MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – February 3, 1969
A regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, was held Monday, February 3, 1969, in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: Commissioner Thomas J. Windram, Chairman; Commissioners James R. Carson, Jr., Alex J. Macdonell, J. M. Hoskinson, and Kenneth VanAuken. Others present were County Attorney C. E. Duncan, County Engineer Gordon Hays, Jr., County Planner J. C. Watkins, Clerk of the Circuit Court Frank E. Owens and Deputy Clerk Norma H. Coven.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the invocation was given by Mr. Hays.
MEETINGS
Commissioner Macdonell moved that the change in the time of this regular meeting from 10:00 o’clock A.M. to 9:00 o’clock A.M. be approved because of the necessity of considering a five year secondary road program at the request of the State Road Department, which request was not received in the Clerk’s Office until January 29, 1969. The motion was seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and unanimously carried.
Due to the heavy schedule for the next regular meeting, the Chairman stated the Board will convene at 9:00 o’clock A.M. instead of 10:00 o’clock A.M.
At the Engineer’s request, the Board agreed to meet in his office on Friday, February 7, 1969, at 8:00 o’clock A.M. to discuss proposed policy changes.
ROADS – State
Clerk Owens submitted a letter from the State Road Department dated December 11, 1968, in which a list of road projects was requested for the five year program for review and determining cost estimates by the State Road Department. Before considering the road projects, Chairman Windram discussed the anticipated revenue Lake County can expect for 1969-70, also, the increase by the State Road Department in the cost of maintenance. Attorney Duncan was instructed to secure a breakdown of the cost maintenance.
On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, a resolution was adopted requesting the State Road Department to consider the following projects as Lake County’s secondary road program needs during the next five years. (See Page 364 of Minute Book 21)
BIDS
It now being 10:00 o’clock A.M., the time advertised to receive bids on Twenty-eight pair of convalescent safety sides, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids. Where upon, the Clerk reported receiving bids from the following:
Southern Surgical Supply Co. $55.00 per pair
Medical Supply Company $51.50 per pair
On recommendation of the Nursing Home Director and on motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the Board accepted the low bid of Medical Supply Company in the amount of $1,442.00.
ROADS – County
Mr. B. A. Price from Altoona was present and asked the Board’s assistance in correcting a civil disobedience action on County road 5-8168. A grove owner on the road is ignoring the “Harrows Prohibited” sign and damaging the road. The Engineer stated this is a prescriptive road and is maintained by the County. On motion of Commissioner Macdonell, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the Board adopted a resolution directing the Sheriff to contact the owner to advise that damage to the road must cease.
SOIL SURVEY
Mr. Tom Waddell, representing the Lake Soil & Water Conservation District, appeared and reported on the accomplishments of the District during the past year. Mr. Waddell also advised the soil survey for the county is complete with the exception of approximately 3,500 acres in the Bay Lake area.
Clerk Owens presented a letter from the Soil Conservation Service in Orlando advising hat the office space provided for the soil scientists will be released on or before February 14, 1969, and expressed appreciation to the Board for its cooperation during the period of time the soil survey has been conducted.
INSURANCE
Mr. Tom Termohlen of Hartford Insurance Company was present and informed the Board he had previously obtained permission to contact the county employees in reference to income protection insurance to be handled as a payroll deduction. Mr. Termohlen said he has sold several county employees the coverage, however, the Clerk’s Office advises that the payroll deduction cannot be made under the present system. Clerk Owens advised in order to handle the deduction, it will be necessary to have new payroll checks printed which will necessitate an expenditure of $800 to $1,000.00. Action on this was deferred until the next meeting.
TAX ASSESSMENTS
Mr. Carlos Beasley appeared and asked the Board’s reconsideration of his request for a tax adjustment. Attorney Duncan explained to Mr. Beasley this is out of the Board’s jurisdiction and that he should seek relief through the Courts.
ROADS – County
R. M. Marshall of Silver Sand Company was present relative to proposed access road into sand pit. Engineer Hays submitted an estimate of construction cost together with a map of ownership. After reviewing the estimated cost, the Chairman asked Mr. Marshall to pursue other sources and ideas for financial assistance inasmuch as Lake County does not have the funds to build the road.
Edward Hallis and R. P. Reckell of Lake Harris Shores appeared with reference to the County approving the access road into the Subdivision. The Engineer had previously quoted a price of $560.00 plus labor and equipment to patch and sand seal the road. The Engineer was instructed to refigure the job cost including labor and material.
PLANNING & ZONING
County Planner Watkins filed a resolution adopted by the Board of Zoning Appeals denying Appeal Case No. 10-68.
Mr. Watkins also filed Findings of Facts pertaining to Conditional Use Permits 108-3, 109-4, 110-5, 111-4, 113-4.
Mr. Watkins stated the following officers were elected by Planning & Zoning Commission:
J.
G. Ray, Jr. Chairman
Jay M. VanderMeer Vice
Chairman
J. E. Brown Secretary
APPOINTMENTS
The Clerk submitted list of members appointed by the Governor to the Board of Zoning Appeals, as follows:
J. S. Allen, Jr.
John J. Wyckoff
Glynn D. Wallace
John P. Duane, Jr.
Joseph R. BonJorn
Mr. Watkins advised the Board has met and elected the following officers for the ensuing year:
J. S. Allen, Jr. Chairman
Joseph R. BonJorn Vice Chairman
Julia B. Schaal Secretary
On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the number of members of the Agriculture Advisory Committee of the Planning & Zoning Commission was reduced from eight members to five, and the following appointments were approved:
Wilmore Carlson Groveland
James C. Traywick Altoona
Joe Roberts Tavares
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
The Board recessed for lunch at 12:00 o’clock noon and reconvened at 1:30 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.
JUVENILE
Members of the Board of Visitors from the Juvenile Shelter were in attendance with Mr. Merle Bright as spokesman. Mr. Bright gave a brief outline of the operation of the Juvenile Shelter and invited the Board members to lunch at the Shelter on March 3, 1969, for the purpose of acquainting the members with the operation. County Judges, W. A. Milton, Jr., and L. R. Huffstetler, Jr., were also present.
INVENTORY
On motion of Commissioner Cason, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the following items were declared surplus and obsolete and removed from the County Property Records:
Property No. 670 – Electric Pencil Sharpener from the office of the Supervisor of Elections
Property No. 3665 – Rotary Mower from the Courthouse Custodian
HOSPITALS
On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the action of the Chairman and Clerk in approving applications to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for the following was approved:
Dock Browner
William Erwin Wrinkle (will pay the County’s portion of costs)
Notice from the hospital that James Wesley Parker was discharged on January 29, 1060 with medical advices was filed.
BONDS – Miscellaneous
Contactor’s bonds for certificates of competency were approved as follows on motion of Commissioner Macdonell, seconded by Commissioner Cason and carried:
No. 386 – Virginia L. Santosuosso d/b/a Jonco Septic Tank Service
No. 387 – Lonnie James Guice
No. 388 – L. K. Casson
No. 389 – Concrete Products of Orlando
No. 390 – T. Graham Phillips
Cancellation of Bond No. 54 – Ridgon Construction Company was approved at the request of the Bonding Company.
LICENSES & PERMITS
The following Use Permits were filed by the Engineer:
To Florida Telephone Corp., for the construction and maintenance of an aerial cable along County Road 1-5913 at Picciola Highlands.
To Florida Telephone Corp., for the construction and maintenance of proposed buried cable along County Road 4-4183 located between State Road No. 46 and the Orange-Lake County line.
To City of Leesburg Utility Department for the construction and maintenance of electric overhead distribution lines along County Road 1-6006 in Fruitland Park.
To Sumter Electric Coop. Inc., for the construction and maintenance of a power line along County Road 1-6811 between County Road 1-7310 and R. H. Moody.
To City of Leesburg Utility Department for the construction and maintenance of power line along County Road 1-6405 between Spring Lake Manor Subdivision and Fruitland Park.
To Leesburg CabelVision for the construction and maintenance of a coaxial cable along County Road 1-5536 between television tower and Fruitland Park.
TAX DELINQUENT & EQUALIZATION
The Daily Commercial was designated as the newspaper to publish the Delinquent Tax List and the notice of the Equalization Board on the motion of Commissioner VanAuken, seconded by Commissioner Carson and carried.
BIDS
It now being 1:30 o’clock P.M. the time advertised to receive bids on the construction of the Tavares Health Department Building, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids, whereupon, the Clerk reported receiving bids from the following:
W. W. Smith Construction Co.
Spears Construction Co.
Thompson Brothers Construction Co.
Triad Construction, Inc.
Jack R. Jones, Architect, was present during the bid opening and advised the Board that all the bids are over the estimated cost and the amount budgeted. Mr. Meadows of the Florida Development Commission was also present and said if the County can come up with its matching share of overage; the State will meet its percentage. Clerk Owens stated we will be short between two and three thousand dollars. This amount will have to be included in the next year’s budget. Attorney Duncan advised the commitment for the grand can be used to borrow the necessary money.
On motion of Commissioner Macdonell, seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, the low bid from Spears Construction Company in the amount of $110,937.00 was accepted subject to approval of the State and Federal representatives and contingent upon agreement with Dr. Hall regarding money for furnishings and equipment and the Clerk was authorized to sign the contracts and agreements with the State Agency.
On request of the Tax Collector, and on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, bids were approved for the purchase of an automatic forms feeder attachment to the addressograph machine in the Collector’s office. Bids to be received March 3, 1969.
ROADS – County
County Engineer Hays filed list of the current county road priorities, together with Construction Cost Report for the fourth quarter 1968.
“No Littering” signs were approved to be erected on County Road 5-5127.
Engineer Hays reported Mrs. Sophia McGuire is blocking access through her property to a property owner who has no other access to his property. Is the County obligated to provide access from the dedicated right of way (North George Street), which has never been maintained by the County? The Board members concurring, the Chairman said the County cannot accept this obligation at this time.
On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner Carson and carried, a resolution was adopted establishing a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour on Banning Beach Road, County Road No. 3-4649.
On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried, request for a street sign on Manor Drive in Edgewood Park was denied.
The Engineer was instructed to secure petition from the residents on County Road 3-4140 with reference to naming the road.
ROADS – State
The 16-year State Highway program proposed by the State Road Department was referred to the County Engineer and County Planner.
Copy of Traffic Regulation Changes on State Road S-19-A and State Road S-452, both in the vicinity of Eustis, was filed.
BONDS – Road
The Attorney presented letter addressed to the Chairman from the State Road Department relative to the proposed road bond issue and advising that Lake County will be a test issue, with the idea of having the issue validated and carried to the Supreme Court for affirmation.
ROAD & BRIDGE DEPARTMENT
The Engineer discussed the operation of the Road and Bridge Department under the loss of funds for road construction. His recommendations were as follows:
1. Will not fill vacant positions unless an employee is needed to operate certain equipment. Feels the turnover in personnel will average out with worn out equipment.
2. No major repairs to equipment.
3. No roads and bridges by contract.
4. No rental of equipment.
The Engineer was instructed to follow these recommendations until further action of the
Board.
SHERIFF
Notice from the Florida Bureau of Law Enforcement that a 1964 Ford, seized in a bolita case, has been stored with the Sheriff.
DEEDS
On Recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, deed was accepted conveying the following described property to Lake County, and same was ordered/recorded in the public records:
GRANTORS: W. Donald Conklin and wife Eurice C. Conklin
West 25 feet of SW ¼ of Section 28, Twp. 18 S., R 27 East.
REPORTS – Official
Clerk Owens presented Reports of Receipts, Expenses and Net Income as of December 31, 1968, from the following County Officials:
Ernest C. Aulls, Jr. - Judge, Small Claims Court
Paul H. Reed - Tax Collector
R. G. Cassady - Tax Assessor
Frank E. Owens - Clerk of Circuit Court
The reports were approved and checks as indicated were accepted.
LAW & LEGISLATURE
Attorney Duncan submitted for the Board’s approval proposed act granting the County authority to lease the fair buildings. The proposed act was approved on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, and the Attorney was instructed to advertise same.
CONTRACTS
Execution of contact between Lake County and Florida Telephone Corporation for rental of PABX system was deferred on recommendation of the Attorney, and the Clerk was directed to request a company representation to appear at the next meeting.
COUNTY EMPLOYEES
On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the Board requested all department heads (appointed positions) to submit in writing description of their functions and duties.
PERMITS
On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried, the Building Department was instructed not to issue building permits on lake front property unless the set back from the lake substantially conforms to that established by existing development. The Chairman called for a roll call vote with members of the Board voting as follows:
District No. 1 No
District No. 2 Yes
District No. 3 Yes
District No. 4 No
District No. 5 Yes
The Chairman declared the motion carried.
SUITS AFFECTING COUNTY
Attorney Duncan reported he has prepared condemnation suit for right of way on State Road 19 between Eustis and Umatilla, with approximate cost of $206,931.00, but has been requested by the State Road Department to withhold filing same until the hearing in Umatilla this month.
PLANNING
Copy of letter from the Chairman to the Florida Development Commission to include Lake County in the Urban Planning Assistance Program provided under Section 701 of the Federal Housing Act of 1954.
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED
On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried, travel expenses were approved for Royce C. Williams and Mack Jones to attend Pest Control Conference in Gainesville, February 25-26, 1969.
Travel expenses for J. W. Bryant to meet with representatives of Veterans Administration and Florida Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Petersburg on January 31, 1969, were approved.
Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court for $500 advance to pay State Trial Witnesses was approved on motion of Commissioner Macdonell, seconded by Commissioner Carson and carried.
Request from the County Judge for approval of expenses for the Juvenile Home Superintendent and Matron to attend Annual Workshop and Seminar in Miami, March 13-14, 1969, was authorized on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried.
On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, refund was approved to W. W. Everett on Building Permit No. 9382 in the sum of $19.00, which was issued in error.
Expenses were approved for the Board members, Attorney, Engineer, and Planner to attend Mid-Year Conference of the State Association of County Commissioners in Jacksonville, February 23-25, 1969.
On motion of Commissioner VanAuken, seconded by Commissioner Carson and carried, payrolls for the month of January were approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
Letter from the Welfare Director regarding investigation made with reference to Mr. and Mrs. Fels in Mount Plymouth was read and filed.
Copy of letter to the Clerk of Circuit Court relative to fees charges by the Clerk’s office was read. Clerk Owens advised the fees charged by his office are according to the Florida Statutes.
Copy of letter from the Florida State Board of Health regarding the engineering plans for a lift station at the Lake County Fairgrounds was filed.
REPORTS
The following monthly reports were filed:
Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor
Cigarette Tax Collections and Distributions for November
MINUTES
On motion of Commissioner Carson, seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, minutes of the regular meeting of January 13, 1969, and special meeting of January 17, 1969, were approved as submitted.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN