Two proposed ordinances that would expand the ways for the City of Marshall to address code violations received their first reading at the city council meeting June 3.

The ordinances come on the heels of the council’s decision last month to replace their in-house building and code inspection office with an outside firm. City administrator JD Kehrman says both proposals arose from an extensive review city staff continues to conduct with the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS). The first proposal would codify the option to use the municipal court to address code violations.

The proposed ordinance was cleared for second reading by a 7-1 vote, with Jeremy Gibson opposed. The second proposal would allow Marshall Police to post a visible notice on a property deemed to have a code violation, rather than rely on certified mail. Kehrman says several of those notices have returned to the city offices, marked undeliverable.

All eight council members gave support to this proposal. Second reading is slated for the next Marshall City Council meeting June 17. Kehrman added that the city is planning to host a public forum about ongoing changes to the city’s permitting process and code enforcement, tentatively scheduled for June 12.

Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, the council approved issuing a liquor license to Loveless Pizza Tavern, and agreed to suspend the city’s public drinking ordinances during the Marshall Cultural Council’s Shopping Under The Sun event Aug. 2-3.