Potential changes to Marshall’s regulations on street closures and open container laws will find their way before the city council’s Public Safety and Public Relations Committee.

After a 20-minute work session Tuesday, Dec. 3, the seven council members present agreed to refer potential changes to the committee, which includes council members Charles Guthrey and Nathan Swisher. Mayor Vince Lutterbie says the committee will look at whether or not to require additional documentation from groups seeking to close city streets for public events.

Discussion at the work session focused on liability insurance, and whether the council should continue to approve events on the square or leave their review to the guidance of city staff including the police chief. City administrator JD Kehrman and City Counselor Elizabeth Bellamy also brought up state and federal laws that impact what the city can and cannot do when considering events. Bellamy stressed that the city still has a requirement to keep “front and center” principles enshrined in the constitution’s First Amendment.

The work session followed a brief regular session, where the Marshall city council agreed to waive permit fees associated with Habitat for Humanity’s next building project, and renewed a five-year agreement with the Saline County Rural Fire Protection District.