City Council members welcomed a new restaurant to the city and expressed approval to the owner for renovating a previously run-down property.

City Council conducted a public hearing during its Feb. 17 meeting to receive public comments on the request for the inter-municipal transfer of a liquor license previously held by the Galley on Sullivan Trail in Wind Gap to Rudy's Diner Bar & Grill, 1402-1412 Center St., Bethlehem.

Rudy's Diner Bar & Grill has been open for about a month in the former Collins Restaurant at the corner of Center and East Greenwich streets.

Liquor licenses may be transferred within counties with the approval of the receiving municipality, noted Paul Harak, the applicant's attorney. Council members voted unanimously to approve the transfer.

Rudy's is owned by Rudy and Carla Buezo of Nazareth, who also own Frank's Italian Restaurant on Route 248 in Lower Nazareth Township. Council member Bryan Callahan said, "Thanks for investing in our city." Council member Mike Recchiuti said the restaurant is a block from his law office. Previously it had been rundown, but now it is looking great outside, he said, telling the owners, "Thank you. You did a good job remodeling it." Council member Eric Evans agreed, adding, "I wish you the best."

During the meeting, council members also reviewed a memo from city solicitor William Leeson suggesting that two city ordinances be written "more precisely" to comply with state regulations.

Tom Campione of Hellertown, director of legal affairs for Pennsylvanians for Self Protection, urged the council to bring regulations into compliance with state laws, which do not allow municipalities to regulate guns. Council took one step toward this, approving on final reading a change which drops a fee for gun registration, which was on the books but not enforced.

But Campione promised legal action against the city and each council member if more is not done to bring the city into compliance with state law Act 192.

Council will consider revised ordinances on firearms at the March 3 meeting, with final voting at the March 17 meeting.

As revised, the ordinances would clearly define firearms and allow exceptions for discharging weapons for defense, hunting and on shooting ranges. Revisions are also planned defining hunting and gun use in city parks.

In other business, council members voted for Recchiuti to serve as council vice president.