On a 7-0 vote, the Iowa City City Council approved changes to the policy regarding entertainment venues that would allow those 19 and 20 years old to remain in the venues until closing.

The vote was the first consideration of the ordinance; three are required for a measure to become law.

The changes would eliminate the midnight curfew for 19- and 20-year-olds, which local entertainment venues contend was harming their business.

Mayor Matt Hayek thought the changes, suggested by the venues themselves, were reasonable, given their track record.

“The music scene is vibrant in Iowa City, and anything we can do to support it is something we should consider,” he said.

Councilor Rick Dobyns put it another way.

“When we don’t reward good behavior, we actually reward bad behavior,” he said.