[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6371277,"mediaKeyId","2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4","parentId",2150105,"title","Residents urge action on youth gun violence, utilities outages and sidewalks at Erie council meeting","audioSeconds",2734,"startMs",56000,"endMs",2790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4&start=56&end=2790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4/thumbnail_56000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371277/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-urge-action-on-youth-gun-violence-utilities-outages-and-sidewalks-at-Erie-council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371277-72b12c8f8adfe1487bbcdac37bfe7336/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449838&Signature=WgUmKWxtD6HTKm5cjCrBZ0ip02WlkD0gqWilbtGu24O4r-QD9nyO-T4tP6nIuylDeQggp0CD97-dau3NrBpmgMyuNj-Xt4g2bWYAqEHqIG~sKd4P6cNNkqEtD6eQddql4PDc7KMKqFn~61ACgOqGz5joLeNUDPNtU~Nq9~7qudzcQqMmPTp96Wqw0dqU8fPJjeH9viLkbDyD9UmTXbK0KkN05m59HpvdICu~bxOVY7rSkRdCkoT8i7KAs4aHhKhdPxiKpsfqJhUMXIdxXMOONm7dXK5FRDWx2XDa4tRWYeIc6o8ECNy1vtf-k3BsnLYRXlG7ol2LrUYXhUkXQNIrpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Erie, PA","date","2025-01-24T21:30:31Z","article","Several residents addressed the Erie City Council on Jan. 22, 2025, urging action on youth gun violence, sidewalk accessibility and utility outages.

Council Member Flores opened the meeting with a public remark noting recent youth deaths to gun violence and called for better community response, saying the rate at which young people are dying \"is alarming, and we need to do something.\" Deonte Cooley, a lifelong Erie resident, told council that three young people had been killed in a short span and urged the city to prioritize outreach and conflict resolution in affected neighborhoods: \"These are our children,\" he said, and offered to participate in planning efforts.

Other commenters raised related quality-of-life concerns. Freda Tepper said seven-day unpermitted sidewalk closures for utility work are too long and especially harmful to pedestrians who are visually impaired; she urged changes so closures are shorter and fines enforced against businesses that block sidewalks. John Granahan, a 28-year Fire Department member, and other speakers raised alarm about the planned multi-hour Penelec (utility) outages and said many elderly and medically dependent residents have little recourse during scheduled shutoffs.

Council members acknowledged the concerns; city staff and the solicitor described the sidewalk-exemption ordinance as written to allow short-term emergency utility work (the ordinance as passed includes a seven-day emergency exemption), and council asked administration and relevant departments to provide further details on implementation. No immediate formal policy or new budget appropriation was adopted in response during the meeting; several council members said they would follow up with the clerk’s office or relevant departments.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - January 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents told council that recent shootings and a string of utility outages or multi-day sidewalk closures are harming vulnerable residents and called for targeted outreach, improved snow/sidewalk management and scrutiny of utility shutdowns.","taxTitle","Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2967,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371282,"Erie council proclaims January National Mentoring Month; highlights North Star Mentoring",337,248000,585000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4&start=248&end=585","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6371282/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Erie-council-proclaims-January-National-Mentoring-Month-highlights-North-Star-Mentoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371282-cb50fd4443bd6f57a4ba6c1b3ab01f92/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449838&Signature=YU7Hug3kupTZplgwXw8dq3-wtT4Pv0o5AIjGY8kv0vxsalwM8W8ml4tqw6edfgzmUOJPos8b-Qiv3SmUSkTE77atHXKdETw6spKt0uVRWIYDVau0HrdmvSd7F8ZtOttBmpwOCFzWIqIeuYWm-LcWA7fPUTYlEjPHwd81eFWYq-IF7ZmfWrtNAqnQOA~OZnS1jbd8k5Z9vKb8lBHhs4snY-QmXR36C32OkjC9UURDw0JrkD9~pQGe40Kh19kQU1CNfE~VMs99CFUnIS13uBAnH4GgByYp4Mrr~HmUqUZEi0dr1zdknnU4woxZrgFEZcvw4ruZSeyCdLDllJ9wmmtylg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council on Jan. 22, 2025, adopted a resolution recognizing National Mentoring Month and honoring North Star Mentoring, the Erie County Independent Living Program.

Brenda Martin, mentoring specialist with Bethesda Lutheran Services and the Erie County Independent Living Program, addressed council about the program’s work pairing trained volunteers with youth ages 14–23 who are referred from the Office of Children and Youth or juvenile probation. \"If the youth is interested, I will recruit a volunteer who is willing to be a one-on-one mentor to that youth,\" Martin said. She described volunteer screening, trauma-informed training, and recurring events for mentor–mentee matches.

Council Member Schauff sponsored the resolution, seconded by Council Members Brzezinski, Flores, Nelson, Titus, Troop and Witherspoon. The resolution thanks and celebrates the mentoring program’s volunteers and encourages residents to consider mentoring.

Martin told council that the program assists youth with life skills and that matches participate in activities such as miniature golf and movie nights; she left flyers and contact information for anyone interested in volunteering. The council publicly thanked Martin and the mentors for their work.

","Council adopted a resolution honoring North Star Mentoring (Erie County Independent Living Program) and recognized volunteers who mentor youth 14–23 transitioning from foster care or juvenile probation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371287,"Erie council rejects May home-rule referendum; debate centers on timeline and outreach",625,3425000,4050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4&start=3425&end=4050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4/thumbnail_3425000.jpg","/articles/6371287/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Erie-council-rejects-May-home-rule-referendum-debate-centers-on-timeline-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371287-def5c1345326fd6bc32d36707d143495/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449838&Signature=Q-Ocnxg~klkrFT2G9BVcH5hZsjj11dN6dnhKrybDoT2IWg2lQ01aWWyRiZ9oC1SrKMWkShB0UHmpLJXYpxkwBuNXK61iXn-ar5AnnrzP8Yg4THCrBRtkUqQNoBpGpkExzQadP6nG0RLiFP~MFdPy71p~TdXpAbl5rlT06j8YuCSZiWWaZrPLeFBeMVqzHRYG4uLx7ri0Q-rW5s9ZFZDxkdeQAowZIQF5Z5DvCx5UXn8E86NYA7kqif4gceiO7wyp1~FIFxIjg-YbMHPPu5Lztr75OQDcuzxhZ~lCcuisiINp8Q0NcY5-g6kAiYZNKWIfvlKLugeIqEP0BBwFry0Nkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erie City Council voted 3–4 on Jan. 22, 2025, to defeat an ordinance that would have added a subsection to Article 101 authorizing a May referendum to study whether the city should adopt a home-rule charter.

Sponsor Council Member Nelson argued the measure would empower voters and move the question forward in time; opponents and multiple public commenters said the timeframe for public education and signature-gathering was too short. During debate council members and speakers discussed petition mechanics, signature deadlines and the cost of an education campaign.

Nelson said the May timeline would allow the commission process to begin sooner and that a local study could provide voters more direct input. In opposition, Council Member Jerry Clark said the council should slow the process, give residents more time for deliberation and consider placing the question on the general-election ballot to maximize turnout.

City staff and the solicitor noted procedural deadlines for ballot placement: petition activity was cited to begin Feb. 18 with a March 11 deadline for filings if pursued on the proposed schedule. Several public commenters also urged more outreach: Carl Anderson recommended a slow, methodical process with fundraising and community education and estimated the start-up cost at between $200,000 and $500,000. Freda Tepper and other attendees urged time for broader community engagement before a final vote.

The motion to finally pass Ordinance 16492 (Official Ordinance 3, 2025) was recorded as moved by Nelson and seconded by Titus and failed by a 3–4 vote. Councilors who spoke in favor during the meeting said they supported a study commission but wanted adequate public education; those opposing said the May timeline was too compressed.

No alternative motion to table the ordinance passed on the floor; council members noted that tabling would restart or prolong the timeline and could necessitate reprinting or re-drafting for a later ballot cycle.

","Council voted 3–4 to defeat an ordinance that would have authorized a May referendum to create a home-rule charter study commission, with opponents citing a rushed timeline and supporters urging earlier local control.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371293,"Erie council advances multiple ordinances, rejects home-rule referendum vote",698,4123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150105-f9f2af76b1a64e9de2b8a0371a9525f4&start=3425&end=4123","/articles/6371293/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Erie-council-advances-multiple-ordinances-rejects-home-rule-referendum-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371293-f684eb5acf018cbe8124654d5becc0eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775449838&Signature=i8vEBGFL~-fOMv5QakAQy5z83Y-mLJw7WnbuanfjsA-z-yOeLz-U97~EN0vBe57gKtxkIFxqNxl3H3jRRFjZlZoHtle4StJ2GET5-KexzYcx2yYVHgQCQZHPnd12tuOIoA36bm2WU0C5fkUZR4bk2QWdHHS42F5x6QVTQJ-LrJI0OhmS-9CeMPICvwd8v1W6d1-xUXnYfOImd77jgT~D3nodtZ3pVbkld30~XZk9hDeV0Zt2-NNxUO46yJ0FaX-~fhMUY~rwoJZhiUOGIP6PL8otmplrjg8qTveT7riU-IojM13rbraWJh3KX5MXZDSHqdeGgSuAPcUdAAPjCoyoXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council of Erie considered a string of ordinances and resolutions on Jan. 22, 2025, adopting most measures while rejecting a proposed ordinance to authorize a May referendum on creating a home-rule charter study commission.

The council approved a change to the city's sidewalk-closure rules to exempt short-term closures by public utilities, amended the rental-housing code to exclude the Housing Authority of the City of Erie from the landlord definition, and passed a parking-in-bike-lane restriction. The council also read several grant-appropriation ordinances on first reading, and approved local historic designations. A resolution approving the Higher Education Building Authority to issue bonds for Gannon University passed with one abstention.

The action list below captures the formal outcomes announced during the meeting and the sponsors or procedural notes recorded on the record.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance (Council file 16492 / Official Ordinance 3, 2025) — amendment to Article 101 to authorize a referendum to study a home-rule charter. Sponsor: Council Member Nelson; second: Council Member Titus. Outcome: failed on final passage, vote tally 3 yes, 4 no.

- Ordinance (Council file 16493 / Official Ordinance 4, 2025) — amendment to Article 521 to prohibit parking in bike lanes (lanes of travel). Sponsor: Council Member Nelson; second: Council Member Schauff. Outcome: passed on final passage, yeas 4, nays 3.

- Ordinance (Council file 16494 / Official Ordinance 5, 2025) — amend Article 7 1911 to exempt short-term closures by public utilities from sidewalk-closure permit requirement. Sponsor: Council Member Brzezinski; second: Council Member Titus. Outcome: passed on final passage, unanimous 7–0.

- Ordinance (Council file 16495 / Official Ordinance 6, 2025) — amend rental-housing definitions to exclude the Housing Authority of the City of Erie from the definition of \"landlord.\" Sponsor: Council Member Witherspoon; second: Council Member Brzezinski. Outcome: passed on final passage, unanimous 7–0.

- Ordinances read and adopted on first reading (all announced as 7–0 on first reading): council file 16496 (appropriating $100,000 from PHFA / FAIR for owner-occupant repair grants), council file 16497 (appropriating $1,000,000 for a DOJ BJA FY24 auto-theft enforcement grant), council file 16498 (appropriating $81,889 for DOJ FY24 JAG program police equipment), and council file 16499 (appropriating $1,000,000 from ARP fund interest to the capital improvement fund). Council file 16500 was pulled by the sponsor.

- Historic structure designations (resolutions) — local designation of 411 State Street and 1372 West 6th Street under Article 7 (historic resource protection). Action: resolutions approved, 7–0.

- Resolution approving the City of Erie Higher Education Building Authority to undertake a project for Gannon University and to issue bonds. Sponsor: Council Member Shaw; second: Council Member Titus. Outcome: resolution passed; Council President Witherspoon abstained and the resolution passed with a 6–0 recorded vote and one abstention on the record.

Context and next steps

Several ordinances took effect after final passage; others were advanced on first reading and will return for additional council action. The failed home-rule ordinance means the council declined, by a 3–4 vote, to place the proposed May referendum on the ballot; sponsors and opponents debated timeline, petition deadlines, and public outreach during the discussion.

No additional formal follow-up motions were recorded in the meeting minutes for the failed home-rule item; separate committees and staff follow-up were referenced for grant administration and implementation tasks tied to several first-reading appropriations.

","Council voted on several ordinances and resolutions on Jan. 22, passing most measures including utility sidewalk exemptions and rental-housing language, while an ordinance to authorize a May referendum on a home-rule charter study failed 3–4.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge action on youth gun violence, utilities outages and sidewalks at Erie council meeting

Erie council proclaims January National Mentoring Month; highlights North Star Mentoring

Erie council rejects May home-rule referendum; debate centers on timeline and outreach

Erie council advances multiple ordinances, rejects home-rule referendum vote