Ordinance 1121 had its first reading at the Emmaus Borough Council meeting Feb. 17. This ordinance came out of the public safety committee in partnership with the public safety team regarding graffiti vandalism.

According to Councilman Nathan Brown, this ordinance "gives us the ability to help the resident clean the graffiti off, and whoever does it, have some teeth to press charges or have the district magistrate."

Councilman Brent Labenberg expressed his disapproval with this ordinance.

"I just do not support saying that someone under 18 can't buy broad tipped markers I just think that's ridiculous." He also did not approve of a business having a "continuous or electronic or mechanical surveillance. It has to be in direct line of sight from the cash register or work area that is normally or continually occupied while in the store and in a place not accessible to the public in the regular course of business." Labenberg said this law would be restricting a lot of business and he does not support that, but he does support the aspect of enforcing the graffiti vandalism.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe said in regard to the surveillance cameras "the intention was for it to be one of those three options so I don't think the stores in town have to make any changes." Pepe said residents will be given two notices to remove any graffiti off of their property before they are fined.

Council decided to remove the marker portion of the ordinance and the first reading passed with a 5-0 vote.

Ordinance 1122 had its first reading and was passed with a 3-2 vote. This ordinance will establish resident permit parking on Iroquois Street between Macungie Avenue and North Seventh Street Circle.

According to acting Council President of the night Brian Holtzhafer, "this block is being used by students to park for the high school and unfortunately it was missed in the past, so it was the recommendation from the police to include this street in the resident parking permits."

Councilmen Brent Labenberg and Roy Anders voted against this ordinance because they both feel it is unnecessary.

"How many students are actually parking there? Are we really having that much issue?" Anders asked. "We have a growing number of students, juniors and seniors, driving to school now, and they do have a parking lot and then can get permits."

Borough Manager Shane Pepe said it was his understanding, according to the borough police, students were filling up the block.

Also discussed at the meeting was the police pension cost of living adjustment. The budget and finance committee originally voted on denying the COLA, but had received word from the pension board the COLA should be approved for 2015 only.

"The pension board felt approving that would be a good idea," Holtzhafer said. "They haven't received one [cost of living adjustment] since 2009, and it leads to an unfunded liability to a pension fund of $13,500 that could be funded this year without a major issue."

The motion to approve the cost of living increase for the seven retired police officers in 2015 at a cost of $13,500 failed to pass with a vote of 2-3. Holtzhafer, Labenberg and Anders denied the request.

"We have put incredible amounts of money in our pension and until we get everything situated and we're 100 percent funded, I don't feel comfortable doing this," Labenberg said.

Council voted to amend the Switchback Pizza rental fee for three parking spots. The fee was moved from $100 to $75.

Council made several approvals to community events scheduled for the spring and summer months. The following events and rentals were all approved 5-0: the Emmaus Aquatics club will be renting out the pool for the 2015 season, the Kiwanis Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held April 14 at community park; Friday Night Under the Lights Movie Nights will be June 26, July 10 and Aug. 14 at community park; Community Day June 21; the Emmaus 4-Mile Race will be held April 12.

Also approved was a 5-mile race which will be a three part series race in the Lehigh Valley. Council approved this race contingent upon insurance, finalized course route and consultation and approval from the chief of police.

Richard Farmer was reappointed to the Emmaus Arts Commission with a new term expiring Feb. 7, 2018.

Jay Kleckner was appointed as the Auxiliary Police Captain.