NATCHEZ — Although banners can no longer be hung on Entergy-owned utility poles, local business owners in downtown Natchez will allow promoters of community events to hang banners from their properties.

“Hearing this, I was really pleased,” said Riccardo Giani, city planner. “Private building owners that were willing to do this — I think that really helps the city out.”

During Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, the board unanimously approved the motion to install brackets on privately owned buildings at the intersection of Main and Commerce streets, while vertical signs can be mounted on designated utility poles along the sidewalks of Main and Franklin streets.

“(The horizontal banner) will be in the same block of the original banner, but it will be positioned a little differently,” Giani said.

Giani said those who wish to hang banners must obtain a sign permit from him with no fee, and spots to hang the banners are distributed on a “first-come, first-serve” basis.

The board also agreed to create a new ordinance for mobile food trucks, following an ordinance hearing during Tuesday’s meeting.

“The general purpose of the ordinance is to allow food trucks to operate within public right of way … but only in a designated parking spot within commercial districts,” Giani said.

Giani said the ordinance would require mobile food vendors to set up at a distance of 300 feet or greater from restaurants or other designated food vending locations as well as have $500,000 liability insurance and self-contained electricity and water, if needed for operation. Unless a mobile food vendor is authorized to set up on the site of the Natchez Balloon Race festivities, the ordinance would not allow the vendor to set up within 300 feet of the gate, Giani said.

The ordinance also would prevent vendors from selling in a residential area or neighborhood. However, the board can vote upon exceptions for community events hosted within a neighborhood, such as the Minorville Jubilee, Giani said.

In other matters at the Natchez Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, board members:

• Welcomed Janell Edwards of Fayette who proposed that the board become members of the Annual Fat to Fit Summer Olympics, that would allow the citizens to compete with other areas in the state in physical games and activities that encourage a healthy weight. Edwards said the organization would request a $60 donation from businesses in the community that would cover the cost of the competition and prizes associated with it. The board took Edwards’ proposal under advisement.
• Approved the renewal of the employee health insurance policy.
• Passed a motion to accept an offer from Magnolia Medical Foundation to convert the old General Hospital to a senior-living apartment building, which would give ownership of the property to the foundation. The motion passed by a majority vote of 4-2.