The Reader Beat Monthly Recap: December 2025

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 December.

City Council Dec. 3: Public comments addressed the resolution brought forward by council to acknowledge the death of Marchello Woodard and to ask for updates regarding the status of the investigation and to release information to the public to the fullest extent permitted by law. Constituent Shateria Franklin (40 Under 40 Class of 2023), mother of Woodard's youngest son, urged council to pass the resolution, saying: "We hold positions of power to make change – not to make a name for ourselves, not to build our pockets up, but to actually make change." A resolution of the Erie City Council requesting transparency and timely public updates regarding the death of Marchello D. Woodard and the ongoing investigation by the Erie County District Attorney and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation & Parole passed unanimously with amendments put forward by Councilmember Chuck Nelson. The amendments included a request by city council for the coroner to sign and release the death certificate.

County Council Dec. 9: This meeting followed the special meeting that was held on Dec. 8, addressing County Executive Brenton Davis' 2026 budget vetoes. Fourteen of the 21 vetoes issued by Davis were overridden. However, portions of the budget funding the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission (Diverse Erie) and Black Wall Street failed to be approved. Constituents spoke out against this vote during the council meetings. "The willingness to claw back that money from an organization that has boosted homeownership amongst Americans in Erie, PA, it's tough, it spells out the quiet hate that spoils this society," Constituent Kennedy Horton, son of Council member Andre Horton, said. "That money was clawed back for no other reason than the color of those business (owners) and homeowners." Constituents and council members alike also spent time recognizing Andre Horton for his 12 years of service in county council, as this was his last meeting before he begins serving on city council in January. Council member Rock Copeland presented Horton with an award and written acknowledgment of his service, highlighting the creation of Erie County Community College, founding youth programs such as the Summer Jobs Program, and his instrumental work in council adopting Resolution 43, 2020 that declares racism a public health crisis. Horton graciously accepted the award while wiping away tears. "The first years, after every meeting no matter the tough votes, like the votes last night, we all used to go out and we'd leave it right here," Horton said. "That's my prayer for y'all. After the tough votes, find some place because something happens when you break bread with people."

City Council Dec. 17: Councilwoman Schaaf began the meeting by congratulating Mayor Joe Schember for his service during his two terms. Chuck Nelson, Mel Witherspoon, and City Controller Teresa Stankiewicz were also acknowledged for their service during the meeting. A resolution for the proposed repository sale of a property on Buffalo Road failed 0-7.

County Council Jan. 5: Erie County Council held a reorganization meeting on Jan. 5 to nominate the chair and vice chair. The meeting began with public comments. Constituent Freda Tepfer encouraged council to resume the practice of electing a chairperson for one year instead of two or more. Democrat Terry Scutella has served for two terms. "It's good to start over with a new chair," Tepfer said.

Scutella was nominated for a third term as council chair 4-3, with Rock Copeland, Chris Drexel, and Jim Wertz voting no. Copeland nominated Drexel for vice chair and the nomination passed unanimously.

Following the nominations, new Council member Wertz thanked his colleagues for welcoming him. "I'm looking forward to the good work we can do with transparency, equity, and with openness and communication with the folks on the fifth floor," Wertz said.

Copeland spoke about rotating leadership within the council. "I want to make my colleagues aware that I would not accept any appointment to the finance chair. I don't believe it's appropriate for any level of leadership to serve three terms and I want to make that well known."

Scutella defended his position as a third-term chairman. "We are playing by the rules. It's not in the Home Rule Charter that we can't elect the same leadership team for more than one, two, or three years ... If somebody can point out that it's against federal law, or state law, or county law, then we'll do something different," Scutella said.

City Council Jan. 7: The council began with electing the new president and vice president for 2026. Tyler Titus was nominated and unanimously elected president. Titus is the first transgender person to hold the position in the commonwealth. "I am hopeful and honored that you all have entrusted me," they said. Kathy Schaaf was nominated and unanimously elected vice president. During public comments, constituent and former City Councilman Michael Keys discussed renovating local parks and potentially installing a recreational center on the south side of Erie. "I know we have a grants department now so it's my request that we put this back on the forward agenda," Keys said. An ordinance appropriating $742,429 from the City of Erie ARP Fund Interest to be used to fund the Capital Improvement Fund passed unanimously.

Coming up this month:

County Council: Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.

City Council: Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.