Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Attorney’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Toni R. Wheeler, City Attorney
C:	Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police Troy Squire, Police Sergeant
Date:	March 1, 2013
RE:	Ordinance No. 8852 Prohibiting Glass on Certain Streets and Rights-of-Way During Elite 8 and Final Four Weekends

Please place Ordinance No. 8852 on the City Commission’s agenda for approval.

In anticipation of Kansas University Men’s basketball team’s success in the NCAA tournament, the Lawrence Police Department is preparing for another safe National Championship celebration.  The Police Department recommends, and the City Attorney’s Office supports, a temporary prohibition on glass bottles and other glass containers on the downtown streets and sidewalks during the Elite 8 and Final Four Weekends.  The attached ordinance makes it illegal to carry or possess glass bottles or other containers for the Elite Eight weekend games beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2013 through 12:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, and then again for the Final Four weekend games beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 and ending at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 after the Monday night championship game. Thereafter the prohibition expires. 

The Police Department has successfully managed extremely large crowds celebrating the KU Men’s basketball team’s tournament successes in the past.  This ordinance, however, will greatly improve the safety of our citizens and our police officers. 

Action Requested:   Adopt Ordinance No. 8852 prohibiting the possession of glass bottles and other glass containers in the downtown district during specified hours.