MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 MONDAY – MARCH 3, 1969

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Monday, March 3, 1969, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present:  Commissioner Thomas J. Windram, Chairman; Commissioner Alex J. Macdonell, Commissioner J. M. Hoskinson and Commissioner 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.  Commissioner James R. Carson, Jr., was absent.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Windram and the invocation was given by Mr. Hays.

minutes

On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the minutes of meeting of February 3, 1969, were approved as submitted.

complaints

Commissioner Hoskinson stated he has had numerous complaints regarding the hours of the Motor Vehicle Inspection stations, especially the closing during the lunch period feels something should be worked out during the last two days of the month when they are particularly rushed.  Mr. Hays said consideration will be given these complaints.

outdoor recreational facilities

W. M. Haywood, Jr., and Mac Edge representing the City of Tavares were present relative to Roadside Park located on Lake Eustis West of Tavares.  Mr. Haywood said there are several existing problems, the main one being the beach erosion.  Although the park is outside the city, the City of Tavares has no authority to make arrests.  Commissioner Hoskinson said the City has been most cooperative and thinks the County should take the responsibility of cleaning the restrooms and water the shrubs.  On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson, seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the Board adopted a Resolution requesting the State Road Department to pump back sufficient fill to re-establish the original lines and to stabilize the shorelines of the park by riprapping or other stabilizing material.

right of way – roads

Herbert Dunlap appeared and offered a deed to the County for road right of way.  Attorney Duncan advised him conveyance of title is not necessary for this purpose, a dedication or granting of an easement to the public to use the road would be more appropriate.  Mr. Dunlap said the road will be maintained by the property owners.

road maintenance

D. C. Smith of Bassville Park was present and submitted petition with reference to the County making improvements to Pala Verda Avenue.  This matter was referred to the Engineer and the Board members agreed to inspect the road on the next road trip.

Attorney Duncan reported he has received a breakdown from the State Road Department of the increase in the cost of road maintenance as follows:

1965-66                       146 miles of roads                  $104,000

1966-67                       146 miles of roads                      75,000

1967-68                       146 miles of roads                    113,000

1968-69 (6 mos.)        160 miles of roads                      46,000

 

county property

Commissioner Hoskinson stated residents in the Clermont area are interested in the marsh on the south side of State Road 50 between Clermont and Groveland be made a bird sanctuary.  Attorney Duncan advised this property was designated as a bird sanctuary by Resolution of the Board on September 2, 1958.

Clerk Owens advised there are some old field boxes stored on the Wells Packing House property and the County has an offer of $20.00 for the boxes.  The Engineer was directed to inspect the boxes and report on the condition of same.

county buildings

On motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried, the Board adopted the following Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, that from and after the adoption of this Resolution, no County Buildings erected or acquired for public purposes, shall be used for any purpose except that for which it was built or acquired, or in such manner as is prescribed by General or Special Statute, unless the use of such public facility is required or needed for emergency purposes, or for such purposes as shall be determined by specific rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of County Commissioners, or except for uses as specifically provided by Statute now or hereafter enacted.  Emergency use of public buildings shall be permitted only upon approval of the Commissioners, or the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners in the absence of time to call a meeting of the Board.

 

commissioners

Chairman Windram distributed for the members’ perusal a list showing the areas of County government, stating it is his desire to assign areas of responsibility to each commission member to enable all areas of County government to have the attention of at least one Board member.

county employees

On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried resignation of Floyd W. Hess, Civil Defense Director, was accepted effective March 20, 1969.

On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the County Planner was authorized to accept applications for the position of Civil Defense Director on behalf of the Board.

Commissioner Hoskinson moved that the County Planner be excused from attending the first Board meeting in the month and the Clerk was instructed to refer any matters pertaining to Planning and Zoning at the first meeting to him together with a copy of the Board minutes.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried.

On recommendation of the County Planner, the Board approved the employment of Nancy Bennett, position secretary, monthly salary $250.00 effective March 10, 1969.

laws & legislature

Chairman Windram stated he feels the Board should receive a copy of all local bills for review and recommendation.  The Clerk was instructed to request the Chairman of the Legislative Delegation to furnish the proposed bills.

insurance

Engineer Hays advised a County dump truck was involved in an accident last October and has been out of service since that time.  The truck is in the repair shop at this time.  Does the County have any records for the loss of the use of the vehicle?  This was referred to the Attorney.

The Attorney was further instructed to review the County’s liability with reference to the Fair Buildings due to the changes under the new Constitution.  Also, to notify the Chamber of Commerce the County expects anyone leasing the buildings to carry liability coverage.

The Attorney was instructed to review the liability coverage to determine if a pickup truck is covered when used by the Chamber of Commerce for transporting display items to and from the Fair.

salaries & wages

On recommendation of the County Engineer and on motion of Commissioner Macdonell seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, the Board approved increase in the pay scale of Ray Cannon, Guard with the Hyacinth Control crew, from $370.00 per month to $390.25, effective March 1, 1969.

funds – transfer

Transfer of $141.75 from the Contingency Item in the General Revenue Fund to Account 68902 was approved to take care of the above pay increase.

licenses & permits

Request from the Florida Telephone Corporation for a permit to construct and maintain a conduit structure across the Dora Canal at Tavares was approved on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried.

Request from J. T. Hart to construct a small boat dock in the Saint Johns River was approved on motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, provided the Corps of Engineers has no objection to the permit.

The following Use Permits were filed by the County Engineer:

No. 143 to Florida Telephone Corporation for the construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling a portion of County Road 4-4861 between Idlewild Avenue and County Road 4-4767 in Eustis.

 

No. 144 to Florida Telephone Corporation for the construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling a portion of County Road 4-4767 between Road No. 4-4861 and No. 3-4664.

 

To Water Resources Division of U. S. Geological Survey for geologic samplings along County Roads No. 2-2704, 3-1837, 3-2745, 4-7991, 5-7528, 5-7750, 5-8279, 5-8498.

 

To Water Resources Division of U. S. Geological Survey for single shallow observation wells along County Roads No. 1-7307, 3-0257, 4-4683, 4-7187, 5-8165.

 

To Water Resources Division of U. S. Geological Survey for multiple shallow observation wells along County Roads No. 2-1024, 2-2729, 3-0660, 3-1860, 3-1863, 3-1865, 4-4872, 4-5167, 4-5269.

 

bonds

Firearms Bonds were approved on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried for the following:

                        Dallas F. Lutz and Wilson Gaines

Contractor’s Bonds for Certificates of Competency were approved on motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried:

                        Numbers 397 – 406

suits affecting county

Attorney Duncan advised the final judgment in the Diamond Salvage Company case has been signed.  Now that a precedent has been set, will give notice to other zoning violators that a suit will be filed if the law is not complied with by a certain time.

bids

It now being 10:00 o’clock A.M. the time advertised to receive bids on a Forms Feeder Attachment, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate the bids.  Whereupon, the Clerk reported receiving the following bid:

            Addresograph-Multigraph Corporation                     $1,520.25

                                                            Tray                                  33.65

                                                            Disc                                   63.25

                                                            Service Agreement          208.00

                                                                                                $1,825.25

 

On motion of Commissioner Macdonell seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, the bid was accepted and a Resolution was adopted authorizing the Tax Collector to pay the cost of same from surplus funds collected in his office.

hospitals

Dr. J. B. Hall, County Health Director, was present and asked the Board’s cooperation in hospitalizing several highly infectious tuberculosis patients located among the migrant workers in the County.  Commissioner Hoskinson moved that the State Board of Health be requested to initiate the necessary legislation whereby the State would bear the hospitalization expense for migrant tubercular patients.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried.

On motion of Commissioner Macdonell seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried, the action of the Chairman and the Clerk was approved in approving admissions to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for the following:

                                    Walter Jasper

                                    Richard Dickens

 

maps & plats

Mr. Sam Powell appeared and presented plat of Addition to Coachwood Mobile Colony.  On examining the plat, Attorney Duncan said the subdivision is located in the City of Leesburg and the plat has been approved by the City.  Title opinion from the attorney shows the title to be in the name of P M B, Inc., and is merchantable title.  The plat was approved on motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried.

state road department

Chairman Windram referred letter from the State Road Department relative to legislation pertaining to all modes of transportation to the Engineer.

The Chairman presented letter from the State Road Department advising that electrically operate time clock control “School Flashers” will be installed at all school crossings.  On primary roads the cost will be from primary funds, on secondary roads the costs will be from secondary funds.  The County must agree to provide electrical connections, pay all electrical charges and maintain the signals in good order.  On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by commissioner VanAuken and carried, the Engineer was instructed to contact the town the installations will be made in, and request the towns to pay the electrical and maintenance costs.

roads – county

On recommendation of the County Engineer and on motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, a Resolution was adopted establishing a 45 miles per hour speed limit on Lake Louisa Road (County No 3-0847) and on Minneola Lake Shore Drive (County No 3-1741) from the city limits West to State Road 561.

On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, the Engineer was authorized to install street name signs on the County Road signs in Chain O’ Lakes Subdivision.  The street signs being purchased by the property owners.

On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, a Resolution was adopted prohibiting “Thru Trucks” on Sunset Lane (County No. 3-1344)

On motion of Commissioner Hoskinson seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried, a Resolution was adopted establishing 35 miles per hour speed limit on Minnehaha Lakeshore Drive (County No. 3-1040)

Commissioner Macdonell asked the Board’s consideration of the public using the County rights of way for dumping purposes.  He proposed a Resolution asking the cooperation of the citizens as well as the municipalities.  Clerk Owens submitted letter from Phillip’s Enterprises advising of a rash of dumping of trash and garbage at an abandoned clay pit located on Groveland Farms.  The Board members concurring, the Chairman directed the Clerk to ask the Sheriff and the Mosquito Control Director to discuss this with the Board at the next meeting.

Action determining a maximum speed limit on the Hastings Loop Road, (County No. 1-6512) was deferred until Commissioner Carson is present.

Engineer Hays informed the Board the Post Offices and schools expect the County to maintain roads used by the school buses and mail carriers and many of the roads are not County maintained roads.  He was instructed to request the Post Office Department and the School Board to contact the Commission before selecting new routes for these purposes.

With reference to stop signal at the railroad crossing on State Road S-452 in the City of Eustis, the Board authorized the purchase and installation of the signal, provided the City will furnish the electrical power and maintain the signal.

The Board discussed the construction of sidewalks along State Road 44-C (Griffin Road) from State Road 500 West to the Leesburg Junior High School.  This was included on the next road inspection trip.

recess and reassembly

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

road and bridge department

Engineer Hays advised the Boy Scout Council is agreeable to paying $5.00 per load for approximately twelve loads of clay at Camp La-No-Che.  Commissioner VanAuken moved that the County furnish the clay without charge as a public service to the Boy Scout Camp.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried.

state agencies

The Engineer reported the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission has requested the County to clay and seal the parking area at the Johns Lake boat ramp.   The area is less than one acre.  The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission will do the surfacing.  The members agreed to inspect this on the next road inspection trip.

tax assessments

Certificates of Error and Corrections on the 1968 Tax Roll from the Tax Assessor numbered 106 through 125 were approved on motion of Commissioner Macdonell seconded by Commissioner VanAuken and carried.

county agents

Clerk Owens submitted letter from County Agent Earl Kelly advising that Lake County will be without a County Agent during the month of March and that Mrs. Marian Valentine will serve as the County Chairman to the Extension program during this period with Royce Williams, Associate County Agent assuming leadership in agricultural matters.

bids

Engineer Hays discussed with the Board the feasibility of annual bid requirements being opened at a special public meeting instead of a regular Board meeting.  The purpose of same to be a time-saver for spectators, bidders and Board members.  After consideration, the members agreed to open the bids at a regular meeting.

state road department

Clerk Owens submitted from the State Road Department Estimate of Secondary Funds Available for construction, engineering design and right of way acquisition for the period January 31, 1969, through June 30, 1970, showing total of $1,716,348, less any fixed commitments such as secondary road maintenance, bond debt service, repayment of loans, etc.

Clerk Owens filed Statement of Status of Secondary Funds at January 31, 1969, and distributed copy to each Board member and also Status of Trust Fund.

planning and zoning

The Clerk submitted a telegram from W. L. Tilden and Dan L. McKinnon opposing the reclassification of certain land in the Johns Lake Area to a sand mining operation.  The Clerk was instructed to notify the parties public hearing on this will be held March 10, 1969, at 2 o’clock P.M.

Mr. Watkins filed copies of Resolution adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission with reference to Mr. J. E. French and Mr. F. C. w. Kramer, III.

accounts allowed

On motion of Commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Macdonell and carried, the Board authorized the Florida Power Corporation to install ten (10) 4400 lumen street lights on five (5) special 30 foot creosote poles in the parking area of the new Lake County Fairgrounds.

Payrolls for the month of February were approved on motion of commissioner VanAuken seconded by Commissioner Hoskinson and carried.

communications

Notice from the Florida Industrial Commission that haring will be held in the Vivian P. Ritter case on Tuesday, April 1, 1969, at 2:00 o’clock P.M., Lake County Courthouse.

reports

The following monthly reports were filed:

                        County Agricultural Agent and Assistants

                        County Home Economics Agent and Assistants

                        Surplus Commodity Warehouse Supervisor

 

Semi-Annual financial statement of the Lake County Health Unit was filed.

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o’clock P.M.

 

___________________________________                                                                                                                                      ______________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                                                                               CHAIRMAN