MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

june 12, 1973

The Board of County Commissioners of Lake County, Florida, convened in regular session on Tuesday, June 12, 1973, in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. with the following members present:  C. A. Deems, Chairman; J. M. Hoskinson, Glenn C. Burhans, James R. Carson, Jr.; and Thomas J. Windram.  Others present were:  James C. Watkins, Clerk of Circuit Court; Fred M. Harpster, County Engineer; Joseph E. Flynn, County Planner; and Norma H. Coven, Deputy Clerk.

The Chairman called the meeting to order, and the invocation was given by Clerk Watkins.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.

juvenile

The Chairman announced that as of July 1, 1973, the Juvenile Shelter will be funded entirely by the State.

courthouse

Mr. Chuck Braun of Environmental Design Group, Inc. appeared to present his recommendations on a building program to create additional space in the Courthouse complex.  The Board wants a new building constructed on the north side of and connected to the existing Courthouse.  Then, within the next 5 to 10 years, a new judicial and administration building will be erected on County property to the east of the present building, and the old Courthouse will be demolished.  Mr. Braun will return at a future date to present a new proposal on the above plan.

bids

It now being the time advertised to receive bids on workmen’s compensation insurance, the Chairman directed the Clerk to open and tabulate bids, whereupon the following bids were received:

Continental Insurance Co. (Geiger, Holstein & Church)      $31,156.00

Travelers (Geiger, Holstein & Church)                                 $31,248.00

Insurance Co. North America (Simpson-Waite)                   $32,865.00

Seaboard Fire & Marine (Noblitt Insurance Agency)           $31,156.00

Nationwide (Noblitt Insurance Agency)                                $32,934.00

Continental Insurance Co. (Manco, Inc.)                               $31,156.00

Granite State (John Alden Murray)                                       $32,845.00

The bids were referred back to the Clerk and the Attorney for study and recommendation on the motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson, and carried unanimously.

A bid was received from a Leesburg insurance agency on a policy with American States Insurance Co.  Since it was submitted after the other bids were open, it was returned unopened to the bidder on a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously.

laws and legislature

The Attorney apprised the Board that the bill abolishing Sovereign Immunity becomes effective July 1, 1973.  He recommended that the Board take out liability insurance as soon as possible. The Chairman asked the insurance agents present to submit some proposals for coverage on a month-to-month basis until bids can be received and to familiarize themselves with the statutes.  This is to be done before July 1st.

Commr. Hoskinson announced that House Bill 2091 creating the Town of Silver Lake has passed.  The Attorney is to obtain a copy of this bill.

Commr. Hoskinson also read a list to the Board of certain bills that had passed in the Legislature.

right of way easements – except roads

It now being the time advertised to hold public hearing to consider a petition to vacate an easement in Lake Dora Pines Subdivision, and no one appearing to object to vacation of said easement, a motion was made by Commr. Windram to adopt a resolution vacating the following described easement:

The East 5 feet of Tract “C” of Lake Dora Pines, a Subdivision recorded in Plat Book 20, page 22, Public Records of Lake County, Florida.

The motion was seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously.

On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved recording of the following drainage easements from Shelby McLendon, P.O. Box 235, Eustis, Florida:

A strip of land 15 feet wide lying within 7 ½ feet of the following described centerline:  Commence at the south quarter corner of Section 14, Township 19 South, Range 26 East, Lake County, Florida; run thence north 665.75 feet to a point; run thence north 67 00’00 west for 21.72 feet to a point; run thence north 323.16 feet to the Point of Beginning; from said P.O.B. run south 88 02’ 58” east for 120 feet more or less to the waters of Lake Dicie.

Included in the above motion was approval of recording of the following drainage easement from John H. Coffey, 1611 E. Berkshire Drive, Eustis, Florida:

The west 10 feet of the north 50 feet of Lot 18 of Nooney Subdivision as recorded in Plat Book 14, Page 10, of the Public Records of Lake County, Florida.

AND

The west 10 feet of the west 91 feet of Tract “B” of Nooney Subdivision as recorded in Plat Book 14, Page 10, of the Public Records of Lake County, Florida.

indigents

On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the following changes were made on the indigent list:

In District 3:

Cancel Gene Parker                $40

Add Gloria Meadows             $50

In District 4:

Cancel Reggie Beasley           $40

Add Dorothy Albury              $40

checks received

It was moved by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously to accept a check from Shelby McLendon in the amount of $579 for reimbursement for a drainage pipe.

zoning

Attorney Carter Moore appeared representing Mr. W. T. Bland concerning his complaint that Shands and Baker may be mining sand beyond the land area for which they were originally zoned to dig at the Astatula Sand Mine.  Mr. Bland is concerned that the water level of Lake Melton might be lowered if the mining encroaches on his property.  Attorney Moore was instructed to obtain descriptions of the land and give them to the Engineer for study.

Bernard Langin, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that his department has settled three zoning violations.  He presented a complaint against Gene Miller, Bassville Park, for raising chickens and gamecocks in this area.  It is the Attorney’s opinion that since this was a pre-existing, non-conforming usage, this is a private matter among the residents which may have to be settled with a civil suit.

Mr. Langin also told the Board that his department was investigating every possible method of disposing of junk cars and would have some proposals to present to the Board at a future date.

federal agencies

Clerk Watkins spoke on behalf of Virgil Hawkins, O.E.O., in reference to the Neighborhood Youth Corps in-school and summer programs.  There has been a misunderstanding as to who is to run these programs.  The Clerk stated that he believed that the Board at a previous time designated the Board of Public Instruction as the coordinator for all of these particular programs. Mr. Hawkins wants the O.E.O. to have some or all of the NYC scholarships if the Board has them.  It is the Clerk’s belief that the BPI has these scholarships.  The Chairman instructed Mr. Hawkins to confer with the Clerk and the BPI about these matters.

animals

Commr. Burhans said that he had received a complaint regarding the dog pound off of SR 561 which is under the Sheriff’s jurisdiction.  He went there to investigate conditions.  The existing structures, which are on the Tri-City Landfill, are keeping the animals in an overheated condition.  The Engineer suggested building a pen and a run on County property where the animals will be partially shaded.  The Chairman instructed the Engineer and Commr. Burhans to study the matter further and report back to the Board.

state agencies

Commr. Hoskinson presented a report of an inspection made of the Juvenile Shelter on February 20, 1973 by Michael R. Wolford, Detention Inspector for the Florida Division of Youth Services.  The Chairman reminded the Board of a letter from Senator de la Parte read at a previous meeting concerning this matter.  The Deputy Clerk was instructed to obtain a copy of this letter for the Chairman to review.

committees

Commr. Hoskinson said that the Open Space Projects Committee of Lake County has requested guidelines on how to accept donations of land to the County.  The matter was referred to the Attorney.

reports

The Engineer presented his monthly reports to the Board.

recess and reassembly

The Chairman announced that the Board members would have lunch at the Mission Inn Country Club and that the Attorney would pay the luncheon check for the Board members and anyone connected with them, but representatives of Royal Palm Beach Colony, Inc. will pay for their own meal.  The meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. to take up the remaining items of business.

autos and trucks

The Engineer reported that his department now has two wrecked Dodge dump trucks which can be put together to make one operating truck.  He received an insurance estimate of $450 less $100, which he did not feel was high enough.  The Chairman instructed the Engineer to return to the insurance company and request that they either pay the County what the trucks are worth or enough money to have them repaired.

suits affecting the county

On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board accepted the recommendation of the Attorney not to appeal the decision of the District Court’s ruling in the Chapman suit.

bids

Commr. Burhans moved that the County advertise for bids on a reader-printer for the Engineering and Planning Departments at an estimated cost of $2,500 or $2,600.  The motion was seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously.

bonds – misc.

On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, Deputy Sheriff bonds were approved for the following:

#111-393         Melvin C. Long

#111-394         Kenneth Ray Morrison

On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, firearm bonds were approved for the following:

Robert Lee Trueheart             Burton F. Neely

budget

Clerk Watkins read a letter from the Sheriff concerning his budget for the coming year.  This was referred to Commr. Windram.

The Chairman spoke regarding the necessity of a special meeting to discuss the budgets for the next year.  It was decided that the Board will meet for this purpose on Friday, June 29, 1973 at 1:30 p.m.

maps and plats

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the plat of Hosea-Walls Subdivision.

resolutions not classified elsewhere

The County Planner advised the Board that Mr. Jack Allen, Jr. has passed away.  Since Mr. Allen was a member of the Zoning Appeals Board, the Planner recommended that an appropriate resolution be adopted.  On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the resolution was approved.

cemeteries

The Engineer called the Board’s attention to the description of the Demko Cemetery.  The deed shows it placed in Range 27, when actually it should be in Range 26, six miles to the east of the present location.  Commr. Burhans recommended that the Engineer locate the correct boundaries of the cemetery so that the County will know whether or not to continue maintenance.

licenses and permits

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the utility and use permits were filed as submitted.

utility permits 5/73

PERMIT #       PERMITTEE                          PURPOSE                   ROAD

0                      Mechanical Contractors         3 ½” pipe                    445

461                  Fla. Telephone                        aerial wire                   5-7528

454                  Fla. Telephone                        c&m cable                  454

460                  Fla. Telephone                        c&m cable                  1-7807

0                      City of Leesburg                     c&m gas line              1-6006

0                      Helen Clements                      Driveway                    44A

0                      Sumter Electric                      c&m power line          2-2005

0                      M.A.A. Inc.                             Driveway                    S-44C

0                      Central FL Nursery                Driveway                    466A

0                      Lake Co. Farm Housing Inc.  Driveway                    2-1805

0                      Roy Burdick                           Driveway                    E. Washington

0                      Chris Miller                            Driveway                    Griffin Avenue

0                      Janice Kreuser                        Driveway                    Okaloosa

455                  FL Telephone                         c&m cable                  S-565

452                  FL Telephone                         c&m cable                  4-5890

451                  FL Telephone                         c&m cable                  S-44A

0                      Sumter Electric                      c&m cable                  5-6781

458                  FL Telephone                         c&m cable                  S-470

0                      Lake Apopka Nat. Gas           gas line 1”                   S-455

0                      Sumter Electric                      c&m power line          2-2704

0                      Sumter Electric                      c&m power line          3-0429

0                      Sumter Electric                      c&m power line          2-1213

441                  FL Telephone                         c&m cable                  3-4140

440                  FL Telephone                         c&m power line          3-4138

453                  FL Telephone                         c&m power line          S-44A

457                  FL Telephone                         c&m power line          4-4265

0                      Marjorie Rosendahl                Driveway                    1-1509

0                      Bel-Aire Homes, Inc.             Water Lines                Piney Woods Sub.

0                      Catherine M. Mulroy             Driveway                    Evergreen off 42

0                      Linda Duncan                         “                                  4-4098

0                      George O. Hoffeld                  Driveway                    2-0527

0                      Wellington Wheeler               Driveway                    Hubbard off South 27

roads – county

The Engineer recommended that the wooden bridge over Blackwater Creek be reconstructed.  On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, a resolution was approved to the DOT.

The Board approved placing “Dead End” and “Children Playing” signs on County Road 1-6708.

The Engineer read a letter from DOT stating that the counties must present a five-year road improvement plan to the State.  He said he would like to schedule a road inspection trip and include a discussion of these requirements.  Then he would prepare a draft form of recommendations for the Board.

The Engineer recommended that a “Stop Sign Ahead” sign be erected at the intersection of SR 19A and Holly Drive.

road maintenance

Commr. Hoskinson spoke regarding a check received from Lake Region Packing Association in the amount of $55 to pay for repairs of damages they caused on a County road while discing a grove.  Mr. Don Kemp of Lake Region requested a detailed list of others who have been billed for similar damages.  The Engineer was instructed to send this list to Mr. Kemp and also to acknowledge receipt of the check.

It was moved by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously that the County pay $1,412 to improve the access road from Albrook Road to the Mascotte school site.

road maintenance – subdivisions

The Engineer informed the Board that he has received a petition from the residents of Hodges and Donald Roads and Linda Lane in Western Shores who are interested in paving same on a participating basis.  The Board gave the Engineer permission to proceed.

The Engineer said that the residents of Sunset Circle, Lake Gertrude Manor, wish to resurface same.  On a participating basis, the County’s cost will be $634, and the requesters’ cost will be $1,268.  On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved accepting the street into the County-maintained system after the repairs have been complete.

road closings

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, a petition from Steve F. Hunter and Connie E. Hunter, his wife, was accepted to close a portion of the old Tavares-Eustis Highway.  The hearing date will be July 17, 1973.

It now being the time advertised for the Public Hearing to vacate a dedicated street in the subdivision of Mt. Plymouth, and no one appearing to object to the vacation of said street, a motion was made by Commr. Windram to adopt a resolution vacating the following described street:

Sonia Street, between block 98 and block 131, and St. Andrews Blvd., between block 98 and block 129, said roadways and lands being in Mt. Plymouth, section “A,” a subdivision recorded in Plat Book 8, page 85, D, public records of Lake County, Florida.

The motion was seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously.

Mrs. Frances Wright spoke regarding Mr. Rothermel’s plans and asked if he intended to place mobile homes on the above-described property.  He stated that he had no intention of doing so.

On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board accepted a petition to vacate the following street in the town of Sorrento and approved a public hearing for July 17, 1973:

That part of Osgood Street abutting Blocks 21 and 16, and Blocks 22 and 15, all according to the Plat of Sorrento Main Division, as shown in Plat Book 1, Page 32, Public Records of Lake County, Florida.

roads – state

The Engineer spoke regarding his attendance at a Design Public Hearing for the purpose of discussing the four-laning of SR 50 from Groveland to Clermont.  He reported on the estimated cost and schedule of completion of the project.

The Engineer recommended that the Board initiate a letter to DOT requesting that they upgrade priority on rebuilding and relocating the “S” curve on SR 19 at the north city limits of Umatilla.  This was approved on a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously.

road and bridge department

The Engineer said that it will cost $4,100 to build an 8-foot culvert to accommodate boat traffic underneath Fisherman’s Road.  If the County installs a 36-inch pipe to handle water only, the cost will be $700.  Commr. Burhans said he will make further study of this.

deeds

The Engineer spoke on the proposed reverter clause to be added to deeds for road rights-of-way so that they may be recorded as received.  The Attorney approved the wording of the clause.

county employees

The Engineer recommended that Donald Jensen be hired as a Road Inspector for subdivision work at a salary of $6,980 annually.  The Board approved his appointment to this position.

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Windram and carried unanimously, travel expenses for Commr. Hoskinson’s trip to a Directors’ meeting of the SACC in St. Augustine were approved.  Included in the motion was authorization for expenses for Commr. Hoskinson to attend any other meetings in his capacity as a Director of the Association for the balance of the budget year.

The Board approved construction of an aluminum tool shed behind the Planning and Zoning building which the Engineer reports will cost $450.  This was moved by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved purchasing two road signs for SR 19A at Lakeside Memory Gardens.  The cost of the signs will be $30.

The purchase of 20,000 MVI stickers at a cost of $8,000 was approved on a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously.

The purchase of an adding machine from Link Stationery and Printing Company for the Supervisor of Elections at a cost of $160.55 was approved on a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the following expenditures were approved for payment:

4-H Expenses as listed:

Camp McQuarrie, July 9-13                          $153

State Congress, Univ. of FL, July 23-27        $191

Citzenship Short Course, Florida State

University, August 6-9                                   $216

Medicaid for March $8,187.39 and April      $6,560.95

Refund building permit #22075 to Poynter Harder Construction, $61, because purchase of mobile home was cancelled.

The following vouchers were approved for payment on motion of Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously:

General Revenue                                1723-1982

State I Mosquito Control                    1

Auto Inspection                                  159-186

Fine and Forfeiture                             252-300

NE Lake County Hospital District     12

NW Lake County Hospital District   12

Fish Conservation                              10-12

There being no further business to bring before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.

 

 

_________________________________

chairman

 

___________________________

Clerk

 

Amendment:  Page 309, Laws and Legislature

July 1, 1973, stated as the effective date of Sovereign Immunity Law is incorrect.  The correct date is January 1, 1975.

 

Amendment: Page 315 – ADD Maps and Plats

Proof of publication being filed of Notice of Petition to Vacate Block 98, Mount Plymouth Subdivisions, and no one appeared to object to the vacating of said Plat, a resolution was adopted vacating the following property, and returning same to acreage:

            Block 98, Mount Plymouth Section “A,” a Subdivision recorded in Plat Book 8, Page 85-D, Public Records of Lake County, Florida.