The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioner's Training 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; Robert A. Pool; and G. Richard Swartz, Jr. Others present were: Sue Whittle, County Manager; Alvin B. Jackson, Jr., Deputy County Manager; Sanford A. Minkoff, County Attorney; Wendy Taylor, Administrative Supervisor, Board of County Commissioner's Office; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; and Marlene S. Foran, Deputy Clerk.

PERSONAL APPEARANCES/PUBLIC HEARINGS

PUBLIC HEARING - WORKSESSION

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-CONSOLIDATED PLAN

PRE-PUBLICATION

Mr. Fletcher Smith, Senior Director, Department of Community Services, appeared before the Board to present the workshop and pre-publication public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. He introduced Ms. Liz Eginton, Lake County Community Development Block Grant Director. He stated that the workshop would include presentation of eligible activities and programs; funding limitations; the Lake County Consolidated Plan, as required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; information received from the Neighborhood Needs Survey; and a staff recommendation regarding the allocation of funds between Lake County, City of Tavares and Town of Montverde.

Ms. Liz Eginton, Community Development Block Grant Director, presented a "Power Point" presentation on the various required components of the Consolidated Plan, as follows:

All activities funded from the CDBG must meet one or more of three National Objectives:

• Benefit low and moderate income people.
• Prevent or eliminate conditions of slum and blight.
• Meet community development needs posing an extreme emergency.

Lake County became an entitlement community last year:

• The CDBG entitlement for FY 2000-01 is $929,000. The funds will become available after October 1, 2000.
• The entitlement area consists of the unincorporated area plus the City of Tavares and the Town of Montverde.

CDBG funds can be used for a variety of activities-activities which will provide:

• A decent, safe and sanitary house.
• A suitable living environment.
• Expanded economic opportunities.

Limitations on uses of CDBG funds:

• At least 70% of the funds must be used to benefit low and moderate income people.
• Public service expenditures are limited to 15% of the entitlement.
• Administrative expenses are capped at 20% of the entitlement.
• Funds may only be used to improve property that is in public ownership, or that is considered a public facility. There are exceptions to this.

The federal government is serious about maintaining expenditure rates:

• Sixty (60) days prior to the end of the program year, no more than 150% of the current year's entitlement may remain undisbursed.
• It is important to look at project feasibility before awarding funds. The project must be able to start immediately, and to be completed within the allowable time frame and budget.

Jurisdictions receiving CDBG funds must prepare a Consolidated Plan outlining strategies for use of those funds during a 3 to 5 year planning period. The Consolidated Plan consists of five parts:

• A Citizen Participation Plan outlining opportunities for consultation with citizens and other interested parties.
• An assessment of community development and housing needs.
• A housing market analysis.
• A three to five year strategy for use of the funds.
• A One Year Action Plan outlining activities to fund during the next fiscal year.

Ms. Eginton explained that Lake County's Citizen Participation Plan outlines five opportunities for formal participation in the consolidated planning and evaluation process along with informal opportunities that include the following:

• A neighborhood needs survey, conducted every 3 - 5 years.
• A pre-publication public hearing.
• A post-public hearing.
• A 30-day public inspection period.
• A public hearing to review the annual performance report.

Ms. Eginton stated that today's public hearing was the second of these formal opportunities for citizen input and the public hearing held prior to the publication of the Consolidated Plan. She stated that staff has also compiled the Neighborhood Needs Survey which indicates that the concerns of the people were:

• The condition of roads and speeding cars.
• Lack of property maintenance.
• Lack of organized recreation programs and safe places for kids to play.
• Cost and accessibility of health care.
• Lack of affordable housing and information about housing programs.

Ms. Eginton stated that, based upon the results of the Neighborhood Needs Survey, staff was recommending that CDBG funds be used to implement the following objectives over the next 3 -5 years:

• Reconstructing and repairing roadways in low income neighborhoods in the unincorporated area.
• Expanding existing public service programs, especially those serving the elderly.
• Providing funds that will enable the City of Tavares and Town of Montverde to carry out activities to improve living conditions in their low income neighborhoods, and to make their public buildings accessible to persons with disabilities.

Ms. Eginton concluded her presentation by making the following recommendations as to how funds are to be allocated to the various programs:

• Set aside 20% of the total grant funds for administrative expenses.
• Reserve 10% of the remaining balance for public service projects.
• Reserve another 7% of the remaining balance as a cost overrun contingency which also includes a 5% revenue shortfall.
• Allocate funds proportionally to Tavares and Montverde based upon how many of the entitlement area's low and moderate income people live within their boundaries.
• Utilize the remaining funds for County roadway paving projects in low and moderate income neighborhoods.

Ms. Eginton presented the Fiscal Year 2000-01 Budget, as follows:

Program Component Expenditure

Countywide Roadway Improvements $544,259

Tavares & Montverde 66,094

Public Service Projects 67,817

Administration 185,800

Cost overrun contingency 65,030

Total $929,000

Ms. Eginton stated that this was a diversified budget and provides an equitable formula for distribution of funds targeted for community development projects, therefore, removing politics from the award process.

At this time, the Chairman opened the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Ms. Chloe K. Bonds Wormack, President, Southside Umatilla Neighborhood Crime Watch Committee, appeared before the Board and expressed concern that there was a need for street lighting improvements and sidewalks in the south side Umatilla area. She requested that consideration be given to a community center that would provide activities for the children, transportation for the elderly, and housing rehabilitation in the south side Umatilla area.

There being no further public comment, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.

Mr. Smith stated that he was requesting direction from the Board today on the projects that have been outlined and the allocation of funding.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 5 - 0 vote, the Board approve the Lake County Consolidated Plan programs and funding concept as outlined by staff.

RECESS AND REASSEMBLY

At 9:50 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess for ten minutes and reconvene at 10:00 a.m.

WORKSESSION - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE

Ms. Lora Bailey, Special Services Director, Department of Public Works, presented the workshop on Stormwater Management in Lake County and distributed a copy of the "Power Point" presentation titled Stormwater Management in Lake County - May 9, 2000. She stated that the presentation has been prepared through the partnership of the Department of Public Works, Department of Growth Management Services, Lake County Water Authority, and the St. Johns River Water Management District. Ms. Bailey explained that the presentation today would include an update on FEMA Remapping, Stormwater Budget, Basin Prioritization Criteria and Results, Stormwater Management Approach, Lake Griffin meetings, Lake County Water Authority Grant Application and the City/County Stormwater Meeting. She discussed the following issues:

FEMA REMAPPING

• Remapping kicked off on September 22, 1995
• $300,000 Federal contribution

- Lake County contributed $70,677.00

- Lake County Water Authority contributed $32,935.00

- City of Leesburg contributed $7,784.00

• Received preliminary maps April 3, 2000
• Review process typically 90 days to six months

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT APPROACH

• Stormwater Management Navigation Team

- St. Johns River Water Management District

- Lake County Water Authority

- Lake County Public Works

- Lake County Growth Management

• Major Basins, Sub-Basins & Watersheds

• Historical "Study" Timeline

PROPOSED "PARTNERSHIP" TIMELINE

This approach works when dealing with water quality concerns because water quantity problems require modeling.

• Advantages of this approach are:

- More money is spent on actual retrofitting.

- Results are quicker.

- More "bang for the buck" by partnering.

- Estimate and design as you go.

• Challenges with this approach are:

- Coordination is critical.

- A definitive reading on "how much cleaner" will not be available - we address discharges because it's the right thing to do.

- It still won't happen overnight.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

- Preparing RFP for engineering estimates and oversite.

- Prioritizing outfalls.

- Develop scope of work for each outfall.

- Budget and schedule retrofits.

- Continue the partnership.

- Navigation Team Retreat - June 28 and 30, 2000.

LAKE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY GRANT APPLICATION

• $1,000,000 in Lake County Water Authority Budget for stormwater projects.

CITY/COUNTY STORMWATER MEETING

• City/County Meeting - May 30, 2000

Mr. Dennis Hewett, City of Mount Dora, informed the Board that Dyer, Riddle, Mills, and Precourt, Inc. would be presenting the Water Basin Study at the Mount Dora Community Building this evening.

Commr. Hanson stated that the Board made a commitment to list Lake Gertrude as a priority if and when Mount Dora was prepared to move forward. She suggested that, perhaps, the above noted report could be made to the Board in the near future.

RECESS & REASSEMBLY

At 10:30 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board would recess and reconvene at 10:40 a.m.

WORKSHOP - TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED

Mr. Fred Schneider, Engineering Director, Department of Public Works, presented the workshop on the Transportation Disadvantaged and distributed a copy of the Public Transportation White Paper, dated May 2000; and a copy of the "Power Point" presentation titled Transportation Disadvantaged Options. He introduced Mr. Noble Olasimbo, Transportation Engineer, Department of Public Works; and Mr. Edward Griffin, Technical Assistance and Training Supervisor, Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. At this time, Mr. Olasimbo and Mr. Schneider discussed the following issues:

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• Park & Ride Service

- Park & Ride

- Car Pool

- Van Pool

• Transit Service

- Fixed Route Service

- Express Bus Service

- Special Events Service

• Paratransit Service

- Demand Response

- Service Route with Deviation

- Ambulatory Service

OVERVIEW

• Final year of Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) contract with LifeSteam.

Expires October 2000

• Board to decide how to proceed with public transit services.

- Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program.

- Existing Fixed Route Service on US 441.

• Determine best option for governance and funding.

TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED PROGRAM (TD)OPTIONS

GOVERNMENTAL COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR (CTC)

• Option 1: County as sole provider.

- Responsible for all coordination, transportation and program oversight.

- High level of investment.

• Option 2: Partial Brokerage

- County maintains administration, scheduling but contracts out transportation.

- Lower capital investment.

• Option 3: Full Brokerage

- County maintains oversight and control.

- Contracts with entity to manage and coordinate service through a fleet of providers.

County is directly responsible for budget shortfalls under all Governmental CTC Options.

• Option 4: Non-Governmental Community Transportation Coordinator

- Select for-profit or non-profit CTC through competitive bidding process.

- Limited cost impact and limited control.

- Amount of county local contribution.

10% required for TD program local match.

50% local match for fixed route service.

KEY ISSUES

• County to decide its approach to the Community Transportation Coordinator.

- Determine best option.

- Prepare TD Service Plan.

• Full brokerage system affords greatest oversight with least additional impact.



• Fixed route service depends on clear market definition and local commitment.

RECOMMENDED OPTIONS

• Option 3 - Fully Brokered System

- BCC requests approval of the TD Commission to become the Community Transportation Coordinator.

- Sign Memorandum of Agreement with TD Commission.

- Issue RFP to potential transportation providers.

- Sign contract with provider(s).

• Option 4 - Non-Governmental CTC (Existing System)

- Issue RFP to potential Community Transportation Coordinators in anticipation of MOA expiration in October 2000.

- Negotiate and recommend CTC to TD Commission.

• Option 5

- Begin negotiations with a governmental agency to become the CTC in Lake County (Lynx or other).

At this time, discussion occurred regarding Option 3, Option 4 and Option 5. Commr. Swartz stated that the County was at the point where we need to expand the County's opportunities and alternatives; and Option 5, negotiating with an organization such as Lynx, should be considered. Commr. Cadwell concurred that the Board should pursue Option 5.

Mr. Schneider stated that the County will be required to do a RFP to find a Community Transportation Coordinator in Lake County, and LifeStream Behavioral Center has indicated that they would like to continue as the Community Transportation Coordinator. He noted that the contract for the Community Transportation Coordinator was a three year contract.

Commr. Swartz noted that all three options have elements that still have the County taking a different position. He suggested that staff place this issue on an agenda for discussion and consideration of a merger of Option 3 and Option 4 and using Option 5.

Commr. Cadwell directed staff to bring back to the Board for further discussion and action Option 3, Fully Brokered System; Option 4, Non-Governmental Community Transportation Coordinator; and Option 5, Negotiations with a governmental agency to become the Community Transportation Coordinator in Lake County.

Mr. Tom Winn, LifeStream Behavioral Center, appeared before the Board and stated that LifeStream was interested in continuing to be the Community Transportation Coordinator for Lake County. He stated that negotiating with Lynx to become the Community Transportation Coordinator would be a very expensive option compared to the present contract with LifeStream. He stated that LifeStream will address any concerns that the Board may have in any area.

Commr. Swartz stated that LifeStream has always been very perceptive and willing to address issues. He explained that Option 5 would provide the opportunity to determine if there might be other options that would provide better service, and take the County to the next step; however, in terms of dollars, the County may have to do something that is more associated with Option 3 and Option 4.

Mr. Winn distributed a packet of information about LifeStream Behavioral Center that included comparisons with other Community Transportation Coordinators in the State. He noted that LifeStream was the largest rural transit system in the State of Florida with one of the lowest operating costs. In response to a question presented by Commr. Swartz, Mr. Winn stated that LifeStream was providing most of the transportation for the Lake County Boys Ranch, and they have increased the numbers for the Boys Ranch this past week.

Commr. Swartz stated that the County needs to find out the status of the contract with the Lake County School Board and other revenues that the Boys Ranch has been receiving from Medicare and other agencies for transportation through the Community Transportation Coordinator.

Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, stated that Option 3 would allow the County to retain LifeStream as the provider, and the County would be the Community Transportation Coordinator assuming that LifeStream were the successful bidder under the RFP. This would provide more control of the operation for the County.

Mr. Griffin stated that the service route was incredibly important to the provision of services for Transportation Disadvantaged, Medicaid and other social service agencies because it keeps cost down and affords the opportunity to move those people off of the demand response onto the service route.

AMBULANCE SERVICE UPDATE

Commr. Cadwell informed the Board that Florida Hospital Waterman has indicated that they will not extend the contract for emergency medical services beyond the September 30, 2000 deadline. He stated that the Lake and Sumter Counties EMS Committee will be meeting on a weekly basis until the 30 days have expired to develop a business plan for the Board's review. He stated that staff was not, at this time, renegotiating with Rural Metro Corporation and suggested that the Board may wish to direct staff to begin renegotiations.

On a motion by Commr. Gerber, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, the Board approved to place on the agenda discussion on the issue of renegotiations with Rural Metro Corporation.

On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously by a 5 - 0 vote, the Board approved authorization for staff to continue negotiations with Rural Metro for a better service rate or lower response time that would be available within the same time frame as the proposal presented by the Lake and Sumter Counties EMS Committee for emergency medical services in Lake County; and presentation of both proposals on June 13, 2000.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

MSF/BOARDMIN/5-9-00/5-16-00