Food truck soon coming to Jay

The Jay council approved a food vending truck in Jay starting the second week in January where the old livestock market is at its Monday, Dec. 16 meeting.

The owner of a Mexican restaurant had requested to place his food truck to sell Mexican food, with hours of operation from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the newly renovated livestock market, for lunch mainly, with possibly some breakfast.

Jay Operations Manager Eric Seib said the town is working on the regulation, licensing, permitting fees, and funding presently. He said the truck operator is willing to take the truck on and off the property every day to keep it from becoming stagnant. He said the town is exploring where to put the truck to maximize visibility and the possibility of putting tables for people to eat, along with other aspects of food truck vending.

Mayor Shon Owens mentioned that the town is usually responsible for upkeep of the two bathrooms at the facility but Seib said that the vendor would be responsible for them during the hours he would be selling food.

Seib said the town is hoping the food truck's presence may spark interest in the Jay Market Place.

In a motion made by Mayor Owens and seconded by Councilman Wayne Godwin, the motion carried.

Councilwoman Nina Hendricks was not present.

In other business, the council:

-Approved the placement of a new mobile home where a structure that burned exists, pending a preliminary sight plan, showing setbacks that are in agreement with what the Santa Rosa County building department requires

-Approved an agreement with Maverick Resources to reuse and recycle wastewater via vacuum truck from the town of Jay's wastewater treatment facility for use in its oil and gas operations for a five-year period, with the option to renew year-to-year, at the end of the five years

-Approved an engineering review submitted by Dewberry Engineering that highlight the modifications or clarifications to assure conformance with the Town of Jay Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.

-Approved Exxon's sewer plan with the engineer's approval

-Approved a $250 Christmas bonus for each of the town's eight employees, for a total of $2,000.

-Discussed the recent incidents of vandalism at the Bray-Hendricks Park restroom and the possibility of installing electronic locks and requesting Santa Rosa County Sheriff's deputies in the future as a deterrent, although no action was taken