Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Administrative Service Department

TO:	Mike Wildgen, City Manager
FROM:	Frank S. Reeb, Director of Administrative Services
CC:	Dave Corliss, Assistant City Manager/Director of Legal Services
Date:	May 4, 2005
RE:	Possession and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages at Dad Perry Park and Centennial Park for Graduation Events

Staff has recently received requests from two separate families who have reserved park space for University of Kansas graduation events to possess and consume alcoholic beverages at these private family/friend events in city parks.  First, the Shoemaker family has reserved the shelter area at Centennial Park for Sunday, May 22, 2005 and is requesting to possess and consume wine and other alcoholic beverages in that shelter area of Centennial Park between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

In addition, the Hall family has reserved the west shelter area of Dad “Perry” Park (nearest Monterey Way) and is requesting approval to possess and consume wine and other alcoholic beverages in that shelter area of the park between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by City Code.  However, City Code section 4-105(E) allows the City to exempt, by ordinance, specified City property from the prohibition of alcoholic beverages on public property.  Therefore, an ordinance allowing the temporary possession and consumption is required.  As such, I have attached a copy of Ordinance 7881 for the Commission’s consideration.  This ordinance authorizes the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on May 22, 2005 in those specific park areas only.  In the event the Commission adopts this ordinance, the families have agreed to pay the publication costs for the ordinance.