MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – march 1, 1965
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the County Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse at Tavares on Monday, March 1, 1965 at 10 o’clock A.M. with the following present: Chairman Livingston, Commrs. Cowart, Dykes and Babb; Clerk Owens, Attorney Duncan, Engineer Hays and Zoning Director Webb. Commr. Theus appeared later.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the invocation was given by Mr. Webb.
Minutes
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the minutes of the regular meetings on February 1, 1965 and February 8, 1965 were approved as submitted.
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the minutes of the special meetings on February 15, 1965 and February 26, 1965 were approved as submitted.
Bids
It now being the time advertised to receive bids for cash control and validating machine, the Chairman directed the Engineer to open and tabulate the following bid:
National Cash Register Company - $2,663.69
This being the only bid received, motion was made by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the bid as submitted by National Cash Register company was accepted.
Roads – state
Mr. William H. Phelan of the San Marco Contracting Company appeared and requested permission to dredge muck from the roadway site on State Road 25 into Lake Harris. On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, action on this request was deferred until the next regular meeting and the Engineer was instructed to contact the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission regarding this matter.
Mr. Hugh Hanna of the State Road Department appeared regarding this Board’s desire for improvements to South Street in Leesburg, as the Department is about ready to appoint appraisers for the necessary rights of way. On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, a resolution was adopted requesting that the construction be municipal section, including sidewalks, from West city limits of Leesburg to Casteen’s Grocery Store and 24’ highway West of SR 44, and this request to be included in the County’s road request for 1965-66.
Mr. Hanna also advised that the survey and right of way map for the Bassville Park Road has been completed, also, on Old SR 50 in Clermont, and request for resurfacing these roads should be made to the State Road Department.
Mr. Hanna stated with reference to the Road Department replacing Singletary Park to its original condition, an agreement was signed between the State Road Department and the County and wondered if this Board was familiar with the terms of the agreement. The Clerk requested Mr. Hanna to give us the date the agreement was executed and same could be located in the records. Mr. Hanna agreed to let the Clerk’s office know the date.
Attorney Duncan reported he has conferred with Road Board Member Willard Peebles with reference to future road construction whereby the county might acquire rights of way for considerably less money than if we wait until the road is to built. The question of center lines was raised and Mr. Hanna suggested that when the Engineering Department determines where a road will be built, the County request that survey be made for rights of way only, which would establish the center line and save considerable time and expense to the county.
Condemnation proceedings
Mr. Warren C. Anthony and Mr. Leonard Douce of the Tavares Chamber of Commerce appeared and expressed appreciation for the action taken by this Board with reference to Dora Canal. On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, Edwin R. Waite was appointed appraiser for property along the Canal to be taken by eminent domain proceedings.
Letters and resolution regarding the Board’s action on the Canal were filed as follows:
The Rotary Club of Mount Dora
Tavares Chamber of Commerce
Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce
City of Mount Dora
Mount Dora Yacht Club
Mount Dora Lions Club
The Chairman directed the Attorney and Commr. Dykes to discuss with Howard Ehler and Ralph Jones the possibility of an agreement with reference to maintain the Dora Canal in its natural state without the necessity of condemnation proceedings.
Road closings
It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing of the intention to vacate, abandon and close the following described road, the Chairman called for interested persons to be heard at this time:
The East fifteen (15’) feet of the West forty-five (45’) feet of that portion of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad Company right of way lying East and contiguous to Lots 34, 33, 32, 31, and the South twenty (20’) feet of Lot 30, Block A, according to the Plat of Pittman, which plat is recorded in the Public Records of Lake County, Fla.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Mizell appeared in objection to the closing.
J. Wilson Parrish and Delores McKenzie appeared in support of the closing.
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, a resolution was adopted closing the above described street.
It now being the time advertised to hold a public hearing of the intention to vacate, abandon and close the following described street, the Chairman called for interested persons to be heard at this time:
That portion of McDonald Drive as shown on the Plat of McDonald Terrace lying between the parcels shown on said Plat as “not included,” and extending from the Westerly line of said parcels marked “not included,” Easterly to the East boundary of McDonald Terrace.
There being no objections or complaints and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, a resolution was adopted closing the above described street.
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Attorney was authorized to prepare petition to close Citrus Avenue in Orange Summit Subdivision.
State agencies
Commr. Babb presented deed from John F. Ervin Estate to the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission for the installation of a boat ramp on Lake Holly. Deed was accepted and the Clerk was instructed to forward same to the Game Commission.
Engineer Hays reported the Game Commission does not recommend that another boat ramp be installed at Crow’s Bluff as it would be too close to the Road.
Roads – state
The Board approved the following additions to the road requests to be submitted to the State Road Department on March 9th:
Full cloverleaf at interchange of SR 19 and SR 500 South of Eustis
Designate SR 19 and U.S. 23
Resurface SR S 565 – Bay Lake Road
Bids
On motion of Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Clerk was authorized to advertise for trucks for Districts 1 and 4, to be received on April 5, 1965.
Engineering department
Engineer Hays presented proposed recommendation for the erection of an office building for the Zoning and Engineering Departments, whereby, the plans as submitted were approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried.
Laws & Legislature
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Clerk was instructed to write a letter to Nick Conner, with copy to Eddie Hafner, approving the State Association’s stand on a permissive bill regarding secondary funds.
Meetings
Engineer Hays advised the State Association is considering chartering planes for the County Commissioners in the state to attend the National Association meeting in San Diego in July. He was requested to find out the cost of the transportation.
County property
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Attorney was instructed to notify Harry P. Johnson to remove the trees from the property purchased from him for parking lot by March 10th.
Recess and reassembly
The Board recessed for lunch at 12 o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:15 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.
Machinery & equipment – voting machines
Mrs. Dorie Hostettler and Mrs. Elizabeth Wilsey of the Golden Triangle Republican Women’s Club appeared and requested the use of one voting machine in the interest of public education during the County fair from March 15th – 20th. They advised the Club is willing to bear the expenses involved, including transportation of the machine, insurance, etc. No action was taken on this request until the Clerk contacts Shoup Voting Machine Corp. with reference to their furnishing model machine for this purpose.
Outdoor recreational facilities
The Chairman directed Commr. Dykes to appoint a committee to study recreational facilities needed in the County and the Committee to give its recommendations to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Oklawaha water authority
Clerk Owens read letter of explanation from the Oklawaha Water Authority regarding their reasons for channelizing Double Run.
permits
The Clerk submitted copy of letter from the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund to Bruce Thompson, Dredging Contractor, regarding permit to erect to jetties in Lake Harris, advising that this authority is vested in the County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Clerk was instructed to advise Mr. Thompson the Board will agree to this construction provided same is approved by the Southwest Water Management District.
On motion by Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, dredging permit was approved for Henrietta H. Feck in Lake Griffin.
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, bonds for carrying firearms were approved for James P. Weir and John R. Jones.
Use permit as approved by the Engineer to Sumter Electric Coop., Inc. for the construction and maintenance of power line along County Road 3-3637 was filed.
Bonds – miscellaneous
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, Deputy Sheriff bonds for the following were approved:
Curtis Wm. Heard
LeRoy Campbell
Gerald R. Patrick
Municipal corporations
Request from the City of Mount Dora that the County Engineer survey and mark the corners of the property of the Tri-City Landfill was approved on motion of Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried.
Letter from the City of Tavares offering the use of Tavares Civic Center as a voting place for Precinct 19 in future elections was accepted unanimously by the Board.
Public health
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Theus and carried, the Chairman was authorized to execute the form provided by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare regarding compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 pertaining to the Government Surplus Equipment program.
Federal agencies
The Clerk was instructed to forward letter from the Federal Aviation Agency regarding 1966 Federal-aid Airport Program to the cities of Leesburg and Umatilla.
Soil survey
The Clerk read a memorandum from the Soil Conservation Service advising that 11,828 acres were mapped during the month of February.
County agents
Report was filed from the County Agent setting forth Job Description and standard of performance required of the County Agent and Assistant.
Tax refund
Clerk Owens submitted approval of the Comptroller for refund of taxes to J. L. Severance for the years 1961, 1962, and 1963. On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Clerk was authorized to refund the taxes to Mr. Severance.
Inventory
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the following equipment from the Courthouse inventory was approved for use by the County Surveyor:
Desk, book rack, glass door cabinet, table, chair, deed and record cabinet.
Accounts allowed
Expenses of Zoning Director and one member of the Zoning Commission to attend conference in Tampa on April 7 – 10th were approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Clerk was authorized to reimburse Don Drake for his expenses to attend semi-annual civil defense conference in Jacksonville on March 24 and 25th.
On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the Clerk was authorized to issue warrant to pay the interest on the Certificates of Indebtedness.
The Clerk was authorized to have shelves installed in the Evidence room on the Second Floor at an approximate cost of $250.00.
Request of the Clerk of the Court for reimbursement for stamps and recording fees for month of February in the amount of $496.45 was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.
On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, expenses were approved for the Clerk and two finance officers to attend County Finance Officers Assn. meeting in Panama City on March 27th.
On motion of Commr. Theus, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, expenses were approved for Marian Valentine, Home Demonstration Agent, to attend Rural Health Conference in Miami on March 25 27th.
Request of the Clerk to purchase microfilm equipment in the amount of $290.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried.
Payrolls for the month of February were approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.
Communications
Letter from the commission of American Assn. for Economic Opportunity was filed.
Letter from Manatee County regarding parks and recreational program was referred to the Planning & Zoning Director. Memo from the Outdoor Recreational Planning Committee was referred to the Planning & Zoning Director.
Letter from the Central Florida Fair inviting the members to attend the Fair during the period February 25th – March 6th.
Resolution from Charlotte County regarding increased state aid for the mosquito control program was read and filed.
Letter from the State Board of Health regarding Lake Griffin State Park was filed.
Letter from the State Board of Health regarding Sundown Motel & Restaurant was filed.
Letter of appreciation from Mrs. Laura C. Stokes for resolution naming the Health Center in Clermont for her husband, Harry K. Stokes.
Reports
Reports for the month of February were filed by the following:
Planning, Zoning & Building Departments
Commodity Warehouse Supervisor
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN