The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 16, 1999, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Administration Building, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman; Catherine C. Hanson, Vice Chairman; G. Richard Swartz, Jr.; Rhonda H. Gerber; and Robert A. Pool. Others present were: Sue Whittle, County Manager; Sanford (Sandy) A. Minkoff, County Attorney; Valerie Fuchs, Assistant County Attorney; Wendy Taylor, Administrative Supervisor, Board of County Commissioner's Office; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; and Sandra Carter, Deputy Clerk.

Commr. Cadwell gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

AGENDA UPDATE

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, informed the Board that there was a published Addendum No. 1 to the Agenda.

Ms. Valerie Fuchs, Assistant County Attorney, informed the Board that she would like to add to the Agenda, for action, the lawsuit of The Apollo Group vs. Lake County Tax Collector.

The Chairman announced that he would like to add to the Agenda an endorsement letter for the Community Development Block Grant Funding, on the Federal level, for Board action. He noted that he would handle it under his Commissioner's Business.

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to place on the Agenda the items noted above.

MINUTES

Regarding the Minutes of February 16, 1999, the Board requested the following changes:

On Page 14, Line 7, change Yokem to Yokel.

On Page 22, Line 6, change Hwy. 561 to Hwy. 448.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of February 16, 1999 (Regular Meeting), as corrected.

Regarding the Minutes of February 23, 1999, the Board requested the following changes:

On Page 11, Line 4, change February to March.

On Page 7, delete Lines 1 and 2, due to the fact that said language is a repeat of language contained on Page 6, Lines 32 and 33.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of February 23, 1999 (Regular Meeting), as corrected.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of February 24, 1999 (Special Meeting), as presented.

CLERK OF COURTS' CONSENT AGENDA

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the following requests:

Bonds - Contractor

Request for approval of Contractor Bonds - New, as follows:

NEW

1590-1999 Ira L. Stokes, Jr. d/b/a Lamar Stokes Plumbing

4711-1999 Lynn Gilbert d/b/a Imperial Enterprises by Gilbert (Swimming Pools)

4741-1999 Florence Lange d/b/a Lange Construction, Inc.

5271-2000 Earl Stanley Smith (Electrical Contractor)

5459-1999 Patrick Verner d/b/a Delta Star Electric

5580-1999 Donald G. Meyer d/b/a D. G. Meyer, Inc. (Air Conditioning & Heating)

5685-1999 Edward Mueller d/b/a Pike General Contracting, Inc.

5686-1999 David Hardenbrook d/b/a Affordable Electric, Inc.

Accounts Allowed/County Property

Request for approval of list of items to be deleted from Fixed Assets, for the month of March, 1999, in the amount of $36,033.89.

Accounts Allowed/Courts-Judges

Request for approval of Satisfaction of Judgment for John Frederick Warford, in the amount of $250.00, Case No. 9200845CFA01, and authorized proper signatures on same.

Audits/Education/Reports/State Agencies

Request to acknowledge receipt of State of Florida Auditor General Report No. 13394, Operational Audit of the District Board of Trustees, Lake-Sumter Community College, for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 1998.

Accounts Allowed

Request to acknowledge receipt of list of warrants paid prior to this meeting, pursuant to Chapter 136 of the Florida Statutes, which shall be incorporated into the Minutes as attached Exhibit A and filed in the Board Support Division of the Clerk's Office.

Municipalities/Ordinances

Request to acknowledge receipt of Ordinances from the City of Minneola, as follows:

Ordinance No. 98-03, annexing property belonging to Jeffrey S. Boykin, Kenneth C. Boykin, and W. Kenneth Boykin. Passed and ordained by the City Council of the City of Minneola, Florida, on May 12, 1998.

Ordinance No. 98-15, annexing property belonging to Lemon Tree Villas, Inc. Passed and ordained by the City Council of the City of Minneola, Florida, on August 25, 1998.

Ordinance No. 98-24, annexing property belonging to Clermont Commercial, Ltd. Passed and ordained by the City Council of the City of Minneola, Florida, on October 22, 1998.

Ordinance No. 98-09, vacating an unnamed road right-of-way on property belonging to Jaymark Builders and Developers. Passed and ordained by the City Council of the City of Minneola, Florida, on June 23, 1998.

Ordinance No. 98-10, vacating three platted road rights-of-way within the plat of Groveland Farms, property belonging to Oak Valley Development Corporation. Passed and ordained by the City of Minneola, Florida, on June 23, 1998.

Municipalities/Ordinances

Request to acknowledge receipt of For Your Information Item: Ordinance No. 1993-B, from the City of Umatilla, pursuant to Chapter 180, Florida Statutes (1989), creating a City of Umatilla Utilities Service District; establishing the boundaries of the district; authorizing the extension of municipal utilities within the district, based on the City of Umatilla utility line extension ordinance; requiring all persons or corporations living or doing business within the district to connect to the City Wastewater System, when available; providing for an effective date. Passed and ordained the 4^th day of May, 1993, by the City Council of the City of Umatilla, Florida, along with a copy of a map identifying the City of Umatilla Utilities Service District. The City of Umatilla is requesting that all development permits and activity occurring in this utility service area be forwarded to them.

Municipalities/Ordinances

Request to acknowledge receipt of Annexation Ordinance No. 99-10, from the City of Leesburg, annexing certain property owned by Zebulon Teeter and Louise Teeter, consisting of approximately 1.4 acres and being generally located south of SR 44 and east of Executive Boulevard, lying in Section 29, Township 19 south, Range 24 east, Lake County, Florida, which is contiguous to the city limits of the City of Leesburg, Florida; providing that said property so annexed shall be liable for its proportionate share of the existing and future indebtedness of said city; providing that such annexed property shall be subject to all laws and ordinances of said city, as if all such territory had been a part of the City of Leesburg at the time of passage and approval of said laws and ordinances; providing that such annexed territory shall be rezoned from County LM (Light Manufacturing) to City M-1 (Industrial); and providing for an effective date. Passed and adopted at the regular meeting of the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, held on the 8^th day of February, 1999.

Accounts Allowed

Request to acknowledge receipt of Monthly Distribution of Revenue Traffic/Criminal Cases, for the month ending February 28, 1999, in the amount of $138,816.69. Same period, last year: $160,528.37.

COUNTY MANAGER'S CONSENT AGENDA

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the following requests:

Community Services/Libraries

Request from Community Services for approval and signature on LCC-14, Lake County Library System Acceptance of Gifts Policy.

Accounts Allowed/Community Services/Contracts, Leases and Agreements/Grants

Request from Community Services for approval and signature on amendments to the agreements for annual grant funding between Lake County and Childhood Development Services, Lake County and Joining Hands, Inc. of Florida, and Lake County and Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church - Stuckey's Kids Program, increasing each agreement in the amount of $4,398.00, for a total of $13,194.00.

Communication Systems/Resolutions/Subdivisions

Request from Communication Systems for approval of Resolution No. 1999-47, renaming a portion of Poinciana Street (4-8097), in Royal Trails Subdivision, Unit 1, to Wildflower Way.

Accounts Allowed/Contracts, Leases and Agreements/Municipalities

Facilities and Capital Improvements

Request from Facilities and Capital Improvements for approval and signature on the Lease Agreement between Lake County and James L. Meadows, relating to Store Number 1208, located at Sunnyside Plaza, Clermont, Florida, for additional space for the South Lake Annex, for a period of 15 months, effective July 1, 1999, and expiring on September 30, 2000, in the amount of $16,500.00.

Accounts Allowed/Assessments/Budgets/Budget Transfers/Landfills

Fiscal and Administrative Services/Sheriff's Office/Solid Waste Management Services

Request from Fiscal and Administrative Services for approval of the following:

Budget transfer, in the amount of $90,000.00, from various accounts to Machinery and Equipment, Solid Waste Management Services, Landfill Enterprise Fund, to cover the cost of the new Solid Waste Assessment data base to be developed and implemented in the current fiscal year. An amount of $35,000.00 was carried over to this year's budget to begin development of this system, in order to determine the full cost for the scope of services needed. The database will be able to interact with the existing database in the Building Division. The project is necessary, because the existing database is not Y2K compliant and will need to be replaced.

Transfer of funds, in the amount of $10,000.00, from Contingency - Sheriff to Law Enforcement - Operating Expenses, Constitutional Offices, General Fund, pursuant to F.S. 30.49. The Sheriff is requesting a transfer from the General Fund Sheriff Contingency Account.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $44,909.25, that was posted for Lake Clair Place Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $27,000.00, that was posted for Park Place on Lake Joanna, Phase III (a/k/a Second Addition), Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $4,644.17, that was posted for Hojin Gardens Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $30,000.00, that was posted for Park Place on Lake Joanna, Phase IV (a/k/a Third Addition), Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Maintenance Bond, in the amount of $11,751.00, that was posted for Sawmill Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $8,229.15, that was posted for Westchester, Phase 3, Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Maintenance Bond, in the amount of $21,500.00, that was posted for Greater Pines, Phase 3, Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $13,614.49, that was posted for Hills of Lake Louisa, Phase 2, Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $5,745.00, that was posted for Savannas, Phase 2A, Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $72,400.00, that was posted for Lakes & Springs Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Public Works/Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for authorization to release a Letter of Credit, for Maintenance, in the amount of $15,000.00, that was posted for Chelsea Park Subdivision.

Accounts Allowed/Bids/Public Works/Road Projects/Roads-County and State

Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for approval to award CR 44A Resurfacing Project No. 4-99, Bid No. 99-061, to Professional Dirt Service, Inc., and to encumber and expend funds, in the amount of $295,325.00, from the Transportation Trust Fund - Commissioner Districts 4 and 5.

Accounts Allowed/Bids/Public Works/Road Projects/Roads-County and State

Subdivisions

Request from Public Works for approval to award Hancock Road (2-1254) South Extension Construction Project No.11-99, Bid No. 99-068, to Paquette Industries, L.L.C., and to encumber and expend funds, in the amount of $718,812.45, from the Road Impact Fee Fund - Benefit District 5 - Commissioner District 2.

Public Works/Municipalities/Resolutions/Roads-County and State/Signs

Request from Public Works for approval of Resolution No. 1999-41, authorizing the posting of "NO PARKING ANYTIME" signs north and south of the entrance to Palatlakaha Park, on Hull Road (2-00942), in the Lake Louisa area, south of Clermont, for a distance of 1100 feet north and 600 feet south of the entrance.

Public Works/Municipalities/Resolutions/Roads-County and State/Signs

Request from Public Works for approval of Resolution No. 1999-42, authorizing the posting of "NO PARKING ON RIGHT OF WAY" signs on both sides of CR 561, in the Astatula area, from its intersection with Georgia Avenue to its intersection with Vermont Avenue, for a distance of approximately 350 feet.

Deeds/Public Works/Rights-of-Way, Roads and Easements

Request from Public Works for approval to accept the following deeds:

Drainage Easement Deed

NIGA Limited Partnership

Old Hwy. 441 (3-0500A)

Road Project

Non-Exclusive Easement Deed

Magnolia Pointe Master Home Owners Association, Inc.

Magnolia Blvd.

Dedication

Kidd, Mark J., Sr. and Karol L.

Robbins Road

Road Project

Statutory Warrant Deed

LeBlanc, Richard F.

Colony Barn Road (2-0639)

LOR 99C-007

Statutory Warranty Deed

Shephard, Anthony and Kathy

Shephard, Gobel and Gracie

Jasmine Road (4-9079A)

LOR 99L-019

Shurilla, Louis and Geraldine

Leesburg Blvd. (5-5804A)

LOR 99L-018

Spears, Robert D. and Patricia A.

S. Fish Camp Road (5-6549)

FDE 99-001

Public Works/Resolutions

Request from Public Works for approval of Resolution No. 1999-48, advertising Vacation Petition No. 891, by Mr. James Napier, Representative Ms. Carolyn Bagony, Vallery Realty, Inc., to vacate road, Groveland Farms, Section 20, Township 23S, Range 25E, Groveland area - Commissioner District 2.

Assessments/Contracts, Leases and Agreements/Growth Management

Solid Waste Management

Request from Solid Waste Management for approval of the development of Year 2000 compliant software, in support of Special Assessment management, and that the approval be in the form of expanding the existing contract and purchase order with Perconti Data Systems, for development of the Growth Management module, to include the Special Assessment module.

COMMUNITY SERVICES/RESOLUTIONS/COURTS-JUDGES

It was noted that this item had been pulled from the County Manager's Consent Agenda, for presentation.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Proclamation No. 1999-49, declaring March 14-20, 1999, to be Juvenile Justice Week in Lake County.

Commr. Gerber, the Liaison Commissioner for Community Services, presented said Proclamation to Ms. Cindy Smith, Supervisor, Lake County Juvenile Justice.

Ms. Smith addressed the Board and thanked them for all the support the Department of Juvenile Justice has received, at which time she introduced the staff from the Department of Juvenile Justice.

LEADERSHIP LAKE COUNTY

The Chairman introduced Mr. Bret Wood, Leadership Lake County, to those present, noting that he was serving his internship with the Board this date, therefore, would be present during the meeting.

COMMITTEES/CONTRACTS, LEASES AND AGREEMENTS/PUBLIC WORKS

ORDINANCES/SIGNS

Commr. Swartz informed the Board that he had requested that this item be pulled from the County Manager's Consent Agenda, for discussion, noting that it was a recommendation from the Transportation Disadvantaged Committee, regarding the Bus Shelter License Agreement between Lake County and 20/20 Media. He requested the Board to postpone action regarding this request, until the County completes its Off-Site (Billboard) Sign Ordinance.

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to postpone action regarding a request from Public Works for approval of the Transportation (Bus) Shelter License Agreement between Lake County and 20/20 Media, until the County completes its Off-Site (Billboard) Sign Ordinance.

PERSONAL APPEARANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS

PERSONAL APPEARANCES

PRESENTATION - ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

GROWTH MANAGEMENT SERVICES/STATE AGENCIES/WATER RESOURCES

Mr. Gene Caputo, Intergovernmental Coordinator, St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), addressed the Board and introduced Dr. Carol Lippincott, Special Projects Manager, St. Johns River Water Management District, noting that she would be giving the Board a presentation regarding special projects that are planned for Lake County. He stated that he would be back before the Board in approximately one month, to update them on the Water 20/20 Project, at which time a presentation will be given regarding same. A packet of information, including a recreation guide to the district's lands, was distributed to the Board, for their perusal.

Dr. Lippincott addressed the Board stating that she was the Field Program Manager for the St. Johns River Water Management District's Upper Oklawaha River Basin Project. She updated the Board on some of the SJRWMD's restoration projects, which she noted are largely located in Lake County. She stated that the district's primary goal, in working in the upper Oklawaha River Basin, is to improve water quality. She stated that they hope the economic benefits of improved water quality will increase water based activities, such as swimming, bass fishing, sailing, wind surfing, etc., things that the residents of Lake County are currently limited in doing, because of the poor water quality of the lakes. She discussed how the poor quality of the lakes came about, noting that the majority of it came from muck farms located along the lakes. She stated that there are now 12,000 acres of muck farms in public ownership. She stated that the main purpose for the purchase of the muck farms was to discontinue the discharge of the nutrients from the farms into the St. Johns River. She stated that the SJRWMD feels the best way to reduce the nutrients that are in the water is to restore the muck farms to marshes and use them as giant filtration systems, to clean up the water in Lake Griffin and in the upper Oklawaha River. She stated that, at Sunnyhill Farm, they are 11 years into the effort of restoring the marshes; at the Oklawaha Prairie, they are approximately 7 years into the effort; and at Emeralda Marsh, they are 4 years into the effort. She stated that they are currently restoring 6,500 acres at Emeralda Marsh.

Dr. Lippincott stated that there is a second reason for poor quality in the Harris Chain of Lakes and in the upper Oklawaha River Basin that the SJRWMD is trying to deal with and that is that the system has three dams, one on the Apopka-Beauclair Canal, one on Haines Creek, and one on the upper Oklawaha River. She stated that the dams have been kept shut, to stabilize the system; however, it has caused the system to become stagnant. She stated that the SJRWMD wants to set up a different way of operating the dams, so that they are open more often, which will allow the system to flow more often and flush out some of the sediments that have settled in the water, but, more importantly, the SJRWMD wants to restore some of the fluctuations in the water level, due to the fact that there are 12,000 acres of marshes that are being restored, to be filtration marshes, and they need higher water levels to get water into those marshes in the wet season, but they also need somewhat lower levels, so that, in the dry season, the marsh soils can be exposed to air, which compacts the sediments that have been filtered out and allows marsh vegetation to establish, which further enhances the filtration capacity of the marshes. She stated that the SJRWMD is trying to meet the challenge of trying to provide environmental benefits of more fluctuation and more flow, while still working within the obvious constraints of the fact that people live on the edges of the lakes and they cannot be flooding homes and also the fact that people have come to rely on boat access out of canals, so they cannot lower water levels to the point where they have unreasonably limited boat access. She stated that the SJRWMD is working on a plan to change the dam regulation schedule, within those constraints, and she hopes to be back before the Board within one year, discussing the details of said plan.

Dr. Lippincott stated that the SJRWMD is pleased with the progress of the restoration projects, so far, and is very pleased with the public involvement in said projects. She noted that they now have over 200 volunteers working with them. She then answered questions from the Board regarding said projects.

PERSONAL APPEARANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS

PERSONAL APPEARANCES

PRESENTATION - NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER AND RAILS TO TRAILS

OUTDOOR RECREATION/PUBLIC WORKS/STATE AGENCIES

Mr. John Moore, Director of Sports and Health, Orlando Regional Healthcare System, addressed the Board and introduced Mr. Jeff Duke, Director, National Training Center, stating that he would be giving the Board a presentation regarding the USA Triathlon National Training Center.

Mr. Duke addressed the Board stating that the Orlando Regional Healthcare System was approximately one year away from opening the USA Triathlon National Training Center, which he feels will have a large economic impact on the County, as well as positive growth, with regard to sports. He stated that the Training Center would be coming on line, in conjunction with the new South Lake Hospital. He stated that it will be on a master campus that they have tied in with Lake Sumter Community College and the University of Central Florida, on their west campus. He stated that it comprises 350 acres and will contain a Wellness Center that will serve over 3,000 people and a medical facility that will have some of the best national and international sports doctors in medicine. He stated that nine partners, on a state level, have joined hands to make this $60 million project come about. He stated that the State of Florida is in the process of partnering with them, so that this facility will become Florida's official Olympic Development Center for children all over the State that have done well in their sports, that want a place to come for their sports medicine, sports science, and coaching that they traditionally cannot get in their home areas. He stated that he was not talking about the traditional sports of football, basketball, and baseball, but the other 47 Olympic sports.

Mr. Duke stated that USA Triathlon, the national governing body for the Olympics, will be relocating its offices to this facility. He stated that their biggest fear is that they will be small the day they open, because there are so many people that want to relocate to the facility. He stated that the best athletes from all over the country will be training at the facility, in 17 different sports, even though Triathlon is the featured sport. He stated that, with regard to the International scene, they have signed a 12 year contract with the British Olympic Association, who is the second largest Olympic delegation in the world, that will bring in hundreds of athletes and 20 different disciplines of sport. He stated that seven other European countries also want to have a presence on the campus. A video and overview of the entire master plan of the campus was shown to the Board, at which time it was noted that all the facilities will be open to the public.

Mr. Duke thanked the Board for their support, however, noted a concern he had about the project, being that it was very important that they be able to tie into the County's Rails to Trails System. He stated that one of the things they were able to sell to the U. S. Olympic Committee, the State of Florida, and the British Olympic Association, was the fact that there would be access at the back of the facility to the Rails to Trails connector through Lake County. He stated that, presently, the Trail runs through Clermont and Minneola and ends at the Lake County line. He stated that it does not pick up again until one gets to the West Orange Trail, on SR 50. He stated that the County made a commitment that this corridor would be completed. He stated that it is important to the facility, because there are going to be thousands and thousands of athletes that will be coming to Lake County to train and part of that training is riding a bicycle, no matter what the sport is. He stated that it was important to find out exactly where the County is, with regard to the Rails to Trails connector through Lake County, from the City of Minneola to the Orange County line that runs along the back of the facility's property. He stated that he would like to obtain some direction from the Board, regarding the matter.

Mr. Craig Willis, representing Rails to Trails, addressed the Board stating that he was concerned about the fact that there is some infighting going on, on the State level, with P-2000 funds. He stated that there will be ISTEA funds available, to build the trail, however, noted that Rails to Trails does not own the first piece of property, with regard to it. He requested the Board to send a Resolution to the Governor of the State of Florida, as well as the House and Senate, indicating how important this leg of the trail is to Lake County. He stated that the County stands a chance of losing Phase II, which is the connector between the Minneola section of Phase I of the South Lake Trail and the West Orange Trail. He stated that he felt the money was there, it is just that rail trail acquisitions are very difficult, because they involve a lot of issues.

Mr. Fred Schneider, Engineering Director, Public Works, addressed the Board stating that one of the things Public Works has been working on, for the past nine months to a year, is the alignment for the USA Triathlon, along Hancock Road. He stated that, while they have been designing said road, they have also been designing the Trail alignment for approximately one and a half to two miles, that will be incorporated with the road construction. He stated that two tunnels will cross underneath north Hancock Road, so that bicycle/pedestrian traffic will be separated from vehicular traffic. He stated that that is where his focus has been and now that he was in the position of Engineering Director, he was going to take the lead on the entire Rails to Trail project and move forward with it. He stated that it is being treated as a high priority project and he feels that, within one year, it will be ready.

RECESS AND REASSEMBLY

At 10:10 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess until 10:25 a.m.

PERSONAL APPEARANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

SUPPLEMENTAL FIRE RESCUE ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION

ASSESSMENTS/FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES/RESOLUTIONS

Ms. Sarah LaMarche, Senior Director, Fiscal and Administrative Services, addressed the Board stating that they had before them a Resolution, which provides for the collection of fire rescue assessments that were either omitted from the assessment roll, or were not listed on the tax roll, as of the effective date of the roll. She stated that representatives from Government Services Group (GSG) were present, to give a presentation and answer any questions the Board might have regarding the matter.

Ms. Camille Gianatasio, Government Services Group (GSG), addressed the Board stating that last year they were hired to help the County develop an assessment program to fund the County's improved fire service that staff had proposed in the County's Five Year Plan. She stated that, in August of 1998, the Board adopted an ordinance and an initial assessment resolution and sent out notices to all affected property owners, notifying them what their assessment was going to be for the upcoming year, then, in September of 1998, the Board adopted a Final Assessment Resolution. She stated that GSG knew there were some properties that did not get noticed and were not included on the assessment roll, so they proposed to come back and help the County clean up those properties. She stated that one of the problem areas were those individuals who received a Certificate of Occupancy, from January through December 31, 1998, who she noted will not show up on the tax roll for almost another year. She stated that it would be a one time assessment for those properties. She stated that the County has implemented a procedure, to become effective January 1, 2000, where everyone that obtains a Certificate of Occupancy, or Building Permit, pays a pro-rata share of the assessment at that time, so the County will never have to create this assessment roll again. She stated that the other problem area is a group of properties on the Supplemental Roll that involve some errors, which she noted are in a large part, due to GSG. She stated that, in order to appease that issue, GSG would not be charging the County for this part of the Assessment Program, however, would be charging to do the annual up-date this Summer, to help off-set the problems they created with those errors.

Ms. Gianatasio stated that, on February 23, 1999, they sent out approximately 2,893 bills, of which 2,349 were due to errors. She stated that approximately 544 of them were properties that had received a Certificate of Occupancy since last January. She stated that most of the errors involved mobile home parks and the number of units within those parks, or commercial structures that might have been located in those parks that might have been missed. She stated that, due to the fact that GSG did not receive good information from the Property Appraiser about which districts to include, they missed two small areas, which they had to include on the Supplemental Roll. She stated that the revenue from the Certificate of Occupancy properties and the errors in question amounts to approximately $498,000.00.

Ms. Gianatasio stated that the majority of the people that were in error have been paying the assessment on their tax bills, for all the years that the Assessment Program has been in place, they just missed them this year. She stated that the policy direction was to send out the bills and allow for a 4% discount, which is in effect until May 1, 1999, so everyone is being allowed approximately 45 days to pay their bills and receive a 4% discount, much like they receive for taxes. She stated that the assessments become delinquent on May 1, 1999. She stated that, sometime in July of this year, when GSG creates the County's annual assessment roll for next year, anyone who has a delinquent amount from the Supplemental Roll will transfer that amount to next year's tax bill, in addition to next year's assessment. She stated that, by next November, everything should be correct and everyone should be up to speed about where they are on the tax roll. She stated that they created a tax roll of approximately 80,000 records and the errors represent approximately 2,300 of them, which they apologized for. She thanked Ms. Sarah LaMarche, Senior Director, Fiscal and Administrative Services, and Ms. Pam Kirshner, Assessment Specialist III, for their patience regarding this matter.

The Chairman opened the public hearing.

Mr. Richard Hosington, a local resident, addressed the Board and requested fair treatment not only for himself, but for the other people who live in his mobile home park who are concerned about this issue. He stated that he owns a park model that he pays 12 months of taxes on, for 4 months of wear and tear on county facilities. He stated that the amount of the fire tax and the way that it is being assessed is what he and the other residents of the park are concerned about. He stated that his mobile home is on one parcel of land and he has another parcel of land that his friends and family put their RV on, while visiting, and if it happens to be the day that the assessor comes around and sees the RV on the lot, he is assessed $82.00 for the entire year. He stated that the lot may not be used more than one or two weeks out of the year, but he is assessed for the full amount.

Mr. Roy Shutler, a winter resident of Palm Shores RV Condominium Association, addressed the Board stating that he also owns two parcels, like Mr. Hosington, and is concerned about the fact that most of the time the park he lives in is misrepresented as a mobile home park, even though they are certified in the County and the State as an RV park. He stated that it has caused problems on a number of occasions. He questioned why everyone was assessed $82.00, regardless of the value of their real estate.

Commr. Cadwell stated that everyone is assessed a flat fee of $82.00, because the County feels that no matter what the size or cost of the residence is, they are sending out all the fire rescue equipment the County has.

Mr. John Doyle, a winter resident who lives in a motor home, addressed the Board stating that he was told the assessor would not assess an empty lot; however, if there is something on the lot, they will assess it. He was informed that that was correct, at which time he informed the Board that he was assessed, even though there was nothing on the lot.

It was noted that staff picked the peak time of the year to do the assessing, when it would be more likely that people would be using their RV lots.

There being no further individuals who wished to address the Board, the Chairman closed the public hearing.

Commr. Hanson stated that she voted against the assessment originally, because she felt it was not equitable, based on property values. She stated that she felt it would and has created a hardship for some of the lower income people in the County, as well as for landlords, who are forced to collect those dollars for the County, which makes for a very tough situation, however, noted that she voted to support bringing into compliance those people who were overlooked, to make it fair to those people that were charged.

A motion was made by Commr. Hanson and seconded by Commr. Swartz to approve Supplemental Fire Rescue Assessment Resolution No. 1999-43, bringing into compliance for this year those people who were missed during the process.

Under discussion, Commr. Cadwell stated that most of the items brought up this date were concerns about the fire system, but not particularly the actions that the Board has taken, however, noted that the comments that were made did not fall onto deaf ears. He stated that the Board struggled with those issues, as they went through the assessment process, and was sure that they would do it again next year, when the Board readdresses the assessment issue.

Commr. Swartz stated that he felt the equity issue was important and that he felt it would be inequitable to not correct the billing, in Mr. Doyle's case.

Commr. Gerber stated that she was going to stay consistent and vote against the motion. She stated that the County made the mistake, therefore, she felt it should have eaten the loss. She stated that she was outvoted previously and expected to be outvoted again.

The Chairman called for a vote on the motion, which was carried unanimously, by a 4-1 vote.

Commr. Gerber voted "No".

CITIZEN QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD

Mr. Joe Franzwa, a resident of Dexter Estates, in Astor, addressed the Board and questioned when the Dexter Road and Alco Road projects would be completed, noting that both projects had been approved by the Board.

Commr. Hanson informed Mr. Franzwa that, even though said projects had been approved, because the roads were going through the Ocala National Forest, the County had some extra problems to deal with.

Mr. Fred Schneider, Engineering Director, Public Works, addressed the Board stating that the County had approved a contract for the design and permitting of Dexter and Alco Roads, which he expected to be signed and in place sometime this month, however, noted that it would probably be one to two years before said roads would be paved. He noted that they would be gas tax projects.

PERSONAL APPEARANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS

PERSONAL APPEARANCES

PRESENTATION - HORIZONS WEST

GROWTH MANAGEMENT/ZONING

Mr. Jim Sellen, Principal-in-Charge, and Mr. Jeff McNeil, Miller, Sellen, Connor & Walsh, addressed the Board, regarding the issue of Horizons West. He stated that his firm started Horizons West in 1993 and, in 1995, some changes were made to Orange County's Comprehensive Plan, putting Horizons West in place in Orange County. He stated that, in 1998, the first village (Lakeside) was approved and last week the second village (Bridgewater) was approved. He stated that this plan has been very much a regional planning process. He stated that the boundaries go from SR 50, on the north, to Hwy. 192 on the south, and from the Chain of Lakes, in Orange County, on the east, to U.S. 27 on the west. He stated that they were looking at this plan as a regional planning solution and not so much as one that was oriented toward one governmental jurisdiction. He stated that, in approximately fifteen years, there will be 60-80,000 people living in the area in question, due to some new infrastructure that is going to spark development, one being the Western Beltway, which is going to have a tremendous impact on bringing people into the area. He stated that they tried to look at the trends of development and provide an overall vision, therefore, required a diversity of housing types and open space, in terms of preserving areas that they knew they did not want to develop in the future, for things such as an extension of Rails to Trails.

Mr. Sellen stated that the basic concept of a village is a village center, anchored by two to four neighborhoods and, with regard to the projects that have been developed, that is exactly what is happening, at which time he reviewed a map indicating the location of Lakeside and Bridgewater, the two villages that exist today. He stated that they are working with the Expressway Authority, getting the Town Center in place and using this process to acquire right-of-way that is needed, both for the expressway and for the east/west roads through the Town Center. He stated that one of the things that came out of this process was the need for additional roadways, noting that the connection between the Disney World employee entrance and the expressway will generate 38,000 trips, in the next fifteen years, which will require a six lane road. He stated that he felt the County was going to be looking at the same thing, for the roadway from the expressway to Hwy. 27. He stated that, when doing specific area plans for villages, before development can take place, right-of-way is donated, which saves the taxpayers millions of dollars in right-of-way costs. He stated that a school has to be donated and a park site developed, as well. He stated that they get the civic infrastructure that is necessary to build communities up front, which makes a big difference in the plan. He stated that the neighborhoods feed the Village Center, which feeds the Town Center, which feeds the Region.

Mr. Sellen stated that the benefits of this process is building communities with a legacy, something that is permanent, the ability for the County to control its destiny, with some predictable development patterns, and better opportunities for regional and environmental protection, etc. He stated that he feels the process has been very successful, since 1995, when it was started. He stated that the State changed its legislation and adopted what is called Sector Planning, which means that, if development occurs now in Horizons West, the County will not have to do developments of regional impact, because all those issues have already been addressed, which is an incentive to the development community.

Mr. Sellen stated that he felt, because of the fact that the Beltway is going in, they are going to be able to use this process, not only to deal with the needs for right-of-way for the Beltway, but for the major roads and infrastructure that the County currently has, which puts it, for the first time, ahead of the ball game, in terms of getting the civic infrastructure that is needed to support development. He stated that the development pattern has a great deal of support from the development community, noting that Lakeside Village, where development has started, has had some startup issues, but primarily with utilities. He stated that Orange County and Lake County are joined at the hip and he, as a planner, does not understand how the process will work, in the long term, if Lake County is not involved. He stated that the County can take the process and the building blocks and shape them however it wants - they can change some of the densities or approaches, keep the villages, but make them less urban, or more rural, or change the walking distances to schools, etc., but, as a basic component of the Comprehensive Plan, if Orange County is doing one thing and Lake County is doing something totally different, it will not work. He stated that it is only through intergovernmental coordination and cooperation that the problem of urban sprawl is going to be solved. He stated that he felt the County was strategically important as to the success of this process. He stated that Lake County does not have to do exactly what Orange County is doing, but it does have to do something that will address this type of village pattern, for it to work in the region. He encouraged the Board, when they had the opportunity, to take another look at Horizons West, noting that the State would be very receptive to bringing Lake County into the overall sector designation for Horizons West, which he felt would be a benefit to the County and the development community, and the State would be very receptive to the changes in the Comprehensive Plan.

Commr. Hanson stated that she felt Mr. Sellen brought to the Board's attention some very important points, noting that she had stated many times, during the Comprehensive Plan, that the County was too short-sighted, because they were not looking at build out and then working back, which she noted is what Mr. Sellen did. She stated that the County was looking at build out versus slow growth and, by looking at slow growth, the Board was still not looking at the big picture, such as where schools and transportation was going to be needed. She stated that the Board was thinking about how it could stop growth, rather than how it could encourage and provide something that is better, as in a total community, rather than subdivisions that are scattered all around. She stated that she felt the Board was narrow-minded, to think that it was going to stop growth, and by stopping it and putting their heads in the sand, they were not allowing themselves to look at what the County is really going to wind up with, in 50 to 100 years.

Mr. Sellen stated that the process provides the ability to define what the Board wants the growth to be, rather than the growth defining itself. He stated that the Board has to look at it in such incremental pieces that it never really gets a handle on it. He stated that, if Lake County were to do this type of thing, they could change the area between Hwys. 50, 192, 27, and the Lake County line to one overall designation called a village and then could say that, in order to develop within that village, one would have to bring in a specific plan for the area that they would want to develop and it would have to meet the criteria of a specific area plan. He stated that, once that is adopted, it would become a Comprehensive Plan amendment. He stated that the threshold is approximately 3,000 acres at the top and 1,000 acres at the bottom, however, pointed out the fact that somewhere between those two figures one would still have to deal with lakes, wetlands, etc., so just carving out a nice rounded parcel does not always work.

Commr. Pool informed the Board that he had had the opportunity of hearing this presentation approximately six weeks earlier and was very impressed with not only the planning that has been done, on the part of Horizons West, but the joint plan that the Board needs to be involved with. He stated that, when one looks at the Western Beltway and how close it is to Lake County and the transportation corridors on Hwy. 27, it is only a matter of time before they open up. He stated that the Board has the opportunity to plan, with a vision, and actively approach this development, rather than react to it. He stated that, so far, there has been a piecemeal approach throughout the County. He stated that the County has a chance to have communities that it can be proud of and not something that they have done to just look back on and say that they tried. He stated that, without joint planning and proper vision, the County will have problems in the southern part of the County, as well as the entire county.

Commr. Swartz stated that he would like to see a more detailed plan of what is already on the ground, so that he could look at it more carefully than what he was shown this date. He stated that he was not sure that Lake County and Orange County were joined at the hips, noting that while Lake County, Orange County, and Florida governmental agencies do not have the benefit of having a single entity that is in control of urban growth boundaries, etc., cities and counties have not been able to work within their own jurisdiction, much less across county lines. He pointed out the fact that he felt a weakness in the plan presented this date was that they were considering school sites, rather than schools.

Mr. Sellen interjected that Commr. Swartz was correct, noting that that was a weakness. He stated that another weakness they found and are in the process of correcting is that, when these plans were drawn up, not enough emphasis was placed on the financial mechanisms necessary to provide that civic infrastructure, so they are doing that now, in Bridgewater.

Commr. Pool stated that he felt a workshop, or even a number of workshops, would be in order, to discuss this matter, so that the Board can have a comfort level of what Horizons West is doing, how everyone can work together, and what the Board needs to do, to ensure the success of that area.

Commr. Gerber proposed that the County Manager put together a team from Growth Management, the Public Works Transportation Department, and representatives from the School Board and start meeting with whoever is in charge, at the County level, with Miller, Sellen, Connor & Walsh, to see what is happening on the County's side of the issue, and look at what the County has and what it needs to do. She stated that she felt the County needed to start working on it, because the timing is perfect.

Mr. Sellen stated that he did not feel Lake County should adopt what Orange County has, but do something that is uniquely Lake County.

The Board thanked Mr. Sellen and Mr. McNeil for their presentation.

REPORTS

COUNTY ATTORNEY

CLERK/DEEDS/TAX COLLECTOR

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, informed the Board that the County has been working with the Lake County Tax Collector, Mr. Bob McKee, who has been attempting to collect past due taxes on old certificates that were sold. He stated that, in trying to collect a very large amount of past due taxes from an RV park in south Lake County he was sued, however, noted that said suit has been resolved. He stated that the Courts approved the settlement and authorized him to sign it, on behalf of the Board. He requested approval to do so.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Attorney for authorization to sign a settlement agreement, on behalf of the Board, with regard to Case No. 99-565-CA-01, The Apollo Group, a California corporation, as general partner of The Apollo Group, Ltd. vs. Lake County and Mr. Robert McKee, as Tax Collector of Lake County, Florida, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court, in and for Lake County, Florida.

COUNTY MANAGER'S DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS

COMMITTEES/FACILITIES AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

OUTDOOR RECREATION/WATER AUTHORITY

The Chairman informed the Board that he had met with staff and the Lake Soccer League and had a meeting scheduled for Monday, March 22, 1999, with the Water Authority, to try to resolve the problem involving the Hickory Point Soccer fields, therefore, requested the Board to postpone action regarding this matter until the April 6, 1999 Board Meeting.

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to postpone action regarding a request from Facilities and Capital Improvements to direct the Lake County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to continue the current Parks and Recreation Grant Policy for the Hickory Point Soccer fields and not provide soccer field maintenance assistance to the Lake County Water Authority and the Lake Soccer League at this time, until the April 6, 1999 Board Meeting..

CONTRACTS, LEASES AND AGREEMENTS/STATE AGENCIES

FACILITIES AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

Mr. Chuck Pula, Parks and Recreation Manager, addressed the Board stating that they had before them a request to modify an agreement that was executed with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), on December 15, 1998, with regard to McTureous Memorial Park. He stated that the County requested a check from FDOT, in the amount of $80,000.00, however, upon review of the contract, their attorney recommended a deletion of Item No. 9. B., a section of the agreement that they felt made it clear that the money would be sent to the County in advance, rather than be reimbursable. He requested the Board's approval of same.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from Facilities and Capital Improvements for approval to modify the Joint Participation Agreement between the Florida Department of Transportation and Lake County, regarding McTureous Memorial Park.

CONTRACTS, LEASES AND AGREEMENTS/MUNICIPALITIES

FACILITIES AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS/OUTDOOR RECREATION

Mr. Chuck Pula, Parks and Recreation Manager, addressed the Board stating that this request pertained to a request from the City of Leesburg for a second amendment to their interlocal agreement with the County, with regard to funding, for some improvements to be made at Fountain Lake Park. He stated that the City of Leesburg has already asked for previous extensions and this is another request for an additional extension of one year. He stated that this would set somewhat of a precedent, noting that the County has never encouraged cities to carry projects this far forward. He informed the Board that this project was underway and there were some extensive engineering concerns about the project. He stated that Fountain Lake Park is adjacent to the City's offices and is definitely a major enhancement to the downtown area. He stated that staff is hopeful the project will be completed within the year.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from Facilities and Capital Improvements for approval for the Chairman to execute a Second Amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Lake County and the City of Leesburg, relating to contribution of Infrastructure Sales Tax Funds, for community recreational facilities, for a one year extension, to complete the Fountain Lake Park Project.

OTHER BUSINESS

APPOINTMENTS-RESIGNATIONS/COMMITTEES

Commr. Pool questioned whether the Environmental Protection Advisory Board could be expanded, noting that he was very impressed with the qualifications of some of the applicants that had applied for a position on said Board and felt that it would be a shame to miss out on them.

Commr. Cadwell stated that there was a lot of discussion about that fact, when the Board was created. He stated that they tried not to make the committee too large.

Commr. Pool stated that another thing that concerned him was the fact that the committee calls for a representative from the development community and he did not see any individuals from the development community out of those individuals who applied for the position.

Dr. Robert Taylor, Executive Director, Lake County Water Authority, and Chairman of the Environmental Protection Advisory Board, addressed the Board stating that, speaking as Chairman of the group, he would not want to get the committee too large, because it makes it difficult to conduct business. He stated that, up to this point in time, they have had good participation and he feels the members are very interested in participating; therefore, he does not expect to have a problem with attendance. He stated that the only position he has had a problem with, with regard to attendance, is that of a representative from the School Board, which he thought might be due to the fact that one has not yet been appointed. He stated that he was hoping the Board was going to be able to deal with that issue this date.

It was noted that the School Board had made a recommendation to the Board, regarding said appointment.

The Chairman suggested that the Board make the appointments that were available to them this date and, in the meantime, have the County Attorney's Office report back to the Board, with regard to expanding the size of the committee, or whether the Board would even want to expand it.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board appointed the following individuals to vacant positions on the Environmental Protection Advisory Board:

Member of the Engineering Profession

Mr. Robert E. Farner

Member Representing the Environmental Community

Dr. Robert W. Taylor

Member Representing the Business Community

Mr. F. Lee Porter

Member Representing Agricultural Interests

Ms. Nadine Foley

At-Large Member

Mr. Bernard J. Yokel

Member Representing Lake County Schools

Ms. Jennifer Graves

Member Representing St. Johns River Water Mgmt. District

Mr. Gene Caputo

Member Representing Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission or Other State Agency

Mr. William S. Coleman

APPOINTMENTS-RESIGNATIONS/COMMITTEES/COMMUNITY SERVICES

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board appointed the following individual to the vacant position on the Lake County Cultural Affairs Council, replacing Ms. Susan Weinstock, who resigned, to complete a term ending June 20, 2001:

Ms. Elizabeth Reed

APPOINTMENTS-RESIGNATIONS/COMMITTEES/GROWTH MANAGEMENT

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board appointed the following individual to the vacant position on the Impact Fee Evaluation and Review Committee, in the position of Citizens-At-Large, to complete a term ending August 6, 2000:

Ms. Debbie Vanier

STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board set Student Government Days for April 20 and 27, 1999.

REPORTS

COUNTY MANAGER

ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/BONDS/PURCHASING

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, informed the Board that, at the February 2, 1999 Board Meeting, staff presented the results of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an investment banker for the refunding of the racetrack bonds and, at that time, the Board approved for staff to ask for a fee quote from the three firms that submitted an RFP and were selected. She noted that they were all very well qualified. She stated that the quotes were received and Smith Barney had the lowest fee, per $1,000.00 of issue, being $4.89, therefore, staff was recommending Smith Barney as the investment banker for the racetrack bonds.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the County Manager for approval of the selection of Smith Barney as the investment banker for the refunding of the racetrack bonds.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER POOL - DISTRICT 2

COMMITTEES/GROWTH MANAGEMENT/SUBDIVISIONS

Commr. Pool informed the Board that he had received a letter from the residents of The Plantation, asking whether he would be interested in being a part of the PEAR (Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve) Project process and sitting on that committee. He stated that he would be happy to do so, however, noted that he had informed the residents that it would be up to the Board to make said appointment.

Commr. Pool was asked whether he supported the PEAR Project, at which time he stated that he did, in part, however, noted that there are some areas where he has some concerns. He stated that he feels it is a very unique area to preserve and that he feels the Board should look at every opportunity to do so.

Dr. Robert Taylor, Executive Director, Lake County Water Authority, addressed the Board and discussed what has occurred, over the past one and a half years, since the PEAR Project was started. He stated that he did not know whether there was a slot on the committee that Commr. Pool could fill and noted that, when Commr. Good was on the Board, he participated in an informal role. He stated that he did not think Commr. Good ever got appointed to a specific slot.

Commr. Cadwell interjected that he felt, if it was going to involve the type of operation and funding that he felt it was going to involve, the Board should have a representative on the Committee.

Mr. Taylor concurred, noting that it would make the Board aware of what is going on.

Commr. Swartz stated that he felt it would be a step forward, noting that this process has gone from the Board keeping a hands off approach, to being more actively involved, to being supportive, and he felt it was important that they continue to be supportive. He suggested sending the PEAR Committee a letter indicating that, since the Board is so involved, they would like to have a representative of the Board serve on the committee, to keep them informed about the project.

Commr. Cadwell stated that he would contact the PEAR Committee and find out what part they would like the Board to play.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER HANSON - DISTRICT 4

RESOLUTIONS

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Proclamation No. 1999-44, proclaiming March 22-26, 1999, as Teen Pregnancy Awareness Week in Lake County.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER SWARTZ - DISTRICT 3

MISCELLANEOUS

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved to send a letter to Tavares Christian School acknowledging their community service for monitoring alcohol warning signs.

ADDENDUM NO. 1

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER SWARTZ - DISTRICT 3

RESOLUTIONS

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Proclamation No. 1999-45, declaring the week of April 5, 1999, as National POW/MIA Week (Daisy Day) in Lake County.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER SWARTZ - DISTRICT 3

LAWS AND LEGISLATION/RESOLUTIONS

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved Resolution No. 1999-46, opposing legislation that would limit home rule authority of local governments to regulate outdoor off-site (billboard) advertising signs within their geographical boundaries.

Commr. Swartz requested that the distribution of said Resolution be made to the County's legislative delegation, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Governor and anybody else that can help the County on said issue.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER CADWELL - DISTRICT 5

COMMUNITY SERVICES/GRANTS

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved a request from the National Association of Counties (NACO), requesting the Board's support for additional funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the HOME Coalition, by writing a letter to the House of Representatives and the Senate endorsing said programs and asking for the continuation of funding.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER GERBER - DISTRICT 1

WATER RESOURCES/WATER AUTHORITY

Commr. Gerber informed the Board of the following For Your Information Item: March 20, 1999, is the St. Johns River Water Management District cleanup effort.

REPORTS

COMMISSIONER HANSON - DISTRICT 4

MISCELLANEOUS

Commr. Hanson informed the Board of the following For Your Information Item: March 19, 1999, is the Trotter's Ball and March 20, 1999, is the 12^th Annual Derby Day, in Sorrento - both functions to be held at the Simpson Training Center.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

__________________________________ WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

_________________________________

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

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