OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Erie City Council Meeting Summary – May 8, 2026

City Council — Friday, May 8, 2026
BodyErie, Pennsylvania
SessionCity Council
DateFriday, May 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:56:40

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

See if we have any questions on uh we're gonna jump down to those ordinances for final passage.

0:10

We have two.

0:11

We have one with the firefighter protective equipment, and then one with the certified local government grant.

0:17

Are there any questions on on that fight, either of those final passages?

0:22

From anyone.

0:32

Are those um state grants?

0:36

Are those federal grants?

0:37

Do you know by chance?

0:38

Uh just more.

0:45

Just more curiosity.

0:47

Chief Trot, that grant for firefighter equipment, is that a federal grant?

0:52

No, that's state grants.

0:54

State fire.

0:56

Thank you.

0:57

Okay, thank you.

0:57

Good morning.

0:59

Okay.

1:01

Well then so I think those ones are pr are pretty straightforward.

1:05

So if nobody has questions on either of those final passage ones, the again the firefighter protective equipment, um, and then the certified local government grant, then we can hop on down to the ordinances for the first reading.

1:17

We have um four under ordinances for first reading.

1:22

So I wanted to see if anybody had any questions on those ordinances that we could get clarification on.

1:46

I'll just jump right in.

1:47

Like with ordinance number one.

1:49

Um if you wanted to, we could, I mean, if we wanted to bring up Jason, we could as well, but just kind of explaining the streets paving for 2026, the 500,000.

2:00

Jason, will you just come up and talk about paving our favorite topic?

2:12

Oh yeah.

2:14

I don't think that mic is on, so I don't know if that's picking up on you.

2:17

Sorry, there you go.

2:19

How's that?

2:20

Better, yes.

2:21

Better?

2:21

Okay.

2:22

So ordinance uh number one and ordinance number two under first reading.

2:27

We have the five hundred thousand dollars.

2:29

That that one is uh out of the paving and sewer revenue fund, and then the second one is the million dollars.

2:35

That's out of the liquid fuels fund.

2:38

And so that one in particular is split.

2:42

Um is split six hundred thousand going into the um streets, and then uh four hundred thousand going into street lighting and traffic signals.

2:52

So all total there um we have 1.5.

2:57

We add those together.

2:59

And those are just gonna go in and uh feed our summer street paving.

3:04

And then just uh so it's I guess clarification also for the public.

3:07

Could you just explain to just how you guys go down through and maybe pick where you're gonna address and how you you know identifying the the areas most in need with the the paving part?

3:16

Oh absolutely.

3:17

Yeah, so what we have is we have uh roadway but uh roadway management technology software that we utilize uh on our it's mounted on our vehicles as GIS technology actually surveys the vehicle, uh the road condition, and it comes up with this thing called the pavement condition index.

3:35

So it basically ranks the streets.

3:38

Um so that's that's a key component of it.

3:40

But the other thing is also um we divide by geographical area.

3:43

I think everybody understands there's uh community development block grant areas, and then there's the outside areas.

3:50

So we essentially then you know that it becomes sort of a budget thing.

3:54

We have a budget for the CDBG, then we have a budget for the for the remainder.

3:58

Thank you.

4:00

And then we also take the other thing is we also definitely take uh uh questions and comments from the public as we develop the list.

4:07

We obviously get phone calls, uh people ask about certain streets, so we sort of go out and look at those, and then those weigh into the decision as well.

4:14

Thank you.

4:19

Did you say that again?

4:24

Oh, oh yeah.

4:26

Uh yeah, when we get when we get calls about we get these quite uh commonly, we'll get calls about certain streets, and then we go out and we look at those.

4:35

And then uh so we don't rely just on the uh they would be considered if the if a decision is made at that time with a condition of the role.

4:45

Well, is that well yeah, so what we we use the we use the uh GIS technology, but we also go out in person look at those streets, and then we also look at any ones that are you know we receive special requests to to evaluate.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation███████████████████████████27%
Public Safety████████████12%
Racial Equity█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Landlord and Rental█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Reentry Programs████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Erie City Council Meeting Summary – May 8, 2026

The Erie City Council met on May 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. for a regular meeting that included a public hearing on a historic designation, final passage of two ordinances, first reading of four ordinances, new business items, and extensive public comment on community issues. Council President Titus presided.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved the minutes from the special meeting of April 30, 2026, and bills for payment on May 8 and 15, 2026.

Recognitions

  • Council presented proclamations to Gannon University men's basketball coach Easton Bazzoli for winning the NCAA Division II national championship and to wrestler Dorian Crosby for winning the heavyweight national championship. Both addressed the council, expressing gratitude.

Public Hearing: Historic Designation of the Former Erie Mannerchor Club (1607 State Street)

  • The council held a public hearing to consider designating the former Erie Mannerchor Club as a city historic landmark. Matthew Falcone, Cultural Resource Manager, presented the application, noting that the Historic Review Commission and Planning Commission had both recommended approval. The building is significant for its German-American cultural history, architecture, and community landmark status.
  • Multiple community members testified in support, including owner Julio Reyes, who described his efforts to restore the property. Council members expressed strong support for the designation, with Councilor Horton noting the club's history of racial exclusion and emphasizing the need to acknowledge all aspects of history. The hearing was closed; no vote was taken during the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Darnell Ramsey (Erie resident) spoke about purchasing repository properties unaware of existing liens and requested council assistance.
  • Elizabeth Stanton (Harbor Creek) gave a historical critique of private land ownership and the Doctrine of Discovery, urging community land trusts.
  • Deontay Cooley (Erie) criticized the city for not adequately including African Americans in community initiatives, referencing a social media post that omitted Black representation, and called for more investment in everyday Black residents.
  • Joel Miller (Summit Township, landlord) urged the council to keep using third-party inspections for the rental inspection program, arguing it is cost-effective and that raising fees by $10 per unit could eliminate the deficit.
  • Kennedy Horton (Erie) expressed lack of confidence in the revived Strengthening Police and Community Partnerships (SPCP) initiative, arguing that the community seats do not adequately represent Black residents and called for a civilian review board.
  • Joe Cell (Harbor Creek, landlord) asked for better communication between code enforcement and large-item pickup, and urged cooperation.
  • A landlord (president of Apartment Association) gave a breakdown of rental costs to illustrate the challenges of affordable housing, emphasizing an income problem rather than a rent problem.
  • Cindy Triver (Erie) criticized the closure of the Erie County Reentry Services and Support Alliance (ECRSSA), stating the program served 500 people and was effective, and that the city's funding shift was misguided.
  • Alan Brown (former reentry case manager) spoke passionately about the program's success, noting he served 47 years in prison and returned to help others. He said the program's closing on Friday was a loss for the city.
  • Arthur Gilmer (Erie) reported a police response to a home invasion where officers did not file a report or check the upstairs, and requested assistance. Council members promised to follow up.
  • Dave Euler (Erie) requested the council restart the process for a home rule charter to address financial issues.
  • Abdullah Washington (Erie) supported the historic designation and street renaming for Fred Rush, calling for follow-through on projects.
  • Others spoke in support of the historic designation.

Discussion Items

  • Ordinances for First Reading: Four ordinances were introduced and discussed:
    • Ordinance 16605: Appropriating $500,000 from the paving and sewer revenue fund for 2026 street paving.
    • Ordinance 16606: Appropriating $1,000,000 from the liquid fuels fund for street paving and street lighting/traffic signals.
    • Ordinance 16607: Appropriating $746,320.44 for the 2025 Green Light Go Funding Program for signal upgrades at West 12th and Pittsburgh Avenue.
    • Ordinance 16608: Appropriating $205,474 for a screener machine for the Bureau of Streets.
    • Jason (city staff) explained the paving selection process using pavement condition index technology and public input. Councilor Horton requested clearer line-item transfers in future agendas.
  • New Business – Street Renaming: Resolution to designate East Third Street from French to Holland as "Fred Rush Jr. Way" was discussed and approved. Council members praised Rush's contributions.
  • New Business – ALS Awareness Month: A resolution declaring May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Erie was approved.
  • New Business – Easement for Food Hall: A resolution to authorize an easement for Flagship City Food Hall to use public sidewalks for outdoor dining was tabled after Councilor Horton raised concerns about pedestrian access and ADA compliance. Council will visit the site and gather more information before the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Final Passage: Ordinance 16603 (firefighter protective equipment grant, $16,136.55) passed 7-0. Ordinance 16604 (certified local government grant, $2,150) passed 7-0.
  • First Reading: All four ordinances (16605, 16606, 16607, 16608) were read and adopted on first reading by 7-0 votes.
  • Street Naming Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • ALS Awareness Month Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • Food Hall Easement Resolution: Tabled by a 7-0 vote pending further review.
  • Public Hearing: Closed; no vote on historic designation during this meeting.

Committee Reports and Mayor's Comments

  • Council members gave updates on land bank, historic preservation, and water authority events. Mayor Devlin clarified the city's role in re-entry funding and the SPCP, noting that the administration is working to improve inclusivity and will meet with the Apartment Association on May 19. The council announced a finance committee meeting after the meeting and a study session for the following week on the PFM budget report.

Meeting Transcript

See if we have any questions on uh we're gonna jump down to those ordinances for final passage. We have two. We have one with the firefighter protective equipment, and then one with the certified local government grant. Are there any questions on on that fight, either of those final passages? From anyone. Are those um state grants? Are those federal grants? Do you know by chance? Uh just more. Just more curiosity. Chief Trot, that grant for firefighter equipment, is that a federal grant? No, that's state grants. State fire. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Good morning. Okay. Well then so I think those ones are pr are pretty straightforward. So if nobody has questions on either of those final passage ones, the again the firefighter protective equipment, um, and then the certified local government grant, then we can hop on down to the ordinances for the first reading. We have um four under ordinances for first reading. So I wanted to see if anybody had any questions on those ordinances that we could get clarification on. I'll just jump right in. Like with ordinance number one. Um if you wanted to, we could, I mean, if we wanted to bring up Jason, we could as well, but just kind of explaining the streets paving for 2026, the 500,000. Jason, will you just come up and talk about paving our favorite topic? Oh yeah. I don't think that mic is on, so I don't know if that's picking up on you. Sorry, there you go. How's that? Better, yes. Better? Okay. So ordinance uh number one and ordinance number two under first reading. We have the five hundred thousand dollars. That that one is uh out of the paving and sewer revenue fund, and then the second one is the million dollars. That's out of the liquid fuels fund. And so that one in particular is split. Um is split six hundred thousand going into the um streets, and then uh four hundred thousand going into street lighting and traffic signals. So all total there um we have 1.5. We add those together. And those are just gonna go in and uh feed our summer street paving. And then just uh so it's I guess clarification also for the public. Could you just explain to just how you guys go down through and maybe pick where you're gonna address and how you you know identifying the the areas most in need with the the paving part? Oh absolutely. Yeah, so what we have is we have uh roadway but uh roadway management technology software that we utilize uh on our it's mounted on our vehicles as GIS technology actually surveys the vehicle, uh the road condition, and it comes up with this thing called the pavement condition index. So it basically ranks the streets. Um so that's that's a key component of it. But the other thing is also um we divide by geographical area. I think everybody understands there's uh community development block grant areas, and then there's the outside areas. So we essentially then you know that it becomes sort of a budget thing.

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