MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 MONDAY – JANUARY 19, 1970

The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, convened in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Monday, January 19, 1970, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present:  James R. Carson, Jr., Chairman; Commrs. Alex J. Macdonell, J. M. Hoskinson, Thomas J. Windram and Kenneth VanAuken.  Others present were Clerk of Circuit Court Frank E. Owens, County Attorney C. E. Duncan, County Engineer Gordon Hays, Jr. and Deputy Clerk Norma H. Coven.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman and the invocation was given by Mr. Hays, after which the group gave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

suits affecting county

Commr. VanAuken asked the Attorney the status of the suit against Sophia Maguire.  Mr. Duncan advised he has been working with his partner on this difficult suit and it is prepared and will be filed within a week.

engineering department

The Engineer was instructed to erect a directional sign at the site of the Lake County Boys Ranch one mile North of Altoona.

commodity program

Commr. VanAuken discussed an article in the U. S. News and World Report magazine relative to the possibility of the Federal Government discontinuing the Surplus Commodity Program.  Chairman Carson advised he was apprised of this article and he immediately read the article and wrote to the Florida Congressmen concerning this possibility.

Mr. Hoskinson reported on the program carried out by Orange County.  They are on the Food Stamp Program and the only cost to the County is the office space.  The Federal Government pays the salaries of the employees.

holidays

Commr. VanAuken submitted a letter from Paul H. Reed, Tax Collector, explaining why he cannot approve the list of holidays as submitted by the Clerk of Circuit Court.  Mr. Owens advised it has been the policy of his office each year to circulate a letter to all County Officials asking for their approval of the holiday schedule before presenting same to the Board.  The holidays on the list are the same as observed by the County for the last several years and are in accord with the Statutes and the State’s policy.  Mr. Reed was the only official to disagree.  The Chairman referred this matter to Commrs. Hoskinson and Windram.

complaints

Commr. Macdonell reported he has received complaints from residents in his area of people shooting at houses and other objects and feels the County needs another Deputy Sheriff in the area.  The Clerk was instructed to request the Sheriff to appear to discuss this further.  Later in the day, Sheriff McCall appeared and the possibility of hiring two roving deputies for use in trouble spots throughout the County was discussed.  Sheriff McCall said he is in accord but does not have the funds for this added expense.  He was requested to be prepared to submit an estimate of the cost of two additional deputies to the Board at the Workshop meeting on February 9th.

ordinances

Attorney Duncan presented opinion from the Attorney General in answer to inquiry as to the authority of the Board to adopt an ordinance penalizing fish poachers, adding it is the opinion of the Attorney General that the 1968 Constitution appears to continue the exclusive power of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to regulate the taking of fresh water fish and provides that penalties shall be as provided by specific statute.  The members of the Board concurring, the Chairman instructed the Clerk to ask Mr. Zagar of the Fish Commission to appear before the Board on February 9 relative to this subject.

county agents

Jack Haddox, County Agricultural Agent, appeared and submitted resignations effective January 31, 1970 from Mack Jones, Extension Agent – Farm Management II and Deborah R. Boulware, Extension Home Economics Agent II.  The resignations were accepted on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.

planning and zoning

E. T. Hall was present and registered a complaint concerning the subdivision regulations whereby the County is not maintaining control over streets and feels the regulations should be amended.  The Planning Director recommended that any changes be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  The Chairman instructed Mr. Watkins to review this suggested amendment with the Planning and Zoning Commission.

insurance

Mr. Bob Boswell, representing Time Insurance Company, was present and submitted written recommendation concerning the group insurance plan.  On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved an increase in the County’s portion of the premium to $1.86 per employee per month.

schools – misc.

Richard H. Langley and Don Berry, members of the Board of Public Instruction, appeared relative to health conditions at the Bates Avenue School in Eustis.  They were advised the County is enacting and Ordinance that will allow the County to clean up unsightly areas and remove junk cars, etc.  Chairman Carson suggested that Dr. Hall and Dr. Stevens check on these conditions.

bonds – road

Chairman Carson reviewed statement dated November 30, 1969 showing a balance of $143,589 in trust from road bond issue of 1964.  Can the money be made available for local use?  Attorney Duncan recommended that an inquiry be sent to the Department of Transportation to determine if the funds can be used by the County for acquiring County right of way or on secondary roads.

county buildings (bIDS)

Jack Jones, Architect, appeared and presented plans and specifications for air conditioning the Lake Memorial Nursing Home.  Mr. Jones said the approximate cost of the work is $17,610.00.  The plans were accepted and approved on motion of Commr. Macdonell and bids were authorized for February 16, 1970.  The motion was seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

Mr. Jones gave his recommendations for converting the Old Health Department Building into a storage vault, quoting an estimated cost of $18,000.00.  Mr. Jones further explained it is impossible to do this work for the 6% fee due to the fact that the architectural work required in a job of this nature bears no relationship to the actual construction cost.  He was instructed to submit a proposal of the architectural services required.

The Board approved the use of the two front rooms on the West end of the Old Health Department Building for the temporary storage of surplus commodities.

recess and reassembly

The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:30 o’clock P.M. and reconvened at 2 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.

road maintenance – subdivisions

John Miller from Orange Blossom Estates appeared and requested that improvements to Pike Street be made.  The Chairman advised him if this street is not in the County Road System, the County cannot improve it.  However, it will be placed on the next road inspection trip and considered at that time.

Engineer Hays said he has a request from Sun Eden Subdivision to haul in eight (8) loads of clay for a public park.  Mr. Macdonell will investigate and advise the Engineer.

roads – county

On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, a Resolution was adopted determining a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour on County Road #3-4955, generally referred to as the Mount Homer Road, commencing at County Road #4-5070 and extending Southerly to State Road 500 (U.S. 441).

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, a Resolution was adopted prohibiting “through trucks” on County Road #4-6280 extending from State Road 44 Northerly to State Road 44-A.

roads – state

Clerk Owens presented two “Memorandums of Agreement” from the Department of Transportation relative to the installation of flashing school signs at the following locations and on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Chairman and Clerk were authorized to execute same:

Section 11240 at SLD MP 6.482

SR 500-A (Clayton Street) in Mount Dora

 

Section 11240 at SLD MP 6.612

SR 500-A (N. Highland Street) in Mount Dora

 

Section 11010 at SLD MP 4.575

SR 44 (Lee Street) in Leesburg

 

Section 11010 at SLD MP 5.678

SR 44 (East Street) in Leesburg

 

Section 11050 at SLD MP 13.091

SR 19 (Taylor Avenue) in Eustis

 

Section 11530-3901 at SLD MP 2.542

SR S-466-A (College Avenue) in Fruitland Park

 

municipals corporations

Letter from the City of Mount Dora requesting assistance in alleviating the water condition over the road on Lake Franklin Drive was referred to the County Engineer and Commr. Windram.

federal agencies

Clerk Owens presented a telegram from T. H. Poole, President of the Tri City NAACP and Executive Board Member of the Lake County Economic Opportunity, Inc., requesting the County to stop all grants to the Economic Opportunity Program.  Chairman Carson said he does not recommend any action on this at this time and instructed the Clerk to file the telegram.

e. central florida regional planning council

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, Commr. Hoskinson was reappointed to serve as a voting member to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

county depositories

Clerk Owens submitted letters from the various banks relative to the rate of interest allowed on funds on Time Deposit withdrawn before maturity date.  The consensus of the replies is that the banks will pay the maximum interest permitted by the Federal Reserve Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

bonds – misc.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, bonds for carrying firearms were approved for the following:

                        Hubert Walker

                        C. A. Jenkins

                        James C. Dozier

 

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, Contractors’ Bonds on Certificates of Competency were approved for the following:

 

                        No.      291 – Robert I. Wise

                                    469 – Odell Brooks

                                    471 – William A. Burroughs dba Drywall Service

                                    472 – Wayne N. Phelps dba Phelps Awning Co.

                                    473 – Winifred M. Love and Guy John Love dba Love the Painter

                                    474 – William H. Jarrett dba Bill’s Aluminum Products

                                    475 – Harry Berner

 

inventory

On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, request from the Mosquito Control Director was approved declaring G. E. Refrigerator, County No. 2275, obsolete and of no value.

licenses and permits

To Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. for the construction and maintenance of electric line at the intersection of County Roads #3-1038 and #3-1039.

 

To Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. for the construction and maintenance of power distribution line along County Road #4-6280 North of SR 44 approximately 3 miles East of Eustis.

 

No. 185 to Florida Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling a portion of County Road #1-6512 between County Rd. #1-661 and SR 466-B.

 

No. 186 to Florida Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling a portion of County Rd. #1-6508 between County Rd. #1-6611 and #1-7310.

 

No. 187 to Florida Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling and crossing a portion of County Road #1-6611 between U.S. 441 and Eagle’s Nest Fish Camp.

 

No. 203 to Florida Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable paralleling a portion of County Road #5-6863 and stub and buried cable paralleling a portion of County Road #5-6622 between SR 19 and County Road #5-6762.

 

reports – official

Report of Receipts, Expenses and Net Income for the year ending December 31, 1969 were filed as follows:

1.     Frank G. Owens, Clerk of Circuit Court returning $4,892.97 in excess fees.

2.     R. G. Cassady, Tax Assessor, returning $92,504.62 to the County and $6,442.60 to the Board of Public Instruction.

3.     Paul H. Reed, Tax Collector, returning $67,503.73 to the County and $3,808.05 to the Board of Public Instruction.

 

communications

Letter from a resident on Davenport Lane requesting a street name sign at the intersection of Bay Road and Lakeshore Drive was referred to Commr. Hoskinson.

Letter from Mrs. Margaret Richards questioning roads leading to Garden Lake Estates was read and answered by the County Engineer.

Notice from the Corps of Engineers advising that the Inglis Lock of the Cross Florida Barge Canal will be opened to public usage on January 10, 1970, was read and filed.

Letter from Representative James A. Glisson relative to the increased cost of insurance since the County’s immunity from tort action was repealed was read and the Clerk was instructed to reply to same.

Copy of Resolution from Polk County urging the Department of Transportation to resume the responsibility of installing culverts on State Highways was read and filed.

Copies of letters from the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services regarding Holiday Mobile Park and Hamel’s Haven Trailer Park were filed.

accounts allowed

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board approved an expenditure not to exceed $300.00 for the construction of sidewalks at the Fair Grounds.

On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Engineer was authorized to purchase Sioux Heavy Duty Drill in the amount of $159.50; and to contact Sears relative to generator.

Repairs to deed record books in the Clerk’s Office were approved in the amount of $750.00 on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.

On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Board approved the purchase of a complete compressor unit for the heating system in the Courthouse from Johnson Service Company in the amount of $600.00.

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, expenses were approved for the Commissioners, Engineer, Attorney and Planning Director to attend Mid-Winter Conference of the State Association of County Commissioners in Tampa on February 22-24.

On recommendation of Commr. Windram and on motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, purchase of shelving for the Home Economics Agent from Lake Office Equipment, Inc. in the sum of $181.99 was approved.

Repairs to the heating system in the Welfare Office Building in the amount of $215.00 were approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.

funds – transfers

On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried, the Board approved the following transfer of funds:

General Revenue Fund – Contingency Item $31.70 to Building Maintenance and $105.00 from Equipment Account to Building Maintenance.

 

HOSPITALS

On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried, petition to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for Georgia Mae Martin was approved.

condemnation PROCEEDINGS

On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, a Resolution was adopted cancelling taxes against property involved in condemnation suits filed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, more particularly described below and authorizing the funds be accepted and deposited to the General Revenue Fund:

Civil Case No.   3672 – Parcel 10-100-125.1

                          3675 – Parcel 10-100-106.1 and 10-100-130.1

                          3531 – Parcel 10-100-101.1

                                      Parcel 10-100-102.1

                                      Parcel 10-100-104.1

                                      Parcel 10-100-108.1

                                      Parcel 10-100-116.1

                                      Parcel 10-100-132.1

                                      Parcel 10-100-133.1

 

tax assessments

On recommendation of the County Attorney and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board adopted a Resolution authorizing and directing the Clerk to transfer all funds due South Lake Memorial Hospital for collection of taxes under its special assessment and deposited to the account of Lake County and that the payment of all future collections of taxes by the Tax Collector be paid directly to the South Lake Memorial Hospital subject only to the reservation of funds sufficient to pay the statutory commissions due the Tax Assessor and the Tax Collector.

reports

The following monthly reports were filed:

            Welfare Director

            Distribution of cigarette taxes for November 1969

 

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 o’clock P.M.

 

___________________________________                                                                                                              ______________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                                                       CHAIRMAN