MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
monday – april 5, 1971
The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, convened in regular session in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, on Monday, April 5, 1971, at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: J. M. Hoskinson, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.; C. A. Deems; Thomas J. Windram; and Kenneth VanAuken. Others in attendance were Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; Frank E. Owens, Clerk of the Circuit Court; and Norma H. Coven, Deputy Clerk.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hoskinson, and the invocation was given by Mr. Deems, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag recited.
minutes
On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of February 1, 1971 were approved as submitted.
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of February 8, 1971 were approved as submitted.
On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of February 16, 1971 were approved as submitted.
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the minutes of the special meeting of February 22, 1971 were approved as submitted.
courthouse
On recommendation of the Chairman and on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved a change to the men’s restrooms on the first floor, whereby the room on the south side will be locked and private, and the room on the north side will be public.
inventory
Chairman Hoskinson said the State Auditor has complained the County has too many surplus property items on hand, and recommended that the items stored at the Umatilla Barn be inventoried and surplus items disposed of. Commr. VanAuken said he will attend to this.
Road closings
Commr. Windram presented petition to close the following dedicated streets in the Sorrento-Mount Plymouth area, and he was instructed to notify the petitioners to advertise for a public hearing before the Board:
Lake Avenue from Orange Street to Summit Street and Summit Street to Lawrence.
Brookline Avenue from Orange Street to Summit Street and Summit Street to Lawrence.
Park Avenue from Orange Street to Summit Street and Summit Street to Lawrence.
Doane Avenue from Orange Street to Summit Street and Summit Street to Lawrence.
Central Avenue from Orange Street to Summit Street and Summit Street to Lawrence.
Pine Avenue from Orange Street to Summit Street and Summit Street to Lawrence.
roads – state
R. A. Young, Councilman, City of Tavares, appeared and requested that the right of way along SR 561 to the entrance of the Tri City Landfill be cleaned up. Mr. Windram informed him he would try to have the prison crew clean the right of way.
Roads – county
The Clerk submitted information received from the Department of Transportation concerning an inventory and evaluation of county roads, and same was referred to the County Engineer.
complaints
Mr. Mearl Bartee and William N. Cass appeared and complained of residents in the Lake Mack area storing junk cars on private property and raising and slaughtering hogs. Mr. Watkins, County Planning Director, was present and advised the area is not zoned for commercial business and the situation can be corrected under the zoning regulations.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Senese, owners of Senese Poultry Farm, appeared and complained of the condition of access road to their property from Wolfe Branch Road. Commr. Windram explained to them the different in a dedicated road and a prescriptive road, and agreed to view the road with them.
railroads
L. A. Anderson and David Smith representing the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company appeared at the Board’s request to discuss the Railroad’s intention of dualizing its agency stations at Clermont and Groveland, and Eustis and Umatilla, and Mount Dora and Tavares. Mr. Anderson advised the Railroad has made application to the Public Service Commission for authority to dualize the stations, stating further that if same is granted, one agent would operate two stations and he would always be available by telephone. Commr. Windram moved that the Public Service Commission be notified to the effect that for the present, Lake County will take a neutral position on the matter but does request that local hearings be held by the Public Service Commission in order to give the people an opportunity to voice their opinions. The motion was seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
Public health
On recommendation of the Planning Director, the Board authorized a public hearing for May 10, 1971 to determine if a public nuisance exists as established by County Ordinance 70-1.
County property
Commr. Carson reported he has received complaints of trespassers using the abandoned clay pit on County Road #1-5306 as a shooting range. On advice of the County Attorney, the Engineering Department was instructed to erect appropriate signs, “No trespassing by order of the Lake County Commissioners.”
budgets
The Board members concurring, the Chairman directed the Clerk to notify all departments and interested parties that the Board will receive budget requests for the 1971-72 fiscal year on May 17, 1971, that requests be submitted on forms provided.
Maps and plats
John Day appeared and presented Plat of Wekiva River Acres Subdivision and requested preliminary approval of the Board during the transition period between County Engineers. Mr. Watkins stated the Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the plat subject to approval by the Engineer. The Clerk presented written recommendation from Robert H. Norton approving the plat subject to improvements being made as shown on the final construction plans. On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Board authorized the improvements as recommended by Mr. Norton, and upon completion, the Board will consider the plat for acceptance of record.
holidays
County Judge L. R. Huffstetler appeared and asked the Board’s consideration of observing Good Friday as a holiday. The Chairman informed him the holidays for the year have been previously established and Good Friday was not one of them, however, any county employee wishing to attend a religious service would be allowed to do so.
Recess and reassembly
The meeting recessed at 12:00 p.m. for lunch and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. to take up the remaining items of business.
Water pollution
Jim Livingston and Delos Kane appeared representing the Lake Improvement Association and complained of the influx of dead shad and hyacinths in the County’s lakes caused by the Lake Apopka Restoration Program.
Later in the day Ed Zagar of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission appeared at the Board’s request and advised the lowering of Apopka is by gravity only. The level is being watched to determine if it will be possible to lower the lake to carry out the restoration program. The program has not been funded. Mr. Zagar recommended that Fred Waldinger of the State Air and Water Pollution Control Department appear before the Board to bring the members up to date on the restoration program.
Mr. Livingston asked the Board’s opinion of the Association’s recommendation that the effluent from all the towns and cities be piped into an area in the Ocala National Forest. Mr. Watkins informed him a study is under way evaluating a water and sewer program for the entire county, and funds are in the process of being raised for the program.
Mr. Kane advised the sport fishermen are having trouble with their lines getting tangled in the commercial fishermen’s catfish lines, and recommended that the commercial fishermen be requested to bring their lines in at night. This was referred to the Attorney to recommend the best way to control the hours the commercial fishermen leave their nets in the lakes.
Public health
C. B. Marshall was present concerning the drainage ditch from Powers Dairy through Yale Retreat Mobile Manor into Lake Yale. Commr. VanAuken said the Pollution Control Officer has viewed this ditch and it is his recommendation to reroute the ditch to drain into a marsh area. The Board will need easements before the work can be done, and he will attempt to obtain them.
Roads – county
The Clerk presented affidavits signed by ten Lake County residents acknowledging that a certain road extending from County Road #4-7187 in Section 15, Township 18 South, Range 28 East, has been open and used by the public for more than 20 years. On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, a public hearing was authorized for May 3, 1971 to determine if said road should be declared a public road by prescriptive right.
Chairman Hoskinson submitted a letter from the Department of Transportation advising that the Forest Service is requesting the Department to abandon a spur road from SR S-445 into Alexander Springs recreation area, and the Department needs concurrence from the County since the road was built with the County’s Secondary Road Funds. On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, a resolution was adopted abandoning the said spur road, provided the Forest Service assumes the maintenance of the road.
roads – state
Commr. Carson presented a copy of a letter from the Lake County Safety Council regarding the condition of SR 500 North of Fruitland Park immediately in front of the G & B Packing House. The Clerk was instructed to request the Department of Transportation to cooperate in correcting the problem.
Roads – subdivision
On recommendation of the Road Superintendent and on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, a resolution was adopted determining a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour on the following county roads in Triangle Acres Subdivision:
Triangle Drive
Oak Drive
Palm Drive
Morningside Drive
Azalea Drive
Poinsettia Drive
resolutions not classified elsewhere
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, a resolution was adopted calling upon all the citizens of the United States to make their feelings known to Viet Cong leaders and other leaders at the Paris Peace Talks and elsewhere, letting them as well as our own Congressional leaders in Washington know that we strongly urge them to do everything in their power to free our men from Communist prison camps, or failing that, to insist that the keepers of such prisoners observe internationally known rules laid down at the Geneva Conference, which outline simply, plainly and explicitly the humane treatment of prisoners. Also, expressing our deep appreciation, sympathy and thanks not only to the imprisoned men who have given so much for us all, but also to the families and relatives who bear so heavy a share of the sorrow of this war that has destroyed so many families and brought grief to so many throughout the land.
prisoners
Request from the Sheriff to take 30 days accumulated good time from Billy Snider, prisoner, was approved on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.
Tax assessments
Certificates of Error and Correction on the 1970 Tax Roll numbered 91 through 112 were approved on motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.
Ordinances
Citizens’ resolutions and letters in support of County Ordinance 71-1 were read and filed.
hospitals
On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the action of the Chairman and Clerk was approved in approving application to the W. T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital for Maude Jackson Haley.
Licenses and permits
The following Use Permits filed by the Road Superintendent were approved on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried:
No. 264 to Florida Telephone Corp. for the construction and maintenance of buried cable along County Road #2-4603 between Leesburg and Wildwood.
To John A. W. Richardson for the construction and maintenance of water line under County Road #4-4265 between Tavares and Mount Dora.
To the City of Umatilla for the construction and maintenance of water line along County Road #5-7970 between Umatilla and Altoona for a distance of 160 feet.
bonds – misc.
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the following bonds for carrying firearms were approved:
Jo Ann Aitken
Margaret W. Cherry
Fred P. Spanogle
Richard W. Waters
Merrill W. Wright
Bond for Wayne L. Aitken, firearms dealer, covering various caliber Colt weapons was not approved subject to advice from the County Attorney.
Contractors’ bonds for Certificates of Competency were approved for the following on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried:
No. 577 – Bill Brant d/b/a Brant Brothers, Inc.
578 – Leroy True
579 – Joe L. Schrimsher d/b/a Schrimsher’s Plbg. & Htg.
580 – Ed Lynum d/b/a Grover Reed Masonry
581 – Wayne R. Ausmus, Ausmus Masonry Construction, Inc.
582 – Paul Nathan Watters
(Cancel) 217 – Esko Collins d/b/a Esko Collins Roofing Co.
Deputy Sheriff bonds were approved for the following on motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried:
Lloyd Allan Tedder
Gordon Lee Peshek, Jr.
contracts and agreements
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the agreement between the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, L. W. Spence and Lake County for a Cooperative Seining Program on Lakes Griffin, Carlton, Dora, Beauclaire, Harris and Eustis, was approved.
county buildings
Notice from the Florida Inspection and Rating Bureau recommending improvements to the electrical equipment in the Pioneer Building was referred to the Chairman.
audits
Comment from the State Auditor relative to vehicles confiscated over a period of years by the Sheriff’s Department and turned over to the Board of County Commissioners was referred to the Attorney.
deeds
On motion of Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, right of way deeds conveying the following properties to Lake County were accepted and ordered recorded upon the public records:
Grantors: Robert Horne and wife, Dorothy Horne
The East 20 feet of the E ½ of the SE ¼ of the NW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 28, Township 19 South, Range 27 East; LESS the North 103.27 feet thereof. AND commence at the SE corner of the NW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 28, Township 19 South, Range 27 East; thence run West 165 feet; thence run North 50 feet; thence run East 165 feet; thence run South 50 feet to the Point of Beginning LESS the East 20 feet thereof.
Grantor: J. B. Prevatt, sole owner
The South 25 feet of the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ and the South 25 feet of the West ½ of the SE ¼ of the SE ¼; all in Section 24, Township 19 South, Range 27 East.
Grantor: Central Hills Grove Co., Inc.
The South 20 feet of the Southeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 4, Township 21 South, Range 25 East.
Grantors: Mildred Y. Kanzenback and Edmund H. Kanzenback
The North 30 feet of the East half of the Northeast quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 4, Township 21 South, Range 25 East; AND the North 30 feet of the North 750 feet of the Northwest quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 4, Township 21 South, Range 25 East.
Grantors: Douglas O. Yoder and Ruth R. Yoder, his wife
The North 30 feet of the West half of the East half of the Southeast quarter of Section 4, Township 21 South, Range 25 East.
salaries and wages
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the Board approved the employment of Lillian M. Abrell, Secretary to the Pollution Control Officer, at an annual salary of $5,250.00, effective as soon as possible.
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the Board authorized the Planning Director to employ a secretary in the Planning Department at a salary of $300.00 per month.
reports
The following monthly reports were filed:
Veterans Service Officer for March
Cigarette Tax Collections and Distributions for January
accounts allowed and refused
The members of the Board concurring, the Chairman instructed the Clerk to notify the Chairman of the Suwannee County Commission that Lake County has no funds budgeted for membership in the National Association of County Officials, but will consider this when preparing the budget for the next fiscal year.
On motion of Commr. VanAuken, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, payment of $100.00 to R. H. Norton was approved as consultant’s fee on Plat of Wekiva River Acres Subdivision.
Travel expenses were approved for two clerks in the Finance Department to attend a meeting in Tampa on April 15 and 16, on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried.
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the Board approved the purchase of Kodak projector, three trays, and one screen from Bishop Cameras and Records for the sum of $147.10.
Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court to purchase two IBM typewriters for the sum of $951.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried.
Request from the Clerk to purchase two Daily Registration Books from Bowen Supply Company in the amount of $386.00 was approved on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried.
Request from the Clerk of Circuit Court to purchase 1,000 criminal case binders from Florida Forms and Systems in the amount of $239.95 was approved on motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried.
On motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, travel expenses were approved as follows:
Frank Woodson to attend Safety and Motor Vehicle Inspection meeting in Tallahassee, April 14-16.
Carl Baeumel to attend Land Surveyor’s Course in Gainesville, April 22-24.
Tom Chapman and Mary Lee Burnsed to attend VA Conference in Orlando, May 4-8.
Tom Chapman to attend Civil Defense Association Spring Conference in Coral Gables, May 18-22.
On motion of Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Board ratified the Chairman’s action in approving bus fare and meals to return indigent to his home state of New York, $50.15.
There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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CLERK chairman