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:

Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police

Mark Bradford, Fire Medical Chief

Charles Soules, Director of Public Works

Ernie Shaw, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation

 

DATE:

March 14, 2011

 

RE:

2011 Bert Nash Dash and Bash

 

 

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center has requested permission to close the 600 block of Massachusetts Street on Saturday, October 29, 2011, for the second annual Bert Nash Dash and Bash fundraiser (http://www.bertnashdashbash.org/index.html). The event would consist of live music, food, games, and a 5K/10K run. In addition to the permit to close the street, Bert Nash requests approval of the possession and consumption of alcohol on the public right-of-way and donation of city services in support of the event. Please see attached request letter.   

 

The event would close the 600 block of Massachusetts from noon-midnight on Saturday, October 29, 2011. A stage for live music will be placed near the north end of the block earlier in the morning but traffic would still be able to enter the block from the south and turn around in the M&M Office Supply drive. Live music, vendors and other activities will be located in the event the area (the final site layout will need approval by the Fire Medical Department). 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 Downtown Lawrence, Inc. and adjacent property owners and businesses to gain their support for the event. Staff will mail a notification to all occupants and property owners on the 600 block of Massachusetts as soon as this item is scheduled for City Commission consideration. Event organizers will work 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. 8623, allowing the possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor on the 600 block of Massachusetts from noon to midnight on Saturday, October 29, 2011.

 

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 29, 2011 for the Bert Nash Dash and Bash.

 

Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8623, allowing the possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor on the 600 block of Massachusetts from noon to midnight on Saturday, October 29, 2011.

 

Approve donation of city services in support of the event.