Another opportunity to discuss the Story County keg ordinance was provided by the Ames City Council on Tuesday to express differing views within the community.

The need for more input from students was reiterated by the council and the public. Another discussion will be held Thursday on campus, where the Board of Supervisors will be present.

The keg ordinance would send a message to the community that providing alcohol to minors is illegal and unacceptable, said Ames resident Gerri Bugg.

“The message of this registration is not at all to attack college students,” said Kay Souvatrat, senior in journalism and mass communication. “It is to promote responsible drinking overall. We all know that underage drinking is a problem.”

Dave Stout, Government of the Student Body College of Business senator, said people can still easily drive to neighboring counties less than 30 minutes away to purchase kegs. He said he is also concerned about how effective enforcement of the ordinance would be.

Under the proposed ordinance, keg purchasers would have to provide information to retailers that would be kept in a log. A sticker and the log would help law enforcement officials track a keg, if necessary.

A discussion of Ames sidewalk policies opened Tuesday’s Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee meeting.

The meeting was held immediately before the City Council meeting. The discussion began with a presentation from the Pedestrian Walkway Advisory Committee, which proposed an ordinance that would require a homeowner to pay $18 per linear foot for a sidewalk. Any additional costs incurred, like retaining walls or tree removal, would be covered by the city.

“It is not fair to require a homeowner to cover the entire cost; however, it is equally unfair for the city to assume all costs,” Councilman Russ Cross said.

The ordinance also discussed where sidewalk instillation would be required. The proposal suggested a required sidewalk on arterial streets. Arterial streets are those with a daily volume of about 5,000 vehicles. A sidewalk would be required on both sides of the streets. Exemptions include sidewalks that lead nowhere and sites of planned future bike paths.

“The purpose of the meeting was to air the issue and give the public an opportunity to articulate concerns,” said Fritz Wehrenberg, member of the advisory committee.

The policy committee heard from several community members who voiced concerns about the effects of a required sidewalk to the privacy of their home, the overall necessity of a sidewalk and the space available.

“We understand what an important issue this is to all community members; we’re trying to find a workable solution for everyone,” said Councilman Matthew Goodman, who is also a member of the policy committee.

Although the Council did not say when the item would be put on agenda, the nearly two-hour discussion was productive, committee members said.