Iowa City Council Toughens Fine for Underage Drinkers

The Iowa City Council split during its meeting Tuesday night on whether fines for underage drinking violations should be increased.

The amendment, which created a tiered fine structure, eventually passed 4-3. Councilors Connie Champion, Reginia Bailey, Terry Dickens and Mayor Pro-tem Ross Wilburn voted to approve the amendment; councilors Mike Wright, Susan Mims and  Mayor Matt Hayek voted “no.”

The ordinance amendment is effective July 1. The $500 fine for all offense will change to $300 for first offenses, $500 for second offenses and $625 for third and subsequent offenses.

The wording of the notices posted at establishments with liquor licenses will also be changed to highlight these new fines.

Although establishments are still required to post notices at every entrance, underage patrons will not be able to use the absence of such a sign as a legal defense from this charge.

In other news:

Cafes Approved: The zoning for two Iowa City sidewalk cafes was approved unanimously by the Iowa City Council, one at 212 S. Clinton St. for Joseph’s Steakhouse and another at 100 S. Linn St. for Chili Yummy. 

Kids fly free: Minnetta Gardinier, Chair of the Iowa Chapter of the 99s, announced to councilors that Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 33 will offer free flights to kids as part of the festivities leading up to the 35th Annual Air Race Classic, which starts June 21 at the Iowa City Municipal Airport, winds through South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas before ending in Mobile, Ala., four days later. Racers will begin arriving June 16 for the 2,700-mile contest that is now the longest-running transcontinental air race for women pilots. 

Restaurant week starts Monday: Representing the Downtown Association, Bo-James Owner Leah Cohen announced to the council that the annual Restaurant Week would run Monday through Saturday next week in downtown Iowa City. It’s a 2011 theme, so participating restaurants, including some from the north side, will offer specials for $20.11, she said.  

Road project gets fewer lights: Calacci Construction of Iowa City was awarded the bid to complete a portion of the Gilbert Street Streetscape project for  $353,649. While the west side will have continuous lights, the east side will have five fewer, said Brian Boelk in a special meeting preceding the regular city council session. Reducing the proposed 15 lights to 10 will help the price tag fall closer to the Engineers estimated $283,000. Rising electrical costs caused the $70,000 overage, he added. The lighting along Gilbert Street will be similar to the decorative lighting on Gilbert and Burlington streets. The project will be funded with General Obligation bond proceeds.

Roads to be resurfaced: The Iowa City Council unanimously approved an asphalt-resurfacing project to begin the process of resurfacing and chip sealing streets throughout Iowa City. The Iowa Department of Transportation, road use tax proceeds, wastewater revenues and general obligation bond proceeds will fund the estimated construction cost of $779,000 of the biennial project.

Council OKs library appointment:  The council unanimously approved the appointment of Robin Paetzold as the County representative for the Board of Library Trustees.