agreements enacted to address several items, as follows:
Definition of terms
Definition of service area
Minimum levels of service
Design Standards
Required connections
Schedules
Development of rates, fees and charges
Review of rates, fees and charges
Anticipated operation and maintenance costs
Renewal and replacement outlays
Administrative costs
Special services surcharge
High strength surcharge
Facilities debt service reimbursement
Collection and disbursement of rates, fees and charges
Expansion of facilities - cost data, design standards
Expansion of service area
Sale of utilities
Purchase of utilities
Records and audits
Terms of agreement
Mr. Walsch directed the Board's attention to the Wastewater Master Plan Schedule of Implementation, and discussed the resolutions and ordinances to be considered as follows: Interim Package Treatment Facility Resolution; Connection Ordinance; Level of Service Ordinance; and MSBU/MSTU Ordinance.
Mr. Walsch went on to discuss ongoing studies which consisted of the following: Utility Management Plan; Acquisition and Negotiations with private utilities; FmHA Pre-Application; Revolving Loan Fund; and MSBU/MSTU Assessment Rolls.
Commr. Swartz discussed the pressures of development in the South Lake County urban node, and the development of package treatment plants, and suggested that the Board consider the financing through a MSTU/MSBU. Commr. Swartz stated that this area needed to be included in the master plans.
Mr. Walsch then discussed the process of putting a MSBU in place for the South Lake County urban node.
In summary, Mr. Findell reiterated that the funds are budgeted in this years and next years budgets, in order to implement the plans being discussed, and once again, requested approval of the
contracts with Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., for an estimated amount of $165,000.00, and an additional cost of approximately $40,000.00 to include South Lake County in the study.
Commr. Gregg made a motion, which was seconded by Commr. Bailey, to approve to negotiate the contract with Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., to include South Lake County at Highways 192/27.
Mr. Charlie Bowman, City of Leesburg, appeared before the Board to discuss the overlapping in the proposed city service areas, and how the areas were submitted to the County for review. Mr. Bowman further discussed supplying Mr. Findell with the necessary manpower, in order for the County to enforce the requirements of the package treatment plants, shifting the burden to the owner of the plants, and making them bring the plant into compliance, therefore saving the County a lot of money.
Mr. Bowman stated that he would like to see the percentage of violations that directly affect the environment. He stated that one of the incentives that the cities have had in the past to get people to annex into the cities is the utilities. He further stated that he totally supports the strengthening of the ordinances pertaining to the hookup systems.
The Chairman called for a vote on the motion, with the motion being carried unanimously.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 9:45 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess until 10:30 a.m.
CONTRACTS, LEASES & AGREEMENTS/TAX COLLECTOR
Ms. Eleanor Anderson, Director of Administrative Services/Budget, appeared before the Board to discuss a request from Mr. T. Keith Hall, Tax Collector, for an additional 800 square feet for the Auto Title/Tag Branch Office at the Leesburg Market Place, for an additional amount of approximately $8,000.00, to be adjusted to the FY 1990.91 budgets.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried, the Board approved the request from Mr. T. Keith Hall, Tax Collector, as stated above, and to include the negotiation and signing of the contract to reflect the additional amount of $8,053.44.
Commr. Windram was not present for the vote.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Mr. Don Findell, Director of Environmental Services, appeared before the Board and stated that the second half of the meeting involved a presentation on the Full Service Solid Waste Collection Plan. The Plan represents the work conducted by Camp, Dresser and McKee to-date in analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of Countywide solid waste collection, exclusive vs. non-exclusive franchising, bidding vs. negotiation of service areas, utilization of tipping fees vs. special assessments, etc. Mr. Findell stated that no affirmative action was needed by the Board, but only feedback, in order for the staff to finalize the plan.
Mr. Bob Hawfield, Camp, Dresser & McKee, appeared before the Board to discuss the Full Service Solid Waste Collection Plan, and to present a workshop summary.
Included in the summary report was an Evaluation of Alternative Collection Plans, Key Considerations; Lake County Collection Practices (chart); Franchise Hauler Market Share; Criteria and Procedures for Evaluation of Existing System; Alternative Collection Systems; Comparison of Level of Service Collection Service Alternatives, and Alternative Funding Mechanisms.
The recommendations made by Camp Dresser & McKee were as follows:
1. Establish exclusive franchise areas for residential collection and non-exclusive county-wide licenses for commercial collection.
2. Do not exclude any areas of the County from the exclusive franchise areas but make provisions for exemptions as discussed in the report.
3. Establish minimum standards for franchise haulers to include the provision of curbside recycling.
4. Institute a user charge on the annual tax bill for residential collection and disposal.
5. Continue hauler billing for commercial collection and disposal.
6. The County should prepare and issue bid packages for each residential franchise area to include a description of the work, contractor responsibilities, franchise agreement issues, and evaluation criteria and process.
7. Establish strong license requirements for commercial collection including rate review and approval, and provisions for commercial collection.
The following Implementation Plan was also presented to the Board:
1. Development of minimum standards.
2. Establishment of three franchise service areas.
3. Estimated costs and rates for the program.
4. Legal requirements.
5. Operational/administration requirements.
Included in the report was a Summary of Residential Collection Rates; Comparison of Residential Collection Costs for Counties in Florida with Mandatory Collection/Disposal; and an Implementation Schedule.
Discussion occurred regarding the contracts presently held by the County with the haulers, and the establishment of three franchise service areas.
Mr. Jeff Abernathy, AAA Refuse, appeared before the Board and stated concerns with putting areas of the County out to bid, which would cause a hardship for the smaller businesses. Mr. Abernathy suggested that the haulers meet with the County to review this process, and alternatives, since there are only five franchises left in the County.
Discussion occurred regarding the service offered by the existing haulers, recycling, the cost for the service, a number of haulers vs. one hauler, in regards to efficiency and safety, and negotiating with the haulers, in order not to put anyone out of business.
Mr. Hubert Hartman appeared before the Board in favor of mandatory collection. He stated that people will be dumping garbage, with the taxpayer paying for the cleanup. Mr. Hartman stated that, if the Board follows the fire assessment, costs may be reduced for garbage pickup.
Mr. John Berry, Berry's Refuse, appeared before the Board to discuss the proposed three areas, and stated that, if the area is divided, he would be forced out of business, because his service could not compensate such a large area.
Mr. Basil Hart, South Lake Refuse Service, appeared before the Board in favor of working with the present haulers. He stated that he felt the most efficient way of handling recycling would be to let the haulers handle it, and strongly suggested that the County work with the present haulers.
Mr. Roland Schmitt, Town and Country, appeared before the Board and requested that the Board work with the present haulers.
Mr. Thelen suggested that the Board meet again on September 4, 1990, on this issue, to consider information being suggested by the Board regarding new maps, which indicate franchise areas divided between the present collectors.
Commr. Swartz suggested also looking at smaller areas where
efficiency can be established.
Mr. Tom Daly, AAA Refuse, appeared before the Board and suggested that the population growth in each area needed to be taken into consideration.
Mr. Thelen questioned the timetable being presented, with Commr. Swartz stating that he felt the Board should proceed with a timetable from the consultants and staff, that would, at least on an interim basis, would allow the County to move toward exclusive franchises, with the haulers proceeding with the billing system they provide today.
Mr. Thelen stated that the County Attorney should also look at the issue of the negotiated procurement process.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
MICHAEL J. BAKICH, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
TMA/7-31-90/8-15-90