The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 11, 1990, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting Room, Lake County Courthouse, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Michael J. Bakich, Chairman; C. W. "Chick" Gregg; Don Bailey; and Richard Swartz. Commr. Windram was not present due to a death in the family. Others present were: Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney; Alan A. Thelen, County Manager; Ava Kronz, Assistant to the County Manager; James C. Watkins, Clerk; Robert K. McKee, Chief Deputy Clerk; and Sandra Carter, Deputy Clerk.
Mr. Watkins gave the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commr. Gregg.
MINUTES
Regarding the Minutes of August 7, 1990, changes were requested to be made, as follows:
Commr. Swartz noted the following:
On Page 9, Line 27, where the Minutes note that the Board rejected bids to provide Animal Control with a modular office, to insert that the bids were rejected due to them being over the budgeted amount.
Mr. Thelen, County Manager, noted the following:
On Page 21, Line 23, the Minutes should reflect that the effective date for appointment of the new Director of the Corrections Department should be September 10, 1990, rather than September 30, 1990.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Minutes of August 7, 1990 (Regular Meeting), as amended.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, the Board approved the Minutes of August 7, 1990 (Special Meeting), as presented.
Action regarding the Minutes of August 14, 1990 (Regular Meeting) and September 4, 1990 (Regular Meeting), until the Board Meeting of September 18, 1990.
CLERK OF COURT'S CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Commr. Gregg, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved the following requests:
Accounts Allowed
Request for payment of Warrant No. 125053 through Warrant No. 125505, for the following accounts:
County Transportation Trust Landfills
Countywide Fire District General Revenue
Mosquito Control Fine & Forfeiture
Aquatic Weed Animal Shelter Trust Fund
Capital Outlay Law Library
Northwest Fire District Section 8
Countywide Library Private Industry Council
Mt. Plymouth Fire District Commissary Trust Fund
South Lake Fire District Paisley Fire District
Pasco Fire District Revenue Sharing
Miscellaneous/Gas Fund Northeast Hospital
Emergency 911 Fund Bassville Fire District
Northeast Ambulance Northwest Ambulance
Road Impact Special Assessments
Bonds - Contractor
Request for approval of Contractor Bonds, New and Cancellation, as follows:
New
4883-90 Wayne B. Kingsley d/b/a Wayne Kingsley Plumbing
4886-90 Roland C. Ray (General)
4887-90 S & T Electric of Lake County, Inc. (Electrical)
4888-90 Wiley E. Jones (Building Contractor)
4889-90 Ronald Kessel d/b/a Crystal Kool Pools
543-91 Roger Hylton (Class C General)
4151-91 James Paynter, Jr., d/b/a Paynter & Sons (Masonry)
4536-91 Michael Peltz d/b/a Mike Peltz Professional Plumbing
4884-91 Allen Lenberg/Solar Management Corp. Southeast (Solar Plumbing)
4885-91 Richard Root (Residential)
Cancellation
3011-90 Gary L. Wyckoff d/b/a Gary L. Wyckoff (Residential Contractor)
The Board acknowledged receipt of the following: Annual Financial Report from the Northwest Lake County Hospital Tax District, for the year ending September 30, 1989.
COUNTY MANAGER'S CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Swartz and
carried unanimously, the Board approved the following requests:
Accounts Allowed/Administrative Services-Budget
Purchasing Department
Request by Purchasing Division, to encumber funds for annual payments for FY 1990-91 to the Medical Examiner, for Professional Services, Utility Services, and Histology Services, in the amount of $135,630.00 (budgeted).
Accounts Allowed/Administrative Services-Budget
Purchasing Department/Contracts, Leases & Agreements
Request by Purchasing Division, to encumber funds for annual payments for FY 1990-91 to Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Inc., for Housekeeping Contract for the Morgue, from October 1990 through June 1991, in the amount of $11,925.63 (budgeted).
Accounts Allowed/Administrative Services-Budget
Contracts, Leases & Agreements/Purchasing Department
Request by Purchasing Division, to encumber funds for lease with Frederick Belton for Health & General Services office space, 124 Sinclair Avenue, from October 9, 1990 through September 8, 1991, in the amount of $10,494.00 (budgeted).
Accounts Allowed/Administrative Services-Budget
Contracts, Leases & Agreements/Purchasing Department
Request by Purchasing Division, to encumber funds for office space lease with Warren Johnson & Allen Jones, for Social Services, Library System, Emergency Management, and Fire Services, from October 1, 1990 through September 30, 1991, in the amount of $32,880.00 (budgeted).
Accounts Allowed/Administrative Services-Budget
Contracts, Leases & Agreements/Purchasing Department
Request by Purchasing Division, to encumber funds for office lease for one year, beginning October 1, 1990 through September 30, 1991, for County Attorney ($19,830.00) and WIC ($12,090.00), from Health & General Services (budgeted).
County Manager/Communications
Request from Lake Cablevision, Inc., to sell its system to Scripps Howard Company, doing business in Lake County as Lake County Cablevision.
Bonds - Mobile Home
Request for Jerry Carelock, Clermont area, District #3, to live in a mobile home on the same piece of property on which his conventional dwelling unit is being built, subject to the proper bonds being posted, and with the understanding that the mobile home will be removed upon completion of the conventional dwelling unit, or upon the request of the Board of County Commissioners.
Right-of-Ways, Roads & Easements/Public Works
Request to accept the following Right-of-Way Deed:
A. B. Marshall, Jr., Harry C. Marshall, Robert D. Marshall, and Philip E. Marshall - Peru Road (5-7961).
Right-of-Ways, Roads & Easements/County Property
Request to grant an easement on County property, in the Buckhill Road area, to Sumter Electric.
COUNTY MANAGER'S DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES-BUDGET
BUDGET TRANSFERS
On a motion by Commr. Gregg, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved the following budget transfers:
Transfer from Fine & Forfeiture/Contingency Fund to Retirement Contributions, in the amount of $14,421.00. An additional bailiff was approved in April, bringing the total number of bailiffs to 12 for the current year, and overtime was increased from $5,000.00 to $17,300.00, or an increase of $12,300.00. The total increase for salaries and overtime is $22,327.00. The original budgeted retirement contributions adopted October 1, 1989, were not based on high risk, and the difference between regular and high risk is 5.24%, which has resulted in a shortage in this account.
Transfer from Section 8 Housing/Current Charges, Travel and Books, to Machinery/Equipment and Office Supplies, for additional furniture and copier, in the amount of $11,600.00, due to expansion of Planning/Development Department to the first floor.
Transfer from General Fund, Administrative Support/Utility Services to Professional Services, for contract awarded to Hunter Services, Inc., in the prior fiscal year, and the balance due for these services was not encumbered October 1, 1990, for the current fiscal year, in the amount of $22,500.00.
Transfer from General Fund/Contingency to Health & General Services/Buildings, the amount of $12,000.00, for the WIC Program move and renovation costs.
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/BUDGETS/RESOLUTIONS
MOSQUITO-AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Gregg and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request for a resolution amending the Environmental Services/Mosquito Control Division budget, to increase it by $1,475.00, from insurance proceeds.
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/BUDGETS/RESOLUTIONS
MOSQUITO-AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Gregg and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request for a resolution amending the Environmental Services/Mosquito Control Division budget, to increase it by $1,254.00, from proceeds from the sale of surplus equipment, at the County auction held on May 12, 1990.
COMMISSIONERS/EDUCATION/PERSONNEL
Ms. Eleanor Anderson, Director of Administrative Services-Budget, for the County, explained this request.
Mr. James C. Watkins, Clerk, suggested, if the Board does approve this request, that they extend it to County Government and include the Clerk, the Sheriff, the Property Appraiser, and Tax Collector, and allow students the opportunity of seeing how those offices and officers function, as well. He stated he would be willing to help in the staffing and cost involved to bring it to pass.
It was noted the whole idea behind the request was to involve students in all County Government, not just the Commissioner's Office.
A brief discussion occurred regarding the various options, at which time Commr. Gregg suggested going with Option 3, out of three options which were submitted, for one year and see how it works, and then possibly move to Option 2, and bring more individuals into it. He also suggested contacting the Florida Association of Counties and obtain a copy of a video which they have that explains County Government, for the students to view.
On a motion by Commr. Gregg, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved to go with Option 3, which involves a bi-monthly schedule with local students, regarding the Commissioner For A Day Program.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/LANDFILLS/RESOLUTIONS
On a motion by Commr. Gregg, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, the Board approved a resolution instituting condemnation procedures, on property to be used for proposed landfill (Site K).
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/CONTRACTS, LEASES & AGREEMENTS/GRANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Mr. Don Findell, Director of Environmental Services, explained this request.
On a motion by Commr. Swartz, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request for authorization to execute FY 1990-91 Recycling (State funding approximately $280,000.00) and Waste Tire (State funding approximately $44,000.00) Grant Applications and FY 1990-91 Recycling Interlocal Agreements with municipalities.
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/CONTRACTS, LEASES & AGREEMENTS/PUBLIC HEALTH
HEALTH & GENERAL SERVICES/STATE AGENCIES
Mr. Lonnie Strickland, Director of Health & General Services, explained this request.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, the Board approved the 1990-91 contract between Lake County and the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services - County Public Health Unit, in the amount of $325,541.00 (County appropriation).
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/ROAD PROJECTS/PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, explained this request.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Gregg and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request to accept Change Order No. 1, to Project No. 2-90, Waycross Avenue, at a cost of $5,718.25.
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/ROAD PROJECTS/PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, explained this request.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Gregg and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request to award Project No. R-4, Singletary Park, Part "A", to Paquette Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $77,500.00 - low bid.
ACCOUNTS ALLOWED/ROAD PROJECTS/PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, explained this request.
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request to award Project
No. R-5, Marsh Park Road Improvement Project, to Paquette Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $64,792.50 - low bid.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT/SUBDIVISIONS
Mr. Al Thelen, County Manager, explained this request.
On a motion by Commr. Gregg, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved the preliminary plat of Sundance Ridge (78 lots in District #4).
COUNTY ATTORNEY'S MATTERS
CONTRACTS, LEASES & AGREEMENTS/MUNICIPALITIES
ROADS-COUNTY & STATE
Ms. Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney, updated the Board concerning an interlocal agreement which was sent to the four cities that are not collecting road impact fees. She stated the City of Groveland executed their agreement, and the Board approved it at the September 4, 1990, Board Meeting, noting that it will become effective on October 1, 1990. She stated the City of Fruitland Park Commission has not, as yet, considered the agreement, as it is on their agenda for September 13, 1990, and noted the County has had no response from the City of Mascotte -staff will follow-up on it. She stated Lady Lake did discuss the agreement at their Commission Meeting this week, and are going to have it on their agenda for further discussion again next week, however, they have directed their City Attorney to draft an opt-out ordinance.
She stated she would update the Board again next week, in order for them to determine what direction they would like to take, or whether they might want to direct her office to take formal action.
Commr. Gregg brought up for discussion the matter of a comment which was made regarding the County possibly creating a smaller district, at which time he stated he personally felt the County has enough impact fee districts, as it is, noting that if the County chops them up too small, it is going to be hard to get any decent use of said funds, therefore, he is not in favor of doing so.
Commr. Swartz concurred with Commr. Gregg on the matter.
No action was taken at this time.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Ms. Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney, brought up for discussion, the matter of the Wekiva River Protection Area Land Use Plan Amendment and Land Development Regulations, stating her office had received notice that it was scheduled to be heard by the Cabinet, sitting as the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission, this date. She stated a petition for hearing was filed by a property owner in the Wekiva River Protection Area, and, in response to that, the Cabinet staff stated that while the staff's recommendation was that the County's Land Use Plan Amendments and Regulations were consistent with the State Statutes, they changed their recommendation to grant the petition for rehearing, which has been referred to the Department of Administrative Hearing, which is standard procedure when an Administrative Hearing is sought, based on Agency action. She stated she will come back to the Board, for direction, as soon as this takes place. She stated this action has no affect on the effectiveness of the Land Use Plan Amendment, nor the Land Development Regulations, as they were effective in March, when they were enacted, and will continue to be in full force and effect, until the Administrative Hearing process has been completed.
Mr. Thelen, County Manager, informed the Board that he had received a call from Commr. Windram stating he felt the State should pay the cost of defending the Amendment, and would hope the Board would not take any action that would preclude that kind of discussion at next week's Board Meeting.
No action was taken at this time.
COMMISSIONERS' BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS-RESIGNATIONS/PUBLIC HEALTH
On a motion by Commr. Bailey, seconded by Commr. Swartz and carried unanimously, the Board approved a request for appointment
of Mr. Charles E. May to the District III Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Planning Council.
RESOLUTIONS
On a motion by Commr. Gregg, seconded by Commr. Bailey and carried unanimously, the Board approved a resolution proclaiming the week of September 17-23, 1990, as Constitution Week.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 9:40 a.m. the Chairman announced that the Board would recess until 10:00 a.m.
ROADS-COUNTY & STATE/PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Works, gave the Board an explanation behind a request to accept a maintenance map, at the intersection of C-44/C-452/C-452-A (New C-44), giving the Board a little background history of said request. He reviewed a map with the Board showing the property in question.
Mr. Peter Houlberg, owner of the property in question, was present in the audience and reviewed said map, as well. He stated he would like the County to pay him for the property, stating it had been assessed at $1,400.00. He stated he had offered to give the County the property if they would put a driveway in for him, from Hwy. 452 into his property.
Mr. Houlberg informed the Board that he had owned said property since 1970, and a ditch (which was the point of discussion) was not present at the time he bought it, however, Mr. Stivender stated he had received a letter from the Department of Transportation indicating that the ditch had been present on the property since 1968.
Ms. Annette Star Lustgarten, County Attorney, informed the Board as to where they stood, legally, regarding the matter.
Mr. Stivender stated the County should have filed a maintenance map in 1982, rather than now. He stated they did not file one prior to this, due to the Department of Transportation letter.
Discussion continued regarding the matter, at which time Mr. Stivender informed the Board that the County will need to obtain a deed for the property in question by Tuesday, September 18, 1990. He also noted that there are 300 to 400 miles of prescriptive roads in the County which may need to be handled in a similar fashion.
Commr. Swartz stated he would propose that the Board file a maintenance map, between this week and next week, and have staff make the Board aware of the other situations the County is faced with, and the magnitude of the problem and precedent which the County may be setting, as well as any cost for potential exchange.
Ms. Lustgarten, County Attorney, informed the Board that if the County did an exchange, it would have to be of comparable value.
Mr. Stivender was directed to meet with Mr. Houlberg, in trying to resolve the matter, and bring back to the Board, at the September 18, 1990, Board Meeting, whatever documents or recommendations, necessary in resolving the matter, for approval.
No action was taken at this time.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 10:35 a.m. the Chairman announced the Board would recess until 10:45 a.m.
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS WORKSHOP
HOUSING ELEMENT
Mr. John Swanson, Director of Planning and Development, appeared before the Board and gave an update as to what has transpired, up to this point, regarding the Comprehensive Plan Elements. He stated the paperwork before the Board this date has some strikethroughs and underlines, which is the result of working with the Executive Committee. He stated the purpose of reviewing the documentation, this date, is to make further changes, if necessary, prior to coming into the Public Hearing process. He stated staff would like to schedule the first Public Hearing for the end of November, 1990.
Mr. Swanson informed the Board that staff was using ten year old data, concerning the Housing Element, compiled from a 1980 census, however, they have updated it to present dates, where available. He stated they also dealt with seasonal aspects, such as conventional built homes versus mobile homes, and northerners that come to Florida for the season. He stated that the housing density allocations around the urban node will not be made until staff has the future land use map prepared. He stated redevelopment areas are also identified, in the Housing Element booklet, as well as affordable housing for all income groups.
Mr. Dave Moon, Planner, appeared before the Board reiterating what Mr. Swanson had stated in that they had used figures taken from the 1980 U.S. Census. He stated staff realized that the information they had to work with was ten years old, however, noted that, where available, they had updated it. He stated one has to realize that the basis of the information is to identify trends and past occurrences, noting that it is difficult to use that information and apply it to the future, using it as a precise estimate - it is basically used to identify trends.
Ms. Lustgarten, County Attorney, stated that what the Board will actually be adopting is the goals, policies, and objectives set out in the Housing Element, based on the data provided, therefore, this is where they need to concentrate their efforts and try to agree. She stated they also need to agree on the strikethroughs and inserted language.
Commr. Swartz stated he would agree with the County Attorney, however, in some places in the documentation of background data there are assumptions that are made, and based on those assumptions, certain goals, policies and objectives are predicated, therefore, would need review as well.
Considerable discussion occurred regarding the Housing Element, at which time a number of pages and policies were discussed at length.
Commr. Swartz stated he would like to see, concerning Ordinance 1989-14, which the Board passed allowing a temporary mobile home in zoning districts A (Agricultural) or RA (Ranchette) for housing infirm or disabled family members, the Board consider (which is another method of dealing with both lower income housing problems as well as those individuals which have medical problems) looking at other avenues of addressing said problems, other than just the ordinance, such as allowing, in other zoned classifications, things such as a garage apartment or an apartment of very limited square footage. Smaller lots would be another suggestion. He stated things such as these are a way to get at the affordable issue, as well as the issue of infirm or disabled family members, which positively impacts the concern about the health care system. He suggested staff look at these issues, noting that some of them can end up in the policies and objectives, and ultimately in the development regulations.
Regarding Page 5-46, in the paragraph concerning "Services", Commr. Swartz suggested changing the wording "will support", on Line 5, with the word "require", as he felt the way it is presently worded tends to make it sound like the only criteria is that the population density will support it, and he felt there were other factors that will determine it, even if the population density might support it, it might not be necessary, or it might absolutely be necessary, even if the population density did not support it.
Commr. Swartz stated the Board was not servicing the housing needs in Lake County, particularly, affordable housing needs and housing needs relative to people living in substandard, dilapidated structures. He stated, at present, it is all based on future actions of the Task Force.
Commr. Swartz brought up for discussion Policy 5-1.1.5, concerning the issue of Energy Efficient Housing Construction, at which time he suggested that the word "encourage", in Line 4, be replaced with the word "require".
Commr. Gregg stated the problem with changing the wording from "encourage" to "require" is the matter of the initial cost involved in building a home - not the payback, which in most cases is five years. He stated it was a minor point, however, he felt by changing the wording to "require", could develop into a contradiction in what the County is trying to accomplish for affordable housing. He stated another reason he would like to avoid using the word "require" is that, to say "encourage" is to say the Board supports it and the Task Force ought to come up with some solution to it, when they start meeting. Another point he made was the fact that the County does not even have anything written, as yet, pertaining to what they are going to require.
Commr. Bakich noted he concurred with Commr. Gregg regarding the matter.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 12:15 p.m. the Chairman announced the Board would recess for lunch and would reconvene at 2:00 p.m., at which time discussion regarding the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan would continue.
HOUSING ELEMENT (CONT'D.)
Concerning the policy pertaining to Special Housing Needs, and the fact that the County is planning on initiating, by February of 1993, a study of the elderly and physically disabled who are receiving Social Security Supplemental Income and Optional State Supplements, in order to determine the necessity of more affordable Adult Congregate Living Facility care of this special needs group, Commr. Swartz stated the County will probably contract for it, and what the Board ought to do is have a consultant come in and evaluate various things which have been discussed, which is something that does not have to wait until February of 1993. He stated some of the things which the County is spending their Comprehensive Plan money on, in the Planning and Development area, will have ended by then and most of the studies will be done, so he did not see any reason why it could not be moved up substantially
and start looking at budgeting money to perform this, as well as some other evaluations, instead of going out and doing a windshield survey, feels the County needs to have a more comprehensive survey of dilipated and substandard housing.
Commr. Swartz stated he would like to have staff go back and review it and determine how they really intend to do it - whether or not it will be through a consultant, and if so, what will be a reasonable time frame to begin to get an RFP and consultant on Board, and a budgetary consideration. He stated he felt it could be in the budget starting October, 1991.
Concerning the policy pertaining to Temporary Housing for Care of the Infirm or Disabled, Commr. Swartz stated he would like staff to look at adopting some language in the Comprehensive Plan, that would ultimately end up in the Development Regulations, that would also look at other alternatives to a temporary mobile home, which
might include garage apartments or small out-buildings, as a method by which the County could provide for the care of infirm or disabled, as well as the fact that it becomes a very sensible affordable housing question for both the elderly and young adults.
Concerning the policy pertaining to Assisting Households in the Relocation of Housing due to Removal or Demolition, Commr. Swartz stated he felt the County will have to handle these types of cases the same way they do for indigent cases, and budget for some of the transitions from dilipated and ramshackle housing to better housing, until the County gets a housing strategy that does provide for affordable housing.
Commrs. Bakich and Bailey stated they would not feel comfortable with supporting something of this nature until more information is available regarding it.
Mr. Moon, Planner, informed the Board that within the Municipal Comprehensive Plan that is being drafted, some of the housing elements require landlords of homes that are being demolished to find housing for the residents of said homes before they are issued a demolition permit.
Commr. Swartz stated he hoped the Board would address the issue of reducing the square footage requirements for affordable housing, as well as the concept of reducing the need for transportation requirements in the Housing Element, by designing some of the communities and developments in such a way as to allow residents to do shopping and get to jobs, without having to drive to said places. He stated he hoped they would also address the issue of conservation through native vegetation.
Discussion continued regarding affordable housing, at which time Commr. Gregg stated he had a problem with telling developers that they must include affordable housing within their developments, as he feels it does not fit into the Comprehensive Plan, but would rather see the County develop some type of point system in the Development Regulations, thereby, giving a developer points for the pluses he does and take away from the minuses, noting that affordable housing could be one of those pluses.
Commr. Bakich stated he agreed with Commr. Gregg in establishing some type of point system, which would give developers incentives.
Commr. Gregg stated the County cannot require all the things which Commr. Swartz is suggesting and expect people to be able to afford the houses - it is not an equitable solution. He stated the County will get more with a positive incentive, than they will with requiring more and more governmental regulations, as more governmental regulations mean higher cost housing.
Commr. Swartz suggested putting into the Comprehensive Plan objectives that the County will create "X" number of affordable housing through the various levels, as the County sees it is needed, and if they do it by using "encouragement" standards, that they review said standards, requiring developers to meet certain goals, periodically, throughout the course of each year. By doing this, they will find out whether "encouragement" does it, but, if "encouragement" does not do it, by developers voluntarily doing the
types of things which were discussed earlier, than have the County start requiring it.
It was the consensus of the Board to do what Commr. Swartz suggested.
MASS TRANSIT ELEMENT
Ms. Gena Swartz, Chairman of the Mass Transit Committee, addressed the Board stating that mass transit has always been looked at as an issue of density and people moving from Point A to Point B. She questioned whether mass transit should not be looked at as a possibility, if it is cheaper to subsidize it, rather than adding additional lanes to roads that may be constrained, or have bike path requirements, or are at such a bad level of service that the County cannot do anything more to them. She stated mass transit is something that the County ought to have as a goal, rather than just density. She stated the Department of Transportation says the County does not need mass transit, at the present time, because the County does not have enough urban population to warrant it.
Ms. Swartz stated the Transportation Committee discussed the possibility of having a bus service into the cities, rather than having individuals drive their cars. She stated this was not something the Committee specifically had as a goal, however, felt that it was a worthy thing to look into.
Several policies, pertaining to the Mass Transit Element, were brought up for discussion and discussed at length.
Commr. Bakich referred to Page III-1, of the Mass Transit Element, under Goals, Objectives and Policies, Goal 3-1, concerning the County providing a safe and economically efficient form of public transportation, noting that it states Lake County shall provide its residents with a safe and economically efficient form of transportation, via a mass transit system, when the levels of service on roads, demographic composition and land use intensity of the County are able to support such a system, to which Ms. Swartz
stated the key word in the statement is "and", assuming all the elements will be in place.
Mr. Mark Knight, Planner, appeared before the Board and gave an overview of the mass transit issue. He stated staff will still have to do a Mass Transit Element, due to the fact that the County has a population of over 50,000 people. He stated he tried to inventory every type of transit service there is in the County, including taxi cab service, etc. He stated when staff conducted an analysis of population densities, they found no place in the County that would be truly supportive of mass transit.
Mr. Larry Kirch, Planner, informed the Board that the Department of Transportation has contracted to do a Park & Ride Program study, noting that staff had suggested five areas for them to look at, of which they will be looking into three of them, which they feel are viable, being the Mt. Plymouth-Sorrento area; the east Hwy. 50 corridor; and the turnpike interchange. He stated, essentially, the Department of Transportation wants to buy land and set up a parking lot.
It was noted that, as soon as staff is able to determine whether or not Tri-County Transit could possibly service the area, they will be getting back to the Board to determine whether or not the Board wants to participate in said study.
It was noted the Aviation Element of the Comprehensive Plan would be postponed until the Board Meeting of September 18, 1990, at 11:00 a.m.
RECESS & REASSEMBLY
At 3:40 p.m. the Chairman announced the Board would recess for five minutes.
RECREATION & OPEN SPACE ELEMENT
Mr. John Swanson, Director of Planning and Development, informed the Board that what they needed to look at, pertaining to the Recreation and Open Space Element, was the level of service, or acreage per 1,000 population, which the Board would have to set. He stated it goes into the Capital Improvement Program, which
relates to facility improvements. He stated, at this point in time, the only improvements that have been made to the facilities which the County does have have been maintenance. He stated the Department of Community Affairs will not be satisfied with just having vacant land set aside, they want to see things such as tennis courts, basketball courts, a picnic pavilion, etc., in the parks.
Regarding the land replacement policy, Mr. Swanson informed the Board that whatever land they take out of the recreation inventory and give to a municipality, they must put back in again, through some form, otherwise, it is going to deteriorate the County's level of service and the County will have to have some type of replacement policy.
Mr. John Weatherford, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, appeared before the Board stating that when Mr. Chuck Pula, Parks & Recreation Director, was hired by the County he was able to locate a lot of land which staff was unaware of, for park purposes, which brought the County's level of service up to approximately 5.95 per 1,000 individuals. He stated the one issue which the Committee has not addressed in the element, strictly due to the fact that they did not know they had the volume of land they did, was improvements to the existing parks.
Mr. Larry Kirch, Planner, appeared before the Board stating that when the initial level of service came up, it was approximately .87 acres, per 1,000, however, when they went to the Committee, with some different people working on the element, at one point they were not counting the boat ramps as any acreage, at all; however, acreage associated with a boat ramp is legitimate acreage that can be counted, in the level of service. He stated staff has added in, the 285 acres at the turnpike that the County owns, as well as the 68 acres at Hickory Point Park.
Mr. Kirch referred to Chapter VIII of the Recreation and Open Space Element, which covers the County's goals, objectives and policies for same, stating that the first five pages are background
information, however, the whole element pushes toward what services the County wants to adopt.
Mr. Al Thelen, County Manager, stated it was felt by the Executive Committee that too much emphasis had been put on the Rails to Trails issue and that it had almost dominated the Recreation and Open Space Element, and questioned whether there were actually any changes made as a result of those expressions, to which Mr. Kirch responded that, as far as he knew, only in one place. He stated there were only four pages in the element pertaining to Rails to Trails.
Commr. Swartz referred to Policy 8-1.5, on Page VIII-2, of the Recreation and Open Space Element, under Goals, Objectives and Policies, stating that where it states Lake County shall incorporate provisions within its Land Development Regulations by February, 1992, which require new development to provide recreation space, or pay fees in lieu of, consistent with the minimum level of service standards applied to anticipated population associated with said development, and that the alternative chosen shall be determined by the developer, he feels the alternative chosen should be consistent with the other goals, policies and objectives that is a part of the Comprehensive Plan, rather than determined by the developer. He stated it should say that the alternative chosen shall be determined by its consistency with other goals, policies and objectives of the Recreation and Open Space Element. It was the consensus of the Board to go with what Commr. Swartz stated.
Commr. Swartz directed staff to take a look at the Rails to Trails issue and come back to the Board with information pertaining to same.
Commr. Bakich referred to Policy 8-1.6, concerning Acquisition of Recreation Lands, where it states that by 1992, Lake County shall establish a prioritized list, he would like to get a commitment from the Board to explore and decide on a definite funding mechanism for recreational needs before 1992.
Commr. Swartz stated he felt a Committee should be formed to look at the elements and be prepared to go to the voters with a referendum, in 1992, regarding same.
Commr. Swartz referred to Policy 8-1.9, on Page VIII-3, concerning Designation of Abandoned Rail Corridors for Recreational Purposes, stating that it indicates proposed residential development, however, he feels it should be expanded to indicate, additionally, to have a commercial or industrial development that would be in an area where there was an abandoned rail.
It was noted that it was the consensus of the Board to require a continuation of the railroad corridor on commercial and industrial property, noting that it could be a part of their landscaping requirement.
It was also noted that this would be an additional policy.
At this time, several other policies were discussed at length, however, no action was taken regarding same.
Commr. Bakich, Chairman, thanked Mr. Weatherford, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, and the other members of said Committee for a job well done.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
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MICHAEL J. BAKICH, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
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JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
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