MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – july 20, 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, July 20, 1970, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present: James R. Carson, Jr., Chairman; Alex J. Macdonell, J. M. Hoskinson, Thomas J. Windram, and Kenneth VanAuken. Others present were: County Attorney Christopher C. Ford, County Engineer Robert H. Norton, Clerk of Circuit Court Frank E. Owens and Deputy Clerk Norma H. Coven.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Carson and the invocation was delivered by Mr. Windram, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by all present.
minutes
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 15, 1970 were approved as corrected.
On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the minutes of the special meetings of June 18, 1970 and July 1, 1970 were approved as submitted.
public health
Commr. VanAuken asked about the progress of the clean-up program. Commr. Macdonell advised Mr. Milton says the offenders are still dumping in unauthorized areas. Suggested to Commr. VanAuken that he contact the offenders in his district.
Commr. Windram asked if there has been any clarification with Triangle Metal and Paper Salvage regarding the junk cars they are to pick up without cost. Attorney Ford advised there has not.
budget
Chairman Carson brought to the attention of the Board a continuing source of trouble and expense in the mutilating of County property, especially road signs. Suggested that an item be considered in the budget as an award for the prosecution and conviction of the offenders. No action was taken by the Board.
cemeteries
Commr. Hoskinson brought to the Board’s attention the need for designated areas to be used for burying paupers and unclaimed bodies. Commr. Macdonell said the County should buy lots in the existing cemeteries and refrain from creating a potter’s field.
tax adjustment board
Chairman Carson appointed the following members to serve on the Tax Adjustment Board:
James R. Carson, Jr. – Chairman
Alex J. Macdonell
J. M. Hoskinson
Frank E. Owens, Clerk
and the appointments were approved by the Board on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
Clerk Owens reported the School Board has advised the two members of that Board appointed to serve on the Tax Adjustment Board are Paul Bryan and Richard H. Langley.
road and bridge
On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Engineer was instructed to file a progress report on road construction at the third regular meeting of each month, report to cover the previous month’s work.
motor vehicle inspection
On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved the erection of signs at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Stations to promote better customer-employee relationship. Said signs to read as follows:
“SMILE – Inspector courtesy promotes public cooperation.”
contracts and agreements
Attorney Ford presented draft of proposed contract covering the assessment and collection of ad valorem taxes levied by municipalities. After a lengthy discussion, the Attorney was instructed to proceed with the contract.
bonds – misc.
Notary Bond for C. E. Duncan with personal sureties Christopher C. Ford and W. Leonard Duncan was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
Contractors’ bonds for Certificates of Competency for the following were approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried:
No. 287-70 - Donald W. Graham
512 - Donald Eugene Prentice
hospitals
The action of the Chairman and Clerk in approving applications to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for the following was approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried:
Johnie Quarterman
Benjamin Franklin Thomas
Elizabeth M. Ashe
Bids
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board authorized the Clerk to advertise bids for the purchase of a Skid Mounted Vertical Drill. Bids to be received August 17, 1970.
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Clerk was authorized to advertise bids for annual requirements to be received September 8, 1970.
The County Engineer recommended the purchase of two new pull-type mowing machines and one Gravely mowing machine. Chairman Carson advised the Engineer there are no funds available in the current budget for these items.
county property
Commr. Hoskinson reported the lease with the Town of Astatula on abandoned clay pit expires August 2, 1970. The Town is interested in a long term lease or purchasing the property. The County Engineer was instructed to survey the pit and make his recommendation to the Board.
federal agencies
Letter from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, advising the Ocala National Forest is considering a land exchange with Ralph K. Jones and Holiday Haven, Inc., which exchange will consolidate the National Forest and provide for better forest management, was read and filed.
licenses and permits
The Engineer filed Use Permit to Sumter Electric Coop., Inc., for the construction and maintenance of power distribution line along County Road 4-4981 between Mount Dora and Sorrento.
RESOLUTIONS NOT CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE
A. B. Marshall appeared and advised the Lake County Farm Bureau is observing the week of July 19, 1970 as National Farm Safety Week and asked the Board’s approval of same. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, a Resolution was adopted proclaiming the week of July 19, 1970 as National Farm Safety Week and urging all farm families and those persons and groups serving or allied with agriculture, to use all possible means for minimizing accident losses to work, in homes, at recreation and on public roads.
recess and reassembly
The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:00 o’clock noon and reconvened at 2:00 o’clock P.M. to take up the remaining items of business.
maps and plats
James C. Watkins, Director of Planning, was present and submitted Plat of Birr Park Subdivision owners Wm. C. Birr and wife Constance L. Birr. Opinion from Lawyers’ Title Insurance Corporation was filed that Policy No. T—849109 shows a merchantable title and a partial release of mortgage releasing the street from the mortgage has been filed. Attorney Ford advised the Subdivision has access road and road signs are up and the road has been clayed. Engineer Norton stated he has certain reservations concerning this Subdivision (1) the developer elects to dedicate the streets as private streets and (2) the greater part of the lots and streets drain into a low basin area and no drainage plan has been submitted. Commr. Windram moved for the acceptance and approval of the Plat of Birr Park based on the fact that the developer has attempted to comply with the provisions of the previous County Engineer. The motion was seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried.
planning and zoning
On recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and on motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Zoning Rules and Regulations were altered and amended as they pertain to the following described tracts of land to the classification designated after each description:
1. Section 3, Township 19 South, Range 24 East, Lots 1 through 26 inclusive, McKee’s Manor, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 17, Page 46 of the Public Records of Lake County, Florida (approximately 13-1/2 acres).
Classification on the above described property shall hereafter be zoned R-1 (Rural Residential).
2. Section 35, Township 24 South, Range 26 East, NW ¼ of the NE 1//4 (approximately 13-3/4 acres).
Classification on the above described property shall hereafter be zoned as C-1 (Rural Commercial District).
Approved in the above motion were Conditional Use Permits 189-5 and 194-3; and Rezoning Cases 40-70-1 and 41-70-4 were denied.
Conditional use Permit No. 195-2 was presented for consideration and the Chairman called for interested parties to be heard.
The following persons appeared opposing the Permit:
John C. Williams, Jr., Attorney, representing residents of the Springs Park Area, Inc.
Lee Howard
Maurice C. Piper
James D. Lacker
The following persons appeared in support of the Permit:
Paul T. Callaway
Richard E. Bair
Commr. Windram moved that the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission be overruled and the permit be denied. Before voting, the Chairman disqualified himself from voting because of possible conflict of interest. The motion was seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
roads – state
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, a Resolution was adopted requesting the Department of Transportation to make a study and survey of the Intersection of SR 44 and SR 500, East of Leesburg for the purpose of constructing acceleration lanes at said intersection.
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, a Resolution was adopted requesting the Department of Transportation to close and abandon cattle crossing underneath SR 19 between Station 140 and 145 on Job No. 11100-3504 because the crossing is no longer needed.
suits affecting county
Attorney Ford reported he and Mr. Watkins inspected the Diamond Auto Salvage Co. property on July 8, 1970 and met with Mr. Diamond and his attorney. It was agreed that Mr. Diamond will plant a satisfactory plant sometime this week and will properly irrigate the plants to insure their growth.
roads – state
Clerk Owens submitted letter from the Department of Transportation advising that bids will be received on July 23, 1970 to construct and pave Bates Avenue in Eustis from SR 19 (Bay Street) to Grove Street.
TAX assessments
Letter from the Department of Revenue together with copy of 1970 Ad Valorem Tax Law changes was presented and referred to the County Attorney.
county buildings
Mr. Watkins discussed the feasibility of remodeling the hearing chambers in the Zoning Department to office facilities with the idea of using the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse for rezoning hearings. He was authorized to obtain estimates for the necessary work.
communications
Letter was read from Thomas P. Line favoring the four-laning of SR 19 through the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills and referred to Commr. Macdonell.
Letter was read from the City of Clermont that a public hearing is not necessary on Job No. 1107-1504, SR 50, but that the four-laning of SR 50 from Clermont to the Orange County is vitally needed.
Letter from the Corps of Engineers regarding the hours of operation for the Moss Bluff Lock and Dam was read and filed.
Letter from Lou B. Moore complaining of grove owners using his property in Lake Highlands as a dump site was read and referred to Commr. Hoskinson.
reports
The following monthly reports were filed:
Veterans Service Officer
Florida Division of Corrections pertaining to the Lake County Jail and Stockade
accounts allowed
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, a Resolution was adopted authorizing emergency repairs to the air conditioning system in the Courthouse and that the sum of $2,176.00 for air conditioning unit be paid to Harper Plumbing Company plus installation costs.
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, the Attorney was authorized to forward statement in the amount of $10,000 to the Department of Transportation for payment from Lake County’s secondary funds for services referred in the condemnation suit Lake County vs. Bobby Baker, SR 19.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN