Erie City Council Meeting Summary - November 19, 2025
Erie City Council Meeting Summary - November 19, 2025
The City Council convened on November 19, 2025, to address routine administrative matters, conduct public hearings on waterfront development and rezoning proposals, and hear extensive public testimony regarding the ongoing "Justice for Cello" movement and community development concerns. While routine ordinances and board appointments were approved, the meeting was marked by significant public demand for a civilian police review board, transparency regarding the death of Marcello Woodard, and greater community inclusion in the development process.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the November 5, 2025, meeting were approved unanimously.
- Bills for payment dated November 21st and 26th, 2025, were approved.
- Council did not vote on the repository sale bid for two vacant properties (East 26th Street and Buffalo Road) submitted by Mirillo; the matter was deferred to the next meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Zoo Partnership: Rue Cojancy, CEO of the Erie Zoo, expressed gratitude for City Council's support and partnership with Erie Events for the zoo's future.
- Justice for Cello & Police Accountability:
- Multiple speakers (including Jennifer Kennedy, Jerry Roberts, Mimi O'Connor, Constantine Hyotis, Tina Hiotis, Kimberly Gigmus, Carla Arnone, Malcolm Pulliam, Martha Wachuku, Deontay Cooley, and Cindy Triver) expressed strong positions calling for Justice for Cello (Marcello Woodard).
- Cindy Triver expressed full support for a countywide Civilian Police Review Board, citing that both law enforcement and the community prioritize trust and accountability.
- Carla Arnone and Malcolm Pulliam expressed that the District Attorney's lack of communication with the family is a form of injustice and neglect during the holiday season.
- Deontay Cooley expressed opposition to the current appointment process for City boards, arguing that appointees must represent community concerns rather than political connections.
- Mimi O'Connor and Tina Hiotis expressed frustration with the lack of transparency in development hearings, stating that relying solely on city websites and Facebook does not adequately inform the public.
- Infrastructure & Safety:
- Freder Tepfer expressed opposition to current snow plowing practices that block pedestrian access and commercial entities blocking sidewalks, while also opposing the long-term closure of sidewalks by Avalon.
- Chanel Cal Jean expressed concern regarding the lack of affordable housing options and communal spaces in the new development project.
- Martha Wachuku expressed concern that new developments in the New Jerusalem neighborhood could lead to the displacement of African Americans and rising costs.
- Terry Roberts expressed a position that the Council should dedicate a public hearing to the Cello situation rather than focusing solely on property views.
- Bob Strasser expressed condolences for the passing of James Schrod and acknowledged the service of outgoing Mayor Shember while congratulating Mayor Elect Dari Devlin.
- Process Concerns:
- Savannah Wilson expressed a need for better public engagement strategies for planning commission meetings held during the afternoon.
Discussion Items
- Repository Sale: Council member asked bidder Mirillo about maintenance plans and code compliance; no vote was taken as the matter was continued to the next meeting.
- Waterfront Conditional Use (Public Hearing):
- McEerie Partners proposed two buildings (30 units) at 263 West Front Street. The Planning Commission and Design Review Committee recommended approval.
- Dane Bombera (Architect) presented the design concept, noting compliance with zoning codes and proposed landscaping.
- Amy Francis (Zoning Officer) confirmed notification procedures were followed, though noted mail service delays.
- Dan Dahl Kemper (Design Review Committee member) expressed support for the development but raised concerns regarding snow stacking in the surface parking lot and the lack of street trees on Front Street.
- Jackie Spry (Director of Planning) clarified the multi-step review process (Waterfront Conditional Use followed by Land Development phases) and the timeline (approximately 3 more public meetings required for the land development phase).
- Gretchen Kerr (Director, Our West Bayfront) stated a position requiring closer collaboration and community involvement from the beginning of future projects.
- Ricardo (Neighbor) expressed support for new construction but concern that the view of the lake will be blocked and questioned the affordability of units.
- Savannah Wilson raised concerns about Section 8 inclusion and the need for inclusive community dialogues.
- Rezoning to C2 (Public Hearing):
- Request to rezone a parcel adjacent to 4125 Peach Street from R1 (Residential) to C2 (Commercial) to consolidate with the JD by Rider property.
- Drew Baldwin (Petitioner Representative) stated the goal is to provide flexibility for future redevelopment, noting no specific plans currently exist.
- Budget & Ordinances:
- Ordinance 76-81 (appropriations and water system debt) were passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 74 (residential garbage fee increase) passed 4-3, with Council Members Brzezinski, Titus, and Witherspoon voting against, citing it hurts the poorest people.
- Councilmember Shaw refuted claims that the budget schedule was politically motivated, explaining it is dictated by state law requiring the final budget meeting in November.
- Board Appointments:
- Resolutions reappointing Ryan Burkwist (Airport Authority), Janelle DeFuchia (Blighted Property Review), and Heather Harrington (Water Authority) were all passed unanimously.
- A motion to table the playground equipment contract for Hagerty Park was passed unanimously to allow for further discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Votes Passed:
- Official File Ordinance 76-2025 through 81-2025 (appropriations, debt, and fee increases).
- Resolution reappointing Ryan Burkwist, Janelle DeFuchia, and Heather Harrington.
- Votes Deferred:
- Repository sale bid for two vacant properties (Mirillo) deferred to the next meeting.
- Playground equipment contract for Hagerty Park tabled for further discussion.
- Next Steps:
- The waterfront conditional use will require a second and third reading by City Council, followed by a land development process involving multiple Planning Commission hearings.
- Council will return to the agenda of a Civilian Police Review Board and transparency regarding the Cello case, as urged by multiple public speakers. A follow-up session on the budget is scheduled for November 20 at 5:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Council meeting of Wednesday, November 19th at 6 30 p.m. Members present Witherspoon, Brzezinski, Flores, Nelson Shaw, Titus, and Truth. I would like to ask everyone that please stand for the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. I have a motion to approve the minutes of the November 5th council meeting and bills for payment on November 21st and 26th, 2025. Members Brzezinski, Flores, Nelson, Shop, Titus Troop, and Withersprin. Is there anyone here to speak on the repository sale? Good evening, everyone. So uh I put a bid on two properties. Two uh this better. I put a bid on two properties, two vacant lots, one on the East 26th Street, uh right across the number 1743, close to Downing Avenue. Uh it's an empty lot, it's clean. Uh for the both, I already have contacted a couple of companies that will help to uh uh maintain that uh the lot screen. Uh the intention is to put them back uh on the market for sale for some construction companies. Uh the second one is on Buffalo Road uh close to McCain Street. Uh this one is naturally wooded yet. Uh this company is gonna clean the whole the whole lot for me. Uh do I live near the property? No, I'm from New Jersey. And uh no structures there, yeah, vacant. Yes, I will provide a maintenance. And no, I haven't had any code violations before. Could you tell us your name? My name is Mirillo. Mirillo and Mazumari, you are I alone. Thank you. Is that all? So you hope to maintain the property until you're able to turn around and sell it? Yes. I have already contacted two companies that uh give me prices on it. Okay, just make sure that those companies reach out to the code and for well, not code enforcement, but uh permanent air, you know, to know what they can do. Yeah, that was the first my first question to them if they are familiar with the codes and everything. Any other questions from council? We will not vote on that tonight. We'll go over to the next one. Can I ask just one follow-up question? I apologize. Um being from New Jersey, what is just your interest in those those properties? I uh started uh investing in uh Tex Deed and Text Link uh properties and uh this is my first time in Erie County, but I'm very interested in the area and uh I know people who live here that so I knew the uh the city before. It's my first time on the repository list. So the first time owning an earring? Yes. Okay. How many properties do you own outside of uh in New Jersey? I own two properties, not in the uh also already out for sale. Okay, not in uh but over there's tax link, so it's a whole process we have to foreclose on properties. Okay and uh but in Pennsylvania State alone is the first time. Thank you. Any other questions from council? We will not vote on that tonight. We will vote on it at our next meeting.
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