A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

TOWNHALL MEETING - MOUNT DORA

NOVEMBER 12, 1992

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, November 12, 1992, at 7:00 p.m., in the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce Baggage Room, Mount Dora, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Donald B. Bailey; and Catherine Hanson. Commrs. Bakich, Swartz, and Gregg were not present due to prior commitments. Others present were: Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney; Robert K. McKee, Purchasing Director; Mike Anderson, Director of Facilities & Capital Improvements; Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services; John Swanson, Director of Planning; Gregg Stubbs, Director of Land Development Regulation; Steve Hiney, Recycling Coordinator; Ava Kronz, Administrative Assistant to the County Manager; and Marlene S. Foran, Deputy Clerk.

Mr. Gregg Stubbs gave the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commr. Hanson.

Commr. Hanson (District 4 Commissioner) opened the meeting by introducing Commr. Bailey (District 2 Commissioner); County Staff; and Mr. Glen Karr, Councilman, representing the City of Mount Dora, who were present in the audience. At this time, others present in the audience introduced themselves.

It was noted that, in addition to the department heads and staff members, there were approximately 17 individuals from the local community present.

UPDATE ON ROAD PROJECTS

Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services, appeared before those present and presented a brief overview of past, current, and future County road projects, as well as future Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) projects in the District 4 area. Mr. Stivender distributed a hand-out prior to the meeting listing past, current, and future projects in District 4, and the cost of said projects.

Discussion occurred regarding painting of the bridge located on Old Highway 441, in the vicinity of the Mount Dora Golf Club, at which time Mr. Stivender stated that his office has been contacted regarding this issue and is addressing said issue at this time.

Discussion occurred regarding the surface condition of a portion of Old Highway 441, in the vicinity of the Mount Dora Golf Club. Mr. Stivender stated that the south bound lane, of the portion of road in question, is the old concrete road, and that staff would review the condition of said road.

Discussion occurred regarding the need for a traffic signal at the intersection of Old Highway 441 and Bay Road. It was noted by a local resident present in the audience that a petition has been presented to the Department of Public Service requesting said signal. He, the local resident, stated that there have been several major accidents at the intersection. Mr. Stivender stated that a statistical analysis is scheduled to be performed within the next three months.

Mr. Stivender briefly reviewed the responsibilities of various departments within the Department of Public Services which includes Engineering, Road Operations, Special Services, Mosquito/Aquatic Plants, and Solid Waste.

Ms. Nancy Abbott, a resident of Eustis, stated that the mosquito population has been extremely heavy in the Townhill Subdivision area during the past year. Mr. Stivender responded to Ms. Abbott's concern, and stated that Mr. Eric Cotsenmoyer, Director of Mosquito-Aquatic Plant Management, has fifteen (15) spray trucks spraying the County on a regular basis. Mr. Stivender reviewed the method of determining which areas of the County are to be sprayed, and stated that the Townhill area will be reevaluated.

Mr. Stivender noted that a Board of County Commissioners' Solid Waste Workshop, which will include landfill mining, and the overall solid waste management plan, has been scheduled on November 24, 1992.

Mr. Stivender responded to questions and comments presented by the audience.

UPDATE ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Mr. John Swanson, Director of Planning, appeared before those present and provided an update on the current status of the Lake County Comprehensive Plan and reviewed the new Land Use Map.

Mr. Swanson stated that Exhibit B, a stipulated settlement agreement for the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, has been transmitted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for their review, and the settlement agreement has been verbally accepted by DCA. He stated that the current Lake County Comprehensive Plan will accommodate for a population growth of approximately 200,000 people in Lake County to the year 2005.

Mr. Swanson reviewed current changes and pointed out various density changes on the Land Use Map. The map currently reflects a density of seven (7) units per acre for land adjacent to cities; a density of four (4) units per acre for urban expansion categories; a density of one (1) unit per acre, with the ability for a Planned Unit Development ("PUD") to allow for up to three (3) units per acre, with specific restrictions, for the suburban expansion categories; and one (1) unit per acre for the rural village categories.

Mr. Swanson stated that the majority of the negotiations with DCA concerned approximately 106,000 acres in the area of critical state concern known as the Green Swamp.

Mr. Swanson responded to a concern expressed by a resident in the audience regarding the contamination of Lake County's underground water resources, and stated that regulations and inspections are adequate to protect Lake County's underground water resources. He stated that data shows that pest control used by the citrus industry is responsible for polluting the water.

At this time, the Board members and staff responded to questions presented by those present in the audience.





CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Mr. Mike Anderson, Director of Facilities & Capital Improvements, appeared before those present and discussed various projects, current and future, within the County system. He noted that an American Institute of Architecture Design Award, in the category of Public and Corrections Facilities, has been received for the plan and design of the Judicial Center.

Mr. Anderson stated that presently under construction is a 10,000 square foot archive and record storage facility for the Clerk of Courts, which is scheduled for completion toward the end of December. A new Tourist Information Center (Welcome Center) is scheduled for completion in February, and is located at the Industrial Central Park.

Mr. Anderson noted that the Criminal Justice Facility (Lake County Detention Center), the Judicial Center and the records storage facility have been funded by the infrastructure sales tax, and the Tourist Information Center has been funded by a tourist tax.

Mr. Anderson noted that there is approximately 200,000 square feet of new construction and renovation planned during the next three (3) years. At this time, he reviewed the proposed renovation of the existing facilities and stated that the old Jail will be renovated into an administrative office facility for use by the Sheriff's Department. Also included in the renovation project is the extensive interior renovation of the Old Courthouse. He stated that Odell & Associates will be doing the design of the renovation project, which is expected to take approximately eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months.

At this time, the Board members and staff responded to questions presented by those present in the audience regarding the budget, security at the Detention Center, and ad valorem assessments on the tax bill for the Hospital Districts and Ambulance Service.





There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.





___________________________

RICHARD A. SWARTZ, CHAIRMAN



ATTEST:







_________________________________

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK



MSF/11-12-92/11-13-92/BOARDMIN