The Reader Beat: City Council Notes from March 4, 2026

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span style="font-weight: 400;">I attended the City Council meeting on March 4 at 9 a.m. Public comments addressed the Welcoming City Ordinance and support for Black community members. Constituent Michael Keys expressed uncertainty towards the ordinance, saying that Erie "has a lot of work to do to be welcoming for people who are already here, already paying taxes, and who are struggling." Executive Director of Erie Arts and Culture Susannah Faulkner spoke in support of the ordinance. "We know from policy and governance that when we help the most marginalized it benefits us all," Faulkner said. The meeting covered the following ordinances:

• An ordinance amending the Rules of Council Ordinance of the City of Erie under Article 112 entitled Seminar and Conference reports, to streamline and/or update the Rules of Council to reflect current practices passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance that the City of Erie hereby establishes Article 137, which outlines the city's goals to obtain and/or maintain the status as a "Welcoming City" under the Welcoming America guidelines and the city's rights and/or responsibilities as part of the "Welcoming City" under the Welcoming America program was modified via a friendly amendment to work with other governing bodies in the county. The ordinance passed 6-1 with Brzezinski voting no. Brzezinski called the ordinance "agenda-driven" and expressed concern that the ordinance would prevent police from doing their job effectively. Horton announced that he was excited to support the ordinance. "Part of our oath taking is that we are ambassadors and should reflect all things good," he said, adding, "this isn't an us vs. them thing between New Americans and Black people. We don't appreciate pitting Black and Brown communities against each other." Council President Titus said that the ordinance is not agenda-driven. "This is a necessary part of our Welcoming City application and it is fiscally responsible." 
• An ordinance amending the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance to designate the Erie Cemetery at 2116 Chestnut Street as a Historic Site pursuant to Article 7 of the revised City of Erie Zoning Ordinance and to amend the Zoning Map to reflect such designation passed unanimously.