MINUTES OF the SPECIAL MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
monDAY – FEBRUARY 19, 1962
The Board of County Commissioners met in special session in the County Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, February 19, 1962, at 8:30 a.m. for the purpose of hearing the report and recommendations of Robert V. Ford, architect, on the bids for construction of an auditorium for the Agriculture Center and for the purpose of hearing Secondary and Primary Road requests from the various cities in the County and such other matters as may be brought before the Board with the following present: Chairman Simpson; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Dykes, and Babb; Attorney Duncan; Clerk Owens; and County Engineer Givens.
The Board was called to order by Chairman Simpson.
Mr. Theus gave the Invocation.
BOND of Sam L. Pyles as member of the State Racing Commission, Fifth Congressional District, with Glens Falls Insurance Company of Glen Falls, N. Y. was approved by the Board.
SR 25-A. Section 11640:
Hugh Hanna of the State Road Department appeared before the Board re: A RESOLUTION which was adopted on January 22nd by this Board on SR 25-A. Mr. Hanna stated this Resolution did not specify that the cost be paid out of secondary funds and that some project be deleted and this one substituted. He also stated that the State Road Department recommends that this be left until the 1962-63 budget. Therefore the Board agreed to defer action on this road until they submit the 1962-63 budget requests. Mr. Owens read four letters from the State Road Department re this road.
BIDS ON THE AUDITORIUM FOR AGRICULTURE CENTER:
Mr. Ford stated the low bidders were as follows:
Graham Contracting Inc., Orlando $89,500.00
Fred S. Conrad Construction, Jacksonville 93,414.00
A. W. Smith & Son, Leesburg 97,388.00
Mr. Ford recommended the acceptance of the bid of Graham Contracting, Inc. WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Dykes seconded by Commr. Babb and unanimously carried, the bid of Graham Contracting Inc., of Orlando, in the amount of $89,500.00 for the construction of an auditorium at the Agriculture Center be accepted.
BOAT RAMP AT BUTLER STREET IN ASTOR:
After discussion on the location of a boat ramp in Astor, motion was made by Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, that the following Resolution be adopted:
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has been advised by the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission of the State of Florida that the proper location of a ramp for loading and unloading boats in the Town of Astor is at the East end of Butler Street, where it intersects the St. Johns River, instead of at the east end of Dora Street heretofore designated;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the Chairman and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners be, and they are hereby authorized to execute and deliver an Easement and Permit to Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission of Florida to construct a ramp at the foot or east end of Butler Street in the Town of Astor, and that such easement may be granted as legally possible for access to said ramp from State Road 40.
SECTION 11506-2601 – SR S-452 – BRIDGE OVER CANAL EUSTIS MARINA:
Mr. Duncan advised the Board that appraisers should be appointed on this project, WHEREUPON, on motion of Commr. Babb seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, Emery Dillard and Edwin R. Waite were appointed appraisers to appraise the value of the lands to be taken on this project.
EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY WITH MINUTE MAID – CARNEY GROVES:
Mr. Duncan stated that before the consummation of the exchange of land with Minute Maid, the Corporation changed its name. Therefore, in preparing the instruments we will have to be careful to show that Carney Groves, Inc. has merged with the present owner so that we are in fact dealing with the same corporation, although under a different name. Mr. Duncan was instructed to take this up with Minute Maid and the have proper instrument prepared.
Mr. Owens advised the Board that the State Road Department is holding a public hearing on U. S. Bureau of Roads in the County Commissioners’ room at 2:00 p.m. February 27, 1962.
Clerk Owens read a letter from State Road Department Re:
Job 11090-3502, SR 19 from SR 500 in Tavares northeasterly to Junction SR S-19-A
Job 11010-3501, SR 500 from SR 19 in Tavares to approximately 0.4 miles west
Job 11010-3504, SR 500, Silver Lake Fork to approximately 0.4 miles west of SR 19
HIGHWAY PATROL STATION PAYMENT:
Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, that Clerk Owens be authorized to issue warrant in amount of $13,535.00 to Cross Country Truck Service, Inc., in payment of a certain tract of land acquired for Highway Patrol Station per Option dated January 19, 1961, and filed February 6, 1961. ($100.00 having been previously paid, when the option was executed, making a total of $13,635.00)
ROAD REQUESTS AS PRESENTED BY THE VARIOUS CITIES IN LAKE COUNTY:
At nine o’clock a.m., a delegation of 8 persons from Clermont, Groveland, Mascotte and Minneola appeared before the Board. Mr. Roy Caldwell was the spokesman for the group and presented road requests as follows:
1. Four-lane SR 50 from Orange County line to Sumter County lines.
2. Four-lane U.S. 27 from Leesburg to Polk County line.
3. Survey, construct and extend SR 19 from Groveland southwesterly to Sumter County line.
At ten o’clock a.m., a delegation of 26 persons from Umatilla appeared before the Board. Mr. C. S. Stephens, Jr., was spokesman for the group and stated Mayor Hill could not be present and asked him to represent the Town of Umatilla.
1. He asked that the Board have as top request for Lake County the widening and resurfacing of SR 19 inside of Umatilla town limits.
2. Widen and resurface SR 450 from approximately one mile west of Umatilla to Marion County line.
3. Resurface SR 19 from Altoona north to intersection of SR 445.
4. Resurface SR 42 from Altoona West to Marion County line.
5. New construction (pave) road running from SR 44-A north to intersection with SR-450 approximately one-half mile east of Umatilla town limits.
Mr. Stephens stated that the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company has offered the Town of Umatilla, without cost, the use of a greater part of its right of way through the Town. The Board suggested that this offer be made in writing as to just how many feet the City can use. Should have the letter before presenting the requests to the State Road Department.
Chairman Simpson advised the delegation the budget hearing will be on March 8, at 4:00 p.m. in Deland, and anyone who desires may attend this hearing.
The requests of the City of Umatilla were filed by Resolution, which listed 7 items in addition to the requests as above set out, which they feel are worthy of favorable consideration.
EUSTIS DELEGATION:
At 10:30 a.m. Mr. Neal Huebsch, attorney for the City, and Mr. Doug Igou, appeared before the Board. Mr. Huebsch, the spokesman, stated that all of the officials of the City of Eustis are in Atlanta to attempt to get federal money for sewer project in Eustis and could not be present at this meeting. Mr. Huebsch presented a letter signed by Gerald C. Jacobs, Mayor, requesting the follows:
PRIMARY:
1. Route 19 – Bay Street. Rebuild from Eustis Interchange (US 441) North to Haselton Heights
2. Route 44 – Orange Avenue. Rebuild from LaRoe’s Corner to Bay Street
3. Route 44 – Four laned from the intersection of SR 19 and SR 44 (Trout Run) west to the vicinity of Florida Foods Products, Inc.
SECONDARY:
1. Construction of a fixed bridge over Lake Eustis Canal on Lakeshore Drive within the City of Eustis. Bridge to have a minimum vertical clearance of 12’ and a minimum horizontal clearance of 25’. We note the progress made on our previous request for this improvement and request your continued interest.
2. Realignment and rebuilding of Lakeshore Drive from Bay Street in Eustis to the intersection of proposed US 441 and Lakeshore Drive. Adequate turn-off markings should be placed at latter intersection.
3. Consideration should be given to the acquisition of the necessary right of way for the construction of an east relief highway and a north relief highway for the City of Eustis. East relief highway to begin at the intersection of SR 44 and SR 44 A (LaRoe’s Corner) and run south along Abrams Road to connect with US 441. North relief highway to begin on SR 44 at Schrieffer’s Corner and run west to connect with SR 19 and SR 44 north of Trout Run.
OTHER:
1. Construction of a wayside park on Lakeshore Drive adjacent to the bridge requested above. City of Eustis to provide land, sanitary facilities and necessary lighting. Progress is noted on previous request for this facility and we request your continued interest and support.
Letter from Eustis Chamber of Commerce concurring in the above requests was read and filed.
TAVARES:
At 11:00 o’clock a.m., Mr. H. L. Trenham, Clerk for the City of Tavares, appeared before the Board and presented the following road requests:
1. Repair and repave Dora Avenue (old SR 19) from Irma Street in Tavares North and East to intersection of new SR 19.
2. Widen and resurface Sinclair Avenue in Tavares from Ruby Street, southwest corner of Lake County Courthouse, to new SR 19.
MT. DORA:
At 11:30 o’clock a.m. a delegation of 3 persons from Mount Dora appeared before the Board. Mrs. Margaret Lofroos, a member of the City Council, was spokesman and she introduced the councilmen with her and advised that their mayor could not be present. She presented the following road requests:
1. Construct access road from 11th Avenue in Mount Dora east to new U.S. 441
2. Extend 11th Avenue in Mount Dora to intersect with new U.S. 441 with a municipal section
3. Construct intersections with proper municipal access at intersection of U.S. 441 and Robie Street Extension.
4. Construct a municipal section of SR 46 from Highland Avenue to new U.S. 441
5. Construct a four lane interchange from the intersection of new U.S. 441 and the old U.S. 441 in Orange County, northward to the south county line of Lake Co.
6. Reconstruct, resurface and widen SR 2 from the intersection of SR 500 northward to the intersection of new U.S. 441 with four lane municipal type construction
7. Designate and light the intersection South of Mount Dora between new U.S. 441 and old U.S. 441.
8. Designate old U. S. 441 from Tavares to Mount Dora as Alternate U.S. 441
MEETING RECESSED FOR LUNCH AND RECONVENED AT 1:30 P.M.
LEESBURG:
The Leesburg delegation appeared before the Board at 1:30 p.m. Nine representatives being present and Mr. Emmett Peter, Jr., was the spokesman, and presented the following road requests:
1. Four-lane U. S. 27 south of Leesburg to future intersection of turnpike
2. Four-lane U. S. 27 between Clermont and Minneola
3. Widen Main Street in Leesburg from Lake Street to East city limits
4. Widen Dixie Avenue and Sumter Street in Leesburg from 12th Street west
5. Provide 40-foot turning radius at the intersection of Main Street and 14th Street
6. Lengthen left turn lane approximately 40 feet on south bound lane of U.S. 27 South just north of Griffin Road.
Mr. D. T. Larrabee of Haines Creek Road appeared before the Board and requested that Haines Creek Road be resurfaced due to increase in population in that area.
At 2:00 o’clock p.m. Mr. P. G. Jeffcoat, Pine Ridge Road, Fruitland Park appeared before the Board and requested that Pine Ridge Road be hard surfaced to the cattle gap and no further.
ASTATULA:
At 2:45 o’clock p.m. a delegation of 4 persons from ASTATULA appeared before the Board. W. W. Stockdale, Mayor, was spokesman and presented the following request:
1. Widen and resurface SR 561 from SR 455 north to SR 19
MONTVERDE:
At 3:00 o’clock p.m. a delegation of 5 persons from Montverde appeared before the Board. B. B. Osgood, Mayor, was spokesman and presented the following request:
1. Resurface SR 455 from Orange County line to Howey Arch.
HOWEY, FRUITLAND PARK, AND LADY LAKE:
No one appeared before the Board from these towns.
MEETING ADJOURNED
/s/ FRANK E. OWENS______________ /s/ O. M. SIMPSON____________
CLERK CHAIRMAN