Organizers of large events in Kyle will now have one more step to take before they can get their party started.

On June 11, Kyle City Council approved the first reading of a mass-gathering ordinance that would require organizers of events expected to attract 2,500 or more people to an area within the city limits to obtain a permit from Police Chief Jeff Barnett.

"The ordinance has been discussed within the council and within the [Kyle] Safety and Emergency Services Committee for just shy of one year," Barnett said.

In November 2011, an event promoter based in California organized what Barnett called a "rave" at Thunderhill Raceway, now known as Central Texas Speedway. Police were only made aware of the event after a local parent alerted the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The police were notified and were able to send security and medical personnel, who were kept busy treating some attendees for what Barnett suspected were drug overdoses.

"There is some concern that an event could potentially happen in the city of Kyle where no required notice was given to us, and that could put some of our public in danger," Barnett said.

In addition to events expected to attract 2,500 or more attendees, organizers would also need to obtain permits if their events are expected to attract 500 or more people and there is a reasonable expectation that at least 51 percent of attendees will be under the age of 21 and alcohol will be sold.

Groups such as nonprofits and wedding venues may seek exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit. Venues hosting a series of events, such as the weekly music series at Central Texas Speedway, could apply for one permit that would cover the entire series of events.

The original draft of the ordinance required notice for events expected to attract 500 or more people or 250 or more if 51 percent were reasonably expected to be younger than 21 and alcohol would be sold.

Mayor Lucy Johnson said she would like to see the city's ordinance more closely reflect the state law, so the minimum attendance requirements were increased.

The ordinance will go back to council for second reading at the next meeting July 18. Barnett said the council would determine the fee amount at a future meeting.