The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from August 20, 2025

Following our notes taken during the City Council meeting held on August 20 at 6:30 p.m.

I attended the city council meeting on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Council members Ed Brzezinski and Mo Troop were absent. All public comments addressed the investigation of the death of Marchello Woodard. Constituent Deonte Cooley explained that the names of the alleged suspects have still not been released and once again asked for continued advocacy. During public comments, Council member Tyler Titus said that tension will continue to build in the city as long as there is a lack of transparency. The meeting addressed the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• An ordinance amending Article 101, authorizing a referendum on the question of studying the existing form of government and considering the advisability of the adoption of an optional form of government or a home rule charter for the City of Erie was passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $23,200 of income through the HOME Program was passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $950,000 from the Fiscal Year 24-25 PCCD Violence Intervention Prevention Grant was passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance amending Article 144.02 of codified ordinances and adding a subsection as to the use of city owned vehicles by police officers had its first reading. 
• An ordinance approving the plan of the Erie Sewer Authority for the issuance of an aggregate amount not to exceed $68,460,000 sewer revenue bonds had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $6,000 for a contribution from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania FY2023 Certified Local Government Grant acting through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $36,000 for an Erie Community Foundation 2025 Helping Today grant to purchase a SCBS Washer for Firefighter Cancer Prevention and Equipment Maintenance had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $1,097,563 from the Erie ARP Fund Interest to be used to fund the Capital Improvement Fund had its first reading. 
• An ordinance authorizing an increase in the non-electoral debt of the City of Erie by authorizing and approving the issuance and sale in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $52,350,000 general obligation bonds had its first reading and was adopted. Tyler Titus and Chuck Nelson voted no. 
• The renewal of the nonexclusive cable television franchise agreement with Spectrum Northeast, LLC/Charter Communications, Inc. was approved following a public hearing held on Wednesday, Aug. 6 during the city council meeting. 
• A resolution that the Civil Service Ranking List, certified by the Erie Civil Service Commission Boards, effective Sep. 1, 2025 through Aug. 31, 2026 was approved and passed, with Nelson voting no. All new Erie police officers will be hired in order off the certified list in accordance with Erie Civil Service Rules and Regulations.