A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER 10, 2002
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 10, 2002, 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; Debbie Stivender, Vice Chairman; Catherine C. Hanson; Jennifer Hill; and Robert A. Pool. Others present were: William A. “Bill” Neron, County Manager; Sanford A. “Sandy” Minkoff, County Attorney; Wendy Taylor, Executive Office Manager, Board of County Commissioner’s Office; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; and Judy Whaley, Deputy Clerk.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
Commr. Stivender gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA UPDATE
Comm. Cadwell, Chairman, announced that Addendum No.1 is to be added to the agenda.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of November 12, 2002 (Regular Meeting), as presented.
CLERK OF COURTS’ CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Clerk of Courts’ Consent Agenda, Tab 2, Items 1 through 5, for the following requests:
Bonds - Contractor
Request for approval of Contractor Bonds as follows:
New
4827-03 John Carroll (Plumbing)
5655-03 Keith L. Smith d/b/a K. S. Electric of South Florida (Electrical)
6032-03 Ralph Milne d/b/a Ralph Milne Electrical Solutions, Inc. (Electrical)
6033-03 Dennis Graham d/b/a R & D Irrigation & Landscaping Inc. (Irrigation and Landscaping)
List of Warrants
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.
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Request to acknowledge receipt of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Five-Year Capital Improvements Plan and Proposed Five-Year Water Resource Development Work Program.
Fire Management Program & Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program
Request to acknowledge receipt of the Fire Management Program & Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program Annual Report for July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002, from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida.
Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District
Request to acknowledge receipt of the meeting schedule for the Governing Board of the St. Johns River Water Management District for the year 2003.
COUNTY MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the County Manager’s Consent Agenda, Tabs 3 through 7, and Addendum No. 1, Items A and B, as follows:
Budget and Administrative Services - Budget
Request for approval by Budget and Administrative Services - Budget Transfer - Pollution Recovery Fund, Department of Growth Management, Water Resource Management Division, in the amount of $3,752.00 is requested. Transfer $3,652.00 from Special Reserve to Machinery & Equipment. The City of Tavares Wastewater Utilities Lab has requested the services of the Lake County Water Resources Management Lab to perform quarterly monitoring well field sampling and laboratory analysis. The department needs to purchase a power generator and pump to perform the services. Funds are available in Special Reserve.
Geographic Information System
Request from Geographic Information System for approval of Interlocal Agreement between Lake County, Florida, and the City of Minneola relating to the creation, distribution, and sharing of geographic information.
Community Services
Request from Community Services for approval of Resolution 2002-204 to ratify issuance by the Orange County Housing Finance Authority the Homeowner Revenue and Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, draw down series on behalf of Lake County.
Community Services
Request from Community Services for approval to submit advertisement for release of the Citizens’ Commission for Children’s (CCC) Requests for Proposals (RFP) for Fiscal Year 2003-2004 Annual Grant Funding.
Economic Development/Tourism
Request from Economic Development/Tourism for approval of a Real Estate Purchase and Sales Agreement between Lake County and C & C Pumping, Inc. For approximately half (approximately 5.6 acres) of Lot 26 in the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park, to move forward with obtaining a survey of Lot 26, and to file an application for a Lot Split with the Department of Growth Management.
Budget and Administrative Services - Procurement Services
Request from Budget and Administrative Services - Procurement Services for approval and authorization to award RFP #03-017, encumber funds and authorize a contract, subject to the County Attorney approval, to Government Services Group, Inc./Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A. in the lump sum amount of $46,368.00 for Fire and Rescue Fee Study, plus additional fees, if required for legal review and consultation.
Community Services
Request from Community Services for approval of revision of LCC-49, the General Assistance Program that would eliminate asset level for Hardship Assistance for Fire and Solid Waste Assessment Program.
PUBLIC HEARING
FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2001 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
AND EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER)
Ms. Liz Eginton, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Director, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the CDBG Program for the period December 1, 2001 to October 31, 2002. She stated that Lake County’s CDBG program finished its second year on October 31 and the CDBG Division of the Department of Community Services has finished its Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2001-02. (The PowerPoint presentation and the FFY 2001 CAPER are included in the meeting backup material.) She requested that the Board approve the document so that it can be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Jacksonville Field Office.
Ms. Eginton continued by stating that pursuant to the Citizen Participation Plan, which is Chapter 2 of the Consolidated Plan, every year’s CAPER must be made available for public inspection for at least 15 days. Also, citizens are to be given an additional chance to comment at a public hearing. This year’s public inspection period lasted from November 18, 2002, to December 3, 2002. Notice of the public hearing and public inspection period was published in the Orlando Sentinel, Lake Edition on November 18, 2002, and the CAPER is posted on the County’s website.
Ms. Eginton stated that between December 1, 2001, and October 31, 2002, Lake County spent $930,050.50, or 78.8%, of CDBG funds budgeted for FY 2001-02, covering ten different activities, plus grant administration and project overrun contingency. She continued by giving a progress report on the activities that were carried out with CDBG funds during FY 2001-02, including projects in the community of Lake Kathryn, the City of Tavares, the Montverde Community Building, Montverde Town Hall, the Lake County Agricultural Center (Ag Center), the Health Department, Mid-Florida Community Services, and the Transportation Disadvantaged Division of Community Services. She thanked everyone who partnered with the County to make CDBG Program Year 2 a success, including Engineering, Capital Projects and Special Services Divisions of the Lake County Department of Public Works, the City of Tavares, the Town of Montverde, Mid-Florida Community Services, the Lake County Health Department, and the HUD Jacksonville Field Office.
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Ms. Eginton and the staff of the CDBG Department.
Commr. Hill questioned whether automatic door openers at the Ag Center are required per Florida Statutes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, stated that the project was an enhancement of the ADA project.
Commr. Hill stated that the Ag Center, being an older building, might eventually be included in the County’s Capital Improvement Program and improvements might be done in partnership with Public Works and other departments.
Ms. Eginton stated that the Block Grant funds, when talking about buildings for the general conduct of government, can only be used for ADA improvements.
Commr. Hanson inquired whether there is still a waiting list for persons needing assistance purchasing prescriptions.
Ms. Eginton explained that applications for prescription assistance are taken until the money runs out and then the program is shut down. This year the prescription assistance money was spent by June and 328 persons received prescriptions.
Commr. Hanson stated that there is a need for a community center in the Sorrento-Mt. Plymouth area.
Ms. Eginton stated that according to the 1990 census the Sorrento-Mt. Plymouth area does not meet the low- to moderate-income area benefit test.
Regarding prescriptions, Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, stated that there is an assistance program that is provided by various pharmaceutical companies and questioned whether the County is publicizing that service.
Mr. Fletcher Smith, Director of Community Services, confirmed that persons seeking assistance for prescription drugs are given information by the Health Department concerning various programs that are available.
Mr. Strait Hollis, Community Development Specialist, commented that funding for prescription assistance ran out in March 2001, and this year, when the funds ran out in June, many people were able to get their medications through the Health Department at a cost that is lower than pharmacy costs.
Mr. Bill Neron, County Manager, stated that the level of cooperation between CDBG, the Health Department and Community Services is outstanding compared to other Florida communities, and those departments have done an excellent job.
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, opened the public hearing portion of the meeting and called for public comment. It was noted that no one wished to speak on the request for approval of the Report. There being no public comment, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Hanson and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2001 Consolidated Annual Performance Report and directed the Department of Community Services to transmit it to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Jacksonville Field Office.
COUNTY MANAGER’S DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
Mr. Bill Neron, County Manager, requested that discussion of the Capital Improvement Plan be moved from the January 14, 2003, Board meeting to the January 21, 2003, Board meeting because Commr. Hill will not be present for the meeting on January 14. He stated that the Clermont City Council has requested a joint session with the Board during the week of January 20, 2003.
Commr. Hanson announced that she will not be present for the December 17, 2002, Board meeting due to a Wekiva Basin Task Force meeting. She added that she may also have a conflict with the January 7, 2003, Board meeting.
REPORTS - COMMISSIONER HILL - DISTRICT #1
CITIZENS’ COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN
Commr. Hill thanked the Board for approving the request to advertise release of the Citizens’ Commission for Children’s Requests for Proposals (RFP) and mentioned that Ms. Emily Lee, Children’s Services Director, and Ms. Peggy Morgan, Administrative Office Associate I, did a lot of hard work in revamping the RFP.
REPORTS - COMMISSIONER POOL - DISTRICT #2
OAKLEY SEAVER BOULEVARD
Commr. Pool stated that the City of Clermont wants to go forward with the construction of Oakley Seaver Boulevard.
Mr. Bill Neron, County Manager, stated that the item may be added to the December 17, 2002, Board meeting.
U.S. HIGHWAY 50 SIX-LANE PROJECT
Commr. Pool stated that he is concerned that Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) dollars might be focused strictly in Orange County, rather than Lake County, unless Lake County is willing or ready to help with some of the infrastructure funding. Commr. Pool stated that his goal would be to six-lane U.S. Hwy. 50 from the Hancock Road corridor eastbound to the Florida’s Turnpike entrance.
TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES
Commr. Pool stated that the Commissioners received a letter from U.S. Congresswoman-Elect Ginny Brown-Waite concerning Lake County’s transportation initiatives. He requested that the Board focus on the approximate $25 million cost to improve the intersection of U.S. Highways 50 and 27, with the six-lane of U.S. Hwy 50 and the six-lane of U.S. Hwy 27. He stated that no Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) U.S. Hwy 50 funding was provided for the design of U.S. Hwy 27 east to Hancock Road. He requested that the Board send a letter focusing on federal funds for the U.S. Hwy 50/27 intersection.
Regarding federal dollars, Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, stated that meetings in Washington, D.C., are taking place now and decisions for funding will be made in the next month or two. He stated that, after the first of the year, the Board could discuss renewing some assistance in Washington, and because the County is close to implementing one-stop permitting.
Commr. Pool stated that millions of federal dollars may be available with a small investment by Lake County.
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, stated that the Board could discuss renewing that assistance in Washington today if there is Board support to do so. He explained that during the recent Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Legislative Conference, U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) met with Lake County providers regarding one-stop permitting, an issue that was originally in the packet presented to Alcalde & Fay, Government and Public Affairs Consultants, last year. He added that legislative committees in Washington, D.C., are moving forward on transportation and other issues now and Lake County needs a presence in Washington every day.
A motion was made by Commr. Pool and seconded by Commr. Stivender to place on the agenda the rehiring of Alcalde & Fay, Government and Public Affairs Consultants, to represent Lake County in Washington, D.C., with these two specific projects and other projects that come before the Board.
Under discussion, Mr. Bill Neron, County Manager, questioned whether the same terms and conditions as the previous contract would apply.
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, stated that he had talked with Osceola County officials who have hired Alcalde & Fay and gotten millions of dollars in the past, and who have already renewed their contract with Alcalde & Fay.
Commr. Pool stated that Lake County is represented by three elected officials in the U.S. Congress who are focused and want to help Lake County, but he reiterated that, for a small fee, Lake County could compete for millions and millions of federal dollars.
Mr. Neron stated that the cost of the consultant’s contract would be between $55,000 to $60,000 and monies could be taken from the reserve for operating account.
Commr. Hill commented that it would be a good idea to discuss rehiring the firm after the first of the year because there are other interchanges in Lake County that need to be looked at. She added that Lake County’s three Congressional representatives should be able to serve the County in Washington.
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, called for a vote on the motion, to place the item on the agenda, which carried by a 4-1 vote.
Commr. Hill voted “no.”
OTHER BUSINESS
ALCALDE & FAY, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONSULTANTS
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, stated that the intersection of U.S. Hwy 50 and U.S. Hwy 27 and the one-stop center, would be the two top issues to be presented, initially, to Alcalde & Fay, Government and Public Affairs Consultants, if a new contract is approved by the Board. He added that the Public Works Director can discuss other projects that might be eligible for federal funds, possibly at the December 17, 2002, BCC meeting.
Commr. Pool stated that the County Manager can negotiate the best fee with Alcalde & Fay, and that the Board should continue to contact and work with Lake County’s representatives in Congress.
Mr. Bill Neron, County Manager, stated that, if the Board approves to rehire Alcalde & Fay, he will request that the firm send a representative to Lake County to meet with key staff to put together a package to bring back to the Board for approval as part of a plan under the contract, and to work closely with the Chairman.
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr Hanson and carried, by a 4-1 vote, the Board approved to reenter agreements with Alcalde & Fay, Government and Public Affairs Consultants, and approved the County Manager to prepare a contract for Board approval.
Commr. Hill voted “no.”
REPORTS - COMMISSIONER STIVENDER - DISTRICT #3
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING
Commr. Stivender informed the Board that she attended the Legislative Delegation meeting last week at Lake-Sumter Community College and at that meeting discussed the U.S. Hwy 50/U.S. Hwy 27 corridor and the need for matching funds and also discussed the Astor-Astor Park Water Association.
COUNTY EMPLOYEE LUNCHEON
Commr. Stivender reminded the Board of the County’s employee luncheon which will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2002.
MURAL COMMITTEE FOR LAKE COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS CENTER
Commr. Stivender informed the Board that she had a meeting December 9, 2002, with the committee for the mural for the Lake County Public Records Center on Main Street. She stated that she will have a copy of preliminary drawings for the Board’s review soon.
REPORTS - COMMISSIONER HANSON - DISTRICT #4
NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS FOR COUNTY COMMISSION
Commr. Hanson questioned whether newspaper advertisements for Board meetings go out for bid.
Mr. Bill Neron, County Manager, stated that he will research the issue and bring an answer to the Board at a later date.
REPORTS - COMMISSIONER CADWELL - CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT #5
ASTOR-ASTOR PARK WATER ASSOCIATION
On a motion by Commr. Hanson, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved support for the Astor-Astor Park Water Association’s Phase III construction of a wastewater management plant.
FEDERAL GRANT APPLICATION FOR ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously, by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the request for the Chairman to send a letter of support on behalf of the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), which is applying for federal grant money to develop integrated water sources.
FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
Commr. Cadwell, Chairman, informed the Board that he is in the process of putting in writing, for the Board, the Florida Association of Counties’ (FAC) Legislative Conference priorities and state budget projections. He noted that the number one goal of the FAC is to not support any cost shifts to fund Article V, although many issues were discussed at the well-attended conference. He stated that Lake County was represented by four individuals and that 30 of the 50 newly elected Florida commissioners attended the conference.
REPORTS - COMMISSIONER HANSON (CONTINUED) - DISTRICT #4
ASTOR-ASTOR PARK WATER ASSOCIATION
Commr. Hanson stated that the Astor-Astor Park Water Association’s wastewater management plant is a major environmental effort, and that the public may not be aware of its environmental significance.
BOARD CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
Commr. Hanson welcomed Chairman Cadwell and Vice Chairman Stivender on board and noted that there will be a presentation at an upcoming meeting for Past Chairman Pool.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
____________________________________
WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
______________________________
JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK