The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from September 22, 2026

Chief County Clerk Karen Chillcott spoke in favor of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) being moved to the County Executive’s office. “By moving the HRC, we have an opportunity to create stronger connections with the departments and services in Erie County,” Chillcott said. “The ordinance needs to be revisited, but overall I believe the department is in a strong position to make this transition at this time.”

I attended the County Council meeting on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. Chief County Clerk Karen Chillcott spoke in favor of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) being moved to the County Executive's office. "By moving the HRC, we have an opportunity to create stronger connections with the departments and services in Erie County," Chillcott said. "The ordinance needs to be revisited, but overall, I believe the department is in a strong position to make this transition at this time." Constituent Theresa Imler objected to Chillcott using her position title in her comments while speaking on the matter. Other constituents emphasized the importance of looking into the conditions at Erie County Prison, citing what they described as excessive use of force, poor sanitation, and poor medical care. "Transparency protects everybody. It protects the incarcerated individuals. It protects the corrections officers, the medical personnel, and the taxpayers of Erie County," constituent Kaitlynn King said. 

County Executive Vogel responded to concerns about the prison. "It is not an organization without oversight. I have watched security footage when there are incidents that are brought to attention," Vogel said. "We're trying to change the morale, we are trying to change the culture. It's not going to happen overnight, but we have not abdicated that responsibility at all." 

The council addressed the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• An ordinance amending the Erie County Land and Subdivision Ordinance remained tabled. 
• An ordinance appropriating $880,425 from the 2026 General Fund Budget to realize additional grant revenue received by the Pennsylvania Election Integrity Grant passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance approving the waiver of bid requirements under the Purchasing Code and approval of sole vendor for a three-year contract for Westlaw Subscription for the Public Patron Access Plan for the Law Library had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $99,914 from the Capital Projects Fund Budget for the creation of a new line item for the Courthouse Fire Pump Project had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $499,537 from the General Fund Budget for the creation of bureau and budget line items for PCCD VIP Boost Grant had its first reading. 
• An ordinance appropriating $12,500 from the Planning Fund Budget for the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program administrative fees and creation of new line items had its first reading. 
• An ordinance transferring the offices and operations of the HRC to the Administration of Erie County had its first reading. 
• A resolution approving the statement of levy and lien of assessment agreement for C-PACE project located at 1001 State St. passed unanimously. 
• The possible reappointment of Joel Natalie to the Erie County Community College Board of Trustees passed unanimously. 
•  The possible appointment of Tim NeCastro to the Erie County Convention Center Authority passed unanimously.