Erie City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026

Note: The raw transcript identifies the meeting date as Wednesday, March 4, 2026, but the provided metadata specifies March 10, 2026. This summary uses the metadata date as instructed.

The Erie City Council held a regular meeting on March 10, 2026, addressing a range of administrative and policy items. The major action was the final passage of a Welcoming City ordinance (6-1), codifying existing practices to protect immigrant residents and pursue a higher certification level. Council also approved a change order for the police department renovation, passed updates to council rules, and advanced several land-use items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the February 18, 2026 meeting and bills for payment on March 6 and 13.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Freda (City of Erie resident): Expressed frustration over a missing ADA curb ramp at 1st and 23rd Street; supported the Welcoming City ordinance but urged moving beyond the one-star rating; raised concerns about the proposed bar at 21 Hampton, lack of sidewalks in the area, and excessive sidewalk closures by Gannon, Erie Insurance, and Catholic Church properties.
• Michael Keys (City of Erie): Argued Erie is already welcoming and the certification brings no financial benefit; opposed partial following of Welcoming America rules; later expressed hope that the Miller brothers building would be utilized well, changing his earlier opposition to its sale.
• Elizabeth Stanton (Harbor Creek): Commended council for the Welcoming City ordinance but reminded members to also improve quality of life for black Americans, citing Erie’s early black history.
• Susannah Faulkner (City of Erie resident, Executive Director of Erie Arts and Culture): Read a poem from the Statue of Liberty and urged passage of the Welcoming City ordinance.
• Aaron Meisner (City of Erie, East Side): Requested assisted listening devices for meetings; cited statistics on economic harm from ICE enforcement (e.g., 80% sales declines in Minneapolis) and argued the ordinance makes economic sense.
• Unnamed speaker (representing Rye Witherow): Read an open letter warning that ICE cameras violate the Fourth Amendment and are hackable; urged council to protect immigrant communities, noting an estimated 11,000 immigrants in the city; cited cases of legal immigrants being detained.
• Emerson Bannon Coutree (Academy neighborhood): Spoke in favor of the ordinance, mentioning practical benefits like shared translation services through Welcoming America’s network; called for investment in east side needs (grocery stores, parks, libraries).
• Sidney Zimmerman (City of Erie): Raised four issues: deep rectangular potholes from lead pipe replacements; lack of snow removal on sidewalks by businesses (citing the quality-of-life ordinance); parking meters not accepting coins despite city code; and concerns over the SAVE Act affecting voting rights.

Discussion Items

• Cybersecurity Training Reminder (Council President Titus): Urged members to complete training by March 10 to avoid insurance rate impacts.
• Welcoming City Ordinance (Ordinance 18-2026): Councilmember Brzezinski requested adding the word “legal” before “immigrant” but the solicitor and others noted the existing definition already covers legal statuses. A friendly amendment from Councilmember Shaw (adding collaboration with other governing bodies) was added (7-0). Brzezinski voted no on final passage, arguing it handcuffs police and is agenda-driven; supporters (Titus, Horton, Flores, Shaw, Troop, Poll) stated it codifies current practice, does not impede law enforcement, makes economic sense, and is fiscally responsible. Final vote: 6-1.
• Rules of Council Ordinance (Ordinance 17-2026): Streamlined rules for seminar and conference reports. Passed 7-0.
• Erie Cemetery Historic Designation (First Reading): Amended zoning map to designate the cemetery as historic. Passed 7-0.
• Liquor License Transfer (Sandbar to 21 Hampton): Council discussed the zoning conflict (R1 district) and need for public hearing; after staff explanation, they approved advertising for a public hearing at the next meeting.
• Soccer Foundation Donation: Approved a grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation to install hard-surface play areas at Nate Levy Park and Frontier Park. Mayor noted neighbors were consulted and lighting can be adjusted.
• CDBG Curb Cuts Reprogramming: Approved transferring $204,246.33 from unused curb ramp funds to street paving; council member requested language change to “ADA curb ramps.” Passed.
• Police Operations Renovation Change Order #2: $250,060 for electrical and asbestos work discovered during construction, plus expanded scope to complete the entire hallway. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Welcoming City ordinance (final with amendment) passed 6-1.
• Rules of Council ordinance passed 7-0.
• Erie Cemetery historical designation (first reading) passed 7-0.
• Police renovation change order approved 7-0.
• Council agreed to advertise public hearing for the liquor license transfer.
• Mayor announced: police application period opens April 1; pothole hotline (870-1340) and CRC (870-1111) for reporting issues; focus on trash and debris in March/April; youth voice workshop held; Erie Port Authority published statement of policy on Erie Coke transparency.
• Next meeting: Study session on subdivision and land development ordinance (Thursday, time TBD); evening meeting with two public hearings.