Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Administrative Services

TO:	Mike Wildgen, City Manager
FROM:	Frank S. Reeb, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk
CC:	Dave Corliss, Assistant City Manager/Director of Legal Services
Date:	August 10, 2005
RE:	Possession and Consumption of Alcohol Beverages at Watson Park

Staff has recently received a request from Kristie Bowen, a Lawrence Independent Bridal Consultant, to allow alcohol beverages at a portion of Watson Park for a wedding reception.  Ms. Bowen has reserved the Gazebo area of Watson Park on September 4, 2005, and is requesting to possess and consume wine and other alcoholic beverages in that gazebo area of Watson Park between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 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 7916 for the Commission’s consideration.  This ordinance authorizes the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on September 4, 2005 in that specific section of Watson Park only.