An overflow crowd at Tuesday night’s Marshall City Council meeting voiced their concerns about a pride fest planned for September on the Marshall Square.

An otherwise light agenda for the city council was dominated by the public comment portion, where nine residents expressed opposition to the council’s 4-3 decision July 2nd to block off portions of the courthouse square for the event. Pastor Rodney Haggett of Calvary Baptist Church led the calls for the council to reconsider, saying that their vote amounted to approving the concept of a pride fest.

Three residents rose to express support for the event going forward. A resident who identified herself only as Alex said that pride fests allow LGBT residents to know that they’re not alone in their community.

Mayor Vince Lutterbie expressed appreciation for citizen input, stressing the importance of free speech.

The council took no action on public comment.

As for agenda items, the council agreed to several street closures for Shopping Under The Sun scheduled for August 3rd, and set the tax levy hearing for prior to the August 20th city council meeting. The council continued moving forward with improvements at the Marshall Municipal Airport, voting to execute a supplement agreement with HDR and giving first reading to a block grant agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The council also gave first reading to the ordinance defining the city’s conflict of interests disclosure policy.