A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
APRIL
11, 2006
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular
session on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County
Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Lake County Administration Building, Tavares,
Florida. Commissioners present were Catherine C. Hanson, Chairman; Jennifer
Hill; Robert A. Pool; and Debbie Stivender. Commissioner Welton G. Cadwell,
Vice Chairman, was not present. Others present were Sanford A. “Sandy” Minkoff,
County Attorney; Cindy Hall, County Manager; Wendy Taylor, Executive Office
Manager, County Manager’s Office; and Judy McAuley, Deputy Clerk.
INVOCATION
AND PLEDGE
Commr.
Stivender gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA
UPDATE
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, advised that Tab 6 (discussion of purchase of 28
acres adjacent to the Dora Canal) will be postponed until next week when the
full Board is present. She requested that authorization to advertise and hold a
public hearing for the mid-year budget adjustment be placed on the agenda.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 4-0, the Board placed said request on the agenda.
COUNTY
MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
Commr.
Hill asked that Tab 4, regarding membership in the West Orange/South Lake
Transportation Task Force, be pulled for clarification and questions.
Commr.
Pool explained that the Task Force meets monthly and has been aggressive in
securing millions of dollars in funding for the State Road 50 corridor, the
Hartwood-Marsh corridor and Old Highway 50 in South Lake County and S.R. 535 in
West Orange County.
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 4-0, the Board approved the County Manager’s Consent Agenda, Tabs
1-4, as follows:
Budget
Request for approval
of very low-income and low-income impact fee waivers as refunds to lenders on
behalf of qualified individuals.
Growth
Management
Request for
approval of request to pay contractor $7,293.00 for expense to move two
partially built homes due to incorrect zoning clearance given.
Procurement
Services
Request for approval
to award the contract for removal and replacement of dugouts, removal of
existing bleachers and removal and replacement of concrete work for Astor Park
to The Custom Contracting Corporation in accordance with Bid Number 06-053 for
$29,914.31.
Public Works
Request for
approval of the Request from Public Works for approval of payment of annual
membership dues of $4,000.00 to the West Orange/South Lake Transportation Task
Force.
COUNTY
MANAGER’S DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
GROWTH
MANAGEMENT -MITIGATION SITES
Mr.
David Hansen, Public Lands Manager, presented the request for approval and
authorization to negotiate an agreement to accept ownership of, and maintain in
perpetuity, mitigation sites internal to a proposed development in South Lake
County (on the east side of U.S. Highway 27, south of the City of Clermont).
The approximate 394-acre site was found to have a significant number of sand
skinks, a federally listed species, on portions of the property. The owner is
proposing five on-site mitigation areas totaling approximately 55 acres. Some
restoration will occur and the owner will maintain the areas over the next five
years. The owner is requesting that Lake County accept ownership of the
mitigation areas after that period at no cost to the County except maintenance.
The owner will establish an endowment fund to be used to cover or defray
management costs after the County takes over management responsibilities. He
noted that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants a third party ownership of
the mitigation areas. An extensive scientific research project will be done
which will provide educational opportunities. Mr. Hansen further explained that
some mitigation areas will not be accessible to the public.
Ms.
Nadine Foley, Chairman, Lake County Public Land Acquisition Advisory Council
(PLAAC), stated that the landowners have been very helpful in mitigating
on-site. She remarked that it looks like more and more landowners will approach
PLAAC in the future on these issues. PLAAC recommended accepting ownership and
management of the mitigation sites at their March 1, 2006, meeting.
On
a motion by Commr. Pool, seconded by Commr. Stivender and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 4-0, the Board approved the request from Growth Management for
approval and authorization to negotiate an agreement to accept ownership of,
and maintain in perpetuity, mitigation sites internal to a proposed development
in South Lake County.
PRESENTATION
OVERVIEW
OF RURAL PLANNING BY GLATTING JACKSON
Ms.
Carol Stricklin, Growth Management Director, stated that, in talking with the
public about the update of the Comprehensive Plan over the last two years and
during discussions of the Local Planning Agency (LPA), one value that has
emerged strongly is the regard the community has for the rural landscape and
the desire to protect the rural character in some areas of Lake County.
Ms.
Frances Chandler-Marino and Ms. Nancy Roberts of Glatting Jackson gave a
presentation that demonstrated an overview of rural planning and how three
Florida counties (Sarasota, Pasco and Seminole) are using innovative techniques
with regard to density incentives, providing for clustering and preserving
rural lands. Ms. Chandler-Marino pointed out that the presentation was given to
the LPA in February.
The
presentation (a printed copy is included in the backup material) included
comparison information on Sarasota, Pasco and Seminole Counties as follows:
transitions from urban area into a rural area; major issues in the three
counties; goals, objectives and policies; four-pronged proposed strategy
approach; Comprehensive Plan policies; question of density; conservation
subdivision intent; open space standards; residential development standards;
conservation subdivision density incentives; transects; defining community
character; how to create “transitions” from rural to urban; Transfer of Development
Rights (TDRs); village/open space design principles; village design; hamlet
design; and implementation tools.
Board
members made comments on and asked questions regarding utilization of platted
land; privately maintained open space and limiting its use and regulating it; coordination
of open space from one subdivision to the next; landscape architects; the
uniqueness of Lake County with major waterways and fourteen municipalities;
thinking of Lake County’s rural places contextually; buffers such as the Green
Swamp, Wekiva River and the Ocala National Forest; TDRs; the desirable
percentage of green space and parks and recreation; the decision by Lake
County’s citizens to pay 1/3 mill for land acquisition; and connectivity with
municipalities and edges of the surrounding counties.
Commr.
Hanson stated that the bottom line is that Lake County’s Comprehensive Plan,
which was based on density, has not worked. She stated that Lake County is
looking at the region and how we can coordinate with adjacent counties and
create larger corridors. She stated that Lake County is unique and that takes
special folks to come in and look at the area. She stated that Lake County does
have large areas of open space, perhaps close to 50%. She opined that most of
our dollars for land acquisition will go toward connectivity as well as
expanding existing areas. She stated that it is important that we not fragment
while recognizing that we have pocket parks and neighborhoods. She commented
that she recommended a few years ago that ULI (Urban Land Institute) be brought
in to look at the County but the idea was thrown out because of the word
“urban.” She stated that we are moving forward with “green printing” which will
help with a design but she fears that we will get very refined. She stated that
she supports the process but we cannot deal with all of the peculiarities of Lake
County without an in-depth study, much like Glatting Jackson did with the other
three counties. She stated that the key is looking at what we want to protect,
to what extent, and where we want to move those densities. She stated that it
is important to decide where we want the 50% open space, assuming that we want
the density in the cities or urbanized areas in order to prevent urban sprawl.
Ms.
Chandler-Marino discussed buffering of adjacent areas and Joint Planning
Agreements.
Regarding
the next steps, Ms. Amye King, Deputy Director of Growth Management, stated
that pieces of what Glatting Jackson have done in Pasco, Seminole and Sarasota
Counties will be introduced by staff to the LPA in the next couple of weeks. Staff’s
recommendations will include how the Future Land Use Map will be framed as we
begin to look at how the map, not just the Comprehensive Plan, will be
approached. She stated that staff is working with the County’s consultants on
some of these concepts. Staff will recommend some of these concepts to the LPA
and hopes to bring staff and LPA recommended plans to the Board in May. She
noted that the LPA recommended bringing today’s presentation to the Board and she
is happy the Board and the LPA endorse these concepts.
Ms.
King will comply with Commr. Hanson’s request that the Board receive the criteria
for the suburban commercial and with Commr. Stivender’s request that she
receive a copy of the draft recommendations, including the Board’s comments on
suburban commercial, buffering and other issues, before staff takes that
information to the LPA.
PRESENTATION
COMMUNITY
SERVICES - TRANSIT BUS
Mr.
Fletcher Smith, Community Services Director, stated that a Blue Bird Transit
bus is outside for inspection by the Board and that fixed route service is
planned to begin late this year.
Mr.
David Hope, MV Transportation, explained that the County is doing a TOP
(Transit Operations Plan) study to decide when to start the fixed route and how
that will look. The Board’s decisions will determine when the fixed route
starts, how the system is built, where the routes start and end and what buses will
be bought. At this time, the fixed route will start in Lady Lake and go to South
Lake County on U.S. 27 and to Mount Dora on U.S. 441, with connections to LYNX
and Orlando on the south ends (of U.S. 27 and U.S. 441), with links north to Sumter
and Marion Counties via Sumter County Transit. Service is anticipated for
December 2006. A smaller scale deviated Paisley/Lake Kathryn route to DeLand, with
a connection to Daytona Beach, will operate on Fridays.
REPORTS
- COUNTY MANAGER
MID-YEAR
BUDGET
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 4-0, the Board approved the County Manager’s request to advertise
and hold a public hearing on April 18, 2006, to amend the 2006 budget.
DISTRIBUTION
OF POPPIES
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Pool and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 4-0, the Board approved the County Manager’s request to allow the
distribution of poppies on May 5, 2006, in front of the Administration Building,
in honor of veterans.
CITIZENS’
ACADEMY
Ms.
Hall announced that the 2006 spring edition of the
Lake County Citizens’ Academy began Thursday, April 6, 2006.
EMPLOYEE
PICNIC
Ms.
Hall announced that the employee picnic is scheduled for May 4, 2006, at the Hickory
Point Recreational Facility.
REPORTS
- COMMISSIONER HILL - DISTRICT #1
BOARD
AGENDA - MAY 23, 2006
Commr.
Hill stated that she will be out of town May 21-26, 2006. Because the Board’s zoning
meeting is May 23, she asked that District 1 rezoning hearings be postponed if
possible, unless the hearings are on the zoning consent agenda.
BOARD
CALENDAR - WEEK OF JUNE 26, 2006
Commr.
Hill reminded the Board that the Florida Association of Counties’ (FAC) Annual
Conference will be held June 27-30, 2006, in Collier County. Because Commr.
Cadwell (FAC President) and other Commissioners will be attending the conference,
she asked that staff look at the Board’s calendar for that week.
Ms.
Hall stated that staff will look at the agenda to see if any issues can be
postponed or brought to the Board earlier.
HISTORIC
PHOTOGRAPHS
Commr.
Hill explained that a few years ago the Board of County Commissioners agreed to
take responsibility for storing and reframing historic Lake County photos that
had been displayed in the Historic Courthouse. The Lake County Bar Association
and the judiciary wish to proceed with the project and the associated
ceremonies. She stated that Mr. James Watkins, Lake County Clerk of Courts,
agreed to facilitate the placement of those photos in the Judicial Center.
Commr.
Hanson noted that it is the consensus of the Board that the Chairman will write
a letter to Mr. Watkins, giving him the opportunity to work with the Bar
Association and the judiciary on this project.
Commr.
Stivender asked that Ms. Diane Kamp, Director of Lake County Museums, as well
as the Lake County Historical Society, continue to be involved with the
project.
REPORTS
- COMMISSIONER POOL - DISTRICT #2
GROUNDBREAKING
- SOUTH LAKE CONNECTOR
Commr.
Pool stated that the recent groundbreaking for the South Lake Connector was successful
and well attended.
LAKE
COUNTY FAIR
Commr.
Pool expressed appreciation to staff and the Constitutional Officers for
participating in the Lake County Fair.
Commr.
Hanson pointed out that much of that participation is volunteer time by
employees.
REPORTS
- COMMISSIONER STIVENDER - DISTRICT #3
VOLUNTEER
RECEPTION
Commr.
Stivender reminded the Board that the Volunteer Reception will be held Wednesday,
May 3, 2006.
REPORTS
- COMMISSIONER HANSON - CHAIRMAN & DISTRICT #4
LAW
DAY
Commr.
Hanson announced that Law Day is May 2, 2006. The event begins at noon at the
Eustis Community Center. Because May 2 is a regular Board meeting day, she has
asked the County Manager to make sure the agenda allows attendance by those
Commissioners who wish to attend.
TRAFFIC
LIGHTS
Commr.
Hanson thanked Mr. Jim Stivender, Public Works Director, and the Department of
Public Works for the traffic lights at Round Lake Road/S.R. 46 and at C.R.
44A/C.R. 439.
CITIZEN
QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD
Roy
Hunter
Mr.
Roy Hunter, Northeast Lake Chamber of Commerce, invited everyone to Paisley on
Saturday, April 15, 2006, for an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Paisley
Methodist Church. There will be a free photo shoot with the Easter Bunny,
compliments of Walgreens and the Chamber. Events will be held at the Paisley
Community Center from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. He presented a copy of the History of Paisley for use by the Lake
County Historical Museum. The books are on sale at the Paisley Library for
$6.00 each or $10.00 for two.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
__________________________________
CATHERINE C. HANSON, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES
C. WATKINS, CLERK