A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

September 6, 2011

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Lake County Administration Building, Tavares, Florida.  Commissioners present at the meeting were:  Jennifer Hill, Chairman; Leslie Campione, Vice Chairman; Sean Parks; Jimmy Conner; and Welton G. Cadwell.  Others present were:  Darren Gray, County Manager; Sanford A. “Sandy” Minkoff, County Attorney; Wendy Taylor, Executive Office Manager, County Manager’s Office; Neil Kelly, Clerk of Court; Barbara F. Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; and Courtney Vincent, Deputy Clerk.

INVOCATION and pledge

Pastor John Barham from the First United Methodist Church in Tavares gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Agenda update

Commr. Hill stated that Tab 26, a discussion on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and Tab 24, acknowledgement of the Distinguished Service Award, would be moved to the head of the agenda.  She added that there was an addendum to the agenda regarding a Public Hearing on redistricting, which would be placed just before Tab 27.

Mr. Gray requested that Tab 25, a request to approve the County’s Property, Liability, Worker’s Compensation, and Risk Insurance Coverage effective October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012, be pulled from the agenda to be brought back before the Board during the September 13, 2011 Board Workshop.  He also reminded the Board that Tab 28 was the first Public Hearing on the Budget which would take place at 5:05 p.m. that evening.

Announcement of 10 year anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks

Fire Chief John Jolliff, Director of Public Safety, addressed the Board to unveil the County’s 9/11 Memorial display in recognition of 10 years of remembrance.  He stated the memorial display would be officially dedicated at a ceremony to be held on Friday, September 9, 2011, in the County Administration Building at 9:00 a.m., and the public was invited to attend.  He announced the display housed an authentic piece of steel fragment from Ground Zero at the former World Trade Center site and added that after the memorial ceremony on Friday it would be relocated to the administrative office of the Department of Public Safety on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building for public viewing.

Acknowledgement of distinguished service award

Mr. Gregg Welstead, Conservation and Compliance Director, acknowledged Ms. Stephanie Glass, Teen Court Coordinator, for receiving both the State and local Distinguished Service Award in Juvenile Justice from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency.

Employee awards

Ms. Susan Irby, Employee Services Director, presented the following employee awards:

Five years

Rhoda Apfelbeck, Welcome Center Worker

Economic Development & Tourism

 

James Brown, Mobile Irrigation Team Leader (Not Present)

Public Resources/Agricultural Education Services/Lake Soil & Water Conservation

 

Kenneth Dawson, Equipment Operator IV

Public Works/Solid Waste Division

 

Kelly Hansen, Welcome Center Worker

Economic Development & Tourism

 

James Joiner, Mobile Irrigation Team Member (Not Present)

Public Resources/Agricultural Education Services Division/Lake Soil & Water Conservation

 

Edward “Doug” Woodyard, Telecommunications Director

Information Technology/Telecommunications Division

 

TEN YEARS

Earl “Ken” Harley, Public Transportation Division Director (Not Present)

Community Services/Public Transportation Division

 

FIFTEEN YEARS

Kathy Jo Craig, Office Associate III

Public Works/Solid Waste Division

 

David Hansen, Public Lands Program Manager

Public Resources/Parks & Trails Division/Public Lands Management

 

RETIREMENT 

Mr. Jim Stivender, Public Works Director, presented the following employee award, commenting briefly about his service to the County:

Gerald Bramlett, Mosquito Control Inspector (Not Present)

Public Works/Funding & Production Division/Mosquito Management

 

board/committee certificate presentations

Mr. Darren Gray, County Manager, presented the following awards and expressed gratitude for the services provided by the following individuals:

Lake County Arts & Cultural Alliance

Ms. Kace Montgomery for service from 2007-2011 (Not Present)

John Ernest for service from 2010-2011

Mary Kay McGuire for service from 2009-2011 (Not Present)

 

Capital Facilities Advisory Committee

Dennis M. Sargent for service from 2010-2011

 

Lake County Children’s Services Council

Ralph Smith for service from 2008-2011 (Not Present)

Lorrie Ann Simmons for service from 2005-2011 (Not Present)

 

Lake County Library Advisory Board

Joseph Quinn for service from 2009-2011 (Not Present)

Joanne C. Close for service from 2008-2011 (Not Present)

Parks, Recreation & Trails Advisory Board

Hugh A. Davis, II for service from 1999-2011

 

Lake County Women’s Hall of Fame Selection Committee

Carmen Cullen for service from 2003-2011 (Not Present)

Priscilla Getchell for service from 2009-2011

 

Lake County Zoning Board

James Gardner for service from 2004-2011

Scott Blankenship for service from 2004-2011

 

MINUTE APPROVAL

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Minutes of July 19, 2011 (Regular Meeting), July 26, 2011 (Regular Meeting), and August 2, 2011 (Regular Meeting) as presented.

CITIZEN QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD

Mr. Vance Jochim, a resident of Tavares who writes a blog on fiscal issues, addressed the Board regarding the County committees.  He expressed there was a need for a more organized approach in accumulating and presenting information to committee members for them to make their recommendations to the BCC.   He opined, after having attended meetings for the Zoning Board, Tourism Development Council, and the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee, that there was no real training of committee chairmen and no structured approached to organizing information presented at the meetings.  He remarked that by the committees not having a clearly defined process for assembling data objectively to make decisions leading to recommendations in their particular areas, it brought to question the credibility of the information being presented to the Board.  He recommended the committee chairmen be trained on how to facilitate and manage meetings to have information organized.

CLERK OF COURTS’ CONSENT AGENDA

On a motion by Commr. Conner, seconded by Commr. Parks and carried unanimously by a 5-0 vote, the Board approved the Clerk of Courts’ Consent Agenda, Items 1 through 7, as follows:

List of Warrants

Request to acknowledge receipt of list of 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.

Ordinance from the City of Mount Dora Annexing Property

Request to acknowledge receipt of a copy of Ordinance 2011-12 from the City of Mount Dora which was adopted by the Mount Dora City Council on August 16, 2011 and which pertains to the annexation of property located south of Old Eustis Road/US Hwy 441 and east of Morningside Drive, pursuant to Chapter 171.044(3) Florida Statutes, along with cover letter transmitting same.

Estates at Cherry Lake Community Development District Resolution

Request to acknowledge receipt of a copy of Resolution 2011-08 indentifying the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 meeting schedule for Estates at Cherry Lake Community Development District.  This meeting schedule is being submitted to you pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes.

Cascades at Groveland Community Development District Resolution

Request to acknowledge receipt of a copy of Resolution 2011-10 indentifying the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 meeting schedule for Cascades at Groveland Community Development District.  This meeting schedule is being submitted to you pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes.

Greater Lakes/Sawgrass Bay Community Development District Resolution

Request to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Greater Lakes/Sawgrass Bay Community Development District Resolution 2011-10 indentifying the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 meeting schedule for the Greater Lakes/Sawgrass Bay Community Development District pursuant to Chapter 190, Florida Statutes.

Property Placed on the Lands Available List

Request to acknowledge receipt of a list of property placed on the Lands Available List.  Lake County has until October 31, 2011 to purchase property from Lands Available List before it is available to the public.

Tentative Budget Submission from Southwest Florida Water Management District

Request to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Standard Format Tentative Budget Submission, pursuant to Section 373.536, Florida Statutes.

COUNTY MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA

On a motion by Commr. Conner, seconded by Commr. Parks and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the County Manager’s Consent Agenda, Tabs 3 through 16 as follows:

Community Services

Request for approval of the FY 2010/2011 Annual State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Report covering FY 2008/2009, FY 2009/2010, and FY 2010/2011 housing activities and funding, and approval and signature on the necessary certifications.

County Manager

Request for authorization to fill three (3) positions within Public Works/Road Operations Division: one Special Projects Coordinator position, one Equipment Operator III position, and one Road Maintenance Operator position. (The total fiscal impact for these three positions is $117,442.)

Request for approval of and authorization for the Chairman to sign resolutions providing for certification of the assessment roll for the Greater Groves Municipal Service Benefit Unit (Resolution No. 2011-120), Greater Hills Municipal Service Benefit Unit (Resolution No. 2011-121), Greater Pines Subdivision (Resolution No. 2011-122), Picciola Island Subdivision (Resolution No. 2011-123), Valencia Terrace Subdivision (Resolution No. 2011-124) and Village Green Subdivision (Resolution No. 2011-125), providing for certified copies, providing for adoption of resolution, and providing for an effective date.

Request for the Board to (1) declare the items on the attached list(s) surplus to County needs, (2) authorize the removal of all of the items on the attached lists from the County’s official fixed asset inventory system records, and (3) authorize the Procurement Services Director or designee to sign vehicle titles.

Request for authorization to fill two (2) vacant Environmental Waste Technician positions within the Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division. (Fiscal impact is $79,058.)

Economic Development and Tourism

Request for approval to solicit and accept sponsorships for the Lake County Economic Development Summit to be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 in Lake County. No fiscal impact is anticipated.

Employee Services

Request for approval of budget transfer of funds (total of $145,000.00) from Reserves for Operations to Claims Payments - Liability and Claims Payments - Workers' Compensation in anticipation of a liability settlement ($45,000.00) and to offset the remaining Workers' Compensation and Property & Liability claims expenses ($100,000.00).

Public Safety

Request for approval for Department of Public Safety Fire Rescue Division to submit to the United States Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Application period is August 15th through September 9th with awards given out prior to the end of the year. 20% matching funds will be identified in the FY20011-12 budget should the grant be awarded. Fiscal impact: $86,000 (County portion: $17,200 / Grant funding: $68,800).

Public Works

Request for approval of and authorization for the Chairman to sign Resolution No. 2011-126 providing for certification of the assessment roll for the Special Assessment for the paving, grading, curbing, and drainage of Diane Drive and Lisa Drive in Lake County. There is no fiscal impact.

Request for approval to advertise for CR-44 Intersection with CR-44 Leg A at an estimated cost of $586,000.00; [$481,000.00 from the Road Impact Fee Benefit District 3-Infrastructure-Construction and $105,000.00 from Renewal Sales Tax Capital Projects PW-Resurfacing]. Commission District 1. Fiscal Impact is $586,000.00.

Request for approval and signature on Resolution No. 2011-127 authorizing the posting of a "YIELD" sign on Hermitage Drive (8898F) where it intersects with 10th Street (8898C) in northeast Lake County, Commission District 5. No fiscal impact.

Request for approval of Arthropod Control FY11/12 Certified Budget Fiscal Impact is $18,396.

Request for approval of Resolution No. 2011-128 to change CR-42 “Part” (from SR-19 to a point 1,055 feet East) to Lake King Road and request approval of Resolution 2011-129 to change Bent Tree Road “Part” (from SR-19 to a point 440 feet East) to CR-42. Commission District 5. No fiscal impact.

Request for approval of school speed zone flasher signal maintenance at locations identified in Exhibit A. There is no fiscal impact.

COUNTY ATTORNEY’S CONSENT AGENDA

Commr. Hill stated she would abstain from voting on Tab 22 due to a conflict of interest.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the County Attorney’s Consent Agenda, Tabs 17 through 21 as follows:

Request for approval of termination of Lease Agreement with Munroe Sarvis for storage space for the Lake County Sheriff's Office.  Fiscal Impact $3,240.

Request for the BCC to order the 2011 tax roll to be extended prior to completion of the Value Adjustment Board hearings. There is no fiscal impact.

Request for approval of Lease Agreement with Strong Brothers, LLC for Tax Collector office space located at 1340 Citizens Boulevard, Leesburg. Fiscal Impact: $34,656.00.

Request for approval and execution of lease agreement between Lake County and the Lake Agriculture and Youth Fair Association, Inc. for use of the Lake County Expo Center/Fairgrounds and buildings from March 30, 2012 through April 18, 2012.

Request for approval of Lease Agreement between Lake County and J. W. Brooks, Inc. for Health Department for Warehouse Space AND approval of Interlocal Agreement Between Lake County and Lake County Health Department for Reimbursement to Lake County for Health Department Warehouse Space.  Fiscal Impact $34,100 – approximately.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 4-0, the Board approved the County Attorney’s Consent Agenda, Tab 22 as follows:

Request for approval of Settlement Agreement between Textron Financial Corporation and Neil Kelly, Clerk of the Circuit Court. Total Fiscal Impact is $45,000.00.

Commr. Hill abstained from voting.

Presentations

Lake county health department

Ms. Donna Gregory, Administrator of the Lake County Health Department (LCHD), addressed the Board to give a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the LCHD and requesting the Board to support the purchase of property in South Lake County.  She explained that the LCHD, as a public health entity, strived to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health, prosperity, and wellbeing through organized community efforts and the sanitation of the environment.  She noted they performed both clinical and non-clinical services with some of their services mandated by Florida Statutes while other services were based on local needs.  She noted that the mandated clinical services were completely Federal and State funded while the elective clinical services were funded through a combination of Federal, State, and County funds as well as local fees and grants.  She stated that immunizations for children and adults was the largest service out of all the clinical services offered, with dental services and maternity care coming in second and third respectively.  She reported the non-clinical services that were mandated by Florida Statute were funded through Federal and State resources as well as local fees, and the elective non-clinical services were completely grant funded, with the majority of non-clinical services utilized through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.  She reported that the South Lake region was the second largest population in the three micro-regions that made up the County, but the services were not as utilized as they were in the Northwest and Northeast regions of the County. 

Ms. Gregory reviewed the Federal, State, and local government funding sources as well as local fees and other funding sources for the programs, stating that the total funding for the LCHD was $12,909,573 and the largest percentage of the budget came from local fees and other funding sources, with State funding contributing the second largest amount.  She noted that the LCHD received $431,596 from the County as in kind revenue to cover lease and utility expenses for their offices.  She added that the State also contributed in kind revenue which went towards medication expenses, State labs, and vaccines for children.  She mentioned that the State revenue was gradually decreasing while there was an increase in local fees and other funding sources such as grants to help offset the reduction in governmental funding sources.  She commented that there were five clinical facilities throughout the County as well as a mobile dental unit, and that none of the facilities were located in South Lake.  She stressed there was a need for a facility in South Lake.  She mentioned that the LCHD had received a Low Income Pool (LIP) Grant, explaining that the intent of the grant was to expand primary care infrastructure and access to health services and adding that the grant was awarded by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).  She stated that they were awarded $689,000 to purchase a facility in South Lake with the emphasis of the facility being dental care for children, specifying that those grant funds needed to be spent by December 31, 2011.  She added that AHCA would extend the grant for another year, providing an additional $686,000 to supplement the original purchasing cost or any alterations, furniture, equipment, or operating costs, noting that those funds would need to be spent by June 30, 2012.  She stated that the building would be owned by Lake County, which would also assume maintenance and utility costs.  She requested authorization from the Board to locate a site to purchase, ideally in the Clermont/Minneola area, and authorization to prepare a Memorandum of Agreement with the State for the transfer/reimbursement of funds.

Commr. Cadwell asked who else was providing similar services to the LCHD in South Lake County.

Ms. Gregory replied that there was the federally qualified health center in Groveland which was just beginning to offer pediatric services and which performed more of the non-mandated services.  She added that they had expanded to where they would be opening some dental services, but the current focus was adult dental.  She noted that the center in Groveland currently also did primary care services for adults.

Commr. Parks asked what conditions needed to be met to fulfill the grant requirements, specifically if some of the grant money was for existing buildings only.

Ms. Gregory answered that there was not enough time to build a building before the December 31 deadline, which was why they were looking for an existing building.

Commr. Parks expressed concern that accepting the funds with such a short amount of time to find a suitable property might lead to purchasing a property that would not meet the needs of the region in the long term.  He mentioned South Lake Hospital had previously offered free land to build a health center and suggested analyzing the impacts of constructing a new site versus using the grant funds to purchase an existing site.

Ms. Gregory explained that it was proposed in the grant for the facility to be at least in part for dental services but that they wanted to locate a facility that was large enough to have another section available to start offering some of their mandated services in South Lake.

Commr. Parks specified that his concern was whether or not purchasing an existing building would hinder the ability to obtain a larger builder later that might better suit the future needs for that region.

Commr. Conner asked if the grand funds were specifically allocated for a facility or if any of it would be used towards operating costs.

Ms. Gregory replied that those funds were strictly for the purchase of the facility, as per the stipulations of the grant, and the building would then be County-owned, not State-owned.  She added that LCHD had received over a million dollars in grant funds, and the remainder of those funds would go towards direct services and care for citizens, estimating that approximately 50 percent of the $686,000 would go towards operating costs.

Commr. Campione asked if County staff was helping to locate a site for the facility.  She expressed concern over the versatility of the site should the needs of the region change.

Ms. Gregory replied that staff was helping to locate a site.

Mr. Minkoff added that Mr. Gray had asked Property Management staff to work with LCHD to look at buildings.

Commr. Campione asked if people who needed access to the mandated services were being provided transportation to the other Lake County facilities or if they were going to Orange County for the services they needed.

Ms. Gregory replied that a lot of the people in South Lake who lived near Orange County were going to the other county for necessary services.

Commr. Campione clarified that even though the statistics displayed during the presentation made it appear as if the residents of the South Lake region were underutilizing the services, it was really a matter of their not having the services available.

Mr. Gray noted that the County’s Transportation Disadvantaged Program was assisting in transporting some disadvantaged people to the necessary facilities.  He added that once a site was selected for purchase, it would be brought back before the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Campione, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved authorizing the LCHD to locate a site to purchase, ideally in the Clermont/Minneola area, and to prepare a Memorandum of Agreement with the State for the transfer/reimbursement of funds.

recess and reassembly

The Chairman announced that there would be a fifteen-minute recess at 10:03 a.m.

Public hearings

addendum 1a - Redistricting discussion

Mr. Gray informed the Board that what was being presented was a combination of the Option 2 and Option 3 redistricting maps, entitled Option 2B, Version 2.

Commr. Campione explained that the Option 2B map had been an attempt at finding the best of Options 2 and 3 and merging them while looking to create a more South Lake oriented district to give those residents a more consolidated sense of representation.  She remarked that the population did not support having two districts that were strictly within the limits of the South Lake region.  She mentioned that consideration had also been given to the comments received at the previous week’s Public Hearing regarding the retirement communities that wished to remain within Commission District 3.

Commr. Cadwell said he was concerned because they had tried to merge the Option 2 and Option 3 maps to accommodate the requests they had received and had learned it was not possible.  He opined that Option 2 was the best map for the entire County because it was closest to the current district boundaries.

Commr. Parks expressed his concern was trying to come up with a district alignment that would have two South Lake districts and stated that Option 2B addressed that concern.

Commr. Conner remarked that the primary criteria was to adopt a plan with a minimal impact on the residents and that preserved the existing relationships.  He opined that Option 2 met those criteria while the Option 2B map moved almost one third of the County’s citizens from one district to another.

Commr. Hill mentioned that she was in support of Option 2B.

Commr. Campione expressed that changes in the district boundaries were necessary because of the increase in population of the County.  She added that they needed to ensure the area within the district allowed the commissioner to be connected as much as possible without creating an undue burden for that person to do their job.  She opined that Option 2B was the best option to address the specific concerns that had been raised in regards to keeping communities together.

The Chairman opened the Public Hearing.

Mr. Vance Jochim, a resident of Tavares who writes a blog on fiscal issues, addressed the Board in support of District Map Option 2.  He opined that Option 2 was the least disruptive of the communities within the County.  He remarked that Option 2B disrupts relationships more and opined that there were more political issues behind the movement of the district boundaries with that option.

Mr. Joe Rudderow, a resident of The Plantation retirement community in Leesburg, addressed the Board in support of District Map Option 2.  He remarked that while both options kept the retirement communities together, the Option 2B map put one commissioner against another and he did not agree with that.  He urged the Board to support the Option 2 map.

There being no one else who wished to address the Board, the Chairman closed the Public Hearing and reserved comment to the Board.

Commr. Cadwell motioned to approve District Map Option 2.

Commr. Conner seconded the motion.

The motion failed by a vote of 3-2.

Commr. Hill, Commr. Parks, and Commr. Campione voted, “No.”

On a motion by Commr. Campione, seconded by Commr. Parks, and carried by a vote of 3-2, the Board approved District Map Option 2B, Version 2, as the new district map with final adoption upon approval of a resolution to be presented at the October 4, 2011 Board Meeting.

Commr. Conner and Commr. Cadwell voted, “No.”

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried by a vote of 3-2, the Board approved requesting staff to write two resolutions, one for the Option 2B map and one for the Option 2 map, in case the Board changed its decision on which map to approve on the October 4, 2011 Board Meeting.

Commr. Hill and Commr. Campione voted, “No.”

Lake county public library system long range plan of service

Ms. Wendy Breeden, Public Resources Director, introduced the presentation for the new Lake County Library System five-year Long Range Plan of Service for 2011 through 2016.

Mr. Tom Merchant, Library Services Division Manager, stated that Library Services had contracted with Ms. Ruth O’Donnell, a veteran library consultant from Tallahassee, as a consultant for the process of creating the long range plan.

Ms. O’Donnell reviewed the Long Range Plan of Service for 2011 through 2016, explaining that the Plan was the result of a five-month planning process that all six County libraries and nine municipal libraries as well as the Library Advisory Board participated in.  She explained that the new long range plan set service direction and identified strategies for the next five years, using a national public library planning model called “Planning for Results” in creating their plan.  She expressed that the plan would be a system-wide effort to focus resources to meet new and changing needs.  She mentioned that, as a participant in the Florida Library State Aid to Library Program, the library system was required to cooperatively develop a long range plan, and the proposed plan met that need.  She thanked the members of the Library Planning Committee who were a part of the Library Advisory Board and the Library Staff Task Force for their work on the long range plan.  She stated the community needs addressed in the plan were economic development and preparing residents for new kinds of employment, high speed internet access, technology skills education, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and improving the image of the County in the minds of the residents.  She reported that current demographic information as well as a scan of the current status of library facilities, furnishings, equipment, and services were used in the planning process.  She added that a national peer group comparison of six other libraries was also used to compare the types of services and resources available.  She stated that the six goals of the long range plan were that people will have free and effective access to online resources and services, and their access will be supported with a variety of instructional activities; people will find inviting virtual and physical spaces where they can read, reflect, collaborate, and connect; people will find learning tools, services and support to build skills essential in today’s society; people will find resources and services to excite their imagination through reading, viewing, listening and creating; youth and their caregivers will find resources, services and programs to stimulate the ability to read, write and interact across a variety of media; and the Lake County business community will find relevant resources, services and support.

Ms. Breeden requested the Board to approve the Lake County Library System Long Range Plan of Service for 2011 through 2016.

Commr. Hill asked if a small area for a museum-like display could be included at each library, suggesting the displays could also be traded between the libraries.

Ms. Breeden replied that it was possible, mentioning that some of the larger libraries had display cases dedicated for rotating exhibits.

Commr. Cadwell thanked the Library Advisory Board for all their hard work.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Lake County Library System Long Range Plan of Service for 2011 through 2016.

County manager’s departmental business

Public resources

CR 455 Entrance Trailhead Cooperative Management Agreement

The Chairman stated the Board would vote on the cooperative management agreement and then there would be a presentation on the project.

On a motion by Commr. Conner, seconded by Commr. Parks, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Cooperative Management Agreement for the CR 455 Entrance Trailhead with the St. Johns River Water Management District.

Ms. Breeden stated the presentation would begin with slide 11 to provide an update on the 2011 National Scenic Byways Grant.  She noted there were several members of the Green Mountain Scenic Byways Committee present at the meeting.  She stated that the Scenic Byway Committee in Lake County had been awarded a 2011 National Scenic Byways Program Grant for $856,172, specifying that approximately $685,000 came from grants and $171,000 was from grant match.  She mentioned that the project was intended to be administered by Lake County.  She discussed the next steps in the process, stating that staff would identify and recommend a funding source for the grant match, the National Scenic Byway Grant agreement would be presented to the Board for approval, and the County would move forward with the lease agreement with the St. Johns River Water Management District.  She requested the members of the Green Mountain Scenic Byways Committee to come up and be recognized.

Commr. Parks thanked the members of the Green Mountain Scenic Byways Committee for their work.  He then presented Resolution No. 2011-68, reading the resolution in its entirety.

Public works

unanticipated revenue Resolution for landfill enterprise fund

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Campione, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Unanticipated Revenue Resolution No. 2011-130 for the Landfill Enterprise Fund for unanticipated revenue in the amount of $135,000.

REPORTS – COUNTY MANAGER

discussion of 2012 legislative priorities

Mr. Gray stated that the legislative session would begin in January and the Lake County Delegation would be meeting on September 28, 2011.  He remarked that the Delegation requested support of statutory changes to allow sector plans to be utilized in areas less than 15,000 acres and to allow consideration of the local circumstances in areas that did not meet the requirements.  He informed the Board that Representative Precourt sat on the West Orange/South Lake Transportation Task Force, noting that Commr. Parks and Commr. Campione had also attended those meetings.  He commented that they were focusing on South Lake County as a potential economic development area and suggested creating a sector plan for that area.  He remarked that previously a sector plan required 10,000 acres or more, but during the last legislative session the amount was increased to 15,000 acres with no waivers to that requirement.  He reported that the area they had located in South Lake was approximately 14,500 acres.  He recommended that one of the priorities to be presented to the Delegation to move forward in the legislative process was to ask the requirement be decreased to 10,000 acres or if not that, then to at least provide a waiver that would allow the County to use a sector plan for the area.  He explained that this could be accomplished by having Orange County amend the Horizons West sector plan or by amending the legislative language to allow Lake County to get a waiver to create a sector plan.

Florida Representative Stephen Precourt addressed the Board regarding the sector plan issue, commenting that it was something near and dear to his heart for a number of years.  He mentioned that the South Lake area was in his district.  He remarked that the legislative session would be about three things:  the budget, redistricting, and economic development along with job creation.  He stated that what he was asking for at this time was, in addition to his hearing the Board and helping them with whatever legislative mechanisms that were needed, for the Board to help him by pleading the case for whatever economic incentive projects there might be for Lake County.  He said the Board could help by meeting with the Governor’s new staff to make noise about the issues important to the County.

Commr. Campione asked what the likelihood was of getting the sector plan language amended.

Representative Precourt replied that there was a terrific opportunity for that.

Commr. Campione expressed that planning for the future of the South Lake area and having a master plan was critical, noting that there had been a lot of controversy over how the property in South Lake should ultimately be used.  She opined that it would be more beneficial to have an economic generator in that area as opposed to housing developments.

Commr. Parks mentioned that there was a West Orange/South Lake Transportation Task Force meeting on September 14, 2011 at the City of Winter Garden’s City Hall.  He related that at the meeting they would be creating a statement of what they believe will happen in that area, and then they would try to follow up with the sector plan.  He stated he would like to be the one to bring the plan for that region to Tallahassee when it was finished.

Commr. Hill reported that the other legislative priorities were ones they had always presented to the Delegation except for one other new one, which was the Royal Trails Flood Study Improvements.  She recommended that the sector plan issue and the Royal Trails Flood Study Improvements issue be flagged as new items within the package.

Mr. Gray specified that the first three items in the package pertained to the transportation disadvantaged program, with the other items in the packet relating to State libraries, the sector plan, and the Royal Trails Stormwater issue.

Commr. Parks asked if the legislative priorities packet would be brought before the Board again.

Mr. Gray answered that there was time if the Board did want to discuss it again, but he had not planned on bringing it back before the Board.

Commr. Parks remarked that he would like for it to be brought back before the Board.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the 2012 Legislative Priorities packet.

REPORTS – COMMISSIONER HILL – CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT 1

County manager and county attorney evaluations

Commr. Hill reported that the evaluations for the County Manager and the County Attorney were both in and available for them to read.  She commented that they both had received high evaluations.

reports – commissioner parks – district 2

Meeting with Congressman Nugent

Commr. Parks thanked Congressman Nugent for meeting with him last week while he was in the area visiting some South Lake businesses, including a large manufacturer of irrigation equipment and a local law firm.

bank owned and investor owned properties in disrepair

Commr. Parks mentioned that there were many bank owned and investor owned properties throughout the County, and some were in a very poor state of disrepair.  He asked if there was anything that could be done to address the problem. 

Mr. Gray explained that it was a Code Enforcement issue and he would discuss it with Mr. Gregg Welstead, Conservation and Compliance Director.

landfill on CR 455

Commr. Parks discussed the landfill on CR 455, mentioning that he still had concerns about the project because he had heard that there were new water samples that showed there could be a problem and they were still witnessing dumping of waste that was inconsistent with the C&D landfill permit. 

Mr. Gray replied that a meeting was set up in the near future with Ms. Vivian Garfein, a representative from the Department of Environmental Protection.

REPORTS – COMMISSIONER campione – vice chairman and DISTRICT 4

Suggested use for business tax

Commr. Campione suggested using the business development tax funds towards economic purposes such as business development centers.  She also suggested providing the businesses with an opportunity to become part of a database to receive information about economic development opportunities when the business taxes are paid each year.

discussion of water quality issues regarding Lake Apopka

Commr. Campione noted that she had had a discussion with representatives from Ocoee, Oakland, and Winter Garden about getting together to discuss water quality issues with regards to Lake Apopka.  She stated that with the new trailhead going in, there appeared to be a renewed focus on economic opportunities at Lake Apopka.  She mentioned that a local company was in the process of initiating a pilot program through the Fish and Game Commission, explaining that it was a limited dredge type project where they were putting up a new boat ramp in the Magnolia Point area, and the University of Florida was studying the project as an opportunity for doing clean up of the actual lake for purposes of facilitating a fish population there.

REPORTS – commissioner cadwell – district 5

resolution for Ibm 100-year anniversary

Commr. Cadwell stated that there was a large group of former IBM employees who lived in the Villages and the resolution would be presented to them in October.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved Resolution No. 2011-131, congratulating IBM on their 100^th year anniversary.

recess and reassembly

The Chairman announced at 12:01 p.m. that the Board would recess until 5:05 p.m. for the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget.

Public Hearing

Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

Mr. Gray stated this was the first of two public hearings required by Florida statute for the fiscal year 2012 budget.  He specified that it was for the millage rates and budget overseen by the Lake County Board of County Commissioners.  He announced the tentative budget for the 2012 fiscal year would be presented, including the proposed millage rates and the changes from the rollback rate.  He explained that the rollback rate was the rate that, when applied to next year’s tax base, would generate the same amount of revenue as was raised in the previous year.  He added that typically the rates would be lower than the current millage rates, but because the tax base was reduced by $1.4 billion, next year’s rollback tax rate was actually higher than the current millage rate.  He stated that the ad valorem tax revenues were reduced by 8.5 percent because of the lower tax base that was affected by the recession.  He then reported that the tentative budget eliminated 13 fulltime positions, included the Florida Retirement System (FRS) changes made by the State, discontinued the 12 mandated unpaid furlough days, included the five percent reduction in department operating budgets, provided adequate maintenance of County facilities as well as equipment and infrastructure, included some departmental reorganization including the consolidation of Fleet Maintenance, set public safety and economic development as two of the highest priorities based on the Board’s direction, included the reduction of $3.5 million to the Sheriff’s budget as well as a reduction in the Tax Collector’s budget, and maintained a reserves balance of approximately $26.5 million which was about 22 percent of the general fund expenditures.  He commended the constitutional officers and senior staff for their cooperation throughout the budget process.

Mr. Steve Koontz, Budget Director, presented a summary of the tentative 2012 fiscal year budget.  He stated that Chapter 129 and 200 of the Florida Statute, which outlined the procedures for the annual adoption of tax rates and budgets, required that he identify the proposed millage rates for the 2012 fiscal year as well as any adjustments the Board would consider.  He stated the millage rates were going to stay the same as the current year, and there were no adjustments.  He reported that the Lake County General Fund Countywide Millage rate was 4.7309 mills per $1,000 of taxable value, which was equal to the current rate and a 9.11 percent reduction from the rollback tax rate of 5.2051 mills.  He reported that the proposed Lake County Ambulance MSTU millage rate was 0.3853 mills, which was equal to the current rate and was a 9.11 percent reduction from the rollback tax rate of 0.4239 mills.  He reported that the proposed Public Lands-Voted Debt Service Millage rate was 0.1101 mills, which was equal to the current rate, and the proposed Stormwater, Roads, and Parks MSTU was 0.4984 mills, which was equal to the current rate and a 9.12 percent reduction from the rollback tax rate of 0.5484 mills.  He reported that the proposed Fire Rescue EMS millage rate was 0.3222 mills, which was equal to the current rate and a 9.19 percent reduction from the rollback tax rate of 0.3548 mills.

The Chairman opened the Public Hearing.

Mr. William Hartman, the Business Development Director for the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, addressed the Board.  He stated he had distributed information to the Board members about who the Early Learning Coalition was, what they did, how they were funded, and where they were located.  He commented that on April 27, 2011 he brought a letter to Mr. Gray and met with him to request $50,000 on a reoccurring basis, noting that he currently did not know the status of that request.  He mentioned that Mr. Will Pruitt, the Chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, was also in attendance if the Board had any questions about the background of their group.

Mr. Jerry R. Joiner, a representative of the Lake Soil and Water District, addressed the Board regarding the Lake Soil and Water Conservation District.  He remarked that the District had a five-year long range plan and an annual plan, and their purpose was to work with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agencies that had conservation programs in the County.  He stated his objective was for the Board to maintain the Lake Soil and Water budget because he believed it was a good deal economically.  He mentioned that Lake Soil and Water was a partnership between the County and the Federal government and it brought a lot of money into the County, specifying that over $900,000 a year came into the County from the USDA, St. Johns River Water Management District, and the Florida Department of Agriculture.  He commented that the board for the Lake Soil and Water District was one of the strongest boards of the 63 Soil and Water District boards in the State.  He expressed concern that the County might cut the budget to Lake Soil and Water.

There being no one else who wished to address the Board, the Chairman closed the Public Hearing and reserved comment to the Board.

Commr. Cadwell asked if the Early Learning Coalition received funding through the regular process and if the funds in question were additional funding outside the regular budgeting process.

Mr. Gray replied that there was a process for Human Services grants that go through the Children’s Services committee to determine allocation of funding to different groups, and the additional funding request for $50,000 from the Early Learning Coalition did not go through that regular process.  He stated that the recommendation was for the Early Learning Coalition to go to the committees with their request so it could be evaluated and a recommendation could be made to the Board.

Commr. Campione asked if the committee might reconsider some of the other recommendations they had made while considering the request from the Early Learning Coalition.

Mr. Gray replied that it was possible, noting that almost $200,000 in grant funds were allocated through the Children’s Services and Human Services committees.  He commented that there was no additional funding to increase the grants, so if additional funding was going to be awarded, it would have to come from the reserves.  He reiterated that his recommendation was for the Early Learning Coalition to take their request for additional funding before the Children’s Services Committee.

Commr. Hill mentioned that Lake Soil and Water was still within the County’s budget and had not been cut.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the adoption of the tentative millage rates as follows:  the General Fund Countywide Millage rate of 4.7309 mills, the Lake County Ambulance MSTU millage rate of 0.3853 mills, the Public Lands-Voted Debt Service Millage rate of 0.1101 mills, the Total Countywide millage rate of 5.2263 mills, the Stormwater, Roads, and Parks MSTU millage rate of 0.4984 mills, and the Fire Rescue EMS millage rate of 0.3222 mills for the 2012 fiscal year.

On a motion by Commr. Campione, seconded by Commr. Parks, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved to adopt the changes to the 2012 fiscal year recommended budget resulting in a reduction totaling $12,702,9470.

On a motion by Commr. Cadwell, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the adoption of the 2012 fiscal year tentative budget totaling $419,129,384.

On a motion by Commr. Campione, seconded by Commr. Conner, and carried unanimously by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the final Public Hearing for final adoption of the 2012 fiscal year millage rates and budget on September 20, 2011 at 5:05 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible, in the Board of County Commission Chambers, 315 West Main Street, Tavares, Florida.

Redistricting map issue

Commr. Parks recapitulated that at the earlier portion of the Board meeting the Option 2B redistricting map had been approved to move forward.  He announced he no longer wished to support the creation of a resolution and legal description for the Option 2 District Map because of the amount of work that staff would have to do in creating that alternative district map.  He requested the Board vote to only have the one resolution and legal description created for Map Option 2B, which had been approved earlier in the meeting.

On a motion by Commr. Parks, seconded by Commr. Campione, and carried by a vote of 3-2, the Board approved asking staff to only create a resolution and legal description for the approved Option 2B district map and not create an alternative resolution and legal description for the Option 2 district map.

Commr. Cadwell and Commr. Conner voted, “No.”

9/11 10 year anniversary rememberance ceremony

Commr. Hill reminded the Board that the September 11^th Ten Year Remembrance Ceremony would be held on Friday, September 9, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in the rotunda of the County Administration Building.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

 

_________________________________

jennifer hill, chairman

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

NEIL KELLY, CLERK