The Reader Beat Monthly Recap

The Reader Beat aims to cover city and county council meetings as well as other important government and community-related meetings. The following is a summary of each meeting for the month of May.

County Council May 6:

During this meeting, public comments primarily discussed concerns around an ordinance for $433,620 in additional federal revenue for housing immigration detainees. Vice Chairman Rock Copeland addressed these concerns during and after the meeting, citing instances where both criminals and law-abiding people with legal status were detained. "There's the opportunity that we could have actual citizens in lockup before they get to see the judge to say, 'no, I am actually a legal citizen.'"

City Council May 7:

Many constituents came to witness and speak on the ordinance amending and supplementing Article 354, which addresses rental housing. This amendment would shorten the length of the Tenant Bill of Rights document required to be given during lease signings. Representatives of rental agencies and landlords expressed their concerns and requested more amendments, such as amendments concerning the legal process required to withhold rent and return of the application fee. The ordinance was passed unanimously by council. Councilmember Tyler Titus explained in their committee report that, "There's going to be another amendment that's coming forward with a lot of the suggestions that were made."

City Council May 21:

Another rental housing amendment ordinance was adopted during its first reading, to be voted on for final passage in June. During public comments, CEO of the Erie Zoo Roo Kojancie asked city council to meet with Erie Events to continue the discussion of the zoo's ownership. "It is vital that the council and the administration keep the zoo's needs at the top of your minds during this time of city change," Kojancie said.

Coming up this month:

County Council Meeting, June 3 at 6 p.m.

City Council Meeting, June 4 at 9 a.m.

County Council Meeting, June 17 at 6 p.m.

City Council Meeting, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.