The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from November 5, 2025

I attended the City Council meeting on Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. There were two presentations at the start of the meeting. Chief Daniel Spizarny presented the Jason Belton Community Policing Award to patrolman Matthew Valute. "Having had the privilege of knowing Jason before he passed, I saw firsthand how he approached community policing," Valute said. "He set the standards high and treated everyone with genuine care and respect. Every day I strive to live up to the example he set and I believe we all should." 

Mayor Joe Schember then presented the 2026 budget, which includes an increase of approximately $2.4 million from 2025. 

During public comments, Constituent Robert Takecs, who has a wheelchair, explained that sidewalks are not being maintained well enough for him to be able to use them. "I have been pulled over by cops twenty-four seven for riding on the streets in my wheelchair," he said. "How can I ride on the sidewalk when all the sidewalks are all broken up?" During reports, Council Member Jasmine Flores advocated for better pedestrian access in the city. "Getting pulled over while trying to get around the city is unacceptable," Flores said. The meeting covered the following ordinances and resolutions. 

• An ordinance appropriating $25,000 from a Community Partnerships Program Grant administered by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $1,000 from a donation made by the McDonalds 9/11 Fundraiser had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance appropriating $1,000 from a donation made by the Irish Wolfhound Association of Lake Erie had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance determining to incur lease rental debt; evidenced by the guaranteed revenue note in the amount of $12,000,000.00 to be authorized and issued by Erie City Water Authority in connection with the construction, alteration and improvements to the public water distribution facilities, including but not limited to, the Sigsbee/RSW pump stations, Sigsbee valve vault, and line replacement project and paying related costs, fees and expenses had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance determining to incur lease rental debt; evidenced by the guaranteed revenue bond in the amount of $3,032,351.00 to be authorized and issued by Erie City Water Authority in connection with the construction, alteration and improvements to the public water distribution facilities, including but not limited to, the customer side galvanized service line replacement project – phase three and paying related costs, fees and expenses had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance appropriating $1,000 for K9 training had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• Receiving the communication from Mayor Joe Schember and confirmed by Erie City Council, the Mayor is appointing Carl Anderson who is currently serving as an alternate, to the Erie Planning Commission to fill the remaining term of Toni Mazanowski who has resigned. Anderson will complete her term ending December 31, 2028. The resolution passed 5-2 with Flores and Titus voting no.