The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from June 17, 2026

During the meeting, many community members filled the council chambers to speak out against a transphobic comment made by Councilman Ed Brzezinski to Council President Tyler Titus during a special meeting on June 9. Brzezinski has since been removed from his committee and liaison assignments, including Information Technologies, the Airport Authority, and the Convention Center.

During the City Council meeting on June 17 at 6:30, many community members filled the council chambers to speak out against a transphobic comment made by Councilman Ed Brzezinski to Council President Tyler Titus during a special meeting on June 9. After a brief disagreement and an exchange between Brzezinski and Councilman Horton, Titus asked for decorum and respect between council members. Brzezinski responded by misgendering Titus, saying: "Yes, ma'am." 

During Wednesday's meeting, constituents demanded professionalism and respect between council members. "Whether an individual personally agrees with a person's identity, that's not the issue here today. The issue is whether elected officials can demonstrate basic professional courtesy and respect while conducting the public's business," Michelle Dovishaw said. Speaking as a nonbinary person, Rie Witherow stated that Brzezinski's comment did not appear to be an innocuous mistake. "It is easy for those outside of any marginalized community to not understand the dangers of microaggression," they said. "But the occurrence of a microaggression is what paves the path for macro aggression and violence. Every day, our nation's trans and queer lives are assaulted, targeted, and ended." According to the ACLU, 530 Anti-LGBTQ bills have been presented in 2026 alone. Witherow and a handful of other speakers called for Brzezinski's resignation, censure, or removal from committee assignments. Speakers also requested a fully realized decorum policy in council to ensure there are guidelines for how to handle any future incidents. 

Constituent Mimi O'Conner spoke in tribute to a young queer person in her life that she lost to suicide in 2013. "The very bottom line is, we all have the right to feel respected. We have a right to feel safe – because words have power." According to a meta-analysis of nearly one million people, transgender individuals were consistently more at risk of suicide and suicidal ideation than their cisgender peers. Constituent Josh Jagger spoke of the Erie community's potential for kindness in the face of adversity. "We're a city of people who dig each other out of the snow and check on each other when the power goes out. We do not agree on everything, Lord knows we never have. But we do not get to throw away basic human dignity the second a fight turns ugly," Jagger said. 

Landlords and members of the Apartment Association also came to share their concerns about two rental-related ordinances on the agenda. These ordinances had their first reading and were not yet voted on by council. Constituent Natalie Miller disagreed with the city taking over all rental inspections. "In light of the $12 million deficit and cutting six positions, is now the right time to hire five new positions?" Miller asked. Randy Harris, a board member of the Apartment Association of NWPA, encouraged council to find a solution with BIU Pennsylvania instead of creating a city department to inspect rental properties. "If the city needs better access to data, let's negotiate better reporting requirements for BIU," Harris said. "I would encourage council to slow down and ask a few important questions before moving forward." 

The council addressed the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• An ordinance appropriating $254,061 to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for listed Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG26) projects passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $797,014.86 to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for listed HOME (M26) projects passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $2,909,512 to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and $5,000.00 program income for a total of $2,914,512.00 for listed Community Development Block Grant (CD26) projects passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance amending the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance to designate the Former Erie Labor Temple as a Historic Site passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance amending the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance to designate the Erie Maennerchor Club as a Historic Site passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance amending the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance to designate the South Erie Iron Works Company Building as a Historic Site passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $4,237.21 of program income generated through the Community Development Block Grant for two CDBG projects had its first reading. 
• An ordinance amending and supplementing Article 330, Landlord and Rental, by amending existing sections, adding new provisions, and updating rental registration requirements, procedures, and related regulations applicable within the city had its first reading. 
• An ordinance amending and supplementing Article 1503.5, Enforcement of Noncompliance, specifically to amend and/or add sections that update the policies and/or procedures of rental housing in Erie; in particular the rights under Federal, State and Local laws that apply to the landlord-tenant relationship had its first reading.
• Councilman Mo Troop presented the Juneteenth resolution to council and the weekend events celebrating the holiday. The resolution states that Juneteenth marks the moment in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Horton stated that the resolution was timely as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. "While we embrace and celebrate and pledge to the flag, we're acutely aware of what this country has done to Black people. And we're acutely aware of what our current president is doing and removing Black history." The resolution passed unanimously. 

During reports, Brzezinski did not address his comment or the constituents. President Titus spoke about their thoughts and their actions going forward. "There is something deeply degrading about having your identity, your body, and your existence treated as a subject for public debate," they began. However, after days of reflection and support from the community, Titus said they remain positive about the work that City Council can do. "I remain committed to working alongside my colleagues to strengthen this body. That includes reviewing our council rules, procedures, and ordinances, and making necessary changes to ensure that they reflect the values of our city. Healing does not happen by pretending harm did not occur, healing happens when we tell the truth about what happened."

According to Titus, Brzezinski has since been removed from his committee and liaison assignments, including Information Technologies, the Airport Authority, and the Convention Center.