April 8 magic date for 21-only bars

IOWA CITY - April 8 has become an important date in Iowa City's 21-only bar debate.

The City Council on March 23 is to hold the first of three readings on an ordinance changing the bar entry age from 19 to 21 at night. A majority of council members have said they support the move.

If that happens, it is expected there will be a petition to force a referendum on the 21-only law. If the council adopts the 21-only ordinance by April 8, the referendum could go on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election.

But if the council's final vote comes after April 8, there may not be enough time to meet all of the deadlines to get the measure on the November ballot, according to City Attorney Eleanor Dilkes (see documents below)

. In that case, the council would either have to hold a special election or wait until the November 2011 election.

The council also could just repeal the ordinance itself rather than send it to the voters, but that's very unlikely.

Organizers would have 60 days after the adoption of the law to collect at least 2,500 signatures from eligible voters. The city clerk would then review the petition, and if it's certified, the council would decide whether to repeal the 21-only law or send it to the voters.

The state ballot deadline is Aug. 25. City Clerk Marian Karr

said it's possible to get everything done by then if the final adoption comes after April 8, but there's no guarantee.

To have the final vote before April 8, the council would have to hold a special meeting or collapse two of the readings into one meeting. Neither are uncommon.

Mayor Matt Hayek

said he wasn't sure what would happen and the full council would have to decide what to do.

21 Only