The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from April 21, 2026
Summary of public comments and ordinances.
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"You all voted to make a $371,219 budget for a brand new program that has not been created yet, that is still not manned," Cyndi Treiber said. "This was presented to you as an alliance, a project that was not receiving funding." However, Treiber goes on to explain that ECRSSA was receiving funding, in part by the District Attorney's office, PCCD, the Erie Community Foundation, and the YMCA. Councilman Copeland explained his vote on the ordinance back in February, saying: "That program had been funded by a hodgepodge of several different grants that ran that program. One thing that it never had was a local contribution. The DA's money, the PCCD's money, is passed through the state and I think it's really important that the county actually contribute and make a meaningful effort to assist in re-entry efforts."
The following ordinances were addressed:
- An ordinance approving a waiver of bid requirements under the purchasing code and of a sole vendor contract between Eaton Corporation and the Erie County Public Safety Department passed unanimously.
- An ordinance appropriating $38,344 from the Second 2026 Public Health Fund Budget and creating new line items for Great Lakes Restorative Initiative Funding had its first reading and was not voted on.
- An ordinance appropriating $105,692 from the Third 2026 Public Health Fund Budget and creating new line items for the Pennsylvania Department of Health Funding for Wastewater Surveillance had its first reading and was not voted on.
- An ordinance approving a waiver of bid requirements under the purchasing code to contract with Highway Safety Network Inc. had its first reading and was not voted on.
- The possible sale of a parcel from the Repository for Unsold Property passed 6-1 with Copeland voting no.
- The possible appointment of Jenna Bickford to the Erie County Redevelopment Authority passed unanimously.
- The possible reappointment of Adam Groves to the Erie County Library Advisory Board passed unanimously.
