A special MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

october 28, 1975

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened in special session on Tuesday, October 28, 1975, at 10:00 a.m., in the Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida.  Present were:  J. M. Hoskinson, Chairman; Thomas J. Windram; C.A. “Lex” Deems; Glenn C. Burhans; and James R. Carson, Jr.  Others present were: Michael Donoghue, County Engineer; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; and Andrea Gambrell, Deputy Clerk.

public health

Michael Donoghue, County Engineer, appeared before the Board and briefed the Board on the procedures his department would follow in preparing the land under negotiation for purchase by the County as a suitable transfer station site for the Astor area.

At this time, Mr. Ford, County Attorney, presented to the Board an amended contract between Mr. and Mrs. Lowrie and the County involving the purchase of three acres of land at $2,000 an acre.  Mr. Ford informed the Board that another contract had been signed in which the County has responsible for certain costs to which he did not agree and therefore amended the contract.  The Board discussed with Mr. Ford the fact that the County may be criticized for the purchase of this land at this price.  At this time, Commr. Burhans stated that the land is worth $6,000 the County is paying for it, because the fill that is located on the land can be used in the construction of the road and the site.  He further stated that it would cost the County approximately $12,000 in time and labor if the County had to haul the needed fill from another location.

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board declared an emergency due to its need to comply with the state’s order for the County to close the Astor Landfill, thus leaving this area of the County without a landfill; therefore, the County will place a transfer station in this area.  If the County continues to use the present landfill and does not comply with the state order, the County faces a $10,000 a day fine.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board authorized the Chairman to sign the contract between Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Lowrie and Lake County for the purchase of three acres at $2,000 an acre and authorized the Chairman to continue the negotiations if necessary to arrive at a successful agreement.  The Board also approved for the County Attorney to obtain an appraisal of this land to be placed in the files of the Board of County Commissioners.

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved for the County Engineer to purchase the steel retaining wall not to exceed $11,600 and also approved the purchase of approximately 800 feet of fencing.  The County Engineer was informed that time was of the essence and to take this into consideration.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Public Works Department was authorized to begin the work on the transfer station site upon receipt of the proper title and papers being received by the County.

Commr. Windram brought to the attention of the Board that he had been informed that some of the municipalities are contemplating operating their own landfill sites and therefore would not be using the sites being maintained by the County.  On a motion by Commr. Windram, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board requested the Clerk to contact the municipalities and request that they submit to the Board a letter expressing their intentions in the use of County landfill sites.

county property

Commr. Burhans brought to the attention of the Board the danger that exists at the old sewage treatment plant.  He stated that there are about eight tanks that are 15 feet in depth with about 8 feet of water in each tank and that there was a possibility that a child may fall into one of these tanks and be unable to get out.  On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board directed the Public Works Department to cover these tanks immediately to protect against accidents involving these tanks.

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board approved payment of $15,000 to Bennet’s Truck Equipment in Orlando subject to the receipt of the proper title certificate and approval of the County Attorney.

public health

Mr. Bob Alderman requested guidance from the Board on the operation of the Umatilla Landfill.  The Board stated that this landfill would be operated in the same manner as all the other County landfills; however, commercial use of this landfill would be excluded.

There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

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J.M. Hoskinson, chairman

 

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James C. Watkins, Clerk