MINUTES of THE special MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ON FRIday – MAY 25, 1962

The Board of County Commissioners met in special session in the office of Clerk of Circuit Court – Frank E. Owens - in the Courthouse at Tavares on Friday, May 25, 1962 at ten o’clock a.m., for the purpose of adopting Resolutions amending the road requests which have been submitted to the State Road Department pertaining to SR 44 and SR 19 and such other matters as may be brought before the Board, with the following present: Chairman Simpson; Commissioners Theus, Cowart, Dykes, and Babb, also Attorney Duncan, and Clerk Owens.

The Board was called to order by Chairman Simpson.

A delegation from Eustis was present:  Namely – Ernest Kidd, City Manager; and Don Port, City Councilman.  A Resolution adopted by the City was presented.

Clerk Owens read the roads included in the State Road Department’s Tentative Construction work program for July 1, 1962 through June 30, 1963.

Chairman Simpson announced that this meeting is called to try to get the section of road from East City Limits of Eustis to LaRoe’s Corner (intersection of SR 44 and SR S-44-A) widened and rebuilt; and widen and pave SR 19 on East side of the Railroad from South City Limits of Umatilla North extending across the railroad track westerly at the depot.  The Board feels that this case should be reappeared to the State Road Department.  Clerk Owens read a copy of the Resolutions adopted by the City of Eustis and the City of Umatilla.  Mr. Kidd urged the Board to take action on these requests.  He stated Eustis is willing to go along with anything reasonable to this effect – willing to eliminate resurfacing of old SR 44 from LaRoe’s Corner toward Deland to SR S-437, and divert this money to the project requested. Mr. Owens advised the Board that he called Richey Green, District Engineer, and asked him if the improvements to Road 44 included that part of the road from LaRoe’s Corner to the East City Limits of the City of Eustis, but he said “no,” that the improvement from LaRoe’s Corner on SR 44 to SR S-437 was a commitment made by Mr. Rolfe Davis, former Road Board Member, and that was the reason for including it in this year’s budget.  Mr. Green suggested that the Board contact Mr. Max Brewer, Member Road Board Fifty District now, before going to Tallahassee as that might eliminate the necessity of attending the Budget Hearing in Tallahassee.

SR 19 THROUGH UMATILLA

Mr. Stephens said a delegation from Umatilla talked with Mr. Brewer, but he did not promise to do anything in Lake County other than work on U.S. 441.  We then got an appointment with the Governor and went to Tallahassee, and the Governor said he would contact Mr. Brewer.  However, as of this date, we do not have any commitment from anybody to do any work on SR 19 or SR 44.  We estimate the cost for widening and paving the piece of road in Umatilla – extending from the Westerly side of the Railroad Crossing in the Northerly portion of Umatilla, crossing the railroad, and then extending South along the East side of the railroad to the South City Limits – would be approximately $300,000.00 (this would include East and West sides).  Mr. Hill suggested asking for this just on the East side of the railroad tracks and he estimated the cost for this would be approximately $175,000.00.

Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Babb and carried unanimously, the following Resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, upon reviewing the tentative Budget of the State Road Department of Florida, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1962, find that certain roads included in the original requests of Lake County were not included in the tentative Budget and the Board of County Commissioners feel that these particular roads are of such importance because of existing hazards to safe driving, and because of existing requirements of traffic, should be included in the next fiscal Budget of the State Road Department; and

WHEREAS, the roads particularly referred to are the following:

1.     That portion of State Road 44 extending from the East City Limits of Eustis to “LaRoe’s Corner,” at the intersection of State Road 44 and State Road – S-44-A – approximately one mile – is in bad repair, is very narrow and is extremely hazardous because of the location of growing trees within a few inches of the South boundary of the pavement of said road.  Said Section of the road serves as the western terminus for State Road 44, and State Road S-44-A, and State Road S-46-A, at the City of Eustis.

2.     That portion of State Road 19 extending from the Westerly side of the Railroad Crossing in the Northerly portion of Umatilla, crossing the Railroad, and then extending South along the East side of the Railroad and through a dedicated Street in the City of Umatilla, to the South City Limits, serves as a portion of the Highway of State Road 19 extending through Lake County and is a part of an arterial Highway from Jacksonville South.  Said section of Road 19 is in need of widening, improvement and repair in order to facilitate through traffic in the City of Umatilla, as well as traffic emanating in Umatilla.  Such improvement will remove certain hazards to the traveling public and is essential to the improvement of that section of State Road 19 long neglected.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the State Road Department be requested to include in the State Road Department Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1962, that portion of State Road 44 extending from the East City Limits of Eustis Easterly for about one mile to “LaRoe’s Corner;” and that portion of State Road 19 extending from the Westerly side of the Railroad Crossing in the Northerly portion of Umatilla, crossing the Railroad, and then extending South along the East side of the Railroad, and through a dedicated Street in the City of Umatilla, to the South City Limits; that the funds set aside in the Primary Budget for the resurfacing of State Road 44, commencing at “LaRoe’s Corner” at the westerly end of State Road S-44-A, and extending Northerly and Easterly to intersect State Road S-437 – in excess of seven miles; - and the monies set aside for the moving of the Railroad Signal on State Road 44 near Fort Mason, be diverted to and applied to the construction of the above described roads.

Mr. Duncan advised the Board that he has talked to Mr. Brewer on several occasions re:  U.S. 441 (SR 500) through Lake County and there is a definite commitment on his part to get this finished.  Mr. Duncan read the items listed on U.S. 441 in the budget and said there is not much in this budget left.  However, if we can get a conference with Max Brewer and if he has a little flexibility, he might listen to us.  Mr. Duncan was authorized to contact Mr. Brewer and make an appointment with him for a conference with the Board.  Mr. Owens to notify Mr. Kidd and Mr. Stephens when the conference is set.

TITLE SEARCH on “Newell Park” in Lake Griffin Park.

Mr. Theus said he would like to have a title on the “Park.”  Motion by Commr. Theus seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, that Attorney Duncan be authorized to request a title search on this property.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

/s/ FRANK E. OWENS                                                                                              /s/ O. M. SIMPSON

Clerk                                                                                                                           Chairman