Despite not being the top order of business, an ordinance that would require kegs to be registered caused student concern at the Story County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

The short discussion of Ordinance No. 131, which involves the registration of kegs, was pursued, even though the board voted to table any action on the ordinance until a later date after a recommendation from County Attorney Stephen Holmes.

Holmes stressed the fact that this ordinance was created to help prevent underage drinking.

More than 10 students attended the public hearing to talk about the keg ordinance.

Jane Halliburton, Story County supervisor, said the board had anticipated that there would be a lot of discussion about this issue. She said she did not want to have to cut the discussion short because of the City Council meeting scheduled right after the public hearing.

“We do appreciate your interest, and we are trying to do this in a very positive way,” Halliburton said. She said the board had issued a news release stating the ordinance would be tabled until further notice.

“There are lots of people who did receive this information and out of fairness to them, we will not discuss this tonight,” said Halliburton.

Shortly after the board adjourned the meeting, Slater resident Jon Shelness stood up in defense of the students.

“There is bad blood in the city of Ames,” Shelness said.

He said his concern is that there is a disconnect between the students and the community. None of the city officials sitting in the first row turned around to look at a student who voiced a concern about the keg issue, he said.

Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco stood up and said he had turned to look at the student. Tedesco then said county officials want to have the meeting on campus so more students can attend.

“I study body language for a living. They were very stiff,” Shelness said.

Ryan Doll, Government of the Student Body Towers Residence Association senator, attended the meeting although he knew the keg ordinance would not be discussed.

“I’m disappointed in the communication mishap. It’s too bad more students didn’t know,” he said.

Doll said he met with some officials and is looking forward to getting an open forum. He hopes the meeting will be held at the Memorial Union, he said.

Halliburton asked the group of students if they thought it would be helpful to have the public hearing on campus and the students agreed that it would.

Holmes said he wants to set a hearing for the public in the near future. As the main portion of their business for the meeting, the board voted to pass Ordinance No. 140 in the third and final reading which required products that contain pseudoephedrine, like some cold medicines, to be sold behind the counter.

“We spoke to the methamphetamine problem that is pervasive. We ask the community to adopt this ordinance as an effort to fight [the problem],” Holmes said.

All board members voted to adopt the ordinance, which will go into effect in 60 days.