Erie City Council Meeting Summary - December 17, 2025

The Erie City Council convened on December 17, 2025, marking the final regular meeting for several departing officials, including Mayor Joe Shember, Council Presidents Mel Witherspoon and Chuck Nelson, and Solicitor Ed Brzezinski. The meeting was characterized by a blend of routine legislative business and intense public commentary driven primarily by the community's demand for justice in the killing of Marcello Woodard. While the Council unanimously honored the departing members and advanced several land transfer and budget ordinances, public testimony highlighted deep frustration regarding the lack of police accountability and official responses to the District Attorney and Governor regarding the Woodard case.

Consent Calendar

• The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the minutes of December 3, 2025.
• The Council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve bills for payment on December 19, 26, and January 2, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave Ewling: Expressed full support for the ordinance authorizing the transfer of 96 acres to the Erie Zoo and the Erie County Convention Center Authority, emphasizing the need for immediate action to ensure long-term zoo viability.
• Malcolm Pooly (speaking for the family of Marcello Woodard): Expressed that the District Attorney is "governing this case as if it is a Jim Crow case" and stated that the white probations officer who killed the unarmed black man should not be walking free. The speaker demanded the District Attorney recuse herself and called for the officer to be jailed immediately.
• Deontay Cooley: Expressed full support for the Council's 7-0 vote on the resolution for Justice for Marcello but criticized the lack of response from the District Attorney and Governor Shapiro. The speaker advocated for the community to collaborate with City Council on a trip to Harrisburg and requested continued support for establishing a Community Review Board to interact with the police.
• Jerry Roberts: Expressed appreciation for the Council's 7-0 resolution but urged the Council to "pull together" with the community to help raise Marcello's son, asking for understanding of the community's pain rather than just procedural actions.
• Jennifer Kennedy: Expressed gratitude for the 7-0 vote and the renaming of 21st Street, and requested specific updates on the status of the resolution sent to the District Attorney and Governor, asking what the "next steps" are if no response is received.
• Tina Hyotis: Supported applying pressure to have the District Attorney removed due to perceived bias and impropriety. The speaker also expressed concern for low-income elderly housing residents regarding transients and drug residue in common areas, suggesting the city review management contracts.
• Mimi O'Connor: Expressed that the holiday peace should apply to all citizens and demanded the arrest, indictment, and conviction of the parole officer who killed Marcello. The speaker called for the city to ask the Black and Brown community for forgiveness, pledged concrete financial dedication to the community, and supported the continuation of the "Erie's Black Wall Street" initiative despite its recent voting down.
• Freder Tepford: Expressed frustration that the parole officer remains "at large and unaffected" for 168 days. The speaker requested that tree removal for the zoo be subject to strict scrutiny and asked the Council to work on "sane" methods for repository sales to avoid selling city property for $250 to out-of-town businesses.
• Carla Arnone: Expressed that the community is tired of the injustice and performed a song listing 63 unarmed Black people killed by police. The speaker requested immediate "action steps" for a trip to Harrisburg, including a bus charter and sign-up list.
• Jared Stasheski: Expressed concern over the lack of response from Governor Shapiro to letters sent last week and requested information on the mailing date and follow-up plans.
• Willie Dixon: Emphasized that "the opposite of poverty isn't wealth, it's justice" and stated that the justice system is failing by allowing the parole officer to work free while Marcello's family suffers. The speaker demanded the Council stand "100 percent" behind the community with "no middle ground."
• Diana Chatfield: Stated that the community must take accountability for the lack of justice to prevent youth from acting out without fear of consequences. The speaker expressed disappointment in the Governor and the Council for not holding officials accountable.
• Casey Walker: Expressed full support for the community seeking justice for Marcello and shared personal testimony of systemic racism and abuse within the Erie County Jail, including mocking of inmates, threats regarding Juarez, and alleged intentional starvation of inmates in segregation.
• Councilmember Brzezinski: Expressed sympathy for the Woodard family during the holidays but stated personally that he has not yet received any information regarding the status of the resolution sent to the District Attorney or Governor.
• Councilmember Flores: Expressed gratitude to the City's staff and community for the successful downtown delice event and reminded citizens to clear sidewalks.
• Councilmember Titus: Expressed appreciation for the departing officials, noting Mayor Shember's genuine commitment and Councilman Nelson's depth of knowledge in all topics.
• Councilmember True: Expressed that Councilman Nelson "knows the stuff" regarding wrestling, sports, politics, and finances, and praised Mayor Shember for starting the conversation on tackling racism.
• Councilmember Schaff: Expressed gratitude to the departing officials, acknowledging Mayor Shember's established team made the transition easier, and thanked Councilman Nelson for his admirable decision not to seek re-election.
• Councilmember Brzezinski: Expressed appreciation for Councilman Nelson's role in the "quiet giant" legacy and thanked Mayor Shember for his "calming wisdom."

Discussion Items

• Zoo Transfer: Discussion occurred regarding the transfer of 96 acres to the Erie County Convention Center Authority. Councilmember Titus sponsored the ordinance to allow the Authority to take over operation of the zoo, while the city retains operations of the surrounding picnic grounds and golf course.
• Repository Sales: Council discussed proposals to sell abandoned properties via repository sales. The Council voted against selling one property (East 26th Street) and a second property (Buffalo Road) because the applicants failed to provide sufficient evidence to meet the established standards for property maintenance and community benefit.
• Home Rule Charter: The Council was reminded by a citizen to schedule a petition signing event for those wishing to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission.
• Light Ordinance: A citizen urged the Council to ensure new light and display permits comply with the LED ordinance to avoid light pollution for residents.
• Waste Management: A citizen raised concerns about the waste management contractor's failure to clean sidewalks and vegetation on Raspberry Street, describing it as a school route for children.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances Final Passed:
  • Ordinance 83-2025: Increased the garbage collection fee from $3,062 to $3,229.30 annually (Vote: 6-1, Councilmember Flores voted Nay).
  • Ordinance 84-2025: Appropriated $400,000 for street lighting and traffic signals (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 85-2025: Appropriated $115,500 for the Strategic Management Program (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 86-2025: Appropriated $20,507,447.17 from the Capital Bond Fund for the public safety complex (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 87-2025: Adopted the general fund and other budgets for the fiscal year 2026 (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 88-2025: Fixed the tax rate at 14.12 mils for the fiscal year 2026 (Vote: 7-0).
• Ordinances First Reading:
  • Ordinance 88/16579: Adoption of stop signs at six intersections (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 88/16580: Authorization to transfer 96 acres to the Erie County Convention Center Authority for zoo operations (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 88/16581: Appropriation of $742,429 from the ARP fund for the Capital Improvement Fund (Vote: 7-0).
  • Ordinance 88/16582: Rezoning of Hillcrest Avenue property from R1 to C2 (Vote: 7-0).
• Resolutions Passed:
  • Waterfront Conditional Use: Approved the construction of 30 units by Mick Erie Partners LP (Vote: 7-0).
  • Repository Sales: Two sales failed; the Council voted 0-7 to reject the sale of the East 26th Street property (Vote: 7-0 against) and the Buffalo Road property (Vote: 7-0 against) due to insufficient evidence of maintenance capability.
• Appointments & Honors:
  • Angela McNair: Appointed to the Erie County Human Relations Advisory Board (Vote: 7-0).
  • Street Renaming: Designated East 21st Street near German as "Mother Mary Beth and Reverend Charles Senior Kennedy Way" (Vote: 7-0).
  • Loan Approval: Ratified a $1 million loan for Eastside Renaissance Inc. (Vote: 6-0, Councilmember Titus abstained).
• Commendations: Passed resolutions commending Teresa Stankevich (12 years as Controller), Chuck Nelson (4 years on Council), and Mel Witherspoon (22 years on Council) for their dedicated service.
• Future Actions: The Council acknowledged the community's desire for a trip to Harrisburg to advocate for Justice for Marcello but did not set a specific date or commit to official travel during this meeting. Members expressed continued frustration regarding the lack of response from the District Attorney and Governor Shapiro to the December 3rd resolution.