The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from September 3, 2025

Following our notes taken during the City Council meeting held on September at 9:00 a.m.

I attended the City Council Meeting at 9 a.m. on Sept. 3. Constituents spoke during public comments, addressing both the ongoing investigation of the shooting of Marchello Woodard and the bond covering the renovation of the former Miller Bros. Power Equipment property. The bond is covered in Council File No. 16,556. Constituent Michelle Dovershaw referenced how the dollar amount for the bond has increased over time, from $30 million in July to over $52 million. She encouraged the council to, "table the bond moving forward until the public receives all the detailed projection of how much this will actually cost the taxpayers." Constituent Deonte Cooley discussed the ordinance as well as the ordinance amending Article 144.02, saying that the money could be better used to provide support for the residents and community resources. "When we hear that there's going to be millions of dollars that are going to be available, or that we want police officers to bring their cars home, it's kind of absurd to me," Cooley said. 

At the request of the Planning Department and recommendation of the Planning Commission, council held a public hearing to consider amending City of Erie Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). Director of Planning and Neighborhood Resources Jacqueline Spry explained that SALDO has not been revised to correct technical shortcomings, such as processing and reviewing land development applications. Spry said amendments to the ordinance would "ensure that future projects meet established standards for safety, quality, and eventually design," and "will also improve transparency, consistency, and decision making, and alignment with the city's overall planning goals." The meeting moved on to discuss the following ordinances: 

• An ordinance amending Article 144.02 of codified ordinances and adding a subsection as to the use of city owned vehicles by police officers failed to pass. "The liability of putting police cars on city streets could cause endless confusion," said Brzezinski. Nelson disagreed, saying, "having police live in neighborhoods and getting to know their neighbors is a good thing for the safety of all." Council Members Flores, Titus, Witherspoon, Brzezinski, and Troop voted no.  
• Council File No. 16,556: 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. General obligation bonds are investments that grant their owners to interest payments and are issued by governments to fund public projects. Brzezinski requested that the ordinance be tabled and Tyler Titus seconded the motion. Motion to table failed 3-4, Nelson, Witherspoon, Schaaf, and Flores voted no. Motion to request to change the dollar amount and cap it at $20,500,000 was passed 5-2. Titus and Brzezinski voted no.  
• An ordinance approving the plan of the Erie Sewer Authority for the issuance of an aggregate amount not to exceed $59,700,000 sewer revenue bonds passed unanimously. 
• 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 passed unanimously.
• 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 passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance appropriating $1,097,563 from the Erie ARP Fund Interest to be used to fund the Capital Improvement Fund passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance Amending Ordinance Number 26-1958, the Traffic Code of the City of Erie by the installation of stop signs at the following locations had its first reading.    

1. Lakeside Dr. & Eagle Point Blvd. – stopping Eagle Point Blvd 
2. Lakeside Dr & Euclid Ave. – stopping Euclid Ave 
3. Lakeside Dr & Sanford Pl – stopping Sanford Pl 
4. E 8th St & Bacon St – stopping E 8th St 
5. E 8th St & Marne Rd – stopping E 8th St 

• An ordinance appropriating $8,000 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acting through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission from the FFY2023 Certified Local Government Grant had its first reading.
• An ordinance appropriating $300,000 of donated revenue to provide for the Kahkwa Boulevard Bridge Replacement Project. Funds appropriated in 2024 and received in 2025 had its first reading. 
•  Receiving the communication from Mayor Joe Schember and confirmed by Erie City Council that Carl Anderson of 3830 Parade Blvd., Erie, Pa 16504 is hereby appointed to the Erie Planning Commission as an alternate with a term ending December 31, 2029. Titus did not approve of the appointment of Anderson due to misinformation spread during past city council meetings. Resolution passed 5-2 with Flores and Titus voting no.