A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DECEMBER
5, 2006
The Lake County Board of County Commissioners met in regular
session on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at 9:00 a.m., in the Board of County
Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Lake County Administration Building, Tavares,
Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Welton G. Cadwell,
Chairman; Jennifer Hill, Vice Chairman; Debbie Stivender; Elaine Renick; and
Linda Stewart. Others present were: Melanie Marsh, Deputy County Attorney; Cindy
Hall, County Manager; Wendy Taylor, Executive Office Manager, Board of County
Commissioners’ Office; Barbara Lehman, Chief Deputy Clerk, County Finance; and Susan
Boyajan, Deputy Clerk.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
Pastor
Brent Bickhart from the New Covenant Community Church, gave the Invocation and
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
NOMINATION
FOR CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
On
a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously, by
a vote of 5-0, the Board appointed Commr. Cadwell as Chairman of the Board.
On
a motion by Commr. Renick, seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 5-0, the Board appointed Commr. Hill as Vice Chairman of the
Board.
AGENDA
UPDATE
Ms.
Cindy Hall, County Manager, stated that she needed to ask for authorization
under her Reports to advertise an Ordinance creating a fire service MSTU (Lake
County Municipal Service Taxing Unit).
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried
unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board agreed to put Ms. Hall’s request for
authorization to advertise the Ordinance regarding the MSTU on the Agenda.
Ms.
Melanie Marsh, Deputy County Attorney, informed the Board that the Closed
Session that was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. that day was moved to 11:30 a.m., and
that the Court Reporter had been notified.
Commr.
Cadwell stated that the Board will recess after the Board Meeting, and then
will come back at 11:30 a.m. for the Closed Session.
MINUTES
On
a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously, by
a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Minutes of September 26, 2006 (Regular
Meeting), as presented.
On
a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously, by
a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Minutes of November 7, 2006 (Regular
Meeting), as presented.
CLERK
OF COURT’S CONSENT AGENDA
On
a motion by Commr. Stewart, seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by
a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Clerk of Court’s Consent Agenda, Tab 2, Items
1 through 6, as follows:
List
of Warrants
Request to acknowledge receipt of list of warrants paid
prior to this meeting, pursuant to Chapter 136.06 (1) of the Florida Statutes,
which shall be incorporated into the Minutes as attached Exhibit A and filed in
the Board Support Division of the Clerk's Office.
Ordinance from City of Fruitland Park
Amending Boundaries
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Ordinance No. 2006-025, from the City of Fruitland
Park, amending the boundaries of the City of Fruitland Park, by including
within the City approximately 18.78+/- acres of property generally located
north of Lewis Road, on the west side of CR 468. Passed and ordained the 9th day of
November, 2006, by the City Commission of the City of Fruitland Park.
Fire
Management Program and Cooperative Forestry Assistance Program Annual Report
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Fire Management Program and Cooperative Forestry
Assistance Program Annual Report for July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006.
City of Clermont’s Letter Re:
Proposed Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Request
to acknowledge receipt of letter from City of Clermont, regarding: Proposed Large Scale Comprehensive Plan
Amendment to Add Personal Services Use to the Established Business District 1
(EBD-1) Future Land Use District. The
public hearing dates for the Comprehensive Plan Amendment are as follows:
Tuesday,
November 14, 2006 (1st reading of Adoption Ordinance No. 568-M)
Clermont City Council, beginning at 7 p.m., City Hall, 685 W. Montrose Street.
Tuesday,
November 28, 2006 (2nd and final reading of Adoption Ordinance No.
568-M) Clermont City Council, beginning at 7 p.m., City Hall, 685 W. Montrose
Street.
City of Umatilla’s Community
Redevelopment Area (CRA) Document
Request
to acknowledge receipt of Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) document for the
City of Umatilla, which was approved at the Planning and Zoning Committee
Meeting on September 12, 2006, and at the City Commission Meeting on September
19, 2006.
Notice
of Special Meeting of Arlington Ridge Community Development
Request to acknowledge receipt of
Notice of Special Meeting of Arlington Ridge Community Development District’s
Board of Supervisors for Tuesday, November 28, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., at the
Arlington Ridge Administration Building, 4463 Arlington Ridge Blvd, Leesburg,
Florida 34748.
Monthly Distribution of Revenue
Traffic/Criminal Cases
Request to acknowledge receipt of Monthly
Distribution of Revenue
Traffic/Criminal
Cases, Month Ending October 31, 2006
Displays
revenue collected, and disbursements made to various trusts, surcharges,
municipalities, etc.
Disbursements
due to Board: $177,729.26
Same
period, last year:
$156,552.87
COUNTY
MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA
Commr.
Stivender stated that she wanted to pull Tab 11 for discussion, and that she had
asked Mr. Wayne Bennett, Planning Director, and Mr. Jim Stivender Jr., Public
Works Director, to go over this item for those that are not familiar with it.
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the County Manager’s Consent Agenda, Tabs
3 through 16, omitting Tab 11, as follows:
Budget
Approval of Resolution No. 2006-221, to amend the Transportation
Disadvantaged Fund in order to receive unanticipated revenue for Fiscal Year
2006/2007 in the amount of $650,104 deposited into Public Transit Block Grant
and provide appropriations for the disbursement for Machinery and Equipment. The Board of County Commissioners was awarded
$1,382,877 in 5307 Public Transit Block funding, which was $650,104 greater
than initially anticipated and budgeted.
Approval of very low-income and low-income impact fee waivers
as refunds to lenders on behalf of qualified individuals:
-Refund
to USDA/Rural Housing Services on behalf of Ms. Tiffany C. Myles. Waiver approved by the County Manager on
8/22/05.
-Refund
to USDA/Rural Housing Services on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Matchett. Waiver
approved by the County Manager on 5/23/05.
-Refund
to Habitat for Humanity of Lake County on behalf of Ms. Rhea Turnbull. Waiver approved by the County Manager on
3/30/06.
-Refund
to Colonial Bank, N.A. on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nunley. Waiver approved by the County Manager on
10/7/05.
Community Services
Request for
approval and signature
of grant agreements, Internet Safety Certification, and Certification Regarding
Debarment Form. Approval for Library
Services Director to sign related grant reports and grant revisions. Approval
of Unanticipated Revenue Resolution No. 2006-226 in the amount of $10,000.
Request for approval of agreement
between Lake County and Lake County School Board for funding of LCSB Summer
School Program
Request
for approval of the grant application and subsequent agreement contingent on
County Attorney review and approval, authorize Fletcher Smith, Director of
Community Services, Robbie Hollenbeck and/or Brenda Quattlebaum to be
authorized organization representatives for grant application purposes, and
authorize the BCC Chair to sign any required grant documents including
subsequent contract and required reports.
Growth
Management
Request
for approval and execution of a Release of Fine for Property owner: Marshall H.
and Betty L. Gaard, Code Case No. 2005060112.
Request
for approval and execution of a Release of Fine for Property Owner: Marshall H. and Betty L. Gaard, Code Case No.
2004050175.
Public Safety
Request
for approval of the Memorandum of Agreement for Participating Orlando Urban
Areas Securities Initiative (UASI) Agencies by the Lake County Board of County
Commissioners.
Public
Works
Request
for authorization to release a letter of credit for maintenance in the amount
of $19,921.00 posted for Bent Tree Phase II, which consists of 52 lots and is
located in Section 32, Township 22 South, Range 26 East – Commission District
2.
Request for authorization to release
a letter of credit for maintenance in the amount of $24,522.00 posted for Vista
Pines, which consists of 50 lots and is located in Section 11, Township 23
South, Range 25 East – Commission District 2.
Request for authorization to accept
the final plat for Timuquana Park and all areas dedicated to the public as
shown on the Timuquana Park final plat, accept letter of credit for performance
in the amount of $55,550.00, and execute a Developer’s Agreement for
Construction of Improvements between Lake County and Lake County Acreage,
LLC. Timuquana Park consists of 15 lots
and is located in Section 32, Township 19 South, Range 28 East – Commission
District 4.
Request for authorization to release
a letter of credit for performance in the amount of $878,925.30, accept a
maintenance bond in the amount of $117,850.00, execute a Developer’s Agreement
for Maintenance of Improvements Between Lake County and Meritage Homes of
Central Florida (formerly Greater Homes), and execute Resolution No. 2006-227, accepting the following roads into
the County Road Maintenance System:
Lemay Drive “Part” (County Road No. 0944A), Coldwater Loop “Part”
(County Road No. 0944D), Hyland Lane (County Road No. 0944E), and Fish Lane
(County Road No. 0944F). Overlook at
Lake Louisa Phase II consists of 105 lots and is located in Section 7, Township
23 South, Range 26 East – Commission District 2.
Request to accept the following
listed public right of way deeds that have been secured in conjunction with
roadway and/or storm water projects: Two
Statutory Warranty Deeds, One Quitclaim Deed, and One Deed of Dedication (Right-of-Way)
FINAL PLAT FOR SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN
UNIT 2B
Commr. Stivender stated that Tab 11
was the request for authorization to accept the final plat for Sugarloaf
Mountain Unit 2B, and that she felt that there needed to be some discussion on
what this actually is and the process it involves, since the Board has two new
Commissioners. She also stated that
there are some citizens present with concerns about the process and what has
been happening, so Mr. Wayne Bennett, Planning Director,
and Mr. Jim Stivender Jr., Public Works Director, will explain this item.
Mr.
Stivender explained that there are several phases of this large piece of
property. This is a Plat Phase Unit 2B,
and 1B has been approved. The other
parts of the plat have not been approved yet.
He showed on the overhead map where the property was in relation to CR
455. He explained that the entrance was located
in Phase 1B. He commented that there is
one problem, which is that they have not received a performance bond yet, and that
the approval would be subject to that performance bond. Also, his staff has been working with the
Growth Management staff the past week on a couple of issues regarding future
phases of this development, including all the details of all the processes
associated with transportation, utilities, and other areas, and how they are
all going to work together, and that there will be no other phases done before
that is all resolved.
Commr.
Stivender commented that some of the concerns she had heard about were
regarding four lane highways, and the citizens need to know what this would do
to their area.
Mr.
Stivender explained that CR 455 is a scenic highway and cannot be more than two
lanes, and that CR 561 was just improved with paved shoulders and overlaying,
and that there are no plans for any four lane roads associated directly with
this development. He stated that there
is a study going on in Minneola that includes an access to the Turnpike, and if
there is any four lane access at the site, it would come from the south via the
Turnpike to allow the development access to the south. He commented that that had not been worked
out yet and is in the preliminary phases, and it is going to have to be worked
out by the developer with the City of Minneola.
Commr.
Stewart inquired that if the road for the interchange is put in up to
Sugarloaf, how that will impact the traffic on CR 561 and CR 455, or whether it
will be designed to keep the impact minimal.
Mr.
Stivender responded that it was set up so the traffic from the subdivision would
have a route south rather than CR 455 or CR 561, which should minimize traffic
rather than adding traffic. He also
commented that the designs they have been working on along CR 455 are to slow
traffic down on that road with the multiple entrances that this development of
Sugarloaf will have. They have been
working on curved cutter sections, roundabouts, and other plans, as part of
their master plan.
Commr.
Rennick asked if something as sensitive as Sugarloaf could be a regular Agenda
Item, rather than on the Consent Agenda, at a later date so that it could be
explored further.
Mr.
Stivender responded that they could make a presentation of the construction
plans they currently have at their office to the Board.
Commr.
Cadwell commented that this is one of those cases that the new members came
after the prior Board had already acted on the original item, and this is just
approval of the plat, but if there are projects that throw up a red flag every
time the name is mentioned as this one does, that they should probably put
those under Regular Business and make sure that the staff meets ahead of time
with the Commissioners so they would understand what that project was.
Commr.
Renick asked that if they take the bond, and if for some reason they do not
finish the road, and if those costs have escalated considerably in that time, would
the County be stuck with the cost. She
also asked why does the County do the bond instead of just requiring the
developer to put in the road before the County goes forward. She also commented that having this plat
approval come before them bothers her a little, because once the plat is
approved, they can sell lots. She stated
that conceivably people could hold lots waiting to build a home on them and for
the road to be built, and with the performance bond set up this way, the
pressure would be on the County and not the developer to finish the road.
Commr.
Cadwell stated that the performance bond is from when they start the project
and includes putting the road in. If
they get halfway and quit, then hopefully there are funds to finish, so they do
not have something that is half built.
Mr.
Stivender presented a letter, dated about six weeks ago, from the engineer’s
office that his staff reviewed, that states the cost of construction. He commented that Commr. Renick’s point about escalating construction costs is
well taken, but that the situation she is concerned about is rare and has only
occurred two times in the last thirty years.
Commr.
Cadwell commented that he believes some members of the Board need more time to
get comfortable with this issue, and he thinks postponing the vote on this to
give members and the public this time would be better than to go forward with
the vote and having some members vote against it.
Mr.
Stivender responded that that would be fine.
Commr.
Stivender inquired whether the performance bond would be ready by the next
meeting on December 19.
Mr.
Stivender responded that he does not know, because that would depend on the
developer who is building this subdivision, and it would be on their time, not
the County’s.
Commr.
Stivender asked if there was someone present at the meeting that would be able
to answer that question.
Cecilia
Bonifay, addressed the Board, stating that she represents Sugarloaf, and that
this is just a standard plat. She stated
that the bond is at Farner-Barley, and apparently they did not get it to the
County, but it is in the full amount.
She also stated that the performance bonds are usually 110 percent of
the estimated cost, to cover any increase.
She opined that this is a standard policy that not only this County
uses, but every County and every municipality in the State of Florida, and that
with all the construction taking place in Florida, it would be apparent if this
process and procedure did not work. She
commented that this is an administrative determination, and case law states
that if all the requirements of a plat are met, that it should be approved, and
that it is not a zoning or a discretionary thing. She stated that she has been working closely
with the County’s planning staff to get this project updated, and that a
workshop or presentation could be done.
However, she urged the Board to approve the Plat at this meeting,
subject to the performance bond, and that the developer was undertaking a lot
of construction costs, such as the building of a water system, putting in the
lift stations, and running lines for the City of Minneola, and that development
is under way.
Commr.
Cadwell stated that at the meeting on December 19, the Board will set aside
some time for presentation before the Board makes a determination of whether or
not to approve this, and asked Ms. Bonifay to give her presentation at that
time, as she had offered to do. He also
stated that at that meeting, time will be set aside for a public forum for
discussion on this item, but it will not be a public hearing.
Mr.
Bennett commented that they would be happy to meet with the people present after
the current meeting to share information with them.
After
some members of the audience expressed concerns that they had taken time off
from work to attend this meeting to be heard regarding this issue, Commr.
Cadwell gave permission for a member of the audience to address the Board for
five minutes.
Mr.
Rob Atchley, who lives on Mountain Loaf Road, overlooking the site of the Plat,
addressed the Board, stating that he and his neighbors were given a map at the
developer’s sales center by a sales representative of the “new, approved road
plan.” He commented that when he compared
it to the old road plan that was issued after the study done last May, he
noticed that the traffic load analysis was changed, with the connector coming
up north through the newly approved Hills of Minneola property, cutting across
further west than it did before, and joining with Sugarloaf Mountain Road. He
showed the Board on a map the locations he was referring to. He continued by showing that after joining
with Sugarloaf Mountain Road, at the bottom of the big hill on the south end,
the road comes up to the top of the hill, makes a left turn, and then goes down
to CR 561. He showed the Board that the
old plan showed the road coming off of the interchange, bending around and
coming up beside the east side of the Hills of Minneola property and the west
side of the southern portion of the property shown on the overhead, and exiting
at CR 455. He stated that in the new
report there was a set of charts regarding traffic loading that showed 9,964
vehicle trips one direction and 10,074 the other direction each day on a small
two-lane highway, and that currently there are only about 200-300 cars per day
and a lot of bicycle riders and pedestrians.
Mr. Atchley commented that he and his neighbors do not understand why
the old road plan changed into a new plan that dumps a lot of traffic onto
Sugarloaf Mountain Road. He commented
that he is also concerned that no one will acknowledge the new road plan except
for the Sugarloaf Mountain LLC sales people, and that the approval of the Plat
2B would permanently block any access to their property by a major road. He requested the Board to delay this issue
until there is a workable roadway plan, and that there is also no plan for
schools or roads to accommodate all the new people coming in.
Mr.
Stivender commented that his staff had not seen the map that Mr. Atchley
presented, and that they have not approved, authorized, or discussed it.
Mr.
Cadwell stated that Mr. Stivender would need to meet with the Board when they
reschedule this so that they can look at the map, and give the Board his
response to it.
Mr.
Stivender responded that he would not have to calculate anything to know that
the way the map is laid out will not work.
Ms.
Bonifay addressed the Board again to state that she will be happy to meet with
the County if she has participation and cooperation by the staff during the
next two weeks while working with them, because they have a number of things
that are pending that have been in discussion for some time and perhaps need
some direction. She stated that she
would like copies of the maps presented, since she has no idea where those maps
came from or if they are an official map of anything.
On
a motion by Commr. Stivender, seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 5-0, the Board moved to postpone the Sugarloaf Mountain Unit 2B
Plat until December 19, 2006, when presentations will be made regarding this
Plat, with the condition that all relevant information is available and that
there has been a resolution of pending problems by then.
COUNTY ATTORNEY’S CONSENT AGENDA
On
a motion by Commr. Rennick, seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously,
by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the County Attorney’s Consent Agenda, Tabs
17 and 18, as follows:
Request
for approval of renewal of lease agreement with the City of Clermont for leased
space for the Sheriff’s Office at 882 DeSoto Street, Clermont.
Request
for approval to retain Harry T. Hackney as outside counsel to represent the
Board of Building Examiners.
AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
The
Chairman presented the following Employee Awards:
Presentation of Award to Employees
with Five Years of Service
Cornelius Vriesema, Mechanic, Public
Safety/Fire Rescue (Not Present)
Pat Flannagan, Library Assistant,
Community Services/Library Services/East Lake Library
Kraig Gilligan, Firefighter/EMT,
Public Safety/Fire Rescue
Vicki Kochevar, Environmental
Inspector, Environmental Services/Customer Service (Not Present)
Shelly Minton, Firefighter/EMT,
Public Safety/Fire Rescue (Not Present)
Ross Pinkerton, Firefighter/Paramedic,
Public Safety/Fire Rescue
Presentation of Award to Employee
with Fifteen Years of Service
Rene Segraves, Assistant Animal
Services Director, Public Safety/Animal Services
Presentation of Award to Employee with
Twenty Years of Service
Douglas Harrison, Senior Maintenance
Specialist, Facilities Development & Management/Facilities Maintenance (Not
Present)
Presentation of Award to Employee
with Twenty-Five Years of Service
Deborah Boulware, County Extension Service
Director, Community Services/
Agricultural Education
Services/Cooperation Extension Service
BOARD/COMMITTEE CERTIFICATE
PRESENTATIONS
Central Florida Sports Commission
Robert Beucher for service from
1996-2006 (Not Present)
Comprehensive Health Care Committee
Tom Wetherington for service from
1994-2006 (Not Present)
Cultural Affairs Council
Mary McIntyre for service from
2005-2006 (Not Present)
Angela Territo for service from
2005-2006 (Not Present)
Sales Surtax Oversight Advisory
Committee
Robert Speaks for service from
2002-2006
COUNTY MANAGER’S DEPARTMENTAL
BUSINESS
PRESENTATION – LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS
FOR 2007
Mr. Jason Showe, Revenue Coordinator,
Budget Dept., addressed the Board to present the twenty legislative positions
for the 2007 State Legislative Year for Board approval. He explained that these items break into two
categories, which are position-based statements and specific funding
requests. He commented that thirteen of
the twenty requests were based upon similar requests from last year. After review of their items against those
established by the Florida Association of Counties last week, they concluded
that the County is in line with their Agenda as well. The first item he presented, which was under
the Social Services category, was for the County contributions to
Medicaid. Currently, the County is
required by the State to help fund certain portions of Medicaid. In the current year, the County has over $1.8
million budgeted for these contributions.
Mr. Showe commented that any additional mandates to this would impact
the County’s ability to provide services in other areas, and they would oppose
any Amendment that increases the amount Counties are required to pay towards
the State Medicaid Match Requirements.
Also, they are asking to increase State aid to Library Operating Grant
Appropriations. He explained that State
Statutes provide for up to 25 cents for every dollar local government spends;
however, since 1998 and 1999, this has been decreasing and is currently at a 4.6
cents per dollar rate. Lake County is
requesting a minimum funding level of $41.9 million based on a study prepared
by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services. This is estimated to return over $273 million
to the State as an investment. They are
also asking that they fund Florida Library Construction Grants, and he
commented that there are 27 ranked applications, and 15th on that
list is a Grant Application for the Lady Lake Public Library. The maximum allowable grant is half a million
dollars, which would be leveraged for an estimated $6.1 million in local
funding.
Another request that the County is
making is for funding for a new facility for the Lake County Health Department
in the amount of 3 million dollars for the current Fiscal Year of 2007 and an
additional 7 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2008, which would complete the
entire project. The County has five
acres of identified land for this, and it is necessary to provide some
noncritical services which have been eliminated due to facility issues. Mr. Showe also informed the Board that a new
request for this year is for funding for a new mobility center for Lake County
Public Transportation in the amount of 7 million dollars, which would complete
the facility, and the need for this arises from moving from a door to door
service to a fixed route service. This
would house a staff center as well as storage and vehicle maintenance for the
buses. He stated that a continuing
request from last year is the funding for the Transportation Disadvantaged
Program, and that in 2005, there were over 750,000 trips statewide that were
denied due to lack of funding. In Lake
County, they supplemented $300,000 to cover those costs so that no one would be
denied trips. It is estimated that an
additional ten million dollars in statewide funds would give the County
$200,000 with which to provide trips. He
stated that the County is also asking that Florida Statute, Chapter 427 be
amended to provide enforcement actions for those agencies operating outside of
the Coordinated Transportation Disadvantaged system, which currently are not
being held to the same standards as the County, which has led to some
fragmentation and duplication of services.
Also, they are looking for continued funding for the Medicaid
Nonemergency Transportation Program, plus an additional ten percent increase in
the case that Vision and Dental Medicaid service costs go up.
Mr. Showe went on to state that under
Public Safety, the County was asking for changes to support the funding structure
for a County Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). In 2004, the legislative session passed 90
million dollars worth of DJJ costs onto Counties, and the County currently pays
$1.1 million towards these costs every year.
They are also supporting legislation that assists with the County
Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This
is a continued request, and recent documentation by the State Department of
Emergency Management lists Lake County as seventh on the list for a new
EOC. He stated that Lake County is
currently approved for $2.7 million worth of funding and is asking for an
additional $3.3 million, which would complete that project. He commented that the County is also supporting
State funding for local and regional Crystal Methamphetamine enforcement,
cleanup, and treatment, because the rise of this drug is becoming
alarming. Currently, the Federal Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) is responsible for cleaning up those sites, once our
local law enforcement has broken that site up and done their work. He commented that the small sites can run
$2,000 - $3,000 each and the cost would increase depending on the size and
sophistication of each operation. He is
concerned that if the DEA chooses not to fund this cleanup in the future, they
may have a difficult time in providing these.
He also stated that in 2006, Lake County was sixth highest in the State
for the Methamphetamine labs that were busted.
One of the continuing requests from
last year is that the County would like to require companies to provide them
electrical grid information during time of emergencies so that they would know where
best to distribute services. Also, they
are asking all shelters to screen sexual offenders during times of emergency,
and that agencies that run the shelters work with law enforcement to ensure
that citizens are safe. Mr. Showe stated
that they are also asking that State funds not be diverted from Trust Funds,
since in 2004 and 2005, there were millions of dollars diverted from Trust
Funds such as the Transportation Trust Fund and the Local Housing Trust Funds,
and these funds were put into the State General Fund. He explained that they are asking that these
funds be maintained for their intended purposes, so that the County does not
have to fund those extra needs. He also
stated that the County is opposing any increase to Homestead Exemption and the
creation of Expenditure and Revenue caps, and that in 2007, the County’s ad
valorem revenues were reduced by $28.1 million due to the current Homestead
exemptions and Save Our Homes legislation.
Also, they are asking that the noncharter counties, such as Lake, be
allowed to charge the same Communication Services Tax levy as municipalities
and charter counties. There are also
requests for funding for road improvements from two lanes to four lanes to
County Road 466 and County Road 466A in the Villages and to County Road 470
near the new Florida Turnpike interchange.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved the Legislative Positions for 2007 and the 2007 Florida Association of
Counties (FAC) Legislative Program.
PUBLIC HEARING
CONSTRUCTION OF DWIGHTS ROAD
Mr. Jim Stivender, Jr., Public Works
Director, commented that the reason for the public hearing is because the
amount of this project is over $200,000 and that the County is using Sales Tax
revenue and doing it internally. He
explained that earlier this year, the Board authorized his staff to build a
special assessment in East Lake County, and that it was very successful, done
in a timely fashion, and was under budget, and that in the spring of 2006, the
County accepted bids to resurface Dwights Road, which is a clay road near Lake
Louisa State Park. However, the County
only got one bid, which came in at about $1.4 million dollars a mile. The County thought that was incredibly
excessive, and they had other projects in the same time frame of the first six
months of this year that received priority.
He opined that the projects have settled down and the contractor prices
are now more stable and competitive.
Mr. Stivender stated that they would
like to get the Board’s permission to move forward with this project at
$778,612.99, which equates to $500,000 a mile to construct this road with a
double surface treatment process, using house staff and Sales Tax revenue.
The Chairman opened the public
hearing.
There being no one present who wished
to address the Board, the Chairman closed the public hearing.
Commr. Renick commented that if the
County could build the road better and more economically, that was a positive
thing.
On a motion by Commr. Renick,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved the request from Public Works to award construction of Dwights Road (County
Road #0539) to the Road Operations Division of the Public Works Department in
the amount of $778,612.99, utilizing the Renewal Sales Tax Capital Projects
Fund.
Mr. Stivender commented that they
will start construction right after the holidays, and hopefully it would be
done by April, 2007.
OTHER BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MPO
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Renick and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved the appointment of Ryan Guffey, Senior Planner, Department of Growth
Management, to serve as the second alternate representative on the Lake-Sumter
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Technical Advisory Committee to serve
for an indefinite term.
APPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUALS TO TOURIST
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved and executed Resolution No. 2006-222,
appointing individuals to vacant positions on the Tourist Development Council
for four-year terms ending December 1, 2010, as follows:
Ms. Terry Knorr-March as an
owner/operator of an inn
Mr. Ray Goodgame, representing the
City of Clermont (the most populated city)
Eustis Mayor Jonnie Hale as the 2nd
elected municipal official
APPOINTMENTS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Commr. Cadwell commented that the
Board has removed two members from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee because
of lack of attendance and because as banks changed hands, they ended up with two
members from the same bank on the Committee.
He opined that Mr. Mike Cox and Mr. Carl Ludecke have been very active
members and that he would recommend for them to be reappointed.
On a motion by Commr. Hill, seconded
by Commr. Stewart and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved
Resolution No. 2006-223, the reappointments of Mr. Mike Cox and Mr. Carl
Ludecke as members of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to serve
two-year terms ending November 24, 2008.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved Resolution No. 2006-224, appointing Ms. Barbara Cosden, as a resident
representing the banking industry, and Ms. Vanessa Beam, as a resident
representing concerned citizens, as members to the Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee to complete unexpired terms ending November 24, 2007.
REPORTS – COUNTY MANAGER
ADVERTISEMENT OF ORDINANCE CREATING
FIRE SERVICE MSTU
Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager,
requested authorization to advertise an Ordinance which creates a fire services
Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU), as required statutorily to be created
prior to January 1. This was an item
that came up at the Budget workshop in May to be addressed as far as a funding
mechanism that the Board perhaps wanted to consider regarding any shifts in
funding through the next budget process.
She stated that that Ordinance will be brought to the Board for Public
Hearing on December 19, 2006.
Commr. Cadwell commented that the
County has had a discussion of this for about four or five years, but never
actually took a step to do anything about it at budget time. He opined that the Board should at least give
themselves that option of funding fire service as they go through the budget process,
so that there could be discussion about whether it is a good thing or not, but
he opined that he is not completely convinced that using that option would be
best for the County.
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved the request from the County Manager to advertise an Ordinance creating
a fire services MSTU.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER HILL –
DISTRICT 1
EXPLORATION OF ROLL BACK OPTIONS AT
NEXT BUDGET SESSION
Commr. Hill commented that, regarding
Budget, the Board has had other discussions regarding roll back and looking at
options to roll back millage, and she would like to direct staff to bring back
some of those options at different levels to look at during their next Budget session,
perhaps with the goal of returning to the original millage that they had prior
to the Covanta. She suggested that this
could be in conjunction with a rate study being done by Solid Waste.
Commr. Cadwell commented that he
thought the County had a workshop coming up regarding the budget early in the
year.
Ms. Cindy Hall, County Manager,
replied that the County typically has done that around April or May, but that
the County is looking at a rate study to look at the costs of services for the
Solid Waste Program, and once that is complete, they could come back to the
Board with some funding options and perhaps some information on different
millage reductions. She stated that they
could do that perhaps in the spring, prior to when they come forward with the
financial retreat.
Commr. Hill stated that she just did
not want to wait until the very last minute, but she thought while they are
going through those other rate change options, it would be a good time to look
at this issue also. She commented that
she was just giving a heads-up to staff that this is something they might want
to look at.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER STIVENDER –
DISTRICT 3
LAKE COUNTY DAYS
Commr. Stivender informed the new
Commissioners, in case they had not already received their invitations, that
Lake County Days are on February 7th and 8th, and that
the Board members should put that on their calendar, and that they would like
everyone in attendance if possible.
CHRISTMAS PARADE EVENTS IN LAKE
COUNTY
Commr. Stivender commented that there
were several Christmas parades and events that took place that past Saturday,
December 2, and that she attended the Tavares Parade, which she opined went
very well and that it was fortunate it did not rain during the parade. She informed the Board that the Cities of
Groveland and Howey in the Hills will have their Christmas parades on December
16, 2006.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER STEWART –
DISTRICT 4
PURCHASE OF NEIGHBORHOOD LAKES
PROPERTY IN SORRENTO
Commr. Stewart addressed the Board to
discuss the importance of looking into having the County purchase the
Neighborhood Lakes property in Sorrento, and that they have been negotiating
with a lot of different parties over the last few years. She opined that it was an important piece of
property, and that the Board should do whatever they can to acquire it.
REPORTS – COMMISSIONER CADWELL-
CHAIRMAN AND DISTRICT 5
PROCLAMATION OF OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN
LUTHER KING DAY
On a motion by Commr. Stivender,
seconded by Commr. Hill and carried unanimously, by a vote of 5-0, the Board
approved Proclamation No. 2006-225, observing Monday, January 15, 2007, as
Martin Luther King Day.
GIVING TOY BOX PROGRAM
Commr. Cadwell thanked everyone who
participated in the Giving Toy Box program.
He stated that they collected the last toys yesterday and that the
employees brought in hundreds of toys.
He also stated that the shopping spree for the recipients will be at the
First Baptist Church in Umatilla on Saturday morning, December 9, starting at
8:00 a.m., and those wishing to help should get there by 7:00 a.m. He also opined that it was a great, dignified
way to help others.
CITIZEN QUESTION AND COMMENT PERIOD
Mr. Roy Hunter, Northeast Lake
Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Board to inform them about “Santa Claus Is
Coming To Town,” an upcoming event at the Paisley Community Center, 24958 CR
42, Paisley, on Saturday, December 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. He explained that all the children can have
their pictures taken free of charge and that this is in cooperation between the
Northeast Lake Chamber and Walgreens in Eustis, who are taking the photos and
developing them free and furnishing candy canes for all the children. He encouraged everyone to come out for this
event. He also stated that this month
was the fifth anniversary for the Library in Paisley, and that there will be a
celebration there on Thursday, December 7, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. He went on to state that about 6-7 years ago,
Ms. Wendy Breeden and Ms. Rhonda Gerber were at one of the Chamber meetings and
announced that they wanted to put a library in Paisley, and that he wanted to
thank all the Commissioners as well as former Commr. Gerber for making that
happen.
RECESS AND REASSEMBLY
At
10:05 a.m., the Chairman announced that the Board will be recessing until 11:30
a.m.
CLOSED SESSION
At 11:30 a.m., the meeting was
reconvened for a Closed Session to discuss litigation issues.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought to the attention of the Board, the
meeting was adjourned at 12:26 p.m.
__________________________________
WELTON
G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
__________________________
JAMES
C. WATKINS, CLERK