MINUTES OF regular MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY commissioners

 monday, july 1, 1957

 

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the County Commissioners Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, July 1, 1957, with the following present:  Chairman Cowart; Commissioners Singeltary, Hooten, Simpson, and Cross; and Clerk Owens.  (Attorney Duncan was absent due to illness.)  The Board was called to order by Chairman Cowart.

The minutes of June 3, 18, and 20 were adopted as read.

pauper list

On a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried:

DISTRICT 1 – No changes were made.

DISTRICT 2 – Hugh Parrish for $45 per month was dropped from the list.

DISTRICT 3 - Each of the following were granted $40 per month:  Mrs. W. M. Richardson, Wildwood, for Raymond Brooks; Mrs. Corine Fletcher, 1709 W. Main St., Leesburg for John Ransom and Elmer McAlister ($40 each); and Mrs. W. F. Law, Texas St., Tavares, for Emily Smith.

DISTRICT 4 – Harry G. Weitzel, Box 104, Sorrento, was granted $20 per month.

DISTRICT 5 – No changes were made.

notary public bonds

The Board approved the Notary Public Bond of Eloise P. Sauls with Massachusetts Bonding and Insurance Company.

Clerk Owens reported he had approved since the regular meeting in June the following Notary Public Bonds with American Surety Co. of NY:  R. S. Champ 6-6-57, Earl Dover 6-7-57, Helen Buck 6-14-57, Frank L. Hampton 6-25-57, and Evelyn Roberts 6-26-57; and John P. Wilkerson with American Fire & Casualty Company 6-28-57.

A number of the members of the Citizens Advisory Committee were present in regards to the Juvenile Court budget.  Commr. Cross announced that the Board has agreed unanimously for a lump figure of $34,000 to be put in the budget, which is a little above the minimum request but not up to the maximum request of Judge Hall, approximately $2,500 above the minimum request.  The Committee agreed to this figure.

On a motion by Commr. Hooten, seconded by Commr. Cross and carried, this budget for the Juvenile Court was adopted and this figure was accepted.

The list of minimum salaries suggested by Judge Hall in his request was as follows:

Chief Counselor          $5,000

Assistant Counselor    $4,500

Assistant Counselor    $4,000

Clerk                           $3,000

Judge                           $1,500

Expense Chief             $1,500

Assistant                     $1,000

Home                          $10,000/$12,500

Clerk Owens filed a Report of the Appraisers on the Peter’s property; the Report of Maxwell L. McMullen, Sanitation Consultant, Florida Board of Health; copies of letters from Karl Lehmann to the National Probation and Parole Association; and Consultant of Welfare Department.

George B. Cross appeared before the Board regarding the road between Depew’s and Road 441.  Commr. Hooten stated he would go look at this road.

Sheriff McCall appeared before the Board and filed his proposed budget for the operation of the Sheriff’s office of Lake County for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1957 and ending September 30, 1958 in the amount of $160,000.  Clerk Owens was instructed to notify the Sheriff when they decide to have a budget meeting.

The application of Julianne Kauffman Watson and John H. Kauffman, Jr. to vacate part of the Subdivision Plat of Philipsburg and return to acreage was filed and ordered continued until the next meeting.

The execution of the lease on the dragline in the City of Eustis was continued until Attorney Duncan is present.

John McCormack appeared before the Board regarding a petition for abandonment of the road at Cassia known as Double Bridges Road.  Clerk Owens read an objection from Heinrich Perlich to the closing of this road.  Commr. Simpson thinks they should readvertise the Notice of Closing, and if there are no objections after this, then go ahead and close the road.  Commr. Singeltary suggested to go ahead and post a notice regarding closing at the Post Office at Cassia and Sorrento and extend the closing until the next regular meeting, August 5th.

Clerk Owens filed another letter from Heinrich Perlich regarding Road 44 and was instructed to refer this letter to Attorney Duncan for consideration.

Paul Reed appeared before the Board and stated the law requires the Board of County Commissioners to pay the exchange on bank accounts.  He was instructed to request the banks to submit the bills to the Tax Collector for approval, then the Tax Collector submit the bills to the Board.

Harry Gaylord appeared before the Board regarding a resolution for closing streets in the Virginia Land Corporation Subdivision; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Hooten, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the following resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS, a petition has been filed by a proper person for action to vacate, abandon, discontinue, and close the hereinafter described streets and to renounce and disclaim any right of the County and the public in and to said streets; and

WHEREAS, proper notice has been published as required by law giving notice of the undersigned to hold a public hearing on said action; and

WHEREAS, careful consideration has been given to the requested action, and no objection has been made to said action;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that

1.       The following streets in Lake County, Florida, more particularly described as follows:  That certain area designated as a street sometimes known as Virginia Avenue lying and being between Lots or Blocks H, I, J, K, and L according to the map of the lands of the Virginia Land Corporation situated in Sections 27 and 34, Township 19 South, Range 26 East, according to the plat thereof filed March 21, 1914 and recorded in Plat Book 2, page 29 of the Public Records of Lake County, Florida, and Government Lot 2 in Section 34, Township 19 South, Range 26 East and Government Lot 11 in Section 27, Township 19 South, Range 26 East, North of Palmer Avenue. And

That certain street designated as Tazewell Avenue located and bounded on the West by Lots or Blocks A, B, C, and D and on the East by Lots E, F, and G according to said map of the lands of the Virginia Land Corporation

be vacated, abandoned, discontinued and closed.

2.      All right of the County and the public in and to said streets above described is hereby renounced and disclaimed.

3.      Notice of the adoption of this resolution shall be published one time, within 30 days following the adoption thereof in one issue of a newspaper of general circulation published in Lake County, Florida.

(SEE MINUTES OF JULY 6, 1966 RESCINDING PART OF THIS RESOLUTION.  RECORDED O.R. BK 291, PAGE 734.)

Commr. Singeltary reported that Mr. O. Marshall Dutton, Supervisor, Group Care Section, Division of Child Welfare, State of Florida Department of Public Welfare, came to see him on Friday, and he went with him to inspect the building at Fruitland Park.

Bunny Stevens inspected the building as fire marshal.

The Hotel Commissioner said “unless rent rooms the building is OK.”

Clerk Owens reported he contacted the Town Council of Fruitland Park, and they reported the Lions Club is opposed to this.  Clerk Owens stated he told them the Juvenile Counselor would contact the Town Council, and Kinnie Pearce has been told, and he said he would contact them and get a written report.  The Board agreed that this report should be in writing.

Mr. Williams again appeared before the Board and stated the Committee has just been given a copy of a letter from the National Probation and Parole Association to Mr. Lehmann and would like to have you go through with this matter.  Is Mr. Lehmann to carry on from here?  Clerk Owens suggested that the Board call Mr. Lehmann before the Board after dinner.  Mr. Williams stated the Committee is willing to work 100 percent with this letter.

The meeting adjourned for lunch.  The Board reconvened after lunch.

After dinner, R. E. Norris, County Agent, appeared before the Board to discuss with the Board the building of a new Agricultural Center for housing all agricultural projects.  Mr. Norris said federal aid is available for a project of this kind, and the County should furnish the land.  Commr. Hooten is in favor of this project.  Commr. Singeltary asked what it is going to cost the County and if we furnish the land, will they give the County credit for that.  Commr. Cross suggested that Mr. Norris and Commr. Hooten investigate this and see how much money they can get and if the County has any available land.  Mr. Norris said they should have an engineer go over the project.  Commr. Hooten suggested Tom McClain.

bids for purchase of pipe

Notice having been advertised for the purchase of pipe, the following bids were received:

ARMCO DRAINAGE & METAL PRODUCTS INC., P.O. Box 905, Jacksonville, FL

Bid on galvanized corrugated metal pipe and galvanized corrugated metal pipe-arch meeting State Road Department specifications (prices quoted filed this date)

TRI-STATE CULVERT & MANUFACURING Div., Box 3030, Tampa, Florida

Bid on galvanized corrugated metal pipe and galvanized corrugated metal pipe-arch meeting State Road Department specifications (prices quoted filed this date)

As the above bids were identical in price, the Board accepted both bids in order to buy from either company.

bids for lease purchase of electric voting machines

Notice having been advertised for lease purchase agreement for electrically operated voting machines, the following bids were received:

SHOUP VOTING MACHINE CORP, New York

Price: (a) if purchased under a 10-year rental purchase plan FOB Canton, O.            $2,141.30

          (b) if purchased under a 5-year rental purchase plan FOB, Canton, O.            $1,879.12

AUTOMATIC VOTING MACHINE CORP, Jamestown, New York       

Combination – manually, electrically operated FOB Tavares                                    $2,141.30

Manually operated                                                                                                      $1,879.12

Above prices both companies good to first of year

The representatives of the above companies were requested to furnish Clerk Owens with a list of counties using the machines, electric and manual.  Each representative was instructed to bring a machine for demonstration to the August 5 meeting.

Write Pinellas County and find out which machine they like better, electric or manual.

Dr. Hall and Mrs. Sudderth appeared before the Board and discussed the program, Hospital Service for the Indigent.  Dr. Hall stated the State Department of Public Welfare will not pay for any cancer patients after July 1, 1957.  Anything taken care of by any other program will not be paid for under this program.  The Board asked who is to administer this.  Dr. Hall stated some cases probably will be administered by me, some probably by Commissioners and some by the Welfare Worker.  The doctor refers the patient to Dr. Hall or Mrs. Sudderth, then Dr. Hall authorizes admittance to the hospital.  Two things have to be done.  The doctor has to recommend.  Mrs. Sudderth has to investigate and approve.  Commr. Singeltary stated they should continue to operate on the same basis and have Dr. Hall come up and OK the bills.  Dr. Hall stated he can accept the program for a quarter trial basis.  Commr. Singeltary suggested that Mrs. Sudderth draw up a set of rules and regulations for the Board to operate on.

On a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the Board of County Commissioners entered into the agreement on a 50-50 basis for one quarter beginning July 1, 1957, said agreement being as follows:

HOSPITAL SERVICE FOR THE INDIGENT

WHEREAS, Chapter 29957, General Acts of the 1955 regular session of the Florida Legislature, creates a program known as “Hospital Service for the Indigent” for the purpose of providing essential hospitalization for acutely ill or injured persons in this state who are medically indigent; and

WHEREAS, the 1957 Legislature appropriated $4,000,000 to the State Board of Health for the biennium July 1, 1957 through June 30, 1959 for the administration of this program and for the purpose of allotting State funds to each County in proportion to its population to augment County funds which may be provided for these purposes; and

WHEREAS, Section II of Chapter 29957, supra, authorizes each Board of County Commissioners or other local official agency of this State to budget for and provide County funds as may be necessary to match on a formula basis the County’s part of the cost of this program; and

WHEREAS, Section 6b(1) of Chapter 29957, supra, provides that the financial participation required of each County each year shall be equal to at least one half dollar for each inhabitant of said County according to the estimate of the population of said County for such year by the Bureau of Vital Statistics of this State, and

WHEREAS, the estimated population of Lake County for the current year 1957 made by the Bureau of Vital Statistics of this State is forty eight thousand three hundred (48,300) inhabitants, now therefore

Be it resolved by Board of County Commissioners of Lake County meeting in Tavares, Florida, this 1st day of July, 1957, that effective July 1, 1957, Lake County participate in said statewide program designed to provide “Hospital Service for the Indigent” as provided by Chapter 29957, supra, and for these purposes there is hereby established as an item in the 1957-1958 County Budget the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” in the amount of $24,150, which amount is not less than fifty cents per capita for the current estimated population of Lake County; and

Be it further resolved that the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” shall be administered as follows:

1.      Expenditures from this fund will be made only for the provisions of essential hospital care for indigent and medically indigent residents of Lake County who are acutely ill or injured;

2.      The indigency or medical indigency of all recipients of hospitalization under this program will be determined through an investigation made by the County Health Department or its duly authorized representative, except that when it is determined a patient is a recipient of benefits under the State Department of Welfare, no further check as to his  indigency shall be necessary;

3.      A determination that the patient is acutely ill or injured and that hospitalization is essential to the patient’s treatment will be made for each recipient of hospitalization under this program by a doctor of medicine, duly licensed to practice medicine in this State;

4.      Authorizations for hospitalization under this program shall be made by the Lake County Health Department;

5.      Payments for hospitalization from the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” will be limited to the nonprofit basic cost to the hospital for providing essential hospital care to the medically indigent patient;

6.      Payments for hospitalization from the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” will be made by this Board to the hospital providing essential hospital care to medical indigent and acutely ill or injured residents of Lake County whose hospitalization has been authorized under the provisions of this program by the Lake County Health Department.

7.      A record will be maintained by this Board of all expenditures made from the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” and these records shall include:

a.       The patient’s full name, age, sex, and race; and if married, the full name of the patient’s spouse.

b.      The parents’ full names if the patient is a minor.

c.       Patient’s address

d.      Name of medical doctor who diagnosed patient and certified hospitalization essential to his treatment.

e.       Physician’s diagnosis.

f.       The calendar days of hospitalization received.

g.      A record of payment to the hospital;

And

Be it further resolved that this Board will make all medical and financial records supporting direct expenditures from the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” available for review by the State Board of Health, and this Board will submit quarterly to the State Board of Health a certification identifying hospitalized cases and the payments for the case of each made from the “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund,” together with a quarterly statement of expenditures certifying that all such payments were made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 29957, supra, and on the basis of such requisition this Board will request the State Board of Health to authorize direct payments to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners from Lake County’s share of the State appropriation for this program, less any charges that may have been paid to hospitals outside of Lake County by the State Board of Health for necessary emergency treatment of indigent Lake County residents; and

Be it further resolved that all payments received from the State of Florida through this program shall augment “Lake County Indigent Hospitalization Fund” and shall be expended in addition to County funds herein appropriated in accordance with the County Annual Budget Statute, Section 129.06(2)(d), Florida Statutes; and

Be it further resolved that a certified copy of this Resolution be submitted to the Lake County Medical Society, the Lake County Health Department, and the State Board of Health.

Mrs. Sudderth advised the Board she wants to take her vacation soon and would like for her daughter to oversee her office while she is away.  The daughter will work without cost to the County.  The Board thinks this is OK.

Clerk Owens read a letter from Columbia Casualty Company regarding disability benefits for T. H. Yates.  Commr. Singeltary filed a check for $60 from the Columbia Casualty Company to T. H. Yates and endorsed by him to Lake County as compensation from May 24, 1957 through June 6, 1957 to be deposited into the Road & Bridge Fund.

Commr. Simpson filed checks for the sale of pipe as follows:  Robert Retey $88, Robert Retey $35.20, and R. H. Shwart $55.65.  Deposit R/B Fund. D-4

Commr. Hooten filed checks for payment of oiling roads in District #3 as follows:  R. G. Kennedy $850, Far Reach Ranch – Edwin Mead $2,000, and Mead Brothers $2,250; Deposit R/B Fund D-3.

Clerk Owens filed a check from R. G. Cassady, Tax Assessor, in the amount of $43.66 per Audit Report #4422.  Deposit in the General Fund.

Clerk Owens read a letter from Mrs. Pearl L. Cullen, Tax Collector, listing the amounts due cities for road and bridge tax as follows:

Leesburg         $8,703.58

Lady Lake            295.69

Fruitland Park      399.50        $9,398.77

                                               

Umatilla                                  $1,105.71

Eustis              $4,062.94

Mount Dora      3,539.90        $7,602.84

Groveland       $1,187.78

Howey                 700.40

Mascotte               287.88       $2,176.06

Clermont         $2,601.01

Montverde           354.43

Minneola              307.18

Tavares              1,324.63

Astatula                 154.68       $4,741.93

                                                25,025.31

WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the Clerk was authorized to issue warrants in amounts as listed above to said cities.

Clerk Owens read a letter from W. E. Lee, Attorney, regarding the amount due Citizens Bank of Clermont on note from the South Lake Memorial Hospital Fund; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Hooten, seconded by Commr. Singeltary and carried, the Clerk was authorized to issue a warrant on the South Lake Memorial Hospital Fund in the amount of $4,000 to the Citizens Bank of Clermont, Clermont, Florida, to apply on an outstanding mortgage and note held by said bank from South Lake Memorial Hospital.

An administrator’s deed between David M. Newell, administrator of the estate of William R. Newell, deceased, and Lake County, Florida, a political subdivision, regarding land in Lake Griffin Park Subdivision was referred to Attorney Duncan.

A deed from the City of Leesburg to Lake County for a lot on Canal Street which the City agreed to provide as a site for the Health Clinic was filed with the Board.  Clerk Owens was instructed to check the description with Dr. Hall and then file the deed for the record.

Clerk Owens filed applications for the Lake County Right of Way Agent position as follows: J. Ed. Baker, Herman Dykes, Ralph K. Jones, and Ben Reaves.  No action was taken on the applications.

The Clerk filed a letter from the Lake County Health Department regarding the Spiller property.

Commr. Hooten stated that the south end of the county is not getting enough water on account of the dam.  Commr. Singeltary suggested that some members of the Board meet with the Water Authority in regard to this matter.  On a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the Chairman was instructed to appoint himself and Commr. Hooten to appear before the Water Authority at the next meeting and request that they increase the water flow through the dam.

On a motion by Commr. Singeltary, seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the following applications for duplicate tax certificates were approved:

Samuel B. Gaskins – Tax Certificate No. 140 sale of 1956 covering ½ interest in Lots 9, 10, 11, and 12, W. 8 ft. of Lot 13 Blk 24, Eustis Official Map.

Samuel B. Gaskins – Tax Certificate No. 141 sale of 1956, covering above property.

L. A. Smith – Tax Certificate No. 3954 sale of July 10, 1945 covering Lot 7 Blk E, Palmora Subdivision, Leesburg.

Clerk Owens read the estimate of South Lake Construction, Inc. for remodeling the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the amount of $925 and estimate of same company for remodeling the Chambers of the Judge of the Circuit Court in the amount of $975; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the Clerk was authorized to advertise for bids on remodeling his office and the remodeling of the Chambers of the Judge of the Circuit Court.

The Plat of the Shady Nook Subdivision; the Opinion of Irving F. Morse, Attorney; and the Release of Mortgage were presented to the Board with a request that the Plat be approved; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Hooten, seconded by Commr. Simpson and carried, the Plat of Shady Nook Subdivision was approved.

Clerk Owens filed a letter from the State Road Department regarding State Project, Job No. 1104-153, Lake County, SR 25 and 500, Drainage North of Leesburg – secondary road project with bid tabulations, showing the Ryan Construction Company of Tampa as low bidder in the amount of $11,659.15.

Clerk Owens also filed a letter from the State Road Department regarding State Project, Job. No. 1155-150, SR S449, Lake County, SR 500 to Silver Lake – secondary road project, with bid tabulations showing J. D. Manly Construction Company low bidder in the amount of $39,512.57.

Commr. Singeltary asked if the title search on the bypass off of Road 44 at Leesburg has been made.  Clerk Owens stated he called the Lake Abstract Company several days ago about this, and they said it is ready.  Mr. Duncan may have it.

R. E. Norris, County Agent, again appeared before the Board and reported on land belonging to Lake County that would be suitable for the Agricultural Center.  He thinks Summerall Park would be an ideal place.

Clerk Owens was instructed in writing to the counties using voting machines to find out what storage facilities are provided and if necessary to have a dehumidifier.

Clerk Owens read a letter from Ross Stanton, Jr., Resident Attorney, State Road Department, to Clark S. Velsor requesting that he return to the house on Road 441 the accordion-type wall partition separating two bedrooms, 7 closet doors, folding type, and brackets; one kitchen wall cabinet shelves and doors; and 6 shelves from pine-paneled built-in bookcase in the living room.

On a motion by Commr. Hooten, seconded by Commr. Singeltary and carried, the Clerk was instructed to advertise for a Howard Rotavator 80” pull type or equal.

The Board designated Wednesday, July 3, 1957, at 3:00 p.m. for a meeting with Lake County International Airport Development Committee, and Chairman Cowart designated Commr. Simpson to work out an agenda for the meeting.  Clerk Owens was instructed to invite the Boards of Commissioners from the adjoining counties to the meeting.

In accordance with the laws of the State of Florida 1955 Chapter 41, Section 41.02, the County Commissioners selected and prepared the following list of jurors to serve in the County Judge’s Court in and for Lake County for the year beginning July 1, 1957.

(See page 46 - 47 in Minute Book 17 for list of names.)

vouchers

On a motion by Commr. Cross, seconded by Commr. Hooten and carried, the following Vouchers were approved for payment:

General Fund                                                  #1054 through #1209

Fine & Forfeiture Fund                                   #160 through #182

Road & Bridge Fund                                      #909 through #1005

South Lake Memorial Hospital Fund             #7-A and 8

the following letters were filed with the board:

Mrs. V. L. Conner, State President, Florida Fed of Garden Clubs regarding zoning

SRD – Notice of Hearing – 441 Belleview to Fruitland Park

SRD - Notice of Hearing – four-laning Section 1101 Orange County Line to Junction of SR 19 south of Eustis.

Industrial Marine Service regarding pipe coating

Army Corps of Engineers regarding electric transmission line across Dead River near Tavares

Florida Board of Parks regarding Lake Griffin Park

Florida Development Commission regarding Leesburg Center

Florida Industrial Commission regarding the claim of Charlie Suggs

Resolution from Broward County regarding “fee system” abolishment

George Smathers regarding air service to Lake County

Spessard Holland regarding air service to Lake County

Syd Herlong regarding air service to Lake County

Town of Tavares regarding mosquito control

Mrs. Edith Barrus, Agent, regarding the 4-H Girls Club

State Board of Administration regarding the Road and Bridge Bonds and surplus gas tax

Attorney General regarding disposal of unclaimed human bodies

Comptroller regarding RR assessment board and report of gas tax

Florida RR & Public Utilities Commission regarding fertilizer carrier

the following reports were filed with the board:

Fine, Forfeitures, and Costs, W. Troy Hall, Jr., County Judge, for March, April & May 1957

Report of Licenses for May 1957

R. E. Norris, County Agent, for June; Asst. Co. Agent Bass for June and Asst. Connell for May and June.

James C. Hunter, County Service Officer, for June

Prison Division, Dept. of Agriculture – jail and camps.

The Board designated Monday, July 8, at 10:00 a.m. to resume work on the budget.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED.

 

/s/ Frank E. Owens                                                                  /s/ O. M. Simpson           

CLERK                                                                                   CHAIRMAN