The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from July 15, 2026
Summary of public comments and ordinances
I attended the City Council meeting on July 15 at 6:30 p.m. Councilwoman Flores was absent. The council presented honors to the Mercyhurst Prep Baseball Team as they were the state runner-up this season. Councilwoman Schaaf honored Erie native Cliff Crosby on behalf of City Council for his NFL career and public service work. In his acceptance speech, Crosby mentioned drug and alcohol prevention and inspiring young people, "If I can do something, say something, inspire them, give them a quote, give them some type of hope, that's the change."
Before public comments, President Titus addressed constituents, assuring the audience that city council has heard their concerns and frustrations. They announced that some ordinances were still under review by the city solicitor but will be addressed by council in the future, including the rules of council that set a clear code of conduct and decorum policy. Titus also addressed the possibility of the citizen review board: "We've heard many concerns, and we have for several years, around the citizen review board and the potential of codifying the Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships program (SPCP) through an ordinance," they said. "There is work being done on that, not just with the solicitor but also with the administration."
At the beginning of public comments, Brzezinski left the meeting and continued to participate online. Some constituents addressed police violence, referencing the arrest of Keven Sparks that was caught on video earlier this month. "I'm asking for at least two policy changes in the Use of Force Standard Operating Procedures available for public review in the next 90 days which would utilize the DOJ use of force policy and the Incident Action Plan's recommendations at a minimum and include discussion with policy experts from around the country," Constituent Erin Misner said. "Also a concerted effort to continue to recruit more black and women officers to the force."
Constituent Rie Witherow (40 Under 40 Class of 2025) expressed frustration with a seeming lack of dialogue between city officials and their constituents: "As a citizen, I have physically lost count of how many emails and inquiries I have sent you all individually over the years. Emails about police brutality, extreme weather, safety concerns. Over the course of the last two years alone, I have sent dozens to which only two of you have ever responded."
Other constituents voiced concerns about defense manufacturing in Erie after Mayor Devlin and County Executive Vogel attended the Defense and Innovation Summit earlier in the week.
"Manufacturing is great. I think that would be wonderful, but not for war machines, especially not in this political climate," Constituent Caleb Rechten said.
City council addressed the following ordinances:
- An ordinance appropriating $189,868.00 from 2026 Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority Grant passed unanimously.
- An ordinance appropriating $405,899.00 from the 2026-2027 Auto Theft Prevention Authority Grant passed unanimously.
- An ordinance appropriating $500,000.00 for upgrades to the Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT) to be completed as a sub-grantee, with pass-through funding provided from the PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Grant, passed unanimously.
- A resolution to designate the Former William and Mary Spencer House, located at 519 W. 6th St. Erie, PA 16507 as a Historic Building passed unanimously.
- A resolution that city officials are authorized and directed to make a change to a prior resolution passed by council on April 2, 2025, which incorrectly awarded roof replacement work to take place at Fire Engine 11 in the amount of $76,250 passed unanimously.
- A contract with HHSDR for design services for Phase 2 of the Public Safety Facility, for the Department of Public Works, of the City of Erie at a cost of $720,000 passed 5-1 with Brzezinski voting no.
