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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Erie City Council Meeting Summary – April 4, 2026

City Council — Saturday, April 4, 2026

BodyErie, Pennsylvania

SessionCity Council

DateSaturday, April 4, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:41:02

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

So we will go ahead and get started.

0:08

We do have quite a bit to kind of go over.

0:13

So I just wanted to open up and we'll start with our ordinance for final passage if anybody had any questions.

0:21

This is the one again that takes all the ones that we've codified before and gets them uploaded into e-code.

0:27

So this is more of just a business measure a dotting, a dotting of the I's and crossing of the T's.

0:58

And then we've got 350,000 anticipated for the Erie Loop Bikeway French Street Project.

1:07

And before we go into that one, because I'm sure there will be questions.

1:26

Yeah, Dr.

1:26

Titus, if I could just add that, so you'll actually have three votes on uh this French Street project.

1:32

You'll have two readings on the allocation of the funds, and then there will also be a contract.

1:36

So there will be three opportunities.

1:38

This is the first.

1:39

We did ask just for a little bit of grace from you.

1:42

Because this is a morning meeting, we have another presentation from CDBG.

1:46

We didn't want to overload you.

1:47

Um so on the 15th, we will have that presentation.

1:50

And and as I noted in my email, you know, um, at Mr.

1:53

Brzezinski's request, we won't just be showing you what this French Street piece is.

1:58

We are going to show you the whole comprehensive plan for bike lanes so that we can be talking about this as an entire community, hoping you know, to avoid any confusion or concerns, make sure we have lots and lots of time to to really talk um thoughtfully about this.

2:12

But this piece of the puzzle is from 10th Street to 26th Street on French Street.

2:17

That's what's being discussed here.

2:18

But on the 15th, we'll give you the whole plan for how all of this connects throughout the city.

2:22

And again, three opportunities to vote.

2:24

We don't want you to feel like you're voting today with no information.

2:27

This is just the first of three.

2:30

Any questions on that piece?

2:36

So there are a couple things that I wanted to make sure we had had time for.

2:39

I don't mean to keep us rushing, but there are a couple big ones that I wanted to get us to.

2:43

Uh we do have the old business in that under there is the uh intermunicipal transfer of the liquor license that we had the public hearing on.

2:53

Um the the information on the other public hearing will be at the next meeting to give us more time to review everything.

2:58

But with this one, I wanted to see if we had any questions specifically for the solicitor uh to so that we're gonna be casting a vote today on that that transfer that liquor license.

3:07

So I wanted to get to that one first.

3:14

Any counselors have any questions or any anything that they would like to clarify on that transfer.

3:25

Did we find out if they're making a sidewalk around that area?

3:31

No, I think but that one was more with within the zoning plans of it.

3:36

Um I think that that's where we'll be holding accountable.

3:39

I don't believe we received anything about this the sidewalk component of it though.

3:51

I think we have two competing thoughts.

3:58

So when I did talk to attorney Bruno, and he did confirm that he has the communications from Jake Welsh, our old zoning officer, who at the time of the purchase um said that when they asked when they when he asked about when they inquired to buy the property.

4:18

Jake Welsh confirmed that the conforming use was still in effect.

4:21

And based on that, I believe that was probably part of the decision that went into buying the property.

4:27

Um I do think that uh the current zoning office thinks there might be some issues.

4:33

Um there is a definition of abandonment in our zoning code.

4:36

No, and then it's not what I would call the most ironclad definition.

4:41

So in working out the resolution today, we put in there to make sure that if you approve it, they have to follow all the laws of Pennsylvania, of course, the ordinances of the city of Erie, and any rules and regulations through the liquor control board.

4:55

So the zoning part of it, since that's part of our zoning ordinance, or ordinance is part of zoning is part of our ordinance, I should say.

5:02

Excuse me.

5:02

Um they would have to go through and confirm that with our zoning office.

5:09

We do have Mr.

5:10

Bruno in the audience.

5:11

Yes, I do see him in the audience.

5:16

So how do you know?

5:18

Well, we're voting on something.

5:20

Well, one legal license didn't have to be a good thing.

5:23

Well, well, just like attorney Bruno said, and I I'm not to quote him specifically, but I mean, sort of in an agreement.

5:28

If you have a client and you want to go through a process, you would say, can I go through process parts two, three, and four before I know about process one.

5:38

So before he can even say I want to do the liquor license uh or the the zoning aspect of this building, I need to know if I can even open up.

5:47

And if it and if he needs to go in front of the zoning hearing board, that would be a part two of this.

5:52

Those were the questions that I raised.

5:55

So uh while he was while they were here talking about it a couple of weeks ago, it just seemed like the cart was before divorce.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety████████████████████████24%

Public Engagement██████████████████18%

Procedural█████████9%

Parks and Recreation████████8%

Economic Development███████7%

Zoning Code█████5%

Landlord and Rental████4%

Community Engagement████4%

Waterfront Development███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Erie City Council Meeting Summary – April 4, 2026

The Erie City Council met on April 4, 2026, to discuss a range of topics including a major bike lane project, liquor license transfer, CDBG funding allocations, a partnership for baseball field improvements, and numerous public concerns. The meeting featured extensive public comment and committee reports.

Consent Calendar

Approval of minutes from March 18, 2026 meeting.
Approval of bills for payment on April 3 and April 10, 2026.

The consent calendar was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Elizabeth Stanton (Harbor Creek) opposed a $7.6 million loan to Scott Enterprises via the CRIZ program, arguing funds should address poverty and housing needs instead.
David Uleg (City of Erie) advocated for a mandatory 1% allocation for public art in projects receiving CRIS funding, citing similar policies in other cities.
Michael Weigold (Erie) raised safety concerns about a proposed mowing contractor (Empire Snow Management), citing past infractions with on‑road fleet equipment.
Caleb Rutchin (Erie) warned against Flock Safety cameras, citing cybersecurity and Fourth Amendment risks, and urged a proactive ordinance.
Mike Rensel (resides outside city, owns rental properties in Erie) described repeated harassment, vandalism, and threats from drug dealers, claiming police dismissed it as a civil matter.
Marty Wachuku (Erie) called for a cost‑of‑living crisis declaration, shared renter stories of unsafe housing and landlord neglect, and urged the city to demand community benefit agreements from large developers.
Ed Kissle (Erie) referenced a 25‑year history of unmet public promises on waterfront development, requesting council review past records and require public amenities be completed concurrent with development.
Treasure (formerly of Erie, now Atlanta, GA) criticized Erie Police Department conduct and cited cases of alleged disparate treatment, urging policy review.

Discussion Items

French Street Bikeway Project (Ordinance 16602): The city proposed appropriating $350,000 for the construction phase of the Erie Loop Bikeway from 10th to 26th Street on French Street. An initial motion to table was defeated (2‑5). The first reading passed 6‑1, with Councilmember Brzezinski voting no. A full comprehensive bike lane plan will be presented at the April 15 meeting.
Liquor License Transfer (Resolution for 2104 Hampton Road): Council approved the intermunicipal transfer of liquor license R‑814 from a former Mill Creek location to 2104 Hampton Road, subject to PLCB approval and compliance with all laws. Several councilmembers expressed concerns about process (zoning applications not yet resolved) and historical nuisance issues at the location, but ultimately voted 7‑0 in favor, citing the applicant’s track record and added enforcement provisions.
CDBG Funding (FY2026 Proposed Plan): Deb Smith presented the proposed CDBG allocation of $2,780,245 (based on prior year estimate). Discussion included Councilmember Flores’ concerns about street paving costs ($700,000+ street improvements, $200,000 curb cuts) taking funds from social services; Mayor Devlin noted the city has no other funding for paving. A new City of Erie literacy program ($100,000 proposed) was explained as an initiative to align city‑funded youth programs with school district literacy priorities. No vote taken; final action expected after public hearings on April 13 and plan display through May 4.
Build Better Fields Partnership (Resolution): The council approved a lease for Hillside Park baseball fields (East 41st and Old French Road) to Build Better Fields, a 501(c)(3). The organization will invest $100,000 in improvements and assume maintenance; the city retains right of first refusal. Passed 7‑0.
Empire Snow Management Lawn Maintenance Contract: A $8,900/month contract for mowing and weed control was approved 7‑0 after Councilmember Flores withdrew a tabling motion following clarification that the low bidder was a different vendor than the one criticized in public comment.

Key Outcomes

French Street Bikeway – First reading adopted (6‑1).
Liquor License Transfer – Approved (7‑0).
CDBG Public Hearings Scheduled for April 13 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.); draft plan on display April 3 to May 4.
Build Better Fields Lease – Approved (7‑0).
Empire Snow Management Contract – Approved (7‑0).
Code Enforcement Vehicles – Ordinance for $120,000 to purchase vehicles was adopted on first reading.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection System – $5 million appropriation approved on first reading.
Rental Registration Study Session Announced for April 9 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Council also noted the tragic deaths of eight infants/children in the first quarter of 2026 and pledged to convene partners to address underlying issues.

Note: The meeting date provided in the instruction (April 4, 2026) differs from the date stated in the transcript (April 1, 2026). The summary uses the instructed date.

Meeting Transcript

So we will go ahead and get started. We do have quite a bit to kind of go over. So I just wanted to open up and we'll start with our ordinance for final passage if anybody had any questions. This is the one again that takes all the ones that we've codified before and gets them uploaded into e-code. So this is more of just a business measure a dotting, a dotting of the I's and crossing of the T's. And then we've got 350,000 anticipated for the Erie Loop Bikeway French Street Project. And before we go into that one, because I'm sure there will be questions. Yeah, Dr. Titus, if I could just add that, so you'll actually have three votes on uh this French Street project. You'll have two readings on the allocation of the funds, and then there will also be a contract. So there will be three opportunities. This is the first. We did ask just for a little bit of grace from you. Because this is a morning meeting, we have another presentation from CDBG. We didn't want to overload you. Um so on the 15th, we will have that presentation. And and as I noted in my email, you know, um, at Mr. Brzezinski's request, we won't just be showing you what this French Street piece is. We are going to show you the whole comprehensive plan for bike lanes so that we can be talking about this as an entire community, hoping you know, to avoid any confusion or concerns, make sure we have lots and lots of time to to really talk um thoughtfully about this. But this piece of the puzzle is from 10th Street to 26th Street on French Street. That's what's being discussed here. But on the 15th, we'll give you the whole plan for how all of this connects throughout the city. And again, three opportunities to vote. We don't want you to feel like you're voting today with no information. This is just the first of three. Any questions on that piece? So there are a couple things that I wanted to make sure we had had time for. I don't mean to keep us rushing, but there are a couple big ones that I wanted to get us to. Uh we do have the old business in that under there is the uh intermunicipal transfer of the liquor license that we had the public hearing on. Um the the information on the other public hearing will be at the next meeting to give us more time to review everything. But with this one, I wanted to see if we had any questions specifically for the solicitor uh to so that we're gonna be casting a vote today on that that transfer that liquor license. So I wanted to get to that one first. Any counselors have any questions or any anything that they would like to clarify on that transfer. Did we find out if they're making a sidewalk around that area? No, I think but that one was more with within the zoning plans of it. Um I think that that's where we'll be holding accountable. I don't believe we received anything about this the sidewalk component of it though. I think we have two competing thoughts. So when I did talk to attorney Bruno, and he did confirm that he has the communications from Jake Welsh, our old zoning officer, who at the time of the purchase um said that when they asked when they when he asked about when they inquired to buy the property. Jake Welsh confirmed that the conforming use was still in effect. And based on that, I believe that was probably part of the decision that went into buying the property. Um I do think that uh the current zoning office thinks there might be some issues. Um there is a definition of abandonment in our zoning code. No, and then it's not what I would call the most ironclad definition. So in working out the resolution today, we put in there to make sure that if you approve it, they have to follow all the laws of Pennsylvania, of course, the ordinances of the city of Erie, and any rules and regulations through the liquor control board. So the zoning part of it, since that's part of our zoning ordinance, or ordinance is part of zoning is part of our ordinance, I should say. Excuse me. Um they would have to go through and confirm that with our zoning office. We do have Mr. Bruno in the audience.

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