Iowa City bars could soon become 21-only after the Iowa City City Council decided to put a 21-ordinance on its agenda at the end of last night’s work session.

Councilors requested that city staff draft an ordinance that would only allow persons of legal consumption age to enter Iowa City bars. The council wants the ordinance drafted by their March 22 work session.

The council has tried making bars 21-only in the past. In 2007, they sent the idea to voters, who defeated it with a strong turnout of students.

Mayor Matt Hayek suggested the ordinance at the end of last night’s work session. The idea received support from several councilors, including Councilor Connie Champion, a one-time opponent of the ordinance.

Champion said age may be the only tool the council has to curb drinking issues in Iowa City.

“The time is now,” she said, but noted she’s concerned the drinking culture could overflow into surrounding neighborhoods. To combat that, the city might need to toughen its noise complaint ordinance, Champion said Tuesday.

Councilors expect the issue will be confrontational, Champion said, and they’re prepared to listen to community members’ reaction.

“We will just have to wait and see what happens,” she said.

— by Katie Stinson