Aldermen hone details for Polar Express

By John Howell
Batesville aldermen, during a special called meeting Wednesday, November 9, approved applications from four vendors to sell prepared food at the food truck site on the east side of the Square during the Polar Express Train Ride season, which begins Friday.
Three of the vendors will sell from food trucks and one from a tent.
Approved food trucks are Will McPherson’s Lost Pizza, Gary Howard’s hot dog stand and Robbie Pollard’s Happy Foods. “Pie Man” Nick Walker was approved to sell his fried pies from a tent.
Aldermen withheld approval of one vendor who asked to be allowed to cook and serve burgers from a tent.
“If he gets his truck back, it’ll be fine,” Alderman Eddie Nabors said, referring to the applicant who was not approved. “You run into the Health Department requirements,” he continued, citing the problem with a vendor who cooks in the open under a tent.
Food trucks are inspected by the Health Department.
“Pie man is operating under the guidelines,” Nabors said, by cooking his pies in a Health-Department-compliant home kitchen and bringing them to the Square for sale.
Aldermen also approved modifications necessary to accommodate the placement of the large tent by Polar Express on the east side of the Square.
Deputy Police Chief Jimmy McCloud said that sponsors of the Batesville Christmas Parade had agreed to a different route that avoids the east “zip” lanes that are partially blocked by the tent.
Aldermen approved the route worked out by McCloud and parade coordinator Mark Shields that will stage on Watt Street/Tiger Drive, follow Broadway to the Square, cross the railroad tracks to the west side of the Square to pass in front of the Kelly Building, Dr. Haire’s clinic and to Panola Avenue where it will turn left and south to Eureka Street. Parade units will disband after they have passed Church Street.
Mayor Jerry Autrey had said, during a phone call prior to the meeting, that the tent was erected to provide track-side shelter for Polar Express Train Ride passengers. It will be heated, he said. Train ride tickets, gifts and souvenirs  will be sold in the old Sterlings building at the corner of Panola Avenue.
Alderman Bill Dugger raised a question about the stakes driven into newly-laid asphalt to support the tent.
“I believe I understood the people to say they would fix it when they take the stakes up. Is there anything to actually require them to do it?” Dugger asked.
City Clerk Susan Berryhill showed aldermen a copy of an email from the equipment rental business that erected the tent, acknowledging their responsibility to repair the holes that will be left in the asphalt. The mayor and aldermen agreed to acknowledge receipt of the email with a reply stating rental company’s responsibility for the repairs.
The tent also blocks access to the mail receptacles along the “zip” land now blocked by the tent.
Dugger also asked about the city’s authority to regulate other activities that might arise during the Polar Express season.
“I would think that anything that is proposed in there that is inviting the public to participate … should at least as  a courtesy come before the board,” Nabors said.
The city officials then embarked on a somewhat veiled discussion of possibilities for added attractions that included a live miniature horse or Sheltand pony that might be brought in for a photo op prop.
“Some Shetland ponies and some-type ponies are bad to bite,” Dugger said. “I know, I’ve been bitten by one.”
“Who is responsible or liable, the person who brought it there or the city?” Dugger asked.
“I don’t think the city would be liable if somebody brought their Shetland pony to the Square and it bites somebody,” attorney Mitchell said. “That doesn’t mean that the city won’t get sued,” he added.
“What is the point in all this?” Alderman Stan Harrison asked.
“We just need to make sure we get the tree, the sleigh and the horse, that they’ve got a spot,” referring to the decorative elements placed last year in the “pocket park” area at the Eureka entrance to the Square that is now in construction disarray.
“They just need a place to put them in the green,” Nabors said, referring to the grassy area created on the west side of the railroad tracks.
“Y’all have said anybody who wants to come do something on the Square has got to come through here,” Mitchell said, “and I don’t see how you can have anyone showing up and doing stuff to make money and it doesn’t come before y’all.”
In other discussion:
• Aldermen agreed to ask TVEPA to begin placement of the city’s Christmas decorations on poles leading into the city. Aldermen also agreed to purchase banners for new poles that will be erected on Eureka Street and Panola Ave.;
• City officials also agreed to respond to a request from Mickey Aldridge of Polk and Company concerning a wall mural that is planned for the side of the Polk building that faces Eureka Street. Aldermen agreed to prepare a letter to assure Aldridge that the mural would be maintained;
• The meeting opened with a discussion about guidelines to architect Maggie Bhorgum for the renovation of the City Hall building. Aldermen agreed to ask her for cost estimates on two options.