WICHITA — Wichita is poised to declare a public emergency so a bar can properly celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar applied to the city for a special permit so it could cordon off part of the parking lot for the event, scheduled for June 18-19. Mort’s co-owner Morrie Sheets says he’s gotten congratulations on the anniversary, including from Gov. Sam Brownback.

But The Wichita Eagle reports (http://j.mp/1UsSab6) city officials couldn’t grant the permit because the public parking lot is city-owned and state law prohibits drinking on public property, unless the local government authorizes it by ordinance. The only way to get an ordinance through in time is to declare an emergency.

So, the City Council is expected to adopt an emergency ordinance at meeting Tuesday allowing the event.