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Commission clarifies temporary public-consumption resolution; midnight music cutoff recommended though street closures could run until 2 a.m.
Summary
City staff and commissioners discussed whether exceptions to the city's prohibition on consuming alcohol on public property should allow events to stay open until 2 a.m.; staff recommended music be stopped by midnight and any waivers be granted by resolution.
HARRINGTON, Kan. — Commissioners discussed a temporary public-consumption resolution and whether alcohol and entertainment on public property could be allowed past the resolution—s standard time.
Staff explained the city has the authority to issue a temporary resolution waiving the prohibition on alcohol consumption in public under Chapter 3, Article 2, Section 3-204 of the municipal code and that a common-consumption-area resolution already designates certain places (the community center, etc.) as public-consumption areas but currently limits hours (the prior resolution stated hours of 4:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.).
City staff said they recommend that, if the commission allows a multi-night event or special-event permitting that keeps streets closed until 2 a.m., music and outdoor alcohol service should end at midnight to reduce noise complaints and remain consistent with the city's noise ordinance. Staff said they could execute a temporary resolution to waive the code restriction by resolution when the commission wants to allow special events.
Commissioners did not adopt a blanket extension to 2 a.m.; rather they confirmed staff can issue temporary waivers via resolution and asked staff to apply midnight as the recommended cutoff for outdoor music and public alcohol consumption. The existing common-consumption-area resolution remains in place with the 11:59 p.m. time noted; any future extension requires a specific resolution by the commission.
