The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from April 1, 2026
Summary of public comments and ordinances
I attended the City Council meeting on April 1 at 9 a.m. The meeting began with a presentation on the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fund allocation. An initiative on improving literacy in the city was proposed. "Literacy, as we've talked about, is a social justice issue in the City of Erie. We have way too many kids who are reading under grade level," Mayor Devlin said, explaining that someone would be hired to oversee programs funded by the CDBG or others to ensure there are literacy components. During public comments, constituents addressed increased cost of living in Erie. Constituent Marty Nwachukwu mentioned the continuing war with Iran and the fuel crisis happening worldwide. "Rent is expensive, utilities have been expensive, healthcare costs are hitting people. There's a lot of things people are having to pay for," Nwachukwa said, referencing that wages in PA have not increased in nearly 10 years. "We need to declare a cost of living crisis not only here in the City of Erie, but here in the county, so that we can go to the state delegation and the governor and ask for funds to be released from the Rainy Day Fund." During committee reports, Councilman Horton commented on the contrast between public comments talking about severe pest problems in their apartment and the public hearing for the new bayfront hotel. "I think there's some continuing conversations to be had with the health department and our building codes people to see to their synergy and intersectionality, because some of these places should be condemned," Horton said. "We know that people live in those conditions for fear of being in the street." The following ordinances and resolutions were addressed:
- An ordinance approving the editing and inclusion of certain ordinances as parts of the various component codes of the codified ordinances of Erie passed unanimously.
- An ordinance appropriating $120,000 for the purchase of three Code Enforcement vehicles and related equipment through a PA Department of Community & Economic Development Grant had its first reading.
- An ordinance appropriating $5,000,000 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Systems Improvement Project from the Erie Sewer Authority Bond Redemption and Improvement Fund Account had its first reading.
- An ordinance appropriating the $350,000 for the construction phase of Erie Loop Bikeway French Street Project. Brzezinski called for a table but Horton said this is the ordinance's first reading and council has time to look over it in the coming weeks. The motion to table failed 2-5, with Titus, Pol, Flores, Horton, and Troop voting no. The ordinance was read with Brzezinski voting no.
- Following the public hearing on March 18, the resolution to transfer a liquor license from The Sandbar Drafthouse & Grille, previously located at 2835 West Lake Rd. to be used at the retail facility on 2104 Hampton Rd. passed unanimously. However, City Council members expressed their concerns about another bar in the area and emphasized the responsibility of keeping a bar safe in a residential area. "You need security and you need patrons that are being held responsible for their actions," Councilwoman Schaaf said. "We need to hold restaurants, bars, and anyone who has a liquor license accountable. We don't want bad situations for your neighborhood."
- A contract with Empire Snow Management, Inc. for lawn maintenance and weed control in various park areas for a two year period, with a one-year extension option for the Department of Public Works at a cost of $8,900.00 per month passed unanimously.
A contract with Build Better Fields, Inc will provide for a cooperative plan for the improvement & operation of baseball facilities at Hillside Park (East 41st Street & Old French Road) at zero cost. The contract passed unanimously.
