Morganton’s City Council on Nov. 3 unanimously approved amendments to parts of the city’s code intended to limit interference with permitted events by restricting amplified sound.

Police Chief Ryan Landers told council that the proposed changes address a national trend of outside groups using amplified sound at permitted events, which he said "creates conflict. It starts with verbal and has a tendency to escalate into physical conflict, and we don't want that here." Landers said the change aims to limit the manner in which people express their First Amendment rights at events rather than to ban speech itself.

The ordinance amendments were described by staff as changes to "division 1 part 6, chapter 2, article C and E, and part 8, chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances" for the city of Morganton. A motion to approve the ordinance was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; council then approved a companion resolution adopting implementing language.

The presentation explained that the code previously relied on decibel measurements and devices that staff said were impractical to enforce at large events. Council did not provide a detailed decibel threshold on the record; staff described the change as focusing on prohibiting interference with permitted events' operations.

No individual roll-call vote totals were recorded in the meeting minutes provided; the meeting transcript records the council responding "Aye" and the mayor announcing that the motion passed.

Council directed staff to proceed with the ordinance and resolution as adopted. The ordinance and resolution were introduced and enacted in the same meeting; the text of the finalized ordinance was not included in the meeting transcript and is listed as "not specified" in the supporting materials attached to this meeting record.

Chief Landers and city staff emphasized that the rules are meant to preserve public safety and the operation of permitted events, particularly large events such as the Morganton Festival.

The council’s action becomes part of the city’s Code of Ordinances and will be available through the city clerk’s office once the adopted ordinance text is published.