A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

july 13, 1976

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners convened in regular session on Tuesday, July 13, 1976, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioners’ Room, Courthouse, Tavares, Florida.  Present were:  Thomas J. Windram, Chairman; C.A. “Lex” Deems; Glenn C. Burhans; and James R. Carson, Jr.  Others present were: James C. Watkins, Clerk; Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney; and Dinah Williams, Deputy Clerk.

The Invocation was given by James C. Watkins, Clerk, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance.

minutes

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 8, 1976 were approved as amended.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the minutes of the regular meeting of June 15, 1976 were approved as amended.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the minutes of the special meeting of June 17, 1976 were approved as amended.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously by those present, the minutes of the special meeting of June 23, 1976 were approved as amended.

county property appraiser

Commr. Windram presented to the Board a letter from Donald Stephens, County Property Appraiser, informing the Board of the following changes regarding the new name of the Board of Tax Adjustment is the Property Appraisal Adjustment Board; the members of the Property Appraisal Adjustment Board consisting of three County Commissioners and two School Board members must be elected by each respective Board instead of being appointed, which has been the procedure in recent years.

Commr. Windram stated that the election of the Board of County Commissioners representatives to serve on this Board would take place later in the day when all Commissioners were present.

roads – county

Discussion was held on the status of Sawgrass Road, DR 4-7991 and DR 5-7991 and the possibility of having to obtain a court order to open said road.  Mr. Ford stated that he had with him a complete file on Sawgrass Road.  He stated that Royal Trails had been contacted in June about the matter but did not know if the road was opened at this time.  Mr. Ford stated that there is a possibility Royal Trails could block an injunction filed by the County on this road due to the outcome of proceedings regarding this road that took place back in 1970.

However, Mr. Ford brought to the attention of the Board that there are new property owners adjoining the aforementioned road, which may alter the situation enough to allow a new lawsuit to be filed in an attempt to open this road.  Mr. Ford stated that a lawsuit regarding this would be very expensive.

roads right-of-way

Commr. Burhans stated that Reverend Wintz, Pastor of the Astor Baptist Church, requested permission to remove some tree stumps from the County right-of-way.  They will submit to the County a Hold Harmless Agreement.

signs

Commr. Burhans stated the Reverend Wintz of Astor requested a sign to be erected on Highway 40 for the Baptist Church.  Commr. Windram stated that Reverend Wintz would have to obtain permission from the Department of Transportation because this was not a County road.

appropriations

Commr. Burhans reported to the Board on the Man Power Advisory Board meeting held on Friday, July 9, 1976.  Commr. Burhans stated that Chris Rebinus reiterated the need for CETA I to be operated under a Comprehensive Program under the direction of Fransesca Knowles.  It remained the contention of the Board for this program to be operated as it has been in previous years.  Commr. Deems stated that this program has been the best in the State and did not want to change its operation unless it became mandated.  Discussion was held.  No action was taken at this time.

county employees

Mr. George Cody of Cody and Associates appeared before the Board for the official presentation of the Lake County Position Classification and Pay Plan.  Guy C. Bliss, Sheriff; Donald Stephens, Property Appraiser; and Keith Hall, Tax Collector were in attendance for this presentation.

Mr. Cody explained to the Board the process used to acquire the needed information pertaining to the various positions in this plan.  He stated that interviews were conducted with some employees and then with the designated supervisor.  He stated interviews were also held with the elected officials, who requested their offices to be included in this study.  Every job was reviewed either through an interview with the employee or by a review of the position with the supervisor.  A classification plan was then set up to give every position a title and a job description for the various classes of work.  The plan also establishes a proposed wage scale for each of the positions included in the study.  A minimum and maximum rate of pay for each position was established to give flexibility to the employer when considering salary increases.  It was suggested that increases be determined according to merit rather than across the board increases.

commissioners

At 10:20 a.m., Commr. Hoskinson arrived for the Board meeting.

county employees

Mr. Cody explained that all personnel involved in the Union will not be included in this plan, as they will have their own pay scale within the Union.  Discussion was held.  Mr. Cody stated that he found no one being overpaid, but there were some employees just under the minimum wage rate.  Further discussion was held.  Mr. Cody explained that this study will have to have constant maintenance; therefore, updating must be made when a new employee fills a vacant position or when promotions are given to existing employees.

At this time, Mr. Cody completed his presentation.  Formal action will be taken by the Board on July 20, 1976 at 11:30 a.m. on the acceptance or rejection of the proposed Position Classification and Pay Plan.

bonds

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried unanimously, the following Contractor Bond was approved:

1309-76           Charles R. Coleman dba Gulley Construction

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the firearm bond for Oliver A. Kennard, Jr.

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board approved the travel request for Bonnie Jones to attend a conference in Daytona Beach on June 5th and 6th, 1976.  This is a required 12-hour course for consultant Pharmacist.

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board approved for the following representatives of the Soil Conservation District to travel to a convention in Winter Park, Florida on August 18 – 20, 1976:

Eph Wiygul

W. R. Hancock, Jr.

S. E. Miller

Ray Gatch

Mrs. C. E. Jones

Charles Russ

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Burhans, seconded by Commr. Deems, and carried unanimously, the Board approved for the following vouchers to be paid:

General Revenue 2238 – 2534            North East Hospital 11

Fine and Forfeiture 365 – 417            North East Ambulance 15 – 16

Road and Bridge 771 – 870               North West Ambulance 8 – 9

Auto Inspection 175 – 194                 Revenue Sharing 18 – 19

State II Landfill 1 – 2                         Emergency Medical Services 4 – 6

indigents

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson, and carried unanimously, the Board approved the following changes to be made on the Indigent List:

CANCEL        Vernon Schnyder for Ed Priester       Dist. #3

CANCEL        Charlie Eller for Frank Watley            Dist. #3

CANCEL        William Miller for Lelia Mae Miller    Dist. #5

CANCEL        Creola Davis for Johnny Scott Lee     Dist. #1

property appraisal board

Commr. Windram stated at this time the Board will elect members to serve on the Property Appraisal Adjustment Board.  On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board elected Commr. Windram, Commr. Carson, and Commr. Burhans to serve on the above-mentioned Adjustment Board.

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously for the replacement of the roof and the Lake County Jail at a cost of $3,315.00 and the quotation from the True-temp of $1,489.00 for repairs to the Boiler as submitted by the Sheriff.

funds – transfer

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board approved the following transfer of funds:

$400 from #6302402 – Equipment to #6302338 – Repair to Equipment for the Agricultural Center budget.

purchasing

Commr. Deems brought to the Board’s attention that purchases in excess of $100 are being made without the approval of the Board; also, the purchase orders are not being signed by the Department Heads.  Discussion was held.  Commr. Deems directed the Clerk to write a memorandum to all department heads stating that any purchase exceeding the amount of $100 must have Board approval, and all purchase orders are to be signed by the department heads, which is a policy of the Auditor General.

communications

A letter was presented to the Board regarding the collection of garbage by Town and Country Refuse on holidays.  This letter was given to Commr. Deems for his attention.

animals

Commr. Hoskinson brought to the Board’s attention a problem concerning inoculation certificates.  A situation has arisen where individuals are requesting a refund of their money for inoculation of the animal because of death, loss, or change of mind before the use of the certificate for inoculation.

On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board adopted the following policy at the animal shelter involving inoculation certificates:  The certificate funds are non-refundable, but may be used in exchange for another animal within 5 days of the initial adoption.

insurance

Commr. Hoskinson presented to the Board a request from Pinellas County for information regarding Lake County’s insurance, because they are conducting a state-wide survey.  Discussion was held.  Commr. Hoskinson referred the questionnaire to the Clerk for his attention.

recess and reassembly

At 12:00 noon the Chairman announced the Board would adjourn for lunch at the Silver Lake Golf and Country Club.  The public and press were invited on a Dutch-treat basis.

planning and zoning

Mike Stearman, Associate Planner, appeared before the Board to submit a portion of the Community Development Block Grant from HUD for the Bassville Park area.  Mr. Stearman presented to the Board a memorandum listing the various options for the disbursement of this grant in the amount of $17,000 for its consideration.  Discussion was held.  The Board directed Mr. Stearman to have the department compile estimated figures to allow the Board to determine the best way to distribute these funds.  Mr. Ford, County Attorney, stated that funds will be segregated from the General County funds, since the County is acting only as a funnel for these funds and said he could see no conflict with this and the Constitution.

zoning

zoning violation 76-41 – roland e. green

No one appeared before the Board regarding this case.  On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Green in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave Mr. Green 90 days to comply with Ordinance 71-6.

zoning violation 76-75 – harry johnson

No one appeared before the Board regarding this case.  On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Johnson in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave him 30 days to comply with Ordinance 71-6.

zoning violation 76-77 – f.e. carroll

No one appeared before the Board regarding this case.  On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Carroll in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave him 30 days to comply with Ordinance 1970-1.

zoning violation 76-79 – john guemble

No one appeared before the Board regarding this case.  On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Burhans and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Guemble in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave him 60 days to comply with Ordinance 71-6.

zoning violation 76-81 – josey harvesting

No one appeared before the Board regarding this case.  On a motion by Commr. Hoskinson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board found Mr. Harvesting in violation, declared the violation a public nuisance and gave Mr. Harvesting 30 days to comply with Ordinance 1970-1.

contracts and agreements

Christopher C. Ford, County Attorney, presented to the Board an agreement between Lake County and Postal Colony Company, Inc.  The purpose of this agreement is for Postal Colony to maintain the grove described below, which is owned by the County:

THE NORTH 450 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼; THE SOUTH 210 FEET OF THE EAST 244 FEET OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF THE SECTION II, TOWNSHIP 23 SOUTH, RANGE 25 EAST, LESS ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Discussion was held.  The Board referred this to Commr. Hoskinson for his attention.

At this time, Chris Ford, County Attorney, presented to the Board a lease agreement between Lake County and Health and Rehabilitative Services regarding the rental of the building located at 403 West Main Street in Tavares.  Mr. Ford requested that no formal action be taken at this time, as he would like to research it further.

ordinance

An Ordinance was presented to the Board regarding the authorization for the Clerk of the Circuit Court office to charge and collect a fee for performing the wedding ceremonies.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved the above-mentioned Ordinance to be advertised for Public Hearing on August 17, 1976 at 11:45 a.m.

accounts allowed

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Deems and carried unanimously, the Board approved for Mike Stearman, Nancy Chrisinger, and Christen Tetsworth to attend a Planning Seminar on July 21, 1976 at Daytona Beach Junior College.

resolution

On a motion by Commr. Deems, seconded by Commr. Carson and carried unanimously, the Board adopted a Resolution regarding the major drainage problem on Donnelly Avenue, which states that Lake County urgently requests the Department of Transportation of the State of Florida to make an emergency amendment to the road schedule for Lake County and immediately place $24,000 into a budget for right-of-way and land acquisition from the secondary funds of Lake County.

On a motion by Commr. Carson, seconded by Commr. Hoskinson and carried unanimously, the Board adopted a Resolution opposing the operation of the Central Medi-car, Inc.  This resolution is to be forwarded to the Public Service Commission.

At this time, Commr. Hoskinson requested that a copy of the above-mentioned resolution be forwarded to the Emergency Medical Services Council for its recommendations.

There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

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Thomas windram, chairman

 

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James C. Watkins, Clerk