Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On Monday, July 14, the Mayo Town Council met an hour early for its regularly scheduled meeting. First, the Council approved the agenda for the evening, then approved the minutes from the previous meeting. After this, the Council called for public comment, to which there was no response.
The Council then moved on to its old business. First, they were told the Community Block Development Grant was still on schedule for late summer. Mayor Wayne Hamlin asked Sampson Edwards, Public Works and Utilities Director, how the work on the sewer plant was going. Edwards told the Council that walls were being constructed and predicted that true construction would start in mid-to late August. Edwards also informed the Council a fire hydrant located at the corner of Monroe Street and US Highway 27 had been struck. He said work on the hydrant should begin on either Monday, July 21 or Tuesday, July 22.
The Council then moved on to its new business. First, there was a discussion on changing the Town Council's monthly meeting times. The Council agreed to change the time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. going forward. This means the Mayo Town Council will now meet on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. The following item on the agenda was a discussion on grant support from the Council regarding a mural. Susan Newell, a local business owner who has been restoring Nature's River Trading Company, stood up to speak on the matter. She explained that, as she had been restoring the building, she noticed the faded mural on the side of it. She also had attended a revitalization meeting in Jasper that involved public art. After the meeting, she began researching grant opportunities and found one offered by the Florida Wildlife Corridor. They fund murals, such as the ones in White Springs, that feature local wildlife and recreations. "Which I think fits in our community very well," said Newell. She told the Council all she wanted was a letter of support from them, as it would help with the application. The Council voiced its support and thanked Newell for her work on the grant and building before acknowledging that it would absolutely provide her with a letter.
A brief discussion then began between the Mayo Woman's Club and the Town, as the club was interested in offering its help in cleaning up the Veterans' Memorial Park. Edwards said they could absolutely use the help. "Our community would greatly appreciate it," he said. The Council then moved on to its department head reports. Edwards made a quick comment that he would ride around the town soon and see if there was a need for brush pickup.
The Council then turned to Garrett Land, the Building Inspector, for his report. He first told the Council he had presented the Land Development Regulations amendment to the planning and zoning board. The board voted in favor of approving the document. He then told the Council the Old Fast Trak should be reopened within 10 days of the meeting. Finally, he stated Mayo Mart had resubmitted plans for the cover over its gas pumps, and he had approved them. If he saw no movement within a week, he would contact the owner. Land also made it clear that if there was a danger of a storm and the cover was not put up in time, he would ensure that it was secured and posed no threat to others.
The Council then had its first public hearing for Ordinance 2025-001. The ordinance would amend the LDRs by adding a definition for "peddler," making it so no more campgrounds or travel trailer parks are allowed within town limits. They also added a grandfather clause for already active peddlers. As it was during the first reading, no action was taken. Following this, there was a general discussion regarding concerns about waste and animal control, which the Council stated they would investigate. After this, the meeting was adjourned. The next Mayo Town Council meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. in Mayo Town Hall, located at 276 W Main St.