The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, July 7, 1994, at 7:00 p.m., at the East Lake County Chamber of Commerce Building, Sorrento, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Catherine C. Hanson, Chairman; Welton G. Cadwell, Vice Chairman; G. Richard Swartz, Jr.; and Rhonda H. Gerber. Others present were: Frank T. Gaylord, County Attorney; Pete Wahl, County Manager; Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services; Paul Bergmann, Senior Director, Department of Planning & Development Services; Dave Warren, Tourist Development Director; Alvin Jackson, Economic Development Coordinator; Mark Knight, Chief Planner, Department of Planning & Development Services; Greg Stubbs, Director of Development Regulations Services Division; Susan Strum, Planner III, Department of Planning & Development Services; Ron Roche, Director of Solid Waste Management Division; Craig Haun, Director of Fire & Emergency Services; Barry Brown, Planner I, Department of Planning & Development Services; Gary Muller, Planner I, Development Regulations Services Division; John Cento, Affordable Housing; Ava Kronz, BCC Office Manager; Sue Michaelsen, Executive Secretary, BCC Office; and Marlene S. Foran, Deputy Clerk.
Ms. Lynn Anderson, President-Elect of the East Lake County Chamber of Commerce welcomed those present.
Reverend Richard Wilhelm gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commr. Hanson (District 4 Commissioner) opened the meeting by introducing the Board of County Commissioners; Ms. Paulette Alexander, Mayor, City of Mount Dora; and Captain Claude Gnann, Commander of Support Services, Lake County Sheriff's Department.
It was noted that, in addition to the department heads and staff members, there were approximately 85 individuals from the local community present in the audience.
Presentation on County Roads
Mr. Jim Stivender, Director of Public Services, presented a brief overview of current, and future county road projects in the District 4 area. Mr. Stivender distributed a list of current, and future projects in District 4, and a copy of the proposed 5-Year Road Construction Program to those present prior to the start of the meeting.
Mr. Stivender provided a status report on State Road 46 and stated that a District Court of Appeals Hearing would be held on August 30, 1994 in regard to the road project, and that an opinion would be rendered within 30 to 360 days. He further reported that the final design and bid process for the "bear crossing" has been completed and would be under construction prior to the completion of State Road 46.
Presentation on Tourist Development
Mr. Dave Warren, Tourist Development Coordinator, presented an update on Tourist Development activities in Lake County and noted that Lake County brochures were available to those present on the display table. He stated that the Lake County Welcome Center operates with volunteers and offers vacation guides, and information pertaining to the hotels/motels and attractions in Lake County. He noted that there have been 15,673 visitors to the Welcome Center, representing 50 states and 33 countries. He briefly discussed the positive impact of the World Cup on Lake County.
Presentation on Fire and Emergency Management
Mr. Craig Haun, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, stated that Fire and Emergency Management was comprised of three divisions: Animal Control, Emergency Management, and Fire/Rescue. He provided an update on each of the divisions and stated that the County was in the process of constructing a new Animal Control Shelter located adjacent to the present shelter. He discussed the "Dangerous Animal Ordinance" which has aided in public safety in dealing with animals that are a danger to the public.
Mr. Haun stated that a new Emergency Management Public Education Specialist position has been funded through a state grant, and the primary responsibility of the Public Education Specialist was to educate and instruct the public in the proper procedures for disaster preparedness, fire safety and animal safety.
Mr. Haun stated that Mr. Bob Reymont, Fire Emergency Management Director, will be discussing with the municipalities their emergency preparedness plans and ways in which the County can assist the municipalities. Mr. Reymont will also be making presentations to various organizations and civic clubs in the County.
Mr. Haun briefly discussed the Fire/Rescue Division and reported that the volunteer recruitment campaign has been a success. He stated that the Mount Plymouth Fire Station was in the process of being remodeled through a partnership agreement, and a new tanker has been added and a diesel engine is slated to be added at the fire station.
Presentation on Urban Node in Mount Plymouth/Sorrento and
CDBG
Mr. Paul Bergman, Senior Director, Department of Planning & Development Services, discussed the Urban Node in Mount Plymouth and noted that a graphic and a copy of the Lake County Comprehensive Plan were available for review on the display table. He stated that the Mt. Plymouth/Sorrento area was unique in that it was a split regulated area. He briefly discussed the different sets of regulations that apply to the area and referred to a map illustrating the areas in question. He further discussed Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) and the Mt. Plymouth/Sorrento Compact Node as they relate to the area in question and the need for a planning process for the community.
Mr. Mark Knight, Chief Planner, Planning & Development Services, discussed the Small City Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), in the amount of $550,000.00, which had been received
through the State Department of Community Affairs. He explained that project funding would be used to pave roads; install sewer and water pipes and hook seventeen (17) homes into centralized services; install five hydrants in the Hazzard Homestead Subdivision; and to pave roads and add drainage swales on Carroll Avenue, Sybil Avenue and Hilldale Avenue in the unincorporated areas of Lake County. He stated that an environmental clearance has been received from the state, and the project should be underway in the near future. He noted that a project description of the Community Development Block Grant was available for review on the display table.
Presentation on Economic Development
Mr. Alvin Jackson, Economic Development Coordinator, provided an update on economic development in Lake County. He stated that utility services are being provided at the Lake County Central Park in the near future. He reported that an Economic Development Action Plan has been developed through the cooperation of approximately 120 business and community leaders throughout Lake County and was designed to put together a proactive strategy as relates to giving direction for growth and economic development in Lake County.
Commr. Hanson introduced County staff who were present in the audience. She expressed the Board's appreciation to Ms. Maggie Fisher, Executive Director, East Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and introduced the Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, as follows: Dan Sabin, Cecil Boniford, Pat Finch, Eugene Baker, and Lynn Anderson, President-Elect.
At this time, the Board members and staff responded to questions and comments presented by those present in the audience pertaining to a variety of issues.
Ms. Paulette Alexander, Mayor, City of Mount Dora, expressed her appreciation, on behalf of the City of Mount Dora, for the support of the Board of County Commissioners and the joint efforts in solving transportation problems, flooding problems, and
development of a park in a low income area of the city. She encouraged the County to consider an interlocal agreement with municipalities on maintenance of County roads whereby the County provides improvements and allows the municipalities to provide maintenance on said roads. She expressed appreciation to the Tourist Development Council (TDC), Mr. Dave Warren, Coordinator of the TDC, County staff and Mr. Pete Wahl, County Manager, for the cooperative spirit that has developed between the municipalities and the County.
Mr. Dan Sabin, a local resident, requested that the County provide some relief on the maintenance of a private clay road, known as John's Lane, located between Huff Road and 44A, near the new Seminole Spring Elementary School, which is now being used as a connector road for school traffic. He explained that the residents on John's Lane have been providing maintenance of said road.
Mr. Richard Seron, a resident of Tavares, discussed the importance of the Leesburg regional airport to economic development in Lake County and stated that a regional airport would provide an inducement and key to business relationships for Lake County. He further discussed trash collection in the Pine Lakes area.
Mr. Max Sonntag, a local resident, discussed problems with the maintenance of Leonard Way, a clay road, and the urgency for said road to be paved. He explained that the poor condition of Leonard Way was having a serious effect on the nursery businesses in the area. It was noted that a representative from the Department of Public Services would be in the area on Friday, July 8, 1994, to evaluate the situation.
Captain Claude Gnann, Commander of Support Services, Lake County Sheriff's Department, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Sheriff for the funding of the additional deputies.
Commr. Cadwell noted that the Department of Planning and Development Services has received national recognition for the Lake County Affordable Housing Program and stated that the Affordable
Housing Program was being used as a model for other national programs.
There being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
CATHERINE C. HANSON, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK
msf\7-7-94\7-11-94