The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from September 24, 2025

Following our notes taken during the County Council meeting held on September 24 at 6:00 p.m.

I attended the County Council meeting on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. During public comments, constituents expressed concern about the resolution covering the shooting of Marchello Woodard that was proposed during the Finance and Personnel meeting on Sept. 18 and that it lacked a clear stance. The proposed resolution was read as follows: "On July 2, Marchello Woodard was shot and killed by a state parole officer. Our society is made of imperfect individuals, collectively striving toward justice. In the absence of divine justice, we must work diligently to overcome our shortcomings through exacting investigation, fact finding, and due process under law. And still, we have a need for some part of divine patience to see us through this arduous process. County Council affirms their deeply held belief in democratic process and ideals. First among those being the pursuit of liberty and justice for all. County Council oversees the financial and policy aspects of the courthouse where many pursue their justice. We don't play a participatory role in these proceedings, but it is because of our belief in the potential of the system to serve justice that we serve Erie County. Additionally, County Council remains committed to the pursuit of reforms required to provide relief to our community. Together with the community we advocate for justice." Andre Horton responded in council reports to the public comments concerning the drafted resolution, saying Woodard's death "was still precedent setting, and there's things we still need to be mindful of." The councilman also acknowledged the genocide in Palestine, the war in Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. "There's a lot of pain going on in this world," Horton said. The council proceeded to read and vote on the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• An ordinance appropriating $601,724 2025 from the Planning Fund Budget for Act 13 Greenways Grant Distribution was tabled unanimously by council. 
• An ordinance appropriating $1,273,322 from the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Fund Budget for additional revenue for 2025 had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• A resolution for the appointment of a firm to perform a comprehensive single audit for Erie County and related funds for the remainder of the 2025 year had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• A resolution amending Resolution Number 12, 2012, previously amended by Resolution Number 26, 2015 was tabled unanimously. 
• A resolution for the approval of extension agreement for five-year lease renewal with Metro Center, Inc. for the Erie County Office of Drug and Alcohol had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• The possible appointment of Thomas J. Sandell to the Erie County Planning Commission passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of Junius Johnson to a four-year term on the Erie County Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of Sarah L. Bennett, M.S. to the Erie County Library Advisory Board passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of Deonte Cooley to the Erie County Housing Authority passed 6-1 with Chris Drexel voting no. 
• The possible sale of a parcel at 1047 E 5th St., City of Erie from the Repository for Unsold Property passed unanimously.