The Leander City Council approved an amendment to the special event permit for the Martin Luther King Day march and celebration, returning the parade to its original downtown route and outlining expanded perimeter staffing for public safety.

Parks and Recreation Interim Director Greg (last name not provided) presented the amended route and barricade map and said the Public Art and Culture Commission recommended returning to the original route. He described staging areas, a walking parade route through municipal and Southwest Drive to Broad Street, and internal and perimeter barricade plans. Greg said exterior perimeter barricades will be manned by police or vehicles and interior barricades will be manned by parks or public works staff.

Fire Chief Billie Westraussen explained the review process for special events. "There are five departments that review every special event that comes through," he told council, listing police, fire, parks, public works and emergency management. He said the city will apply reasonable safety measures and staff medical and public-safety resources appropriate to expected attendance.

Council discussed collaboration across city departments, staffing for barricades and vehicle access, and confirmed that the amended route is a previously used, established parade alignment. The council voted to approve the amended special event permit; the motion passed unanimously.

The permit includes planned closures for Jan. 20, with core barricades up for the duration of the event and exterior parade-related closures timed around the parade itself. Staff said barricades will remain in place after the event to ensure safe egress.