[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6283446,"mediaKeyId","2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c","parentId",2588273,"title","Emergicare thanks city for snow response; says EMS funding agreement in progress","audioSeconds",2960,"startMs",860000,"endMs",3820000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c&start=860&end=3820","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c/thumbnail_860000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283446/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Emergicare-thanks-city-for-snow-response-says-EMS-funding-agreement-in-progress","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283446-050938bffb4b66eb880ce5a6f66e0090/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191821&Signature=HBa-LB2HyVgm7WLhlPFl-7TK3WQs33U7l9m79ilURxGKwLw~Jtn3Df3mjejMWTCmf5GSMEIjzW4ANF6sx4jrZKKDjkTTNPVOqbixLCaGtEb3UWn5fMqVxLRKyQhoAjbnIn0GYPFHaMG5xO8OpQq5oSHLDMME7FuKFUcoIGjXO~N7VUQVuumrvBtzRlUmRX71Phx7SrtoNnd1Z4-qVSUnll-sU7dcCfrwd65CWIympXl-64WJX7sxhVva1P5qmYBHexqkKkOYOmNy-A2xd8AyINUmDbOly2qrwMMUkX2Bp6KG~04RR44FhIQh-fG3bnXJbBCUqrExIdNLUMssO7iIFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Erie, PA","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","David Basnak, president and executive director of Emergicare, told Erie City Council on March 5 that the private ambulance provider responded to roughly 305 emergencies during a recent severe snow event and that city firefighters and public-works crews helped keep ambulances moving when vehicles became stuck.

Basnak described the assistance as “paramount” during the multi-day crisis and publicly thanked the Erie Fire Department and the city for help. He said Emergicare has been working with the administration and council members to address EMS funding barriers and that the organization and the city are developing an agreement to formalize assistance; Basnak asked council to visit Emergicare to see how city funds are used.

Basnak told council Emergicare began serving Erie in 1983 and now responds to about 20,000–22,000 emergencies annually within the municipality. He said the company appreciates the council’s allocated funding for the year and looks forward to completing a formal agreement with the administration.

Council members thanked Emergicare for the work, with one councilor offering to help arrange a council work session or site visit to the Emergicare facility so members can see operations firsthand. The administration later said it is working on several grant responses and program plans but did not provide further details about the timing of the emergency-medical-services agreement at the March 5 meeting.

Basnak said Emergicare’s door is “always open” to council members for education and site visits; council members indicated they will coordinate with the administration and the provider to plan a visit and continued conversation about EMS funding and operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Erie City Council Meeting - March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Emergicare’s president publicly thanked Erie firefighters, streets crews and the city for assistance during a major snow event, said the ambulance provider handled about 305 emergencies during the period and is working with the administration on an EMS funding agreement.","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},6283449,"Resident raises immigration enforcement concerns; council members back study session",2623,1064000,3687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c&start=1064&end=3687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c/thumbnail_1064000.jpg","/articles/6283449/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Resident-raises-immigration-enforcement-concerns-council-members-back-study-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283449-c3b9a93d4abc9fd290af267e6d9009f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191821&Signature=DHhns0aYSlwc3FlciUBNHF45e2Jabv6Z40Hxz83s5Zmz9zUWxisp3fRBn6xwRkwx9x4oRL11xcaCZpjvAeCloId9AbbKb-crvX14HRkg9HWScrjwIVpfVnqsJUQDyiR9K8sAoc70zKuTEY7oPL0uPk~HFe20CqK4iIgw8khNzSGSwC~IwdQisOht0SPe37h18Lb977GZDXoGT-zhl7SirCf58~-vqrLIx35u86OGVGjKpuiBLlwBzFlCFjuTvQ7SrjojG9ET6qI7RO6D1dwICWh6oyisgQjUHLHMMXKtbJYTkuECmdfgspMgVM7gWe5247e3tWZWGYMB7IreFKwfYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the public-comment period on March 5, Erie resident Alexandra Iwanenko urged council to review the city’s policies and their implementation on interactions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Iwanenko said Erie is a certified “welcoming community” and that upgrading that certification would require a policy clearly delineating the roles of local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. She said she had received reports from community members alleging Erie Police stopped family members, asked for documents and that federal immigration was subsequently notified; she said she reviewed an ICE Form I-213 narrative that named Erie police calling a border patrol station after a person was found without an ID.

Iwanenko said the mayor’s Jan. 30 statement said Erie police would call federal immigration authorities only when someone was involved in a violent crime or being investigated for violent crime; she asked council and the administration to confirm whether the police are following that standard and to consider policy clarifications.

Council Member Nelson said he supports scheduling a study session after caucus discussion and that he expects the council will put a resolution on a future agenda to provide a little more time or clarity on related scheduling matters. Councilwoman Barrett (identified from the meeting as a council liaison) also urged a study session; she said many constituents have contacted council expressing fear and a sense of not being heard, and she emphasized the need for clear, dignified policies and consistent execution by the administration and police.

Several other council members affirmed the request to convene a study session to review policy, implementation and any necessary clarifications. No formal motion or vote was recorded during the public-comment portion; council members said they would coordinate with the president and administration to set the study session.

Speakers during the meeting emphasized distinguishing between policy (what the city intends) and practice (how officers act in the field) and asked for a formal forum so council could be briefed and seek clarifications from staff and the police department.","A resident, Alexandra Iwanenko, told council she has documents suggesting Erie police called federal immigration authorities for nonviolent incidents; council members said they want a study session to review policies and practices.",{"_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},6283451,"Country Fair requests transfer of liquor license into Erie, outlines plan to rebuild 30th Street store",999,2058000,3057000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c&start=2058&end=3057","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c/thumbnail_2058000.jpg","/articles/6283451/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Country-Fair-requests-transfer-of-liquor-license-into-Erie-outlines-plan-to-rebuild-30th-Street-store","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283451-cc91cc272b97dfcdedff752265ed451b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191821&Signature=dkqhoHJnemwi~a3NDmYqkrbNQkMbRQ63LfdiKMcNZlxPTIArhIlbCaroAFCJ16y3Hf3OSzEQgSN9inotSGZoWhPLneDn1XHNSKPjDpxyWmiQFd0qulBJkD9EQ0LMCX3SFTnnN~79xWu14pr9dFe8tO6TxgkaiI~lYFjJOG6nyarhzS4PBND13g0HSwXfJa5v-Zh9sSIUxanDuFJWd0GaYa301rkKVqC1a08Upnonalqv9P3Oq8YA251WsWTAyPf3GLsBopppSOim5g2VdO7zE9ja8C~chVTlfjsi6HopBDSh7PEtwnhWDYH-fPm9T6BCYVd0S5-9CsMdMc3KZKHjBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Country Fair asked Erie City Council on March 5 to approve the transfer of a liquor license from Waterford into the city and described plans to replace and expand its long-running 30th Street store.

Barry Klonowski, counsel for Country Fair, told council the company intends to move a license to the retail facility at the 30th Street location and sought council’s “stamp of approval” per the liquor code. Company representatives said the plan includes rebuilding the existing store footprint, adding seating for up to 30 customers, installing commercial public restrooms and improving the corner’s appearance. The company’s stated policy is to card every alcohol sale and require ID for each purchase.

Dave Denkert, identified as a director of operations for Country Fair, said the 30th Street location (store number 50) has operated for more than 25 years and the company wants to “beautify that whole corner” with a larger, modern store. He told council Country Fair carries multiple licensed locations across Pennsylvania and nearby states and that the company enforces age-restriction policies and staff training.

AJ Cimino, the store engineer, said the rebuild would add larger commercial restrooms and seating and that the project could start in the fall at the earliest because of planning and permitting timelines. Cimino also said the design will follow “dark sky” principles so lighting is directed downward to reduce impacts on nearby residences.

During public comment, a nearby resident raised concerns about bright lighting from the current store, its effect on neighbors and migrating birds; the resident said improvements were welcome but asked the company to mitigate nuisance lighting. Company representatives said they have previously installed shields to direct light and said they would consider additional measures.

No one spoke in opposition during the public hearing, and council did not vote on the transfer at the meeting. Klonowski told council the only statutory ground for denying a license transfer would be if the council found it would adversely affect the health, safety, welfare or morals of city residents; he asked that the council pass the resolution at the next available opportunity.

The company offered to provide its written policy on restricted-item sales and to work with neighbors on lighting. Council did not record a decision at the hearing and indicated the resolution would be scheduled for a subsequent meeting for formal action.","Country Fair representatives asked council to approve moving a liquor license from Waterford to the store at 30th Street, described plans to rebuild the site with seating and public restrooms, and answered neighborhood questions about lighting and timing; no votes were taken at the public hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6283452,"Erie City Council approves four appropriations; reads another grant ordinance on first reading",453,1407000,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c&start=1407&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2588273-0ef4d393b4293e31b2d93b2b4254834c/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/6283452/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Erie-City-Council-approves-four-appropriations-reads-another-grant-ordinance-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283452-39b4b9cb332c086077bac9b6bfb04e57/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191821&Signature=GV9glz7pSlN3pz8P1OwVdncMsIjn8vSRG8BE~CO5EcTMPuf~xcWYWyVfTr40dpF~ZeDOQNr5laOVWGLksW10bCMYqipr849PbWvhNN2FJ5rqCe~GjLWgXC~vINqMN7ap8t18Lu6SVNi225FxBOvIwYX3nxyB1MECni2DEe42CeKF4rcNTY9AlWZsnaTwrhQPg35F0xWyu6-TD1UWZcv2PLdsc5aL57VzTdqZVYehbQkixK-DS75gTbQW5896BpTyhg64AHciAjMSVWOOa~L~M2KjwaUe1ljipRg8Z8aWfOAPUPzisqvzP5ebxSoFBzFeZX~6Y9iAjj2r0nNYZBLQvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erie City Council on March 5 unanimously approved four ordinances that appropriate roughly $217,000 in new or unanticipated revenue for police equipment, community programs and codification work, and it read a $21,600 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant ordinance on first reading.

The measures passed by 6-0 votes and were sponsored by individual council members. The largest single appropriation was a $127,000 Commonwealth grant for a police crisis communication vehicle; other appropriations included a $40,000 Erie Insurance contribution to the Bureau of Police and two Community Partnership Program grants totaling $71,600 across two ordinances.

Taken together, the ordinances provide funding for police operations, the city’s community partnerships program and the technical work of incorporating certain existing local ordinances into the city’s codified ordinance. Council members who registered the final votes were Council Member Flores, Council Member Nelson, Council Member Shoff, Council Member Titus, Council Member Troop and Council President Mel Witherspoon.

The council approved the following final-passage ordinances:
- Official ordinance 13-20-25 (Council file 16502) — $40,000 from unappropriated revenue, a contribution from Erie Insurance for use by the Bureau of Police. Sponsored by Council Member Shaw. Passed 6-0.
- Official ordinance 14-20-25 (Council file 16503) — $127,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Department of Community and Economic Development, to purchase a police crisis communication vehicle. Sponsored by Council Member Schauff. Passed 6-0.
- Official ordinance 15-20-25 (Council file 16504) — approval to edit and include certain ordinances as parts of the codified ordinances of Erie, Pennsylvania (codification/technical update). Sponsored by Council Member Witherspoon. Passed 6-0.
- Official ordinance 16-20-25 (Council file 16505) — $50,000 from an unanticipated Community Partnerships Program grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation. Sponsored by Council Member Nelson. Passed 6-0.

Council also read and adopted on first reading council file ordinance 16-50-6 (official ordinance number 17-20-25 in the transcript), an ordinance appropriating $21,600 from an anticipated DCNR Community Partnership Program grant; the measure passed first reading by a 6-0 vote and will return for final consideration on a future agenda.

The council took no debate on the measures beyond sponsor identification and routine roll call votes. No formal amendments or recorded dissents were made during the deliberations.

Council staff and the administration indicated the grants and donations come from state agencies and a private insurer; the administration will manage the expenditures through the city’s normal accounting process and report back as required by the grant agreements.

Votes at a glance: the four final-passage ordinances listed above were approved unanimously, and one additional grant ordinance was approved on first reading for later final passage.","Council unanimously passed four ordinances funding police equipment, community programs and code codification and read a $21,600 DCNR grant ordinance on first reading during its March 5 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Emergicare thanks city for snow response; says EMS funding agreement in progress

Resident raises immigration enforcement concerns; council members back study session

Country Fair requests transfer of liquor license into Erie, outlines plan to rebuild 30th Street store

Erie City Council approves four appropriations; reads another grant ordinance on first reading