Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk

 

CC:

Ron Olin, Chief of Police

Mark Bradford, Fire Medical Chief

Charles Soules, Director of Public Works

 

DATE:

06/17/10

 

RE:

Bert Nash Dash and Bash

 

 

Staff has been meeting with the organizing committee for the Bert Nash Dash and Bash fundraising event since January 2010. Bert Nash is planning an event for Saturday, October 9, 2010, and requests a temporary use of right-of-way permit for the closure of Massachusetts Street from 6th Street to 7th Street, approval of the possession and consumption of alcohol on the public right-of-way and donation of city services in support of the event.  

 

The event would close the 600 block of Massachusetts from noon-midnight on Saturday, October 9, 2010. A stage for live music will be placed near the north end of the block and vendors and other activities will be located throughout the rest of the area (see attached site plan, the final version of which the Fire Medical Department will have to approve). Live music would be played from approximately 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. A 5K/10K run would start around 4:00 p.m. Runners would likely be staged on 7th Street between Massachusetts and Vermont to start the race and would finish in the 600 block of Massachusetts, but the route has not yet been developed. The route will be submitted to the city for review and approval at a later date.  

 

Money raised from this event will benefit Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. The event will be open to the public (no admission charge) and donations will be collected as part of various activities and food/beverage sales.

 

Event organizers have been working with adjacent property owners and businesses to gain their support for the event, and are expected to submit statements of support by the time of the 06/22/10 City Commission meeting. Staff mailed a postcard to all occupants and property owners on the 600 block of Massachusetts notifying them that this item would be considered by the City Commission on 06/22/10. Event organizers have been working with the World Company to ensure that the event does not disrupt deliveries to their loading docks near the north end of the block.

 

As part of the event alcohol would be sold, possessed and consumed on the public right-of-way on Massachusetts Street. As possession and consumption on public property are generally prohibited unless exempted by ordinance (per section 4-105 of the City Code), the Commission is requested to adopt Ordinance No. 8528, allowing the possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor on the 600 block of Massachusetts from noon to midnight on Saturday, October 9, 2010.

 

Event organizers also request donation of city services in support of the event, including Police and Fire Medical support at levels determined appropriate by the city, trash dumpsters/barrels, barricades for closure of the street, and other appropriate items. 

 

ACTION:       Approve a temporary use of right-of-way permit for the closure of the 600 block of Massachusetts Street from noon-midnight on Saturday, October 9, 2010 for the Bert Nash Dash and Bash.

 

Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8528, allowing the possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor on the 600 block of Massachusetts from noon to midnight on Saturday, October 9, 2010.

 

Approve donation of city services in support of the event.