MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners on tuesday, march 12, 1957

 

The Board of County Commissioners met in special session in the County Commissioners’ room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00  AM for the purpose of determining road requests for 1957-58 (Secondary Roads and Primary Roads), and such other matters as may be brought before the Board, with the following present:  Chairman Cowart, Commrs. Singeltary, Hooten, Simpson and Cross, Attorney Duncan and Clerk Owens.  The Board was called to order by Chairman Cowart.

The Board was called to order by Chairman Cowart who announced the meeting is being called to designate Primary and Secondary roads to be requested for the budget year 1957-1958.  Clerk Owens presented to each Commissioner a statement from State Road Department for Lake County Secondary Funds, which showed a balance of $486,034.51 available for Lake County for 1957-1958 budget.

Attorney Duncan presented a Quit Claim Deed from Lake County to E. M. Overton, a widow, to correct an error in foreclosing a piece of property described as N ½  of W ¼ of the E ½ of Government Lot 2 in Section 18, Township 21 South, Range 25 East.  WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Singeltary seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the Board was authorized to execute the said deed.  Letter of explanation from Inland Abstract & Title Company re the above deed filed with the Board.

Letter from the Town of Tavares stating, its insurance agent has included in its fleet insurance coverage the County low-boy transport to deliver a truck to Miami and bring back a new one was filed with the Board.

Letter from Florida Crushed Stone Company inviting the Board to be guests at a cocktail party and barbecue at Conrock plant on Saturday, March 23rd, was read and the Clerk instructed to advise, it will be impossible for any of the Board members to attend the party.

It was reported to the Board that the water wagon purchased by the Health Department which was to be fixed by the School Board and County has not been fixed.  The School Board thinks the wagon is too big.  If the County wants to use it, can obtain it through Fred Tanner.  The Clerk was instructed to send a letter of appreciation to the Health Department, and Commr. Cross was authorized to have the wagon fixed for County use.

Clerk Owens reported that the Water Authority has asked for the Prisoners to clean up Dora Canal.  The County Commissioners do not think anything should be done that would disturb the water level.  WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Singeltary seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried the Clerk was instructed not to furnish the prisoners at this time to clean out the Dora Canal, as the Board does not want to assume any responsibility for this work.

Attorney Duncan reported to the Board that the County Commissioners do have authority to condemn property for park purposes, but should have a Resolution adopted by the Board.  (SEE PAGE 611for this Resolution)

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING HOME DEMONSTRATION BUILDING

Clerk Owens reported that Temperature Engineering Corp in Eustis is one and the same as Ned Vick.  Mr. Owens talked with H. F. Dykema, President of Temperature Engineering Corp, who stated that the Commissioners would not gain anything by lowering the ceiling of the Building, and would not suggest lowering the ceiling.  Mr. Dykema stated he can draw the plans and specifications for 3% of the cost of the low bid on the work.  Commissioner Singeltary suggested to get someone else to draw the plans and specifications and should have competitive bids.  Commr. Cross thinks should have an architect to draw the plans, and suggested Francis Emerson.  Commr. Simpson suggested that the Board have a meeting with some engineers re this matter.  After this discussion, motion was made by Commr. Singeltary seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried that the Board hire Francis Emerson, draftsman, to submit plans for Air Conditioning and Heating the Home Demonstration Building.

Clerk Owens read a letter from Mrs. Bostwick asking to represent Lake County again with Bostwick Legislative Bureau at the Legislature.  Clerk Owens was instructed to notify Mrs. Bostwick the Board does not care to have this service this year.

Clerk Owens read invitation from Ocala Public Library and Florida State Library to attend the program Wednesday, March 13, 1957 in Ocala, designed to consider the possibilities and problems of County and multi-county library service in Florida.  No one could attend.

Copy of letter from Fred Tanner to Van Marker re hyacinth problem in Lake Beauclair and at the locks in the Apopka canal was read and filed.

The Tiffany Company representative filed estimate of costs on garage and boat house and picnic pavilion at Summerall Park.

Commr. Hooten stated the Boy Scouts are building a camp near Lake Norris and asked that the County Commissioners give them assistance on the road going into the Camp.  Would like to have each Commissioner contribute labor toward building this road.  Commissioner Cross stated the County does not have right of way into the Camp.  Commr. Simpson suggested that all districts help to build the road, therefore, it was agreed that all districts would work on the road Thursday of this week.

A deed from L. Grady Simpson et ux to Lake County was filed with the Board conveying certain land to be used by Lake County for road and street purposes only.

Mr. Duncan stated that Leon County is working on a limited Zoning Bill, and asked that this Board instruct him as to Countywide or limited Zoning Bill, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, Mr. C. E. Duncan, Attorney for the Board, was instructed to go ahead and advertise the Zoning Bill similar to the Leon County bill.

Motion by Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Singeltary and carried that following named persons be appointed appraisers to appraise the rights of way on State Road S-445, Job No. 1161-250, State Road 19 Northeast of Astor Park, known as the old railroad grade.  J. Ed Baker, W. I. Carlton, C. Z. Osborne, Jr.

Clerk Owens read a letter from State Road Department stating that the Schedule for July 1, 1957 – June 30, 1958, BUDGET HEARING is to be held in Deland on March 25, 1957, for Lake County at 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM, at which time the Board’s requests for Primary and Secondary Roads should be filed.

WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Singeltary seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the following Resolution was adopted:

primary roads

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, has been requested by the State Road Department of the State of Florida to designate and request for the budget for the year beginning July 1, 1957, through June 30, 1958 PRIMARY ROADS to be constructed within said County during said period; and

WHEREAS, at a special meeting called for said purpose on March 12, 1957, the County Commissioners in said meeting designated the PRIMARY ROADS for construction in Lake County in preferential order;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the State Road Department of the State of Florida be requested to construct in Lake County, Florida, the following PRIMARY ROADS in the following order:

FIRST:

 

Construct an underpass for State Road 19 to pass under State Road 25 at the intersection of said roads, Southwesterly of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

SECOND:

Construct an overpass for State Road 50 over State Road 25, where said roads intersect east of Clermont, Florida.

THIRD:

Construct State Road 500 from Orange County line by Mount Dora Northerly and Westerly through Tavares and Leesburg to the Lake County line.

FOURTH:

Relocate, widen and rebuild State Road 44 from Crows Bluff West through Eustis to Silver Lake Forks.  (Your attention is called to a Resolution of this Board dated August 1, 1955, which is made a part of this request and is attached hereto.)

FIFTH:

Resurface Old Road 44 from Cassia to Eustis

SIXTH:

Survey and determine a route for extension of State Road 459 from Town of Groveland to a point intersecting U.S. 301 in the vicinity of Zephyrhills in Pasco Co.

SEVENTH:

Resurface State Road 33 from State Road 25 at Helena Run to intersect State Road 50 at Mascotte.

EIGHTH:

Resurface State Road 48 Okahumpka to Sumter County line

NINTH:

Survey a possible route to move traffic through the City of Leesburg from East to South and South to East, without having to travel along Main Street, to connect State Road 25 and State Road 500.

TENTH:

Construct State Road 19 South city limits of Umatilla North to connect with State Road 19 North of Pittman

ELEVENTH:

Four lane State Road 25 from Leesburg South to Polk County line.  (For which the State Road Department already has title for a 200 foot right of way.)

TWELFTH:

Widening of State Fora 44 (East Main Street) in Leesburg from Lake Street East to junction with U.S. Highway 441 and widening State Road 44 (WestMain Street) in Leesburg from 9th Street West to Atlantic Coast Line RR.

THIRTEENTH:

Rebuild State Road 561 from State Road 50 at Clermont Southerly to point intersecting State Road 33.

FOURTEENTH:

Widen and resurface State Road 46 from Mount Dora to Wekiva River.

 

 

SECONDARY ROADS

WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Cross seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the following Resolution was adopted:

STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY RESOLUTION ON USE OF 80% SEVENTH CENT GAS TAX AND OTHER SECONDARY ROAD FUNDS

year 1957-1958                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     county lake

WHEREAS, under Chapter 26.321 of the Extraordinary session of 1949, known as the “Secondary Road Assistance Act of 1949,” and Section 139 of the Florida Highway Code of 1955, the State Road Department will receive 80% of the proceeds of this County’s pro-rata share of the Seventh Cent gasoline tax, to be used as prescribed by regulations of the said Department within this County, as requested by Resolution of this Board of County Commissioners and approved by the Department for one or more of the following purposes; Construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair of State roads and bridges, the lease or purchase of bridges connecting State roads, the acquisition of rights of way for State roads, and the reduction of road and bridge indebtedness; and

WHEREAS, The State Road Department has requested this County Board to recommend the purpose for which, and the roads on which, this County’s 80% surplus gas tax and Federal Aid Secondary allocations should be spent for construction and improvement; and

WHEREAS, the State Road Department requires this information so that it may be considered in the preparation of the Annual Budget of the State Road Department; and

WHEREAS, this Board conferred with the State Road Department concerning the projects to be selected and the specifications with respect thereto;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT The State Road Department is hereby requested to use such funds for construction (including rights of way acquisition, surveys, maintenance, etc.) of the following roads:

FIRST:

 

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at State Road 25-500 at the South boundary of Section 15, Township 19 South, Range 24 East, run West to the Southwest corner of Section 15, thence South along the East Section line of Section 21 to intersect State Road 44.

SECOND:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin on State Road 19 at approximately center of Section 8, Township 16 South, Range 27 East, run Northeasterly to Astor Park, Florida.

THIRD:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at Road 500 at the approximate North end of the Airport between Tavares and Leesburg and running Northerly approximately one mile to the Silver Lake Country Club.

FOURTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at approximately the Northeast corner of SW ¼ of NW ¼ of Sec. 7, Tp. 22 S. R. 26 E., at State Road 25, run thence Westerly to intersect the present clay road running along the margin of Lake Minneola in the SW ¼ of NE ¼ of Sec. 12, Tp. 22 S. R. 25 E.; thence continue Westerly along the present clay road to intersect the present paved road in SW ¼ of NW ¼ of Sec. 14, Tp. 22 S., R. 25 E.  This will connect Road 25 with old State Road 50.

FIFTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Commence at State Road 50 in Section 20, Township 22 South, Range 25 East, run South along road known as Monta Vista Road into Section 32 of said Township and Range, thence West to connect with State Road 33.

SIXTH:

Survey and furnish right of way map in order Lake County can secure rights of way as soon as possible on Road beginning at Road 437 where State Road 44-A intersects said road, run Southeasterly to intersect Road 46 at the Northwest corner of Section 30, Township 19 South, Range 29 East.

SEVENTH:

Reconstruct Road 445 from Pittman to Astor Park- Commencing at a point North of Pittman where the same leaves State Road 19 in Lake County, Florida, and continues northerly over Alexander Spring Creek and joins State Road 40 at Astor Park.  (By proper Resolution the United States Forest Service has budgeted and set aside one-half of the estimated cost of said road.)

EIGHTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Commence at the intersection of State Road 450 with State Road 19 in Umatilla, run East on Ocala Street to East Lake thence Southeasterly to connect with State Road 44-A – approximately 1.2 miles.

NINTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin on State Road 33 in Okahumpka run West on State Road 470 to Lake County line.

TENTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at Lake Sheppard on State Road 561 at Lake Sheppard, run Northerly on clay road to intersect State Road 455.

ELEVENTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at Lake Sheppard on State Road 561 run East on clay road to intersect State Road 455 in Ferndale.

TWELFTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at State Road 25-500 on the line dividing Sections 28 and 33 in Township 18 South Range 24 East, run East to Lake Griffin.

THIRTEENTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at State Road 44 West of Leesburg at Montclair North through Fruitland Park to connect with State Road 466-A.

FOURTEENTH:

Survey and construct the following:  Begin at intersection of State Road 500 with the mid-section line of Section 21, Township 18 South Range 24 East, run East along mid-section line of Sections 21, 22, 23 and 24 of said Township and Range to Lake Griffin.

FIFTEENTH:

Widen pavement and construct curb and gutters on St. Clair Abrams Avenue in Tavares from present curb and gutters to North town limits of the Town of Tavares.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the methods and standards employed by the State Road Department for determination of major improvements features, including the types and widths of pavement, and the Department’s standard specifications for construction are concurred in and approved by this Board.  It is requested:  That the Department will consider the projects in the order listed above insofar as practicable, but not to the extent of retarding the whole program; requirements for purchase of rights of way for Primary Roads will not permit construction of all Secondary requests, and it is requested that no expenditures be made upon any projects subsequent to Item 9 of this request until it is clear what funds will be available; that the termini of the projects as described in the Resolution and shown on the accompanying map, rather than any estimate of funds, therefore, shall control the Department’s allocation of funds; that this Resolution shall remain in effect through the year; and that after the current year the recommendations of this Resolution shall constitute a continuing improvement program for the County, unless changed by a subsequent annual Resolution.

(THIS RESOLUTION REFERRED TO ON PAGE 607)

Motion by Commr. Singeltary seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the following Resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS, Lake County is now vested with the title to strips of land measured 220 feet on each side of the centerline or thread of the Dora Canal and located within the Northeast quarter of the Southeast quarter and a portion of the Southeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 30, Township 19 South, Range 26 East, in Lake County, Florida, which said strips of land were acquired for park purposes; and

WHEREAS, for the protection of said park Lake County deems it necessary to extend said strips of land, along the channel of the Dora Canal northerly to Lake Eustis, and to acquire the title thereto for the same widths on each side of the center of the channel of said Canal; and also to extend said park southerly along the channel of said Canal to the concrete bridge on State Road 19, and acquire title to the land adjacent to the Canal for the width above specified; and

WHEREAS, the natural scenery along the banks of the Dora Canal has been nationally publicized as one of the most beautiful strips of water in the world; and in the opinion of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County the natural beauty of said Canal should be protected and maintained by establishing a park along said Canal;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that for the proper preservation of protection of the nationally known area of natural beauty on and bordering the Dora Canal in Lake County, Florida, and for the purpose of establishing a public park, the acquisition of the banks of the Dora Canal for a distance of 220 feet from the centerline of said Canal extending from Lake Eustis southerly to a concrete bridge on State Road 19, except such portions thereof as are now owned by Lake County, is necessary and proper; that the acquisition thereof for park purposes will be of great benefit to Lake County and to the public; and that

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney for this Board be, and he is, hereby authorized and directed to proceed to take the necessary step for Lake County to acquire in its name by donation, purchase, permanent easement or by condemnation strips of land in Section 20, Township 19 South, Range 26 East paralleling the center or thread of the Dora Canal 220 feet in depth, and extending from Lake Eustis to the concrete bridge on Road 19, excepting that portion of said strips of land now owned by Lake County; and to prepare in the name of the County by its County Commissioners all condemnation papers, affidavits and pleadings; and to persecute all condemnation proceeds to judgment; and that said Attorney is further authorized to have prepared at the County’s expense a title search upon the lands hereinbefore particularly described showing the present ownerships thereof.

MEETING ADJOURNED.

 

/s/ Frank E. Owens                                                                                                     /s/ J. C. Cowart

CLERK                                                                                                                       CHAIRMAN