A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FEBRUARY 21, 2006
The
Lake County Board of
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Elder Elijah Terry with the
AGENDA UPDATE
Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager,
stated that she would like to pull Tab 12 on the fire station site in the
Paisley/Lake Kathryn area; a little bit more work needs to be done on this
item. The Board also has Addendum No. 1
that has an item under the
Commr. Hanson stated that, even
though the Board is pulling Tab 12, she would like to have a little discussion
on this item.
INTRODUCTIONS/LEADERSHIP
Commr. Cadwell introduced Martha
Ledford, Pringle Development, who is doing her internship for
COMMISSIONERS
Commr. Hanson stated that she would
like to recognize that Commr. Debbie Stivender is absent today and that their
thoughts and prayers are with her and her father.
MINUTE APPROVAL
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded
by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the
Minutes of January 23, 2006, Special Joint Meeting, School Board and
Municipalities, as presented.
On a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded
by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the
Minutes of January 27, 2006, Visioning Retreat, as presented.
CLERK OF THE COURT’S CONSENT
AGENDA
On a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded
by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the
Clerk of Court’s Consent Agenda, Items 1 through 8, as follows:
List of Checks or Warrants
Request to acknowledge receipt of
list of checks or warrants paid prior to this meeting, pursuant to Chapter
136.06 (1) 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.
Contractor Bonds
Request to approve the following Contractor
Bonds:
New
5675-06 Frank R. Kaiser II d.b.a. Ron Kaiser
LLC
6048-06 Mark S. MacDonald d.b.a. Water Systems
Irrigation Specialists of Florida Inc.
6097-06 James Drawdy d.b.a. JBD Builders,
Inc.
6452-06 McGhee Landscaping & Irrigation,
Inc.
6453-06 Timothy Kuhn d.b.a. Kuhn Electric,
Inc.
6454-06 James Calvin Allen d.b.a. J.A.M.
Construction, Inc. of N. Central
6455-06 Southern Landscaping & Lawn
Maintenance, Inc.
6456-06 Mark Bowman d.b.a.
Cancellation
5809-04 William R. Bil d.b.a. William Bil
Plumbing
Land Available List
Request to acknowledge receipt of
the property placed on the Lands Available List.
ST. JOHNS RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT/PERMIT APPLICATION/BATSON’S
GREENHOUSES, INC.
Request to acknowledge receipt from
the St. Johns River Water Management District a Written Notice of Intended
District Decision on Permit Application(s) in Lake County (Notice dated January
25, 2006); Batson’s Greenhouses, Inc., Gene Batson, PO Box 1410, Mount Dora, FL
32756-1410, application #2688. The District proposes to allocate 0.033 million
gallons per day of ground water for the irrigation of 6.5 acres of indoor
foliage. The withdrawals used by this proposed project will consist of ground
water from the Floridan Aquifer via 4 active wells in
Request to acknowledge receipt from
the Florida Public Service Commission, a notice in re: Annual reestablishment
of price increase or decrease index of major categories of operating costs
incurred by water and wastewater utilities pursuant to Section 367.081(4) (a)
F.S., Docket No. 060005-WS, Order No. PSC-06-0075-PAA-WS, Issued January 31,
2006. Any person whose substantial interests are affected by the action
proposed by this order may file a petition for a formal proceeding, in the form
provided by Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code. This petition must be
received by the Director, Division of the Commission Clerk and Administrative
Services,
Request to acknowledge receipt from
the St. Johns River Water Management District a legal notice regarding Reliable
Peat Company JV,
Cascades at Groveland Community
Development District/Resolution
Request to acknowledge receipt of the
proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2005/2006, a copy of the Resolution 2006-07
designating the District’s Agent and Registered Office Address, and a copy of
Resolution 2006-09 identifying the Fiscal Year 2005/2006 meeting schedule for the
newly established Cascades at Groveland Community Development District,
pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes.
Satisfaction and Release of
Fine/Drescher
Request to approve Satisfaction and
Release of Fine against Robert Drescher, in the amount of $250.00 – Order of
Fine recorded in OR Book 02300, Pages 1510 – 1511 of the Public Records of Lake
County, Florida.
On
a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Cadwell and carried unanimously by
a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the following County Manager’s Consent Agenda,
Tabs 3 through 27 and pulling Tab 12:
Budget Transfer/Public Safety/Contractual
Services/Grants
Request from Budget for a budget transfer – General
Fund, Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division. Transfer
$50,519.00 from Contractual Services to Personal Services ($24,679.00),
Operating Expenses ($20,659.00), and Capital Outlay ($5,181.00). Funds need to
be reallocated to pay for a limited-term, part-time employee. The initial intention
was to use outside contractors, so the majority of the funds were budgeted in
Contractual Services. It has been determined that it would be more beneficial
to hire an employee. Emergency Management requested and received approval to
fund the position with the State Homeland Security Grant as long as the grant
exists. Funds available in Contractual Services.
Budget Transfer/Environmental
Services/Covanta Contract Management Division
Request
from Budget for a budget transfer – Landfill Enterprise Fund, Department of
Environmental Services, Covanta Contract Management Division. Transfer
$300,000.00 from Contractual Services to Utility Services. A new natural gas
agreement with Covanta was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on
November 22, 2005 and signed by the Chairman on December 20, 2005. A transfer
of funds from one object code to another is required due to the new agreement.
Funds available in Contractual Services. No new funds are required.
Budget Transfer/Public
Safety/Office Supplies
Request from Budget for a budget
transfer – County Fire Control Fund, Department of Public Safety, Fire Rescue
Division. Transfer $15,000.00 from Professional Services to Office Supplies.
Additional funds are needed in the Office Supplies account to pay outstanding
invoices and provide additional funds for future expenses. Funds available in
Professional Services.
Budget Transfer/Public
Safety/Office Supplies
Request
from Budget for a budget transfer – County Fire Control Fund, Department of
Public Safety, Fire Rescue Division. Transfer $12,000.00 from Repair and
Maintenance to Office Supplies. Additional funds are needed in the Office
Supplies account to pay outstanding invoices and provide additional funds for
future expenses. Funds available in Repair and Maintenance.
Budget Transfer/Public
Works/Stormwater Improvements
Request from Budget for a budget
transfer – Stormwater Management Fund, Department of Public Works, Engineering
Division, Stormwater Section. Transfer $800,000.00 from Special Reserve to
Professional Services. Many Stormwater improvements have been identified over
the past year due to the higher than average rainfall. There are additional
projects that will need to be funded this year, for study and final design
only. Funds available in Special Reserve.
Budget Transfer/Environmental
Services/Operating Supplies
Request from Budget for a budget
transfer – Landfill Enterprise Fund, Department of Environmental Services,
Solid Waste Administration Division. Transfer $13,425.00 from Reserve for
Operations to Operating Supplies. Additional recycle bins are needed to meet
increased citizen requests due to the increase in completed residential
construction. Funds available in Reserve for Operations.
Ordinance – Request to Advertise
–
Request from Community Services for
approval to advertise change to the Ordinance which address the operation of
the Lake County Elder Affairs Coordinating Council.
Annual Funding
Agreements/Community Services
Request from Community Services for
approval to amend the Annual Funding Agreements with the Boys and Girls Club of
Lake and Sumter Counties, Inc.;
Waste
Management/Reimbursement/Property Damage
Request from Employee Services for
approval and acceptance of Waste Management's offer to reimburse Lake County
for property damage caused by a Waste Management vehicle at a Lake County
facility; and execution of appropriate document approving and authorizing
settlement of County's claim for property damage.
Refund/Masterpiece Homes
Request from Growth Management for
approval to refund $35,775.00 to Masterpiece Homes due to duplicate payment of
capacity fee which was incorrectly applied to the Division of Water Resources.
Contract/AON Consulting, Inc.
Request from Procurement Services
for approval and execution of the Contract with AON Consulting, Inc. for
various employee benefits consultant services in the annual amount of
$54,000.00.
First Amendment/Change Order/Fire
Station/
Request from Procurement Services
for approval and execute the First Amendment to complete a Change Order to
increase the cost of the project in the amount of $11,560.00 for modifications
in the design of the prototype fire station at
Modification to Contract/MAN
Telecommunication/Fire Rescue Facilities
Request from Procurement Services
for approval of a modification to contract number 05PLBN6BUQDB with Sprint
which currently provides for MAN telecommunication capacity at Fire Rescue facilities,
to add this service at an additional facility, and to grant authority to staff
to implement future similar supplemental requirements within a $12,660.00
limit.
Procurement Procedure
Request from Procurement Services
for approval of a change in Procurement procedure to formalize a requirement
for BCC retroactive approval of actions in excess of $25,000.00 which are
awarded using informal procurement procedures in response to an emergency or
urgency requirement.
Resolution Dissolving Bicycle/Pedestrian
Advisory Committee
Request from Public Works for
approval and signature on the Resolution 2006-23 dissolving the
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Ordinance – Request to Advertise
- Final Plat Requirements
Request from Public Works for
approval to advertise Ordinance amending Section 14.07.07, Lake County Code,
Appendix E, Land Development Regulations, entitled Final Plat Requirements.
Maintenance Bond/Silver Creek PUD
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$50,000.00 posted for Silver Creek Phase I. Silver Creek PUD consists of 116
lots – Commission District 2.
Maintenance Bond/Windscape Phase
III
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$24,613.57 posted for Windscape Phase III. Windscape Phase III consists of 50
lots – Commission District 2.
Final Plat/Bella Ladera
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to accept the final plat for Bella Ladera and all
areas dedicated to the public as shown on the Bella Ladera plat. Bella Ladera
consists of seven lots – Commission District 3.
Resolution/Signs/Leesburg Area
Request from Public Works for
approval and signature on Resolution 2006-24 authoring the posting of a
"STOP" sign on Thomas Avenue (5108) and CR 25A (5507) at their
intersection with Urick Street (5407) in the Leesburg area.
Maintenance
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$12,205.20 posted for Spring Valley Roper Boulevard Improvements.
Maintenance Bond/Spring Valley
Phase I
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$48,683.00 posted for Spring Valley Phase I. Spring Valley Phase I consists of
70 lots – Commission District 2.
Maintenance Bond/Spring Valley
Phase V
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of $27,
627.95 posted for Spring Valley Phase V. Spring Valley Phase V consists of 55
lots – Commission District 2.
Maintenance Bond/Spring Valley
Phase II
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$32,144.16 posted for Spring Valley Phase II. Spring Valley Phase II consists
of 47 lots – Commission District 2.
Maintenance Bond/Spring Valley
Phase III
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$25,135.80 posted for Spring Valley Phase III. Spring Valley Phase III consists
of 34 lots – Commission District 2.
Maintenance Bond/Spring Valley
Phase IV
Request from Public works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$30,368.60 posted for Spring Valley Phase IV. Spring Valley Phase IV consists
of 74 lots – Commission District 2.
Maintenance Bond/Spring Valley
Phase VI
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Maintenance Bond in the amount of
$17,343.00 posted for Spring Valley Phase VI. Spring Valley Phase VI consists
of 56 lots – Commission District 2.
Letter of Credit/Verde Ridge
Units I and II
Request from Public Works for
approval and authorization to release a Letter of Credit for Performance in the
amount of $6,886,597.32 posted for Verde Ridge Unit I; and request
authorization to release a Letter of Credit for Performance in the amount of
$9,694,672.14 posted for Verde Ridge Unit 2. Verde Ridge Units I and II consist
of 212 and 190 lots respectively – Commission District 2.
Repairs/Astor Park
Request from Public Works for
approval for funding and the transfer of funds from General Fund Reserve for
Operations for repairs at Astor Park to replace the electrical panel and feed
which was struck by lightning, the removal of the existing dugouts and concrete
slabs and their replacement with designed dugouts, and the installation of a
scoreboard which has already been purchased.
Fiscal impact: $50,000.00
FIRE
STATION - PAISLEY/LAKE KATHRYN AREA
Commr.
Cadwell stated that he had asked that Tab 12, the request for approval to
secure property in the Paisley/Lake Kathryn area for the construction of a new fire station
and approach the Department of Forestry to determine if it has a suitable site
that it would be willing to negotiate, be pulled from the agenda today, because
there are still some site questions that have not been answered yet, and he had
asked staff if they would hold up on that until they could get all of those
answered.
Commr.
Hanson questioned whether the Board has a date in mind to postpone this item to
and Commr. Cadwell suggested that the item be placed on the agenda for the
second meeting in March (March 14, 2006), because he will not be here the first
week in March.
PRESENTATION: FAST-TRACK
Colonel
Dennis Freytes stated that he is retired Army, he served in the Special Forces
Infantry in Airborne, and he is here on behalf of the National Association for
Uniformed Services (NAUS). He stated
that NAUS has a membership of 200,000; about 10,000 to 20,000 in
Commr.
Pool extended his thanks to Colonel Freytes for his position and his support
and enthusiasm noting that he is obviously on the right track talking to
senators and congressmen, and he certainly felt that the Board could issue a
letter of support.
Commr.
Pool made a motion, which was seconded by Commr. Hill, for the Board to issue
or write a letter supporting Colonel Freytes’ stance on the VA Hospital issue,
as noted.
Under
discussion, Commr. Cadwell wanted to know if the Veterans Service Office has
looked at this request, and Commr. Hill noted that they did a couple of weeks
ago, and she would respectfully request that John Mica and Tom Feeney, House
Representatives, be added to the list that was presented, since Colonel Freytes
noted that he has spoken to them.
Commr.
Hanson called for a vote on the motion for the Chairman to write a letter and
send it on behalf of the Commission, which was carried by a 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATION:
STEP UP,
Mr.
Fletcher Smith, Director of Community Services, addressed the Board and
explained that, beginning last year, the health departments statewide had an
event called Step Up Florida.
Ms.
Pam Stenke, Director of the Lake County Health Department, addressed the Board
and explained that Step Up has gone through all of the counties in
Mr.
Smith read into the record the Step Up Florida Proclamation.
Commr.
Hanson stated that, along with that, there is also a commitment to look at
designing communities that lend themselves to a healthy lifestyle.
On
a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by a
4-0 vote, the Board approved Step Up, Florida Day Proclamation 2006-25 in
Commr.
Hill noted that last year the event was held in the City of
PRESENTATION: RESOLUTION OFFICIALLY DECLARING THE WEEK
OF FERUARY 19-25, 2006 AS NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK IN
Mr.
Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, addressed the Board and stated that
the County has recognized National Engineers Week since 1996. He explained that National Engineers Week was
founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Mr. Stivender explained that staff goes out into
the community and teaches eighth graders about engineers and how they affect
the everyday lives of everyone. They
want to make sure that the students who are interested in the math and science
skills are ready to start ninth grade.
This has been a very successful program and, because of the FCAT schedule
this year, staff will be scheduling their visits in March.
Commr.
Cadwell made a motion, which was seconded by Commr. Hill, to approve Resolution
2006-26 officially declaring the week of February 19 through 25, 2006 as
National Engineers Week in
Under
discussion, Commr. Hanson stated that the Board certainly recognizes the
importance of science in the education system, and they certainly need to
improve it, and they appreciate staff’s efforts in the community with the
students.
Commr.
Hanson called for a vote on the motion, which was carried unanimously by a 4-0
vote.
PRESENTATION: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN “PLANNING HORIZON 2025”
Ms.
Carol Stricklin, Director of Growth Management, addressed the Board to give an
update of the progress in preparing “Planning Horizon 2025” and noted that, in
their packet, there is a copy of the Executive Summary. Ms.
Stricklin explained that she will talk about some of the issues that have
emerged in the process of preparing this Comprehensive Plan, and the schedule
for completion of the Plan. She stated
that the Lake County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1993, so the data
analysis is somewhat dated and the Growth Management legislation has changed
significantly since that time. In
1999-2000, an Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) was prepared where they
evaluated how the 1993 Comprehensive Plan was working and what needed to be
changed in the update. The substantial
rewrite that the County is undertaking is really based upon that
evaluation. In 2005, significant changes
were made to
Ms.
Stricklin stated that staff has undertaken this major rewrite of the Comprehensive
Plan based upon an aggressive program of public involvement, because this is
really a community based plan that reflects the values and desires of the
Ms.
Stricklin explained that updating the data analysis, inventorying the changes
in land use, changes in the environment, changes in population, was a major
effort and this work has been completed.
The Comprehensive Plan consists of a set of Goals, Objectives and
Policies, as well as a Future Land Use and Future Traffic Circulation Map;
these are complete in a draft form and the Local Planning Agency (LPA) is very
near to completing its review of that set of Goals, Objectives and Policies. Following that, staff will be undertaking the
preparation of the Future Land Use Map.
As the LPA has been working through these issues, there are some very
significant policy discussions that have been occurring. There are several issues that center on
balancing land use issues with protection of the environment as development
occurs. They have had some very detailed
discussions about how open space may be utilized; how they can encourage
conservation subdivisions in green design; how they calculate density. There has been a lot of discussion about the
Wekiva area, and they are looking at how the policies that address development in
the Wekiva Protection Area might be expanded within the Wekiva Study Area.
Ms.
Stricklin explained that currently the Future Land Use Map has very generalized
categories, and it shows areas as urban, urban expansion, suburban, and rural,
and the densities that can be achieved within those urban, urban expansion, and
suburban areas are based upon the formula called timeliness, but it does not
really provide certainty to the citizens or the development community about
exactly what can occur within those areas.
The draft Future Land Use Element replaces that timeliness system with
more specific future land use categories that include a rural series of land
uses that recognize rural densities, as Ms. Stricklin explained in more detail,
and as shown in the backup, and it includes points such as clustering, the
creation of a Historic Village Overlay, new intensity districts for office, commercial
and industrial and high intensity development districts along the turnpike
interchanges; the removal of the suburban, urban expansion and urban categories
including timeliness to be replaced with new districts allowing densities from
one unit to five acres, to high density of 12 units to the acre; new categories
such as recreation, public/quasi public, and conservation. Ms. Stricklin stated that the next major task
is the Future Land Use Map, which will be undertaken by the LPA. Staff has done intensive inventories of
existing land uses and done the base mapping, and they have also collected
input from two primary sources, the landowners, and the land uses outside of
the incorporated areas of the municipalities, and these two primary sources of
information have been mapped and will be made available to the LPA as they
begin their discussions about the Future Land Use Map. She explained that one of the primary
requirements of the Growth Management legislation is that they designate the
right amount of land to accommodate future development, which she explained in
more detail. Staff anticipates that this
work will occur through the rest of this month and be discussed by the LPA in
March.
Ms.
Stricklin stated that staff has tentatively identified a schedule for
completing the Comprehensive Plan update and taking it through the adoption
process, which begins with transmittal public hearings. Staff has tentatively scheduled a transmittal
public hearing by the LPA in the April timeframe, and they will transmit it to
the Board for their review prior to sending it to the Florida Department of
Community Affairs (DCA); they anticipate that they will receive that in May;
they anticipate a work session prior to holding that public hearing. The transmittal public hearing is not an
approval of the Comprehensive Plan but a preliminary approval and sends it to
DCA for their review. It will come back
in about two months for those final public hearings and adoption, which staff
anticipates will occur in mid-summer.
Once the Comprehensive Plan is complete, then staff will begin to
prepare the implementing Land Development Regulations (LDRs) rewriting their ordinances
that govern land use and development and that is required by Statute to be
adopted within a year of this major Comprehensive Plan update. Staff will be working through 2006 and 2007
to bring the regulations in line with the new future land uses. There are several optional Elements that Ms.
Stricklin stated have been identified for future adoption; Public Safety,
Cultural, Library and others. They are
also required by Statute to do the EAR again by August 2008. The next LPA meetings for discussion of these
items will be February 24, 2006; March 16, 2006; and March 23, 2006. All of these materials are available on the
County’s Planning Horizon 2025 website.
Anything that is produced by staff, their consultants, or presentations
that are made to the LPA by outside parties are placed on that website for
review.
Commr.
Cadwell pointed out that this Board had said that when this process started
they were going to let that citizen group do their job, and this Board was
going to stay out of that process until they had a chance to do that, and he
wanted to know if that has been the case.
Ms.
Stricklin stated that this has been very much the case and that staff has
worked primarily with the LPA, and they are ready to bring the Board a
recommendation within the next couple of months.
Commr.
Hanson stated that she would like to recognize Nadine Foley and Keith Schue who
both serve on the LPA, and she appreciates them being here and for all of their
hard work.
Commr.
Hanson stated that she sees the clustering and the traditional neighborhood
designs being used and anticipates that they will be looking at methods to
encourage that use because, even though they allow them today, they do not
really happen. She wanted to know if
staff would be looking at methods to encourage that use or that design.
Ms.
Stricklin acknowledged that staff would be looking at methods and, in the rural
areas where they are looking at a density of one to one, staff is looking at
that primarily as occurring with a clustering concept, but they are also
looking at incentives in the LDR that might be provided to allow clustering.
Commr.
Hanson felt that this is going to be extremely important as they move forward
and look at the challenges with their transportation and getting folks from
their homes to jobs, particularly since energy costs continue to increase, so
this is going to be important when they are looking at 20 to 25 years out, or
even ten years out. She is glad to see
them looking at culture as an option along with heritage. She does know that
the LPA had a presentation last week on community development and it was very
good, and it may be helpful for this Board to get that same presentation at
some point. It was noted that the
presentation was given by Glatting Jackson.
Commr.
Hill wanted to know, under the Summary of Policy Points, if these are things
that staff is including in the document or are these things to be discussed to
be included. Ms. Stricklin noted that these are things that are already
incorporated into the document.
Commr.
Hill referred to The Vision, as outlined in the backup, and stated that the
word “provide” is being used for a school system that unites the community and
provides quality education; she thinks that the meaning of “provide” reflects
that the County will financially be responsible for providing a school system,
and she questioned whether there was another word that they could possibly
use. She would rather say that they can “promote”
inter-governmental coordination with the school system, or they can “advocate”
for the school system, or “collaborate” with the school system, something that
says they are going to work with them, but they are not “providing” that
system. She felt that this would help
make it less confusing for people who will think that they have some type of
responsibility for the school system, and she does not want the school system
to think that they are trying to take over either.
Commr.
Hanson stated that Commr. Hill raises a good point but she thinks that perhaps
in all of these, when they look at it from a vision standpoint, they would want
to look at those items not as a verb, but as a noun, this is the way they want
it to be in the vision and then come back and figure out how they are going to
do that but she understands, at the very least, that they would need to change
that verb but staff can work through all of them.
Commr.
Pool addressed the issue of rural settlements such as
Ms.
Stricklin stated that this would not be considered rural settlement; they are
specifically referring to the distinctive communities, as opposed to the more
suburban development patterns; the historic villages.
Commr.
Pool stated that they can then say there are many areas in the County that have
urbanized and are an intricate part of their community, so they do not want to
forget them, because close to one-half of the population lives in the County. They need to continue to try and balance as
they go forward and determine how they can provide for that one-half that wants
to come into
Ms.
Stricklin explained that they would recognize those areas as part of that urban
residential land use area beginning at two and half units per acre.
Commr.
Hill wanted to know if the categories, as listed, are uniform with the cities
and, if these are uniform throughout the County, she wanted to know if they will
adopt our categories.
Ms.
Stricklin explained that each of the cities would maintain their own series of
land use designations. They have taken
into account the requests of the cities and tried to reconcile the categories
that they use but these will be uniform for the unincorporated area.
Commr.
Hill stated that she knows that staff is eliminating suburban urban because the
cities had a different definition for those.
PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED USES OF FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS
Ms.
Liz Eginton, Director of Housing and Community Development, addressed the Board
to discuss the proposed uses of the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) Funds. Ms. Eginton
explained that today’s hearing is the start of the FY 2006-07 CDBG Funding
cycle in preparation of the 2006-07 One Year Action Plan. The intent of the hearing is to provide
opportunities for public comment on community needs, program performance, and
on proposed uses of funds for the coming year.
Today they will take a brief look at what has been accomplished to date;
present a preliminary budget concept for FY 2006-07; obtain public reaction to
the concept budget and other ideas as to what CDBG funds should be used for
next year; and request that the Board approve the concept budget. At this time, Ms. Eginton reviewed some of
the accomplishments that happened during the first four months of this fiscal
year, as follows:
Ms.
Eginton stated that staff would like to build on this year’s successes by
continuing with the activities that they are currently doing noting that their
FY 2006-07 entitlement is estimated to be $968,033; a 9.1% reduction from this
year. They correspondingly reduced their
CEA, Public Service, Urban County partner, Housing and Administration
allotments and are requesting that the Board approve the concept budget, which
will allow them to proceed with preparation of the FY 2006-07 Action Plan. Staff is suggesting that the Board open the
hearing for comments from the public.
Commr.
Hanson pointed out that the 9.1% reduction was from the federal funds. Ms.
Eginton noted that staff lobbied very hard to maintain level funding and this
was an across the board reduction.
Commr.
Cadwell reported that this whole Block Grant Program is going to be under
attack again in
Commr.
Hanson explained that, as brought up in the past, there is a need for sidewalks
in the
Ms.
Eginton explained that it is the same in all areas; it has to be an area with at
least 51% low and moderate income.
Commr.
Hanson stated that, between Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, and the
transportation department, that road needs a sidewalk, because a person was
killed there a couple of weeks ago on CR 46 and, even though this was not the
first time, they need to try and find a solution to the problem.
Ms.
Eginton noted that staff was surprised that only one community has made
application for the CEA Program, because they had expected to have at least
three because they had three that attended their bidders conference. Staff is working very hard at publicizing the
Program and has included it on their website.
Commr.
Hanson opened the public meeting and called for public comment.
Mr.
D. J. Mauro addressed the Board and stated that there are a number of people
that walk along
Commr.
Hanson noted that this may not fit under this program, but Mr. Stivender can
take that under consideration.
Mr.
Travis Whigham addressed the Board and stated that last year he applied for the
$15,000 grant for his community, and this year it was $25,000. He was not able to get the information
together to reapply for the grant because of unplanned circumstances and not
having the timeframe to do that but, if the previous application can be brought
into this year’s process, it would be greatly appreciated because they still
have the same number of people interested in getting these things done in their
neighborhood.
Ms.
Eginton explained that the format has changed; they consolidated the
application process with the Human Services grants and the Citizens Commission
for Children grants.
Mr.
Whigham stated that they need a lot of things in their neighborhood, but
anything that can be done and has been done is greatly appreciated.
Ms.
Eginton recalled that
Mr.
Whigham explained that the residents are trying to prioritize their needs and
will be having a special meeting to make some decisions on where to apply that
funding.
Commr.
Hanson called for further public comment.
There being none, the public hearing portion of the meeting was closed.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Cadwell and carried unanimously by
a 4-0 vote, the Board approve the proposed uses of Fiscal Year 2006-2007
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds, as presented.
RECESS
& REASSEMBLY
At
10:02 a.m., Commr. Hanson announced that the Board would take a ten minute
recess.
OTHER
BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS/AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Commr.
Cadwell addressed the request for an appointment of an individual to the vacant
"resident who is a concerned citizen for affordable housing" position
on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and noted that he was not ready to
make that appointment.
Commr.
Hanson noted that this item would be postponed.
APPOINTMENTS/LIBRARY
ADVISORY BOARD
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by
a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the appointment of the following individuals to
upcoming vacant positions on the Lake County Library Advisory Board:
Reappointments – Dorothy Keedy, Member; Beth Sindler, Alternate Member; and
Karen Howard, Member.
ADDENDUM
NO. 1
REPORTS
–
TAX
DEED SALES
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff,
Commr.
Hanson stated that she does not have a problem with that but she appreciates
the issue coming forward so they can tighten up the process and give Mr.
Minkoff that authority.
Commr.
Hill wanted to know how staff would decide the use of the property.
Mr.
Minkoff explained that the department director would make that decision. If it was a park they could make bigger or a
site that they need for a future fire station or library, it would depend on
the site itself. Sometimes it is
conservation land where they may want to acquire it for the conservation
area. In terms of funding, Mr. Minkoff
noted that these are typically going to be small, maybe $25,000 to $30,000, and
staff will always have
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by
a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the request from the County Attorney for
approval and authorization to attend and bid on selected properties at tax deed
sales, as well as other judicial sales, or to otherwise acquire property that
is involved in such sales.
REPORTS
–
COUNTY
POLICY/NAMING OF FACILITIES/PLACEMENT OF MEMORIALS
Ms.
Cindy Hall,
Commr.
Hanson noted that she did have a discussion with an individual about the naming
of the Law Library, and she told the individual that she would have to wait and
that the County did have a policy coming forward. She is sure that they will have more of these
types of requests.
On
a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Cadwell and carried unanimously by
a 4-0 vote, the Board approved the County policy regarding the naming of county
facilities and placement of memorials, as presented.
WATER
Mr.
Gregg Welstead, Deputy County Manager, stated that two weeks ago staff brought
to the Board’s attention the fact that
Mr.
Sandy Minkoff,
Commr.
Cadwell questioned whether OUC has an opinion on this matter. Mr. Welstead felt that they do only because it
was their attorney who brought it to their attention.
Mr.
Minkoff explained that OUC, if the Board will recall, signed an agreement with
Commr.
Pool made a motion, which was seconded by Commr. Cadwell, to approve to allow
mediation in this matter, as noted.
Under
discussion, Commr. Hanson wanted to know if they have the other provisions of
their permit that lists out what they would be opposed to at this time.
Mr.
Minkoff stated that staff has asked Doug Manson with Carey, O’Malley, Whitaker
& Manson,
Commr.
Hill asked who was involved in this issue, and Mr. Minkoff explained that
typically the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) is the
permitting agency, so they would be involved; the applicant would be involved;
and anyone who is opposed the permit.
Commr.
Hanson called for a vote on the motion, which was carried unanimously by a 4-0
vote.
JOINT
MEETINGS/CITY OF EUSTIS
Ms.
Cindy Hall,
Ms.
King addressed the Board and stated that, on February 23, 2006, at 6:30 p.m.,
the City of
Commr.
Hanson stated that this would be helpful and hopefully the outcome from this
meeting will help them deal with issues that are similar in other JPAs within
the County.
Ms.
King explained that this is the same approach that staff has taken with the two
adopted JPAs; staff has one pending with the Town of Lady Lake; and one with
the Town of Montverde. Staff would like
to take a similar approach of inter-governmental cooperation with all of the municipalities.
Ms.
King stated that the last item that the Mayor asked to be considered is a
possible land trade of the fairgrounds with some City owned property. This issue is going to be addressed
separately from the Growth Management Department, and Mr. Jim Bannon, Director
of Facilities Development and Management, has already worked with Ms. Hall to
begin coordinating discussions on that item.
Commr.
Hanson reported that, the week before last, she was at the myregion.org board
meeting, and one of the issues they were discussing was the lack of
coordination of planning between the seven counties that are in the Central
Florida area, and the myregion.org area, and it was obvious to her that they
also do not coordinate very well between the cities and the County on a regular
basis. She understands that there has
been a planning forum in the past, but she is not sure how active it is and
what the discussions are but she has talked to the County Manager about the
possibility of creating a planning council that would be led by the County and bringing
in planning officials from the different cities, so that they can have more
conversation and more consistency between the County and the cities, and among
the cities. She knows that Ms. Hall is
looking at it, and she thinks it would enhance their inter-governmental
relationship a great deal.
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER POOL – DISTRICT #2
Commr.
Pool wanted to congratulate
WEST
ORANGE/SOUTH
Commr.
Pool reported that they had a very successful West Orange/South Lake
Transportation Task Force Meeting; it was well attended by all the cities; and
they are really trying to show the concerns and focus of the SR 50
corridor/Hartwood Marsh/CR 535; and he appreciates the Board’s support.
CITY
OF MINNEOLA/ANNEXATION/LOWNDES PROPERTY
Commr.
Cadwell asked staff if the County was having any dialogue with Minneola in
regards to a joint planning area (JPA), because he thought they were doing a
visioning process.
Mr.
Gregg Welstead, Deputy County Manager, stated that Commr. Cadwell was correct
in that Minneola has been doing a visioning session. Next Tuesday night,
February 28, 2006, they are having a Council meeting where they are proposing
to adopt their vision for the area. He
will be attending that meeting to ask them to please transmit that to the
County as quickly as possible, so the County can incorporate that into their
future land use.
Commr.
Cadwell stated that he understands that the School Board is trying to annex the
Lowndes property. It was a bad site when
it came before this Board for a school, and it would be a bad site if it is inside
the City of
Mr.
Welstead stated that this afternoon there is a Planners Forum in Minneola at
City Hall to talk about proportionate share.
He met with Bruce Behrens, City Manager of Minneola, and a few other
folks last week to discuss Founders Ridge, and he is going to take some of the
information that they provided in regard to the school zoning to Mr. Behrens this
afternoon so he is aware of it.
Commr.
Pool interjected that, if Mr. Welstead is going to attend this meeting,
obviously the Hills of Minneola area is still in the County, and he thinks that
certain municipalities have at least looked that way. The potential is still there for an
interchange on the turnpike at that location, Hancock Road north up to the
Turkey Farms area, and potential for discussion about diversification and an
ideal location for a Class A office park.
Commr. Pool stated that this is something that he wants to bring forward
that at least Minneola may want to consider and, even if they would like to try
and annex that acreage, they might want to mutually talk about an opportunity
for this Class A office park at this location.
He wanted to at least put that on the table for comments and
conversation, because it is currently in the County.
Commr.
Hanson stated that she agrees with any options other than residential and
certainly that is one of their goals for the County, and Jim Stivender,
Director of Public Works, informed the Board that staff showed Hills of
Minneola as an employment center in their workshop.
Commr.
Pool stated that he is not opposed to some commercial or retail in that area but
a Class A office park like the
Commr.
Cadwell stated that he knows it takes a four-fifths vote by the Board, and
there are only four Commissioners here today, but he would like to make a
motion to place on the agenda a position on the annexation of the Lowndes
property into Minneola.
Commr.
Hill seconded the motion.
Under
discussion, Commr. Pool stated that he was one of the Commissioners that
supported the school site, and he still believes it is probably going to be a
viable site at some point in the future and whether it is two years premature,
or five years premature, he thinks the school site is important. If this is something that the Board wants to
talk about, he will be more than happy to listen, but he would prefer for it to
not be on the agenda only because he thinks there may be a time to discuss this
and maybe they need to go ahead and make it an agenda item, but maybe not
today.
Mr.
Minkoff stated that there is an intervening property owner that has to be
annexed first but they have not actually applied yet; he believes it is Dale
Ladd; so there is one property that has to be annexed before the Lowndes
property becomes contiguous. He reminded
the Board that the annexation and the use are different issues.
Commr.
Cadwell understood that there has been no other idea other than they are going
to annex it to build for that school, so he worries about this Board sitting
silent. He noted that his motion is to
place this item on the agenda, and it requires a four-fifths vote.
Commr.
Hanson called for a vote on the motion, which failed with a 3-1 vote.
Commr.
Pool voted “no”.
On
a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously by
a 4-0 vote, the Board approved to direct staff to monitor that situation with
the City of
REPORTS
– COMMISSIONER HANSON
Commr.
Hanson reported that they had a very successful Lake County Days in
UNIVERSITY
OF CENTRAL FLORIDA/CONTRIBUTIONS/MEDICAL SCHOOL
Commr.
Hanson addressed the request from the University of Central Florida (UCF)
asking that
Commr.
Hill stated that, when UCF came to the Board last year, they sent a letter of
support, and they were looking at a vote from the Florida Board of Governors
and for contributions. She discussed
this item with Ms. Cindy Hall,
Ms.
Hall informed the Board that Mr. Fletcher Smith, Director of Community Services,
has talked to the hospitals and has some information to give the Board.
Mr.
Smith addressed the Board and stated that he has talked with Ken Mattison,
President, Florida Hospital Waterman, and the
Ms.
Hall stated that she does not know whether other counties are participating, but
she thinks
Commr.
Hanson stated that it certainly has regional impact, and it would be great to
hear from others.
Commr.
Hill asked that staff look at it and see what the level of giving is not only
in
Commr.
Cadwell noted that it was his understanding that UCF will be meeting with the
Florida Board of Governors on March 23, 2006.
CITIZEN
QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD
Mr.
Roy Hunter, Northeast Lake Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Board stated that
he will hold his presentation regarding the Paisley/Lake Kathryn fire station until
the second meeting in March, since the item has been postponed until such time
(Tab 12). Mr. Hunter stated that Commr.
Cadwell had a discussion with him during the recess, and he would like to make a
few comments on that discussion. Commr.
Cadwell wanted him to reassure the people that he would meet with him before that
meeting in March, along with Amye King, Deputy Director of Growth Management,
to discuss this item. He noted that only
the forest land was on the agenda, and Commr. Cadwell reassured him that the
agenda item will also show the present Paisley site, and it will still be
considered in the discussion.
Mr.
Hunter wanted to thank the County for getting CR 439 black-topped, and he
personally appreciates the fact that there is going to be a signal at CR 439
and CR 44A, and there are others in Northeast Lake who also appreciate it. He also wanted to thank the 40 people that
were here today in support of Tab 12 noting that most of them left after the
Board pulled the item from the agenda.
Mr. Hunter wanted to remind everyone of their Chamber meeting Thursday
night at 6:30 p.m. at
Immigration
Issues
Mr.
D. J. Mauro addressed the Board and explained that he gave the Board members a
video about a month ago that addressed immigration issues, and he hoped that
they and their staff had an opportunity to watch it. Mr. Mauro read Article IV, Section 4 of the
Constitution, which guarantees them a Republican form of government and noted
that there are approximately 35 million illegal aliens in this country; on CNN,
Lou Dobbs quoted a figure of $20 million when he discussed the issue; a part of
this video taping was shown to the Board at this time. Mr. Mauro explained that this is a very
serious issue and will affect future generations. Information shows that, in 1970, there were
approximately 203 million people in the country; the last census showed 298
million; the illegals were not counted because they cannot be found but there
are about 35 million. He has information
from 1964-65 showing that the country used to take in 250,000 legal immigrants
a year; this was changed to 900,000; 85% of that 900,000 are from third world
countries; only 15% from
Fire
Stations/Lake Kathryn/Wekiva Greenway District
Mr.
Fred Hunter addressed the Board and stated that he has a house on CR 42 west of
Lake Kathryn, and he came to speak against the motion to move the fire station,
if it is moved into that part of Section 16 that lies south of CR 42. He explained that this property was sold by him
and Mr. Ernest Palmer to the State for the Wekiva Greenway District. It was his clear understanding that this was
to remain under the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL). He would suggest that they go directly to the
Forest Service and let them know that it is not their job to locate a fire
station in that section, and they will be violating an agreement, even though
it is not in writing, that they had when it was purchased under threat of
condemnation. It was sold to them for
less than the appraised value because they wanted it to be part of that
Greenway. He would like to talk to his
Commissioner and anyone else and strongly object to them taking part of the
Greenway for a fire station. He has
plenty of other places he can show them that would be better for a fire station
site. He agrees with Mr. Roy Hunter that
it should be in
Commr.
Hanson stated that the Board appreciated Mr. Hunter’s comments, and they look
forward to seeing him at the meeting that addresses this issue.
Fire
and Rescue/Road Issues/Lake Mack Area
Mr.
Travis Whigham, Lake Mack, addressed the Board and explained how a fire
occurred on Second Street in the Forest Hills/Lake Mack area last week noting
that it took Lake County Fire and Rescue between 25 to 30 minutes to react to
the incident, because they appeared to be lost and unable to find the place; in
this particular case, it was fatal. He
explained that, if
Commr.
Hanson stated that the Board members all recognize that there is a need for a
station in that area.
Mr.
Keith Schue addressed the Board and stated that he is speaking on behalf of the
Nature Conservancy, as the Ocala/Wekiva Conservation Project Coordinator, and
he would like to express concerns regarding the location of a fire station
within Section 16, which is a portion of
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the
meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
__________________________________
CATHERINE C. HANSON, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES
C. WATKINS, CLERK