MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY – NOVEMBER 2, 1970
A regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, was held in the Commissioners’ Room in the Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Monday, November 2, 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 who delivered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by all present.
COUNTY PROPERTY
Commr. Macdonell asked for a title opinion on property acquired from Philip Berkovitz and a portion of same sold to W. O. Boone. Mr. Boone is maintaining that a 35’ strip belongs to him and he has same planted in citrus. Attorney Ford was instructed to search the records and report his findings to the Board.
tax assessments
George Beni Arnold, resident of Oak Haven Subdivision, appeared and asked the Board to allow him homestead exemption on Lots 7-16, Block 6. He stated he has lived on the property 15 years and apparently failed to apply for the exemption when notified by the Tax Assessor. This appeal was referred to the County Attorney for his opinion.
water pollution
Commr. Macdonell advised another hyacinth harvesting machine will be demonstrated in the canal near the disposal plant in Leesburg and urged the members to view the demonstration. He again asked the Board’s consideration of purchasing one machine from the Fish Conservation Fund and apply for Lake County’s share of State funds for aquatic weed control.
public health
On advice from Commr. Macdonell that the inspector is putting violation stickers on junk cars involved in court cases, Attorney Ford was instructed to notify the Mosquito Control Director not to remove any cars involved in court cases.
road and bridge department
On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Macdonell and carried, the County Engineer was instructed to prepare specifications for a new road grader, for the Board’s approval.
county buildings
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, repairs to the Old Health Department Building were approved, i.e. inside painting, erect wall and roof repairs.
budget
Clerk Owens presented the amended budget for the 1969-70 fiscal year and same was approved on motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried and made a part of these minutes. SEE PAGES NO. 249 to 258, inclusive.
rights of way – roads
Commr. Hoskinson advised additional right of way is needed to complete the Oswalt Road and have proposition from one property owner that he will donate the right of way in exchange for 15 loads of clay on an access road to grove property that has been cut off from access in another direction. The Attorney advised if the road serves the public it would be proper for the County to enter into the exchange. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Engineer was directed to prepare the necessary deed with Beatrice Ettinger for the right of way, plus a radius corner, in exchange for 15 loads of clay.
roads – county
Commr. VanAuken moved for the acceptance into the County Road System of Pine Drive and Rustic Lane located in Section 21, Township 17 South, Range 29 East. Commr. Macdonell seconded the motion and a discussion followed in which the Engineer advised the cost to stabilize the road to 18’ width would be approximately $1900.00. The Chairman called for a roll call vote, with members of the Board voting as follows:
Commissioner Macdonell Yes
Commissioner Hoskinson Yes
Commissioner Windram No
Commissioner VanAuken Yes
Chairman Carson No
The Chairman declared the motion carried.
Engineer Norton presented report on County road construction for the month of October.
resolutions not classified elsewhere
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, a Resolution was adopted endorsing establishment of Wekiva River as a scenic river and canoe trail.
beverage law
Chairman Carson reported it is the Attorney’s opinion that alcoholic beverages may be sold on Election Day.
roads – state
Clerk Owens submitted letter from the First Federal Savings and Loan Assn. of Pasco County regarding a dinner meeting with the Secretary to the Department of Transportation for the purpose of discussing the continuation of SR 52 to the East. The letter asks that members of the Board attend the meeting, which will be held at St. Leo College on November 4, 1970 at 7:30 p.m.
bonds – misc.
On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried, bonds for carrying firearms were approved for the following:
Carl E. Baeumel
Jean Cowart
William Green
Dennis F. Wright
On motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, Deputy Sheriff bond for Carl R. Mabry was approved.
Contractor’s bonds for certificates of competency for the following were approved on motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried:
No. 97 - J. E. Patterson dba J. E. Patterson Mechanical Contractor
548 – Ben Louise Bridgers,
and cancellation of the following was approved:
No. 47 – Frank H. Daniels
268 – Grant Smallwood
276 – Ed Lynum
280 – Bob Hart
348 – Werden C. Green
440 – Rivers Construction Company
445 – Gerald A. Smith
450 – Masters Roof Coating
454 – Marvin Lewis Guice
512 – Donald Eugene Prentice
licenses and permits
The following Use Permits filed by the County Engineer were approved:
To the City of Leesburg for the construction and maintenance of two natural gas connections across County Road #1-5007 northwest of Leesburg.
To the City of Leesburg for the construction and maintenance of a natural gas connection across County Road #1-4907, West of Industrial Park, Leesburg.
municipal corporations
Request from the City of Clermont to rent two voting machines for the city elections on December 1 and 15, was approved on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
recess and reassembly
The meeting 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.
maps and plats
Lester Kalmanson appeared and presented Plat of Tree Top Subdivision, owners Lesbar Enterprises, Inc., located in Section 7, Township 19 South, Range 28 East. Mr. Watkins advised the Plat has received preliminary approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission and meets all requirements of the present regulations. Attorney Ford advised that Lawyers’ Title Guaranty Fund Policy No. 419370 shows the title is clear and the access roads are proper width. On motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Plat was accepted and approved for record.
juveniles
County Judge W. A. Milton, Jr. appeared concerning the application for a Modified Youth Service Complex. After a discussion with Judge Milton regarding the responsibilities of the Project Chairman and Disbursing Agent, he was requested to have a representative from the State Agency come before the Board at the next meeting to answer the questions in this regard.
deeds
On motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, drainage easement from Bessie Stosberg on the Oswalt Road was accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records.
insurance
Clerk Owens presented telegram from Nationwide Insurance Company, Raleigh, North Carolina, advising that the annual premium on the off-highway inland marine floater is $7,252.00 and not a three year premium as quoted in the bid submitted by Mr. Noblitt. On recommendation of the Attorney, the Clerk was instructed to advise the company that the bid as submitted by Mr. Noblitt was accepted and the Board will expect insurance coverage under the terms of the bid.
communications
Copy of letter from the Sheriff to Universal States Automobile Assn., Inc. was read and filed.
Resolution from the State Association of County Commissioners requesting each county to offer $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person making a bomb threat was read and filed.
Copy of letter from the State Department of Health was read and filed regarding sewage collection system for the City of Mount Dora.
Copy of letter from the State Department of Air & Water Pollution Control was read and filed regarding Industrial Waste Cooling Water Disposal Facility for Doric Foods Corp., Mount Dora.
reports
Quarterly report from the Lake County Agricultural and Home Economics Department was filed.
Report of cigarette tax collections and distributions for the month of August was filed.
accounts allowed
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Hoskinson seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, payment of $600.00 was approved to Otis Robinson for the demolition of buildings on Ruby Street, Tavares.
On recommendation of the Engineer and on motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved expenditure of $596.83 for repairs to the Courthouse sewage treatment plant.
On advice from the Public Defender, Robert E. Pierce, and on motion of Commr. Macdonell seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Clerk was authorized to increase the Public Defender’s budget $53.29 to pay secretaries to the Assistant Public Defenders.
Travel expenses for J. W. Bryant to visit the Veterans Administration in St. Petersburg, November 4, 1970, were approved on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o’clock P.M.
___________________________________ ______________________________
CLERK CHAIRMAN