In the wake of public outcry and threats of litigation, the Encinitas City Council voted Wednesday to allow banners depicting the image of late council member Maggie Houlihan to be displayed.

Houlihan’s image, placed on the backs of the 100 Arts Alive banners hanging on light poles along North Coast Highway 101, were covered with blue tape after the city manager’s office informed organizers that placing a political likeness on the poles was not consistent with city policy, or the permit issued to them.

“This affair has become an unwelcome and unproductive distraction in the running of this city,” Ian Thompson, Houlihan’s husband, told the council at Wednesday’s special session. “The banner tribute is directed toward a person who actively supported the arts in Encinitas, pure and simple. It was never designed as a political message.”

Thompson also alluded to council members allowing “personal and political agendas” to determine their decision regarding the banners, adding that both the ACLU and attorneys from Coast Law Group felt that the city was violating the First Amendment.

Several Encinitas and Leucadia residents also addressed the council, all of whom expressed distaste in the original decision not to allow the banners.