MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 MONDAY – DECEMBER 12, 1966

A regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, was held in its meeting room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, at 10:00 o’clock A.M. Monday, December 12, 1966, with the following members present:  Chairman Theus, Commrs. Cowart, Dykes, Livingston, and Babb.  Also present were Attorney Duncan, Engineer Hays, Zoning Director Webb, Clerk Owens and Deputy Clerk Norma Coven.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman who gave the invocation.

Bids

It now being the time advertised to receive bids on the following items, the Chairman instructed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids, whereupon, the Clerk reported receiving bids from the following:

IDENTIFICATIONS SIGNS FOR COURTHOUSE

Coven Construction Company                       $1,998.00

Ringsmith-Williams Construction Co.            $2,158.00

A.W. Smith & Son                                          $1,495.00

Motion was made by Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, that the low bid of A.W. Smith & Son in the amount of $1,495.00 be accepted.

SURFACING COUNTY ROADS (20,100 sq. yds.)

Basic Asphalt Corp.                $10,498.63

Lindsley Paving Co., Inc.       0.498 per sq. yd.

Macasphalt Corp.                    0.526 per sq. yd.

On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the bids were referred to the Engineer for study and recommendation to the Board.

Later in the day on recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Board accepted the low bid of Lindlsey Paving Company, Inc. in the amount of $10,009.80.

The Engineer reported Hurricane Fiberglass Products Company was the only bidder meeting specifications on air boar and trailer; whereupon, on motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, the bid of Hurricane Fiberglass Products Company in the amount of $3,501.00 was accepted as being the best bid.

On written recommendation of Judge Milton and on motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the low bid of Florida Business Systems, Inc. in the sum of $11,995 was accepted covering three (3) mechanical file units for the County Judge’s Offices.

Indigents

On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the following changes were approved to the present indigent list:

District No. 1  - REDUCE George Dewey Collins to $7.50

District No. 2  - ADD Sabra Fender - $15.00

Districts Nos. 3, 4, and 5 – No Change

Mrs. Verna Eastwood was present and reported she had checked with all persons whose names are on the waiting list to enter a nursing home, and there are eight to ten who are ready and willing to enter a nursing home at this time.  Mrs. Eastwood further reported the Leesburg Convalescent Center will accept the patients at a rate of $58.00 per month per patient regardless of any supplement the patient may receive.  Motion was made by Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, that the eight to ten patients be placed in the Leesburg Convalescent Center at the rate stated above.

State agencies

Mr. Ed Zagar of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission appeared and presented proposed agreement between Lake County and the Game Commission with reference to additional seining in Lake Griffin.  On recommendation of the Attorney and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute the agreement.

Cemeteries

A. D. Lent of Sorrento appeared and requested the County Engineer be instructed to prepare a new map of the Sorrento Cemetery.  Present map was prepared in 1890s and is in bad shape.  On motion of Commr. Dykes seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Engineer was directed to prepare the map.

Lake county development commission

George Daugherty and Al Rehbaum were present representing the Development Commission.  W. H. Reedy presented Mr. Daugherty with special citation from the Florida Public Relations Association for the exceptional work performed by the Commission.

Resolutions not classified elsewhere

Mr. Reed submitted correspondence from the Director, Division of Plat Industry, State Department of Agriculture, with reference to the importation of citrus fruit from Japan.   The correspondence urged strong opposition to this and Mr. Reedy requested the Board’s interest in opposing same.  On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, a resolution was adopted opposing the relaxing of any quarantine regulations which would permit the importation of Japanese Unshu oranges (Satsumas) into the northwestern part of the United States.

Federal agencies

Dennie Lambert of the U. S. Forest Service appeared with reference to proposal between the Forest Service and the County regarding the rebuilding of a section of Forest Road 95 leading to Camp Ocala.  Mr. Lambert said the Forest Service suggests the County do the initial clearing and grading, the Forest Service will do all the claying the surfacing.  Commr. Babb stated he wants it understood between all parties involved that the County will maintain the road when completed but will not hardtop the road at a later date.  The Engineer reported he has heard nothing more from the owners of Camp Ocala except that they would consider donating the right of way. 

Mr. Lambert asked the Board if it is the intention of the County complete construction of the boat ramp at Shell Landing?  Mr. Lambert advised there will be reasonable access to the ramp and the Forest Service expects to completely resurface the road by 1969.  Have cooperative agreement with the owners that the road will be hard surfaced.  Motion was made by Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, that the boat ramp be completed.

County employees

Earl Kelly, County Agent, appeared and presented resignation of Glenn Loveless, Jr., Assistant County Agent, effective January 15, 1967.  The Board accepted the resignation on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.

On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Board approved the following change in the pay plan:

            Increase Right of Way Agent’s salary $25.00 per month effective January 1, 1967

Roads – state

Hugh Hanna of the State Road Department appeared with reference to problems on the following road projects within the County:

Recommend the road through Green Swamp be joined with SR 530 through Osceola County.  Will involve additional 7,000’ of swamp area.

Clerk Owens advised request for title search on this road has been received and delivered to Inland Abstract and Title Company on December 9, 1966.  SR S-474, Job 11518-1601.

Kurt Street will be constructed to a width of 66’.

On recommendation of Mr. Hanna, Commr. Livingston said he will discuss with the Eustis City Council the widening of Grove Street from Badger Avenue South to SR 19.  Will suggest the County and City bear the expense of moving the curb and the Road Department will level the road.

Survey has been completed on SR 19 from Eustis to Umatilla and title search request will be forthcoming in the immediate future.

Recommend SR 44 from Bay Street to East City Limits of Eustis be widened to 48’ instead of 36’.

Mr. Hanna discussed letter from Attorney Duncan regarding the Department’s using local engineers and surveyors on state road work in the County.  This policy is permissible and is used more widely in some districts than others.  The Fifth District is reluctant to do this.  The Department feels this work can be done more economically and with less trouble if handled by the Department, and would prefer to continue in this manner unless the Department cannot meet the County’s time schedule.

Mr. Hanna also discussed the retaining wall requested by Mr. Ransick.  The Department feels Mr. Ransick has already received full compensation for any damages to his property.  The Attorney advised he received $3,000 more than the appraised value.

Roads – county

Raymond G. Williams of Winter Park and Raymond G. Williams, Jr. of Lake Jem appeared and informed the Board they are willing to donate 60’ right of way for road from SR 448 South to the Astatula Road, SR S-48, approximately 1-1/2 miles.  On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Board accepted the right of way and instructed the Engineer to survey the centerline.

County property

It now being the time advertised to consider an equal exchange of properties owned by Lake County and Doris Gilbert, and no one appearing to object to the exchange, a resolution was adopted on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, declaring the following described tract of land non-essential for County purposes:

An unnumbered tract of land lying immediately North of Lot 1, according to the Plat of Resthaven filed and recorded in the public records of Lake County, Florida, in Plat Book 12, Page 13;

and authorizing the exchange of the above described property for the following property owned by Doris Gilbert:

Lot 8, Less the East 10 feet thereof, according the Plat of Resthaven above described.

Road closing

Attorney Duncan presented petition to close unnamed street or road on behalf of Attorney Harry Gaylord for Mildred Craycraft, said street being described as follows:

That certain unnamed street or road bounded by Clocks 1, 3 and 4 of the Map of Lands George M. Bowen “Mount Homer” according to the map thereof filed 31 March 1914 and recorded in Plat Book 2, page 29, Public Records of Lake County, Florida.

On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Board authorized a public hearing for Tuesday, January 3, 1967, to consider closing the above street.

Recess and reassembly

The Board recessed for lunch at twelve o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:30 P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.

Bids

Engineer Hays advised Square Deal Machinery has withdrawn bid submitted on May 9, 1966 for a tailgate sand spreader because their equipment will not do the job needed.

On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Clerk was authorized to advertise for bids for surfacing County Park on State Road 19 North of Groveland.  Bids to be received January 9, 1967, at 10 o’clock A.M.

On request of the Tax Collector and Tax Assessor, the Board authorized the Clerk to advertise for bids for one new metal plate embossing machine, to be received January 9, 1967 at 10 o’clock A.M.

Inventory

The Engineer reported he has received two estimates to repair the Allis-Chalmers Front End Loader.  Rozier’s estimate is $2750 and Leesburg Welding is $2550.  The Board agreed to retire this equipment, Inventory No. 2501, and trade same when new equipment is purchased.

Road maintenance – subdivisions

Engineer Hays advised D. T. Larabee has requested the Board to accept for maintenance the streets in Hill Top Subdivision.  Commr. Babb instructed Mr. Hays to notify Mr. Larabee the Board will not accept the streets for maintenance.

Clerk Owens presented letter from E. J. Burrell requesting the County to resurface the access road into Haselton Heights.  On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Board authorized double surfacing the road.

Zoning

On recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, a resolution was adopted amending the Zoning Rules and Regulations as they pertain to the following described tracts of land, to the classification designated after the description:

1.      Begin at the point of the intersection of the East line of the W 1/2 of NE 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Sec. 2, tp. 19 S, R. 25 E, and the Southerly Right of Way line of State Road No. 44; run thence South along said East line 135.78 feet, more or less, to the Northeasterly bank of Haines Creek.  Begin again at the Point of Beginning and run Southwesterly along the Southerly Right of Way line of said State Road No. 44, 392.50 feet more or less, to the Northeasterly bank of Haines Creek; thence easterly, following along the bank of Haines Creek to intersect the East line of this description; NOW CLASSIFIED and ZONED as R-1 (Residential), be, and the same is hereby amended, changed and rezoned to Classification C-1 (Commercial).

On recommendation of the Zoning Director and on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Attorney was instructed to notify zoning violator James Carroll the penalty for not abiding by order served on him November 28, 1966.

Planning & zoning

J. W. Brooks, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Zoning Director gave a brief resume of the Concept Development Plan as prepared by Adley and Associates and the Planning and Zoning Commission.  They presented maps and panels on the following subjects:

            Regional Influences Affecting Growth

            Population and Economic Analysis (Growth Trends)

            Existing Land Use

            Concept Development Plan

Mr. Webb also presented description of work elements under the 701 Urban Planning Program.  Phase I, and eighteen months program, will be based on the following:

            Base Mapping

            Land use and Capability Study

            Population Study

            Economic Study

            Land development Plan – Phase I

            Zoning

            Subdivision Regulations

Additional studies to be made include public utilities, inventory and analysis of sewage plants, parks and water treatment plants.  Mr. Webb further advised confirmation has been received that the Urban Planning Assistance grant in the amount of $14,669 has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The County’s share of this will be $7,335.00.  We hope to sign the contract by the end of the year. 

Chairman Theus stated the Board is real proud of the progress made in planning and zoning during the last eight years.  On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the board approved the Concept Development Plan as submitted and copy of written outline was filed.

Tax assessments

The Clerk presented letter from Ed Mitenius Trailer Homes, Inc. requesting refund of personal property taxes for 1965 in the amount of $330.22, for the reason the tax represents mobile home inventory which is now exempt.  On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Attorney was directed to advise Mr. Mitenius the status of the new law.

Roads – county

On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Engineer was instructed to clear and clay street in W. G. Whidby’s Subdivision for a distance of 660’ from Tenth Avenue to Marshall Street.

Roads – state

The Clerk presented notice from the State Road Department that bids will be received December 22nd on bridge and approaches at Palatlakaha River on SR S-567 East of SR 33.

Municipal corporations

The read letter from L. L. Polk that the Fair Association is agreeable to the fence across Bates Avenue being removed, however, would like same put back before the Fair on March 12.  The Engineer was instructed to check with the City of Eustis on this.

Bonds – official

Public Official Bond for John W. Booth, County Judge, in the amount of $5,000 was approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.

Bonds- miscellaneous

Deputy Sheriff Bond for Shannon Mathew Secrease was approved on motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried.

Licenses and permits

The following Use Permits were filed by the Right of Way Agent:

To Florida Power Corp. for the construction and maintenance of a 69,000 volt aerial electric transmission line crossing over the following County Roads:

            #1-5105 at a point approximately 1/4 mile north of Road 1-4603

            #1-5108 at a point approximately 1/4 mile north of junction with SR S-44A

            #1-4602 at a point approximately 395’ & 469’ East of junction with Road #1-4800

            #1-4909 at a point approximately 1/4 mile north of junction with SR S-44A

To American Telephone and Telegraph Co. for the construction and maintenance of a buried communication cable, under, across the following County Roads:

            #2-0429

            #3-0539

            #3-0553

            #3-0558

Hospitals

Notice was read and filed from the State Tuberculosis Board that the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital in Tallahassee is being closed as a tuberculosis hospital and the property transferred to the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions for such further use as they may deem appropriate.

Checks received

On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the following checks were accepted and ordered deposited to the correct funds:

Basic Asphalt Corp. - $5.00 – reimbursement for county maps

City of Eustis - $245.38 – reimbursement for road materials

Norma H. Coven - $9.10 – reimbursement for road materials on Road #3-4353.

Cancellation of warrants

On motion of Commr. Cowart, seconded by Commr. Dykes and carried, General Fund Warrant #72 payable to George Dewey Collins in the sum of $15.00 was cancelled due to the fact Mr. Collins has entered a nursing home and the payment was reduced to $7.50 on present indigent list.

Accounts allowed

On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, the Board approved payment to the National Safety Council for three (3) Driver Improvement Teaching Kits and fifty (50) Student Kits in the amount of $688.89, said kits being used by the Lake County Safety Council and the County Judge.

The Zoning Director was authorized to purchase 1,000 maps of the county to be used with the Concept Development Plan for public distribution.  Cost of same will be $358.00.

Proposals as submitted by the County Judge for one metal utility building for the Juvenile Home were filed and motion made by Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, that the low bid from Sears, Roebuck & Company be accepted, $125.95 less 10% discount.

The Board approved expenses of Commr. Babb to attend State Association of County Commissioners Board of Directors meeting in St. Petersburg on December 18th.

On motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried, the Board approved payment to Reid W. Digges in the sum of $125.00, Lake County’s pro rata share of expenses regarding twelve county anti-pollution program.

On motion of Commr. Babb, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, the Board approved Fire Control Assessment for 1966-67 in the amount of $12,033.60.

On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, request from the Tax Collector for $31,653.58, commissions on 1966 tax roll, was approved.

Farm Forestry Project for 1966-67 in the sum of $2,000 was approved on motion of Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Babb and carried.

Invoices from Shoup Voting Machines totaling $13,822 installments due on contracts due February 25, 1966 and November 1, 1965 were approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried.

Motion was made by Commr. Livingston, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, approving invoice from E. Central Florida Regional Council in the amount of $8,520.00.

Purchase of Remington Typewriter by the Supervisor of Elections in the net amount of $323.90 from Lake Office Equipment, Inc. was approved on motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Livingston and carried, and the Clerk was directed to notify Mrs. Baker to secure prices from three different firms and get the Board’s approval before purchasing equipment in the future.

Communications

Invitation from the Sunrise Workshop, Inc. to attend open house to be held December 14, 1966 was read and filed.

Copy of letter from Lake Improvement Assn., Inc. to the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission regarding seine hauls in Lake Harris was read and filed.

Letter from Allsworth, Doumar & Schuler requesting information regarding Lake County was referred to the Zoning Director.

Reports

Monthly reports from the Welfare Director and County Agents and Assistants were filed.

minutes

On motion of Commr. Dykes, seconded by Commr. Cowart and carried, minutes of regular meetings held November 7 and 14 and minutes of special meeting of November 15 were approved as submitted.

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 o’clock P.M.

 

___________________________________                          ______________________________

CLERK                                                                                   CHAIRMAN