21-only’s first reading Tuesday

If approved, a 21-and-older bar ordinance would take effect in Iowa City June 1.

How long the law would remain in place is less clear.

Meeting in a work session, the City Council discussed Monday night a so-called 21-only law, which would change the minimum bar-entry age from 19 to 21 after 10 p.m. The first of three readings required to pass it will occur Tuesday night.

Council members saved their thoughts on the ordinance for Tuesday's meeting, but six of the seven members have said they favor it in an attempt to combat binge drinking.

University of Iowa President Sally Mason, in a letter to the council, weighed in, calling 21-only the “single most potent and obvious step” to reducing problem drinking by restricting accessibility to alcohol.

Critics say the move would increase house parties and goes against the wishes of the public, which in 2007 voted down a 21-only proposal.

If the council approves a 21-only law, it is expected that there will be a petition drive to try to send the matter to the voters. To force a referendum, organizers would have 60 days after the adoption of the law to collect at least 2,500 signatures from eligible voters.

A petition already is circulating calling for the bar-entry age to be lowered to 18.

The council said it will expedite its process by holding the second reading at a special meeting, tentatively set for March 29, with the final vote April 6.

That would give opponents of the measure a chance to get a referendum on the ballot this fall. If the council does not speed up the process, then there may not be enough time to do anything until November 2011, unless the council called for a special election.

The council agreed to limit public comment at the meetings to 90 minutes, with individuals given three minutes each instead of the typical five, in order to keep the meetings moving forward.