Could 21-only bar ordinance be coming to Iowa City?

IOWA CITY - The City Council in Iowa City may be ready to serve up a 21-only ordinance to its popular bar scene.

At the end of a work session Monday night, Mayor Matt Hayek said he wanted the council to consider a so-called 21-only ordinance, which would only allow people 21 and older in bars at night. Currently, those 19 and older can be in Iowa City bars.

“It's time to do this,” he said.

In a brief discussion, six council members expressed interest in it - Hayek, Susan Mims, Terry Dickens, Ross Wilburn, Mike Wright and Connie Champion.

An ordinance will be ready for the council's work session March 22 and ready the following night for the first of three readings needed to pass it.

It's a major, and surprising, development in this college town, which is struggled for years with underage- and binge-drinking problems.

The council declined to vote on a 21-only proposal in 2007 and instead sent the matter to voters. who easily defeated it with the support of college students. Some council members have grown frustrated with what they see as a lack of cooperation from bar owners since then.

That includes Champion, who in the past has been a swing vote against a 21-only law.

“I've given those bars 12 years,” she said, a reference to her time on the council.

Council member Regenia Bailey said she has concerns that a 21-only law would encourage more house parties in neighborhoods, which is a common argument of those against changing the current law.

The 2007 vote caused a huge community debate that lasted months. This time, the matter could be settled this spring.

If the council approves an ordinance, a citizen-led referendum could send the matter back to the public for a vote.