Bottom line

Anyone and everyone would be eligible to huddle in downtown Lawrence for season-opening and homecoming pep rallies to celebrate Kansas University football under a plan up for approval Tuesday night at City Hall.

Kansas Athletics Inc. and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce are seeking permission to block off Massachusetts Street, from 10th to 11th streets, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on two upcoming Thursdays: Sept. 2 and Oct. 21.

The effort’s proposed schedule of events:

• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: “Rock Chalk Sports Talk” radio broadcast, from a tent in front of Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Mass.

• 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Inflatables and kids’ activities, as part of the Hy-Vee Hawk Zone.

• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Radio show with Turner Gill, KU head football coach, also from the tent.

• 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Pep rally on Massachusetts, featuring the KU Pep Band, cheerleaders, players and coaches, including Gill.

For the homecoming event, in October, organizers plan to seek the city’s permission for allowing Buffalo Wild Wings to serve food and alcohol outdoors, underneath the tent. A public hearing will be conducted before granting such permission could be considered.

Background

Leaders from Kansas Athletics, the chamber, Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, city of Lawrence and Downtown Lawrence Inc. formed a committee to plan the two events.

Leaders from Kansas Athletics, the chamber and Downtown Lawrence sent a letter July 22 to commissioners, outlining their hopes.

“We envision that if these events are successful they would become annual events,” the leaders said.

The city is waiving the usual $10 fee for temporary use of city right-of-way, because of the city’s involvement in the events, said Megan Gilliland, the city’s communications manager. Requirements for other deposits and a certificate of liability insurance also are being waived, given the city’s participation.

In July, commissioners voted 3-2 to allow The Oread to use public right-of-way for conducting tailgating events before and after KU football games. The Oread’s events would use portions of 12th Street and Oread Avenue, which would remain open to traffic; the business’s liquor license will temporarily be expanded to include adjacent right-of-way along 12th and Indiana streets.

Other business

Consent agenda

• Receive minutes from various boards and commissions.

• Approve claims.

• Approve licenses as recommended by the city clerk’s office.

• Approve appointments as recommended by the mayor.

• Bid and purchase items:

a. Set bid date of Aug. 31 for Sixth Street Intelligent Transportation Systems Project.

b. Set a bid opening for Sept. 14 for Clinton Water Treatment Plant Dust Collector Replacement.

c. Authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with Burns & McDonnell for $45,329 for design and construction phase engineering services for North Final Electrical and Kaw Well Field Electrical Improvements at the Kaw Water Treatment Plant.

• Adopt on first reading an ordinance allowing jail fees assessed to automatically be set at the levels actually charged the city by Douglas County.

• Adopt ordinances on second and final reading that:

a. Amend the city Land Development Code to provide more precise definitions, and to include incentives for protection of sensitive lands beyond that required by code.

b. Rezone 0.412 of an acre at 302 Perry St. from General Industrial to Single-Dwelling Residential.

c. Rescind an ordinance that established a reserved parking zone for people with disabilities in front of 1515 Vt.

d. Allow the city to assess the actual cost of Kelly Drive.

• Approve unanimous recommendation from the Traffic Safety Commission that would:

a. Establish a yield sign on Melrose Lane at 25th Street.

b. Establish a yield sign on Crestline Drive at 24th Terrace.

c. Approve traffic-calming devices on 25th Terrace between Kensington Road and Surrey Drive. This is an unfunded project that won’t be constructed until funds are budgeted.

• Authorize application for Midwest Region Alternative Fuels Project.

• Approve a temporary use of public right-of-way permit for the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championship for the closure of Massachusetts Street between North Park Street and South Park Street from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 22.

Regular agenda

• Receive a presentation from Chris Hahn, president/CEO of Special Olympics Kansas, about possibly hosting the 2014 Special Olympics National Games.

• Approve a permit for temporary use of public right of way for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and Kansas Athletics to close the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street for a pep rally on Sept. 2 to celebrate the opening of the Kansas University football season, and on Oct. 21 for homecoming.

• Adopt on first reading an ordinance pertaining to portable toilets.

• Consider adopting on first reading an ordinance that adopts the 2010 Standard Traffic Ordinance and other Kansas traffic law changes.