Mayflower council adopts ordinance on outside employment, approves equipment purchases and accepts police resignation

The Mayflower City Council on a voice and roll-call vote on multiple items adopted Ordinance 2026-15, approved several operational purchases and resolutions, and heard a written resignation from a police officer who cited a hostile workplace.

Council members moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinance 2026-15 by title only before voting to adopt it. The ordinance amends chapter 3.12 of the Mayflower Municipal Code to update the city's list of employees authorized to conduct outside business. The council also voted separately to accept the ordinance's emergency clause so the change takes effect immediately. Miss Barber called the roll for the ordinance votes, with each named member recorded as voting yes.

The council approved several resolutions under consent and regular business. Resolution 2026-34 authorizes replacement of two sets of firefighter turnout gear after a mutual-aid response to a trash-truck fire soaked turnout gear in hydraulic and diesel fluid; the Fire Chief told the council that the insurer agreed to pay for two sets and that ordering replacements is necessary because lead times are long. The council also approved funding to complete the overlay repair on Old Sandy Road, with an estimated materials cost discussed at about $31,900.

Council members approved purchase of a replacement commercial mower for the sewer and water department after staff reported the agency's 10+-year-old mower failed. Staff presented bids and noted a list price near $13,000 with a supplier discount of about $2,800; the council approved a purchase in the roughly $11,000 range.

Council discussed and voted to draft an ordinance documenting an existing hauling contract with Follow Me Hauling LLC, a company the council noted predated Councilmember Wendy Moore's appointment. The council agreed the contract and any outside-business arrangement should be documented for transparency; Moore recused herself when the council later recorded a vote on the related motion.

During public comment the council was presented with a written resignation from Officer Sarah Cassie Patterson of the Mayflower Police Department. The resignation letter states, in part, that Patterson is resigning "effective immediately" and cites ongoing "hostile, unsafe, and detrimental" working conditions and a lack of leadership and support; the council thanked the officer for her service.

Councilmembers set upcoming dates: a council workshop focused on the unified development ordinance (UDO) tentatively for July 9 and a possible budget workshop around July 16, with the next regular council meeting set for July 28, 2026. The meeting adjourned following the scheduled business.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 2026-32: motion made and approved by roll call (all recorded members answered yes).
- Resolution 2026-33 (2.5% employee retention): motion made and approved by roll call (all recorded members answered yes).
- Resolution 2026-34 (replace two fire turnouts): approved after presentation that insurer will cover replacements.
- Resolution 2026-35 (Old Sandy Road overlay funding, est. $31,900): approved by voice/roll call; one recusal noted later on a related procurement matter.
- Follow Me Hauling LLC ordinance draft: motion to draft/document passed by voice vote; Wendy Moore recused on the related vote.
- Ordinance 2026-15 (amendment to Mayflower Municipal Code ch. 3.12): suspension of rules, adoption, and emergency clause all approved by roll call.

The council recorded no additional formal actions on the police-department personnel matter at the meeting; the resignation letter indicates the officer will return issued equipment and listed an immediate effective date.