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 June.

County Council, June 3:

This meeting was packed with constituents preparing to listen or speak on Ordinance 27, which would provide $433,620 for housing immigrant detainees in contract with ICE. Constituent Meredith Blake illustrated how undocumented immigrants contribute to Social Security, public infrastructure, and taxes, all while not reaping the benefits. "I wish for [County Executive Brenton Davis] and the councilmembers following his ignorance to realize that a detainee sitting in a jail generating this county $99 a day is nothing compared to the value and contributions that they would provide this county if they were recognized with legal working status," Blake said. The ordinance did not pass with a vote distribution of 2-5. Councilmembers Terry Scutella, Rock Copeland, André Horton, Chris Drexel, and Jim Winarski voted no.

City Council, June 4:

At the beginning of this meeting, Tara Hofferth of Kittelson and Associates presented an implementation plan for Safe Streets and Roads for All. According to Jackie Spry of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority, the plan would enhance pedestrian infrastructure, calm traffic, and create safer routes to schools. The city is preparing to apply for a grant to implement the plan. "This is critical for the city to adopt this plan," Spry said. "This money is still available to us at the federal level."

Continuing with the amendments to the Renter's Bill of Rights, an ordinance amending and supplementing Article 354, Rental Housing, specifically to amend section 354.05(a) that established the rights and obligations of the owners and occupants of rental housing in the City of Erie; in particular the rights under federal, state, and local laws that apply to the landlord-tenant relationship passed unanimously.

County Council, June 17:

County Council voted on and discussed a resolution in support of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) passed 5-1 with Councilmember 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."

City Council, June 18:

The agenda included four resolutions acknowledging and honoring Juneteenth, LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, World Refugee Day, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Councilmember Mo Troop, who sponsored the Juneteenth resolution, explained that the annual Juneteenth celebration has grown since it first began. "I'd like to thank the organizers," Troop began, "and especially the community. Events are only good when the community really comes out." Councilmember Tyler Titus also addresses the LGBTQIA+ Pride Month resolution and the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the Tennessee law that bans gender affirming care for minors. "I just want to take a moment to acknowledge the young people. I hear you, I see you, I believe you, and there are many, many, many adults and community members and allies who are fighting for you," Titus said.

Coming up this month:

City Council: Wednesday, July 2 at 9 a.m.

County Council: Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m.

City Council: Wednesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m.