The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in special session on Thursday, April 14, 1994, at 7:00 p.m., in the Center Court of the Lake Square Mall, Leesburg, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Catherine C. Hanson, Chairman; Welton G. Cadwell, Vice Chairman; Rhonda H. Gerber; Don Bailey; and Richard Swartz. Others present were: Frank Gaylord, Interim County Attorney; Peter F. Wahl, County Manager; Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services; Eleanor Anderson, Director, Office of Budget; Dave Warren, Tourist Development Director; Karen Bowerman, Assistant Fire Coordinator, Fire and Emergency Services; Alvin Jackson, Economic Development Coordinator; Lois Martin, Director of Human Resources; Bruce Thorburn, Emergency 911 Coordinator; Ron Roche, Director of Solid Waste Management Division; Jim Barker, Director of Environmental Management; Craig Haun, Director, Fire and Emergency Management; Wendy Breeden, Lake County Library Coordinator; Greg Stubbs, Director, Development Regulation Services Division; Sue Strum, Planner III, Planning and Development Services; Greg Kern, Transportation Engineer, Public Services; David Crow, Hazardous Waste Management Coordinator; Richard Roof, Technical Support Operations Supervisor, Environmental Services; Don Priem, Veterans Services; Sue Michaelsen, Executive Secretary; Mary Shell, Executive Assistant to the BCC Office Manager; and Toni M. Riggs, Deputy Clerk.

It was noted, for the record, that there were approximately 25 individuals present in the audience.

WELCOME

Commr. Hanson welcomed those present to the Town Hall Meeting, and stated that she would be turning the meeting over to Commr. Gerber, who would be chairing the Town Hall Meeting scheduled for District 1.

Commr. Gerber introduced the Board members and Mr. Pete Wahl, County Manager, and Mr. Frank Gaylord, Interim County Attorney.

For the invocation, Mr. John Leegons sang and played the piano.

Commr. Gerber introduced Mr. Solomon McTier, who assisted her in contacting Mr. Leegons. She informed those present that two presentations would be made, as outlined on the program, and staff would be available to answer any questions presented to them during the evening.

Ms. Wendy Breeden, Lake County Library Coordinator, addressed those present and reviewed the recent advances in the County Library System.

At the completion of the presentation made by Ms. Breeden, Commr. Gerber noted that the piano used by Mr. Leegons was provided by Tune Town, which was located in the Lake Square Mall.

Mr. Jim Stivender, Director, Lake County Public Services, addressed those present and reviewed the transportation issues, including State and local projects. He noted that there were maps and other information available to the public, and that staff members were present to answer questions.

Commr. Gerber recognized the following individuals who were present in the audience: Dr. Michael Jasenas and Mr. Bob Miller, individuals who once served in the capacity of Chairman of the County Library Board, and Ms. Sanna Henderson, City Commissioner of Leesburg. She introduced all staff members present at the Town Hall Meeting who would be available to answer questions. (Those staff members were noted above for the record.)

Mr. Gary McKechnie, Mount Dora, appeared before the Board and stated that he was a free lance writer who moved to Lake County from Orange County, because there was less traffic, crime, and population. His concern involved the developments that were encroaching upon Lake County, and he encouraged the Board to try and keep the County in its current condition.

Ms. Catherine Hildebrandt, Paisley, appeared before the Board to address several concerns. She discussed the loss of her property and belongings, as a result of a robbery, and because of the problems in the County relating to juvenile delinquents, she suggested that the County place their names in the paper, to disgrace them and their families. Ms. Hildebrant discussed the condition of Oak Drive, which she stated needed to be looked at by the County, and she discussed the loss of her husband because of the response time that it took to get medical attention to him by the County's rescue services.

Commr. Bailey requested that the appropriate staff members get in touch with those individuals coming before the Commissioners with their complaints and ideas.

Ms. Chris Daly, Tavares, appeared before the Board and stated that she was a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and was very concerned about transportation that was needed for the terminally ill and handicapped people in Lake County.

Discussion occurred regarding the Transportation for the Disadvantaged Program offered by the County. Commr. Cadwell informed Ms. Daly that there would be a pilot program starting within the next couple of months and suggested that she contact County staff for further information.

Ms. Daly explained that many of the individuals needing assistance do not qualify for the different programs, because of their income.

Commr. Swartz discussed the Transportation for the Disadvantaged Program and stated that it is not necessarily based on an individual's income, but whether someone was transportation disadvantaged, which means an individual was unable to get from one place to another. He explained that some of the County agencies' monies within their budgets are used to refund the different programs. Commr. Swartz stated that, if a person was transportation disadvantaged, there was a "fair" box in the transit buses where one would only place monies of which he could afford. He also suggested that she talk with County staff regarding the transit program and other County programs that are expanding all of the time.

Mr. Don Braksick, Leesburg, appeared before the Board and discussed the chemical spray being used on the hydrilla and the effect it was having on the waters of the County. Mr. Braksick suggested that the County do a better job of managing the cemeteries in the County, because of their historical nature, and expressed his appreciation to the Board for the fine job that it was doing with addressing County matters and concerns of the citizens.

The Board directed Mr. Bracksick to contact Mr. Chuck Pula regarding the cemetery issue, and Mr. Jim Stivender regarding the spraying of hydrilla.

There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

CATHERINE C. HANSON, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:

JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK

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