A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

JUNE 22, 1999

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 22, 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; Rhonda H. Gerber; and Robert A. Pool. Commissioners not present: G. Richard Swartz, Jr. Others present were: Sue Whittle, County Manager; Sanford A. Minkoff, County Attorney; Wendy Taylor, Administrative Supervisor, Board of County Commissioner's Office; and Toni M. Riggs, Deputy Clerk.

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

AGENDA UPDATE

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, noted that the Board had one Addendum to the agenda. Ms. Whittle stated that there was an emergency item regarding Florida Hospital Waterman, and she would like it placed on the agenda for Board action.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved to place the item regarding Florida Hospital Waterman on the agenda for Board action.

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that he would like to discuss, under his business, the issue of him serving on the Lake County Symphony Board of Directors.

Commr. Cadwell stated that, if the item presented by Mr. Minkoff needed action, the Board would place it on the agenda at that time.

COUNTY MANAGER'S CONSENT AGENDA

ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/PUBLIC WORKS

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the request for approval and execution of Change Order Number 3 to the Lake Minnehaha Bridge and Lake Minneola Bridge Construction Project No. 4-98 in the amount of $91,038.69 from the Road Impact Fee Fund. Road Benefit District 5 and 6 - Commissioner District 2.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

PETITION NO. 898 - GEORGE TOWNSEND - YALAHA AREA

Mr. Jim Stivender, Senior Director of Public Works, presented Petition No. 898, by George Townsend, to the Board and stated that the right-of-way serves no purpose to the County.

The Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment.

It was noted that the applicants were present in the audience.

There being no one who wished to speak in opposition to the request, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved Petition No. 898 by George Townsend to vacate right-of-way, Sec. 21, Twp. 20S, Rge. 25E, Yalaha Area - Commissioner District 3 - Resolution 1999-115.

PETITION NO. 899 - EDWARD AND ELIZABETH STANTON - LADY LAKE AREA

Mr. Jim Stivender, Senior Director of Public Works, presented Petition No. 899, by Edward and Elizabeth Stanton, to the Board and stated that this would clear title on the property.

It was noted that the applicant's representative, Ms. Debbie Stivender, was present.

There being no one present who wished to speak in opposition to the request, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

Commr. Hanson made a motion, which was seconded by Commr. Pool, to approve Petition No. 899, by Edward and Elizabeth Stanton, Representative Debbie Stivender, to vacate utility easement (Lot 287), Orange Blossom Gardens, Unit No. 3.1B, Sec. 7, Twp. 18S, Rge. 24E, Lady Lake Area - Commissioner District 5 - Resolution 1999-116.

Under discussion, Commr. Gerber questioned how much it had cost the applicant to make such a request.

Mr. Stivender explained that the applicant paid $400 to clear the title.

Ms. Debbie Stivender explained that it was her understanding that all these types of small requests to clear title cannot be done at the same time, because each one is different.

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that staff has talked to the attorney for the developer trying to resolve this issue and suggested some ways that the Ordinances could possibly be changed to allow the County to vacate utility easements without requiring the advertising and signature of the individuals. He has left them with the option to approach the Board, which they have not done. He would get the Board a copy of the memorandum that he wrote to Mr. Dewey Burnsed, Attorney.

The Chairman called for a vote on the motion, which was carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote.



PETITION NO. 900 - DONALD J. AND JANET R. DE ORNELLAS

LADY LAKE AREA

Mr. Jim Stivender, Senior Director of Public Works, presented Petition No. 900, by Donald J. and Janet R. De Ornellas, to the Board and stated this will clear title on the property.

It was noted that the applicant's representative, Ms. Debbie Stivender, was present. There being no one present who wished to speak in opposition to the request, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved Petition No. 900 by Donald J. and Janet R. De Ornellas, Representative Debbie Stivender, to vacate utility easements (Lot 328), sec. 7, Twp. 18s, Rge. 24E, Lady Lake Area - Commissioner District 5 - Resolution 1999-117.

REZONING

PETITION #28-99-2 - UTILITIES INCORPORATED OF FLORIDA

R-6 TO CFD - TRACKING #41-99-CFD

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management, stated that staff was recommending approval of the request to rezone from R-6 to CFD for an existing wastewater treatment plant. She stated that this will bring them into compliance with the Land Development Regulations (LDRs), and they will have to do some work to bring the deteriorating plant into compliance with the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) regulations. It was approved 10 to 0 at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment.

Mr. David Orr, Regional Operations Manager for Lake Utilities Systems, stated that he would like it noted that there was a correction to the information provided by staff. He noted that it was a water treatment facility and an upgrade.

There being no one present who wished to speak in opposition to the request, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board upheld the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved Case #28-99-2, Utilities Incorporated of Florida, a request for rezoning from R-6 to CFD to allow for the expansion and improvement of a non-conforming water treatment plant, Tracking #41-99-CFD, Ordinance 1999-69.



PETITION #19-99-2 - JOHN E. JENNINGS & CLAYTON B. LANGLEY

REVOCATION OF CUPS AND R-6 TO CFD - TRACKING #27-99-CFD

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management, stated that staff was recommending approval of the request to allow for the continued church and incidental uses and the continued school uses. Ms. Farrell stated that the case was approved at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment.

Commr. Gerber stated that, in the backup material, it states 50 students, and she could not find this restriction in the proposed Ordinance.

Ms. Farrell stated that staff did not include the restriction of 50 students in the proposed Ordinance, but if the applicants add a lot more students, they will have to come back through the Development Review Staff (DRS), to add onto the buildings, and staff would have to take into consideration the traffic issue and septic tanks. It was advertised to revoke the old CUPs, and to give them a CFD zoning, to be consistent with the surrounding area.

Mr. Clay Langley, applicant, addressed the Board and stated that right now the facility currently holds 50 children. He stated that future development would have to come before the Board at a later time. The Bible Camp and school have been in operation for years, and they were in existence when people built in the surrounding area.

Ms. Farrell clarified that the applicants do not have to come back before the Board for an expansion of buildings, but they would if they added acreage.

Mr. Langley explained that the property has facilities to house more than 50 students, and it has for a long time. He noted that they probably have the capacity for 100 people.

Commr. Pool stated that the traffic could become an impact to the neighborhood, and maybe the Board should put a cap on the number, to not exceed 100 students without having to come back for Board approval, and/or adjoining property owners' input.

Commr. Cadwell stated that this site is approved for church services, fellowship gatherings, and a summer camp, so 50 students is a very small number.

Mr. Langley stated that future plans include a church, and they currently have over 100 people attending church services at the site.

Clarification was made by the Commissioners that they were not concerned with the number of people attending church services, but only the number of students attending the school every day of the week. It was noted that there was no opposition at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Mr. Langley stated that he would be comfortable with the 100 cap on the number of students knowing that he can come back, if the number should exceed this amount.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board upheld the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve Case #19-99-2, John E. Jennings and Clayton B. Langley, a request for revocation of CUP#412-2 and CUP#412A-2 and rezoning from R-6 (Urban Residential) to CFD (Community Facility District) to allow for the continued church and incidental uses and the continued school uses, Tracking #27-99-CFD, with an amendment to include the cap of 100 students in school, Ordinance 1999-70 and Ordinance 1999-70A.

PETITION #14-99-4 - DANIEL & MONICA CONNOLLY (CECELIA BONIFAY)

R-6 AND R-8 TO CP - TRACKING #29-99-CP

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management, stated that staff was recommending approval of the request for storage of boats and RV's. Ms. Farrell explained that, in 1995, the applicants rezoned the front portion of the site for boat storage and boat sales, and several months ago, they had a road vacated, and they joined the two parcels. Now they want to rezone it to CP to add storage of boats and RV's in the rear of the site. She stated that the staff report mirrors other staff reports in the Astor area, as far as their concerns, and the need for the small area study. This particular site will come under the new landscape code, and the new signage code. The proposed Ordinance in the backup states 1.35 acres and does not include all of the other uses of the 1995 Ordinance, but staff is going to take care of this issue today. It was approved 10 to 0 at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Commr. Cadwell disclosed that he is an employee of Beyer's Funeral Home, and they own property directly across the street, but he does not have a financial interest in Beyer's, and he intends on voting on the case.

The Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment.

Ms. Cecelia Bonifay, Attorney with Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson, representing the applicants, addressed the Board and asked that the Board move the staff recommendation, and although she has not reviewed the new Ordinance, she would like the opportunity to review it before it gets filed. She stated that they have merged what is in the backup, with the original 1995 Ordinance, because all of the lots were joined by unity of title when they vacated Dora Road. She stated that they would move everything, in terms of all of the exhibits that were presented at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, which includes all of the backup and photographs, and ask that the Board approve the staff recommendations.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board upheld the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved Case #14-99-4, Daniel and Monica Connolly, a request for rezoning from R-6 (Urban Residential) and R-8 (Mixed Residential) to CP (Planned Commercial) for storage of boats and RV's, Tracking #29-99-CP, with the recommendations brought forth by staff, Ordinance1999-71.

PETITION CUP#99/4/1-4 - WILLIAM D. RODGERS

CUP in RA - TRACKING #30-99-CUP

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management, stated that staff was recommending approval of the request for a private debris disposal facility to fill an existing borrow pit, in the Mt. Plymouth area. Ms. Farrell stated that the applicant is in the land clearing and yard debris business, and he is going to utilize the existing borrow pit for a private debris facility, for his own use. She stated that this is one of the old borrow pits prior to the Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) in Lake County. The applicant will work closely with Water Resources, as far as the reclamation plan.

Commr. Gerber questioned whether there would be any monitoring of what the applicant will be putting into the pit.

Staff clarified that there will be an annual CUP inspection from Code Enforcement and Water Resources, and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will inspect it once a year.

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, directed the Board's attention to Page 7, Paragraph h. of the proposed Ordinance, which talks about monitoring and an Operation Plan.

The Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment.

Mr. William Rodgers, applicant, addressed the Board and stated that the pit will be used for his own personal use, and there will be no burning. He stated that it involves approximately six acres, which is fenced and gated It was noted that it will not be open to the public.

Commr. Hanson stated that the only correction she has today is in the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes where it states that the property is near, or next to the Wekiva Basin, because it is actually in the Wekiva Basin.

There being no on present who wished to speak in opposition to the request, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board upheld the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved Case CUP#99/4/1-4, a request for a CUP in RA (Ranchette) for a private debris disposal facility to fill an existing borrow pit, Tracking #30-99-CUP, Ordinance 1999-72.

PETITION CUP#99/6/2-2 - HOWARD H. HEWITT (STEVE RICHEY, P.A.)

MODIFICATION OF CUP 979-2 IN A - TRACKING #43-99-CUP

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management, stated that staff was recommending approval of the request for a modification of CUP 979-2 in A (Agriculture) for a construction and debris (C&D) landfill. Ms. Farrell stated that Mr. Hewitt has a borrow pit, and he wants to use C&D as part of his reclamation plan, so he is amending the plan. It is located on 86 acres in a very rural area. There were some questions that came up at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in regard to the bond requirements, and she feels staff and the applicant can come to an agreement outside of this public hearing. There was no opposition and it was approved 10 to 0 at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

The Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment.

Mr. Steve Richey, Attorney representing the applicant, addressed the Board and stated that he was asking the Board to allow them to present a joint bond with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for reclamation. He noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission made one change to the staff recommended CUP, to allow them to have a joint bond with DEP, as approved by the County Attorney, and they have no problems with the conditions.

There being no one present who wished to speak in opposition to the request, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Gerber and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board upheld the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved Case CUP#99/6/2-2, Howard H. Hewitt, a request for a modification to CUP 979-2 in A (Agriculture) for construction and debris disposal facility to fill an existing borrow pit site, Tracking #43-99-CUP, Ordinance 1999-73.



REPORTS - COUNTY ATTORNEY

CONTRACTS, LEASES & AGREEMENTS

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, addressed the request for approval of the Special Master Agreement between Lake County, The Greater Construction Corporation, owners and Scott A. Gerken as Special Master in Case No. SM-3-99, and stated that a Settlement Agreement will be brought to the Board in July.

Commr. Gerber stated that her husband's business does business with The Greater Construction Corporation, and she conferred with the County Attorney, and there should be no conflict in this particular decision, so she will be voting on the issue.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the request, as stated above.

APPOINTMENTS-RESIGNATIONS/COUNTY ATTORNEY

Mr. Sandy Minkoff stated that he has been asked to serve as a member of the Lake County Symphony Board of Directors. After a thorough check by his office, there appears to be no conflict, because they do not do business with the County.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved to place the item on the agenda for Board action.

On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the appointment of Mr. Sandy Minkoff to the Lake County Symphony Board of Directors.

REPORTS - COUNTY MANAGER

COUNTY MANAGER/ NACo

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, stated that yesterday she received notification from the National Association of Counties (NACo) that Lake County received, for 1999, five national achievement awards including one Best of Category. She stated that the awards speak well of the County for its efforts, and the support the Commission has offered the employees in working toward these things. She noted the following awards that were received by Lake County:

AMBULANCES/HOSPITALS

Mr. Fletcher Smith, Senior Director of Community Services, addressed the Board to discuss the request from Mr. Kenneth R. Mattison, President of Florida Hospital Waterman, for a letter of support to assist in their efforts to secure an approved Certificate of Need from the Agency for Health Care Administration for the New inpatient replacement facility at Waterman Medical Plaza in Tavares.

On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the request, as stated above.

Mr. Steve Richey, Attorney, addressed the issue of the alignment with the hospital and informed the Board that a meeting is being rescheduled for some time in July, for the County staff to meet with the necessary individuals to resolve the issue with Sprint and the Christian Home and Bible School.

REPORTS - COMMISSIONER GERBER - DISTRICT #1

MUNICIPALITIES

Commr. Gerber congratulated the Leesburg Downtown Partnership for the successful Sea-doo races that were held last weekend.

REPORTS - COMMISSIONER POOL - DISTRICT #2

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/MEETINGS

Commr. Pool informed the Board that there was a very informative speaker, Mr. William Fruth, a consultant that analyses local economics, at the Economic Development Commission (EDC) luncheon, and he would like to have Mr. Fruth make a presentation to the Board.

Commr. Hanson stated that Mr. Fruth's presentation was very much on target, as far as looking at how the County can eliminate impact fees, or whatever, that really serves as a disincentive to bring the exact type of industry that it really wants to attract to Lake County, because the others will take care of themselves. She stated that the County can focus on those that it wants, and those it will get the most value from, both in ad valorem and long term earnings for the County, and the County needs to look at what it can do to roll out the red carpet for those folks.

Commr. Pool stated that this would include raising the salaries of those who are working there, and he feels that this is a presentation that needs to be brought back to the Board and to the public.

Commr. Gerber stated that this is a good reason to look at redoing the whole impact fee study, because these things can be separated in a new study.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 9:45 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would take a 15 minute recess and reconvene at 10 a.m., to review the last three items from the Retreat Agenda.

BOARD RETREAT AGENDA

COMMUNITY SIGNS

Commr. Cadwell reconvened the meeting and stated that the Board would be presented an update on three items that it did not have time to cover at the Board Retreat on June 18, 1999.

Ms. Sharon Farrell, Senior Director of Growth Management, presented an update on the Community Signs program. Ms. Farrell stated that several months ago, the Board looked at a variety of signs and decided to see what the County's own sign shop could develop. She stated that staff found that its sign shop has some great new software programs and equipment, but they can only produce basically what can be seen on the roadsides today. She contacted Municipal Supply in Naples, Florida, and they said they would glad to work with the County. Ms. Farrell stated that they can do silk screening, which the County cannot do. She showed the Board one sign that the company had done, which would cost $20 including the metal signage and the art work. She stated that the County would probably want to do a 3 x 4, or 4 x 6 sign, or maybe as big as 32 square feet, and it will cost approximately $200 to $300 to do the silk screen. Ms. Farrell stated that she would need the authorization to spend a little money to come up with the design for Lake County, or a couple of options, so she can move forward with this style of sign. She noted that the County sign shop cannot do any art work, but they can do lettering, and the largest sign they can do would be a 4 x 4 for approximately $150.

Commr. Hanson stated that Keep Lake County Beautiful has also been talking about some signage, at least at the entrances into the County, so it might be a good idea to see if there is some opportunity for coordination with them, or a partnership. She noted that they may even have some funds to get it started, but what they are looking at is some sort of increase in visibility, both for the concept of Keep Lake County Beautiful and their logo.

Ms. Farrell showed some other designs that had been developed by Municipal Supply and stated that the company has indicated that they can do the design, or the County can do the design, or staff can look at what they have on file, including clip art, because they are real flexible, but the Board needs to decide what it wants on the sign.

Commr. Pool questioned whether it would be cost effective for the County's sign shop to invest in the hardware/software equipment to do this type of sign.

Ms. Farrell stated that staff discussed the possibility of the County obtaining such equipment, but they did not feel it would be cost effective, because the County has less than 50 communities where it would be putting the signs.

Commr. Cadwell stated that it was just an idea to identify unincorporated areas that are still communities, to give them a little sense of identity, as opposed to the general green sign done by the sign shop.

Ms. Farrell stated that there were some comments made at the Board Retreat about the possibility of finding a homeowners association to take care of the maintenance and landscaping. Staff has also looked at the xeriscape landscaping and, for about $200, the County can plant some low maintenance shrubs and grass. Ms. Farrell stated that this could be worked into the Code Enforcement budget, if the Board wanted to work the community signage into their program, to make sure they have a group that is going to maintain the landscaping and keep an eye on the sign for the County.

Commr. Cadwell stated that he would like to move forward with the Community

Signs and a design, without committing to the program.

RACE TRACK BOND PROCEEDS TEAM REPORT

Ms. Sarah LaMarche, Senior Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, stated that she would like to tell the Board about what staff has been doing for the last couple of months and present their final recommendations to the Board at a workshop in September, with direction from the Board today, in terms of active, or passive recreation. Ms. LaMarche recognized the members of the Race Track Bond Proceeds Team, as well as the support staff, and stated that they have looked at potential funding partners, as well as potential funding dollars. Their mission was to present options for the use of the $3 million bond proceeds for race track jai-alai. She stated that they talked to the Lake County Water Authority, and they have indicated that they would be willing partners, but only to the degree of passive parks. They would be more than happy to joint fund a purchase, but not in the way of active recreation. They got a report from individuals working with Rails to Trails, they made some trips to Orange County parks, and they attended Preservation 2000 Grant (P2000) workshops and discovered the types of funding they can get from it, which is basically for passive recreation rather than active recreation. They talked to the Director of Parks and Recreation in Marion County and got an update on their active recreation in Marion County. She stated that they have gotten into active recreation and they maintain a staff of 40 for their parks. Ms. LaMarche stated that they initially partnered with the Office of Greenways and Trails to build a bike trail on the Cross Florida Greenway, and they have funded their projects through their Pennies for Parks (sales tax). They have also entered into partnership and joint venture with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Office of Greenways and Trails among others. They have created a master plan for recreation in partnership with the National Park Service. Ms. LaMarche stated that they did some site visits including Cypress Grove Park in Orange County, Pine Island on Lake Apopka (which is under contract), the area surrounding the McTureous home in Altoona, and the State Road corridor in Sorrento and the Rail to Trails potential there. She stated that they have received the report from the Lake County Parks and Recreation Committee, and she has a meeting scheduled with St. Johns to discuss their potential partnering with the County. Ms. LaMarche stated that she would like to solicit direction from the Board for their report to them in September.

Commr. Pool stated that the only way the Board can sell the idea of the continuation of the penny is to have these partnerships with the city, school, and County, and then allocate and show where the dollars will be spent, after identifying the needs.

Commr. Gerber stated that, before the Board starts talking about bonding money for parks, she needs some sense of comfort that everything else is okay.

Ms. LaMarche explained that more detailed information will be presented at the workshop in July.

Commr. Hanson asked if the Team looked at partnerships with the schools, because Pinellas County has had some successful partnerships with their schools.

Commr. Pool stated that a good example of this is in Clermont where the School Board, Lake County, the City of Clermont and the South Lake Foundation combined jointly to help build Lincoln Park, and these joint efforts can build much nicer parks and be more cost effective, and he thinks partnerships are a good idea.

The Board directed Ms. LaMarche to proceed in the direction of partnerships for recreational type facilities, with some being active and some passive.

Commr. Cadwell stated that he agrees with Commr. Pool that staff needs to look more at the active, because the County already has the opportunities for the passive.

Mr. Minkoff stated that the School Board is looking at a 160 acre site that they do not want to use the total acreage, so such a site like that may work as a joint South Lake Government Center and allow the County to partner with the School Board on recreational type facilities.

Commr. Cadwell addressed the issue of the School Board and recreational facilities and stated that generally it's the booster type organizations that approve on the facilities, so when the County approaches the School Board, it needs to know their commitment level to these types of facilities.

Commr. Gerber stated that the County should not overlook those groups that are already formed, such as Little League, because they should have some input into this issue.



Mr. Minkoff addressed the Race Track proceeds and stated that there has been some difficulty in obtaining insurance for the bond issue throughout the State, because none of the bond insurers are insuring the race track and jai-alai money, because the proceeds have been falling off so badly. The County is still restructuring it, and it is still looking for an insurer, and if not, then staff is looking at doing it as a private, or uninsured placement. He noted that this item was pulled from the agenda at the last meeting, but staff will probably be back next month, or the month after that for the final closing.

Y2K UPDATE

Mr. Alvin Jackson, Deputy County Manager, addressed the Board to present an update on the approach to the Y2K. Mr. Jackson stated that the Team has continued to work on the critical areas that were identified during the assessment phase, and they have now completed all of the following:

Mr. Jackson stated that the Team met with the Y2K project leaders for the City of Orlando, and they felt that Lake County was right on target. He noted that a community forum is tentatively planned for Thursday, September 9, 1999, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lake Sumter Community College, and representatives will be attending from different fire and emergency services, law enforcement, electric unities, water and sewer utilities, banking/finance institutions, telecommunications companies, and government services. They intend for the forum to identify the 15 or 20 most asked questions and have answers for those questions. Following the forum, a Y2K hotline will be set up and staffed immediately with volunteers that will be trained. Mr. Jackson stated that, starting with the month of December, temporary support staff will need to be brought in for the next 30 days to address the questions of the public. The final phase is to determine the staffing levels that will be needed for that weekend. He stated that the Team has also begun meeting with the County staff and informing them of the progress it has made on the Y2K plan. They plan to use Level II staffing, according to the County's Emergency Management Plan, and individuals on call. They have also developed alternatives for certain situations, as well as backup plans, and they feel that, within 72 hours, the County will know the kind of patchwork it will need, or whether everything is fine. Mr. Jackson stated that the Governor had indicated that he be would sending auditors to visit each County, and Lake County has had its audit. He and Ms. Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance, met with them, and they felt that Lake County had touched the critical areas.

Commr. Hanson stated that additional forums may be needed after the one scheduled in September.

Commr. Gerber extended her appreciation to staff for the great book that was put together for the Board Retreat.

COMMISSIONERS/BUDGETS/MEETINGS

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, informed the Board that, since the Budget Meeting was canceled on Monday, June 21, 1999, those items to be discussed will be rescheduled and heard on a day that has already been set aside for a budget workshop, instead of trying to schedule additional days.

LIBRARIES/COMMITTEES/REPORTS

Ms. Sue Whittle, County Manager, informed the Board that the report from the Library Team, that was tentatively scheduled for August 10, 1999, will be rescheduled for the afternoon of August 17, 1999.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.





WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN



ATTEST:









JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK



TMR/BOARDMIN/6-22-99/6-23-99