MINUTES OF special MEETING OF the BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 tuesday – DECEMBER 28, 1971

A special meeting of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners was called for 10:00 o’clock A.M., Tuesday December 28, 1971, in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, for the purpose of discussing with officials of the City of Eustis the future operation of the Tri-City Landfill and any other business which may be brought before the Board.

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman with the following members present:  J. M. Hoskinson, Chairman; James R. Carson, Jr.; C. A. Deems; Thomas J. Windram; and Kenneth VanAuken.  Others present were Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; Fred M. Harpster, County Engineer; P. R. Edwards, Pollution Control Officer; J. C. Watkins, County Planner; Frank E. Owens, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Norma H. Coven, Deputy Clerk.

The invocation was given by Mr. Watkins and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Representatives from the City of Eustis present were:

Robert A. Stebbins

John D. Lane

Verdual W. Hamlin, Jr.

L. R. Huffstetler, Sr.

Walter Simmons

E. Hoppe

Neal D. Huebsch

 

public health

Commr. Windram introduced the discussion of the problems existing at the Tri City Landfill stating that in his opinion the operation of the Tri City and the recently acquired County landfill will make a better operation if operated as one.  He presented drawings and information sheet concerning the use of the available land and the operational costs if the two areas are combined.  Of the 93 acres purchased by the County, one acre has been used to date.  Twenty acres of the present landfill is a nematode barrier.  Tri City is now receiving an estimated 20,000 cu. yds. of garbage and refuse per month.  Approximately one acre of land required to hold the monthly refuse.  The projected formula of necessary personnel and equipment to operate one landfill is to keep one bulldozer at the site at all times and one dragline part-time.  Operating cost will be better than $30,000 per year but feel this figure can be substantially reduced by the establishment of fees.

The Chairman interposed that the State will not participate in funding a landfill operation unless it is a County-wide operation.  Mr. Deems said Jacksonville will close down the present dumps unless an operating program is soon established by the County.  They feel this is a County responsibility.

Commr. Windram asked the representatives present if the City of Eustis would be interested in a single landfill operation in this area.  The City Commissioners all answered in the affirmative.

Mr. Hoppe asked if he meant using the two properties or just the County property.  Mr. Windram answered; it is his opinion that both properties should be used to lengthen the years of service of the usable land.

Mr. Lane said before any conclusions can be reached – a meeting with other representatives of Tri City will be necessary to convey to them the County’s feelings.  Mr. Windram stated the City of Tavares is aware that the State will not tolerate the present operation and that he will prepare a proposal of the operation to be submitted to Mount Dora and Tavares.  He further stated that the State will allow limited burning but this will have to be phased out within a year’s time.

At the conclusion of the discussion, representatives of the City of Eustis indicated their agreement of the County taking over the landfill operation.

Commr. Windram asked the city officials to allow the County Planning Director to attend another of their meetings to further discuss the Pollution Abatement Study and offered the assistance of the Pollution Control Officer with any of the city’s problems concerning pollution.

contracts

Mr. Huebsch reported that taxes for the City of Eustis have been assessed and collected by the County Assessor and Collector.  The Florida Statutes provides that a contract be signed between the City and County but the City refuses to sign the County’s contract and the County refuses to sign the City’s contract.  Attorney Ford advised that every other city has signed the contract and apparently there is some dispute as to what the County has to furnish the City.  The County only furnishes the other cities what the Statutes require.

Mr. Huebsch said the present law does not require the Assessor to furnish a Tax Collector’s Roll to the cities and he has appeared before the Senate Committee and asked for consideration of an amendment to the Act which would require the Assessor to furnish the cities with a Tax Collector’s list and to assess and collect for cities at no cost.

The Chairman told Mr. Huebsch the Board relies on the recommendation of the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector and the advice of the County Attorney.

Mr. Huebsch said it is his recommendation to the City of Eustis that the City not sign the contract since in the event of a lawsuit, a signed contract would be held against the City.

On recommendation of the County Attorney and on motion of Commr. VanAuken seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, it was agreed that the minutes reflect that the contract with the City of Eustis was transmitted to the City on July 20, 1970, by the County Attorney and the City in turn redrafted the contract and same was submitted to the Assessor and Collector on March 16, 1971, for approval.  The contract has not been approved by all parties as of this date.

suits affecting county

P. R. Edwards appeared relative to the research grant offered by the Soap and Detergent Association and University of Florida.  The City of Eustis has been picked as one location for the study.  A research team from the University will work with the City of Eustis and the same team will also work in any other city in the County.  The total cost of the project is approximately 45 to 55 thousand dollars from the Association and $10,000 in salaries from the University.  Mr. Edwards advised the County is in no way obligated for funds and recommended that the Board accept the proposal.  On motion of Commr. Windram seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the above proposal as outlined by Mr. Edwards was accepted.

roads

Mr. Lane informed the Board the City of Eustis is in need of an East-West thoroughfare, namely an extension of Bates Avenue and asked the County’s assistance in obtaining this.  He advised the property owners have indicated they will give the City an easement if the City will improve the street within a year.  The Board indicated its willingness to discuss this project with the Department of Transportation.

Mr. Carson reported the Department of Transportation has rejected all bids on the widening of SR 25 through the City of Leesburg and asked the Board’s opinion of lending the Department of Transportation additional secondary funds, provided it does not disturb the present secondary road system.  On recommendations of the Chairman, the Board agreed to go to DeLand to discuss this and SR 50 with the Department.

roads & bridge department

On motion of Commr. Deems seconded by Commr. Carson and carried, the Road & Bridge Department was authorized to furnish two loads of clay to publicly owned playground property in Okahumpka, which property was previously purchased from Lake County.

suits affecting county

Attorney Ford reported the attorney for Tyler Crusades called and said they will comply with the Board’s ruling.

Redistricting

Chairman Hoskinson read a letter from the Supervisor of Elections relative to the expense involved in affecting the changes made by the Board’s action to redistrict the County; whereupon, on motion of Commr. Carson seconded by Commr. VanAuken and carried, the Board approved expenditure of $816.34 for postal supplies required and instructed that a letter be written to Mrs. Baker requesting that Mrs. Stegall meet with the Board on Jan. 4, 1972, to discuss the added finances and personnel that will be necessitated by the redistricting.

accounts allowed

On motion of Commr. Carson seconded by Commr. Deems and carried, the Board approved the purchase of two tons of fish food for Lake Minneola by the Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission.

On motion of Commr. Deems seconded by Commr. Windram and carried, the Road & Bridge Department was authorized to build a shed at the Lady Lake Landfill for the attendant at a cost of approximately $200.00.

Commr. Deems recommended that changes at the landfills be altered to fifty cents on cars, station wagons, pickups except commercial use, or take the charges off these categories for the present time.  There was no action by the Board.

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 o’clock p.m.

 

 

_________________________________                                                                                                                  _____________________________

CLERK                                                                                                                                                                       chairman