MINUTES OF special MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
friday – july 20, 1962
The Board of County Commissioners met in special session in the County Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Friday, July 20, 1962, at ten o’clock a.m. for the purpose of hearing requests and complaints from the public in regard to the tentative budget of Lake County for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 1962 and ending September 30, 1963 and such other matters as may be brought before the Board, with the following present: Chairman Simpson; Commissioners Theus, Dykes, and Babb; Attorney Duncan; and Clerk Owens. (Commissioner Cowart was absent.)
The Board was called to order by Chairman Simpson.
Commr. Theus gave the invocation.
Clerk Owens announced the purpose of the meeting is for hearing requests and complaints from the public in regard to the tentative budget of Lake County for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1962 and ending September 30, 1963. He invited anyone present in regard to the budget to come to the front in order to be heard.
T. C. Hanson, on behalf of the Lake County Property Owners League, was the first spokesman. He stated the budget as advertised did not give sufficient information to the public as to what you are planning to do. Item No. 1 – Special Counselor. When Judge Milton requested employment of a special counselor for the mentally ill, it did not show there would be any savings to the County and did not report the number of mentally ill examined in the past year. Item No. 2 – Mosquito Control – does not list garbage disposal, although I understand there is to be garbage disposal. Item No. 3 – We suggest that you take $5,000 from the Tourism Commission and put on the Zoning Commission. (For a more complete list of objections, play the record.)
Jack Purdum, Leesburg, was the next spokesman. He inquired about what “Free Labor” means. The Board explained that this “free labor” is the County road crew’s maintenance of roads. Mr. Purdum suggested that in future years that the budget be published in all county papers in order that the public may be better informed. Clerk Owens suggested having the publisher make a thousand or so copies of the budget as printed to be distributed on request. Mr. Purdum also suggested that a comparison of prior years’ budgets should be printed.
planning and zoning commission
Mr. Amory, Vice Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Miss Reba Harris, secretary, appeared before the Board re: securing the service of a man who is capable of good County planning. Mr. Amory thinks the Director of the Zoning Commission should be separate from the County Engineer. Miss Harris requested that money be set up in the budget to bring into the County a consultant for planning, probably one from Gainesville. It was suggested that we should have planning before zoning.
supplementing salary of dr. hall, director health unit
Mr. Owens advised the Board that we have no authority in which to assess anything for this. He checked with Orange County at the request of Dr. Hall and was advised that Orange County has a special act under which they operate. Mr. Duncan stated that he will check with Manatee County and the State Auditing Department in regard to this increase.
Commissioner Theus moved that the budget be adopted as advertised and that Clerk Owens be instructed to forward two copies of same to the Comptroller, the Hon. Ray E. Green, Tallahassee. The motion was seconded by Commr. Dykes and unanimously carried.
exchange of land with shoreline dredging company
E. E. Leitner appeared before the Board re: exchange of property on Dead River on which an appraisal has been requested. An appraisal of C. B. Treadway and Edwin R. Waite on a tract of land located in the southeast corner of Government Lot 4 of Section 25-19-25, being a lot 100 feet by 100 feet, adjacent to Dead River and adjacent to the County road as it now exists owned by Lake County; and the following tract owned by E. E. Leitner: South 50 feet of East 735.30 feet of Govt. Lot 3; and the South 25 feet of West 259.68 feet of East 994.98 feet of Govt. Lot 3, all in Section 25-19-25 was read by Mr. Dykes. Mr. Duncan stated the law says the land to be exchanged shall be of equal value. WHEREUPON, Commr. Babb moved that if it appears to be equitable that the County exchange the above-described land with E. E. Leitner, Shoreline Dredging Company. The motion was seconded by Commr. Dykes and unanimously carried.
agricultural center
James W. Salter appeared before the Board and advised them that he will accept the position as custodian of the Agricultural Center. The Board advised him that he will have the assistance in taking care of the yard, but will have to keep the yard and plants watered. Salter was advised that he will be allowed a two-weeks’ vacation at the present salary, one week in August and one week in September.
space for walter shafer at agricultural center
The Lake Soil Conservation District notified the Board that Walter Shafer will need a special lock on his office at the Center, as this is required by the State. On a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, Walter Shafer was authorized to install the special lock on his office at the Agricultural Center.
sr 19 – irrigation pipe under lake junietta
Commissioner Dykes stated that Colin English has been irrigating his grove from this lake, but the new highway is coming through, and he requests that the Board instruct the State Road Department to put a pipe under the road so they can get water through the same process as previously; WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that at the time of the construction of State Road 19, an irrigation pipe was placed under the road right of way to make accessible water from a lake lying south of said right of way, and located approximately Station ____, on the State Road Department Map for said road, and
WHEREAS, the State Road Department is now widening said road to four-lane width, and no provision was made for the extending of said irrigation pipe, so that it would reach the north side of the widened right of way;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the State Road Department be requested to extend the irrigation pipe now located under State Road 19, at approximately Station ____, on the new right of way Map, to the Northerly boundary of the new right of way requirement, so that water for drainage purposes will be made accessible to the property owners to the North of said right of way and that the cost thereof be paid from secondary gas taxes, as provided by the Contract for acquisition of right of way.
furniture and equipment in old jail
Sheriff McCall appeared before the Board and said there is left in the old jail a deep freeze and refrigerator, which are practically worthless, also some old beds and mattresses. The frames might be used in some labor camp, but the mattresses should be burned. The stove and air conditioner are turned back to the Board, also some chairs. The chairs might be used when they remodel the Courthouse. Mr. Owens suggested that these things be left where they are until later. This property is in the custody of the Sheriff, and he should keep an inventory.
Sheriff McCall stated when the transport trucks are unloading the fuel oil, they cannot get through the alley in the back of the courthouse on account of parked cars. There should be a change in this unloading place. WHEREUPON, on a motion by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, Sheriff McCall was authorized to make a change in the receiving and delivery place for fuel oil.
bridges over the turnpike
Mr. Duncan read a letter from the Turnpike Authority in which they advised that all bridges constructed on the Turnpike will have standard aluminum handrails. This letter also listed the other County roads on which the Turnpike plans to build structures. As soon as plans are advanced to the point where bridge sheets are available on the bridges, they will be forwarded for the Board’s review and approval.
Commr. Dykes stated there is a definite request for a road off of State Road 25 (US 27) in District No. 2 and District No. 3. He also has a definite offer for right of way for the road.
appeal state of florida vs. mary rapuano
On a motion by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, Clerk Owens was authorized to issue a warrant in the amount of $25 to the Appellate Court 2nd District re the above-listed case.
A letter from the State Road Department re: bids to be let on July 31, 1962 was read and filed.
A letter from the Comptroller’s office re: directors of banks have to resign or withdraw County funds was read. Mr. Theus gave a report on this in which he stated he does not think this applies to Board members. Mr. Duncan was instructed to contact the Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General and get a written report on this and advise the Board at the next meeting.
report on governor’s conference in miami
Mr. Theus and Mr. Babb reported that they attended this Conference and brought greetings from the Governor to the Board and their impression that this Conference will do a lot of good.
title for war surplus tank and truck purchased in district 4
Mr. Simpson reported that he has purchased the equipment, but so far we have been unable to secure title. Mr. Duncan was instructed to contact the motor vehicle about this.
removal of building on north boulevard, leesburg
On a motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the following resolution was adopted:
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that with the widening of the pavement on the North Bypass (North Boulevard), in the City of Leesburg, it was necessary to erect a retaining wall at or near the “Phillips 66” Service Station located at approximately Station ____, on the road Map for said right of way, the result of which was the blocking of the entrance to said Station, making access to the Service Station difficult and in part impossible; that said construction resulted in a damage to said Service Station property, although no part of the title thereto was required; that in order to provide proper access to said Station, it will be necessary to move a building, the total cost of which will not exceed $1,000;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that the damage resulting to said property is recognized by said Board; that the resulting inaccessibility of the property because of the construction of a retaining wall is the cause of such damage; and that the State Road Department be requested to remedy such damage; to pay the cost of the removing of the building to provide proper access, not to exceed $1,000, to wit: the actual cost of such removal; and that said sums be charged to the secondary gas tax funds due Lake County.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the MEETING ADJOURNED.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN