The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from June 17, 2025

Following our notes taken during the County Council meeting held on June 17 at 6 p.m.

The County Council meeting on June 17 at 6 p.m. mostly centered around resolutions and new ordinances. Council Member Ellen Schauerman was absent. There was one public comment by Margaret Watts discussing the Erie County Prison's contract with ICE and calling for a termination of the contract.

• An ordinance appropriating a 2008 65' Mobile Communications Trailer and 2011 Ford F-550 from NWPA Emergency Response group had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance appropriating $943,817 and creating a new line item for renovations at the Blasco Library Children's Department from a multi-purpose community facility grant had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance approving the agreement between the County of Erie and Phoenix Graphics Inc. had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• A resolution to approve the lease agreement with the Masonic Temple Association for space located at 24 West 8th Street, Erie, PA was amended by Council Member Rock Copeland and passed unanimously by council. 
• A resolution to approve of a personal service contractor under the Real Estate Tax Sale Law passed unanimously. 
• A resolution in support of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) passed 5-1 with Council Member Charlie Bayle voting no. Bayle explained his vote by arguing that the audit did not cover enough and should have investigated further back in time. "While I accept the auditors report, I would've liked to have seen it gone back and looked at some other things a little more thoroughly," Bayle said. Copeland held opposing views. "Mr. Bayle's comments further the reason for me introducing this resolution," Copeland said. "I think it's quite impressive that after an exhaustive, exhaustive search of ECGRA's finances that they didn't find any problems and the only violation of gaming laws that they found was that the county owes ECGRA money." 
• A resolution authorizing the exoneration of outstanding property tax, penalties, interest, and fees for tax year 2024 for 516 South Second Avenue, Corry, passed unanimously.
• A resolution authorizing the exoneration of outstanding property tax, penalties, interest, and fees for tax year 2024 for 19 West Park Place, Corry, passed unanimously. 
• A resolution authorizing the exoneration of outstanding property tax, penalties, interest, and fees for tax year 2024 for 146 Mott Street, Corry, passed unanimously. 
• A possible sale of a parcel, 2406 Downing Ave. from the repository for unsold property passed unanimously. 
• A possible sale of two parcels on Buffalo Rd., from the repository for unsold property passed unanimously.