The Iowa City council has passed vote #2 of 3 in regard to passing a 21-and-older ordinance for the Iowa City bars.
News from the latest meeting is that this current proposal could go into effect as early as June of this year. Another proposal is that the ordinance may be delayed until the public votes upon it in November.
Now that this issue has come back to the forefront of Iowa City politics, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with various parents who have children attending the University.
Overwhelmingly they feel that the 21-only ordinance should be in place. They feel it is an unfair trap for 19 and 20-year-old residents. Many are surprised that 19 and 20 year-olds can get into the bar to begin with.
At this point, I agree with them. Although I do not think it is a “trap” set up by Iowa City to get PAULA tickets, it is a dangerous situation that many students find themselves in.
With my prior posts on the ridiculous stacking of simple misdemeanors that can occur, I think the passing of 21-only would be fair, and would result in fewer student violations.
Currently the City Council is 6-1 in favor of the new ordinance. And for the benefit of local students’ criminal records, I think this measure should pass.
For the local bar owners I sympathize. They built their businesses and signed their leases with the idea that they would be able to charge cover for underage patrons. This income would be taken away from them.
One prediction is clear. Outside-of-the-city-limits bars like Wildwood Saloon would see an increase in business.