[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6516848,"mediaKeyId","5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed","parentId",5460447,"title","Votes at a glance: Erie City Council approves HUD appropriations, capital and stormwater reappointments, zoning code amendments on first reading","audioSeconds",677,"startMs",1491000,"endMs",2168000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed&start=1491&end=2168","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6516848/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Erie-City-Council-approves-HUD-appropriations-capital-and-stormwater-reappointments-zoning-code-amendments-on-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516848-fbe34bc4e7c63210664ce8f81045df0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170186&Signature=ekUSUprKsRmTIZ~1pq~tshEyx~0a8v595szY4trehbaNFWUcsVy9VxGm0gWCkepAG8oOMwtkdM9EvKBe3RXb3icsb2jld4Z67jGEAa9ZaBtu3RU5ZvJxuZr39V6Q~DnceG~O7ckipTsjJDuxixitDyksw-OGNUgFPAQzNtDAQW8y1YewoVaWqcaMVQYj74D9b0vo4KfmCMMGz7Rp12y55q18jOV1tc-Sk3PiuXEM3dW76UO-cosSzBtL6zx4tFosAEw0aKiuNNZuivgrNv9vnGmniDR4YjV~uF~XGfzUkcIGPcrhHbU59LICA8ef3lghJhpIXP3Up2WFapyih9mc9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Erie, PA","date","2025-07-02T00:00:00Z","article","Erie City Council on July 2 approved a package of ordinances and appropriations. The council recorded final passage on multiple items, most by unanimous votes of the six members present (Flores, Nelson, Schauff, Titus, Troop and Witherspoon). Below are the items recorded in the meeting minutes with the motion sponsors and outcomes as stated in the record.

Final passage (selected items recorded in the meeting minutes):

- Council file number 16534 → Official Ordinance 44-20-25: Appropriating $261,142 from unanticipated revenue to be received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) 2025 projects. Sponsored by Council Member Titus; seconded by Council Member Flores. Passed 6–0.

- Council file number 16535 → Official Ordinance 45-20-25: Appropriating $2,775,245 from HUD and $5,000 in program income (total $2,780,245) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025 projects. Sponsored by Council Member Titus; seconded by Council Member Flores. Passed 6–0.

- Council file number 16536 → Official Ordinance 46-20-25: Appropriating funds (amount cited in the record) from HUD for the Falling Home M25 project. Sponsored by Council Member Titus; seconded by Council Member Flores. Passed 6–0. (The transcripted amount was unclear; amount not specified here.)

- Council file number 16537 → Official Ordinance 47-20-25: Authorization for the city to incur lease-rental debt evidenced by a guaranteed revenue note, maximum principal amount $414,900, to be issued by the Erie City Water Authority for public water distribution facility improvements; includes guarantee agreement and sinking-fund arrangements. Passed 6–0. Sponsor listed in record.

- Council file number 16538 → Official Ordinance 48-20-25: Appropriating $79,898 from ARP revenue replacement fund. Sponsored by Council Member Nelson; seconded by Council Member Flores. Passed 6–0.

- Council file number 16539 → Official Ordinance 49-20-25: Appropriation for 2025 Auto Theft Prevention Authority (amount cited in record not specified). Sponsored by Council Member Schauff; seconded by Council Member Troop. Passed 6–0.

- Council file number 16540 → Official Ordinance 50-20-25: Appropriating $190,961 from unanticipated revenue for 2025 Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority. Sponsored by Council Member Schauff; seconded by Council Member Troop. Passed 6–0.

- Council file number 16541 → Official Ordinance 51-20-25 (listed in record) and Council file number 16541/16542 → Official Ordinance 51-20-25 and 52-20-25: Appropriations from the City of Erie Capital Fund totaling $1,097,563 (capital expenditures) and $143,520.30 from stormwater fund balance (reappropriation for Cockwood Bridge project funds budgeted in 2024 but not expended). Sponsored by Council Member Nelson and Council Member Troop respectively. Passed 6–0.

- Council file number 16543 → Official Ordinance 53-20-25: Amendment to Article 11-29 (Quality of Life Violations) to amend the illegal burning subsection; described as clarifying rules and responsibilities and enforcement by the Fire Department. Sponsored by Council Member Schauff; seconded by Council Member (record). Passed 6–0.

First reading/adopted on first reading:

- Council file number 16544: Amend and supplement codified ordinances (Article 7 of the zoning code) revising Historic Review Commission duties, streamlining review for historic preservation, revising nomination and certificate of appropriateness processes. Read and adopted on first reading, vote 6–0.

- Council file number 16545: Appropriating $11,000 from unappropriated revenue for Penelec generator revenue. Read and adopted on first reading, vote 6–0.

- Council file number 16546: Appropriating $16,322.02 from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner grant to buy a battery-operated tool for a fire company/EMS. Read and adopted on first reading, vote 6–0.

Procedure and votes: For each item the minutes record sponsors, seconds, and the council members who voted. The meeting record lists the six members present and records final passage by roll call for the items noted above. Where the transcript text presented an unclear numeric amount (in one case the Falling Home M25 amount), the minutes recorded passage but the exact figure was not clearly transcribed in the provided record.

Items passed will be implemented per the usual administrative procedures; several appropriations route federal HUD and CDBG funds to community centers and shelters (noted by staff during committee reports).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Erie City Council Meeting - July 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the July 2 meeting the Erie City Council passed multiple appropriations and ordinances, including HUD ESG and CDBG appropriations, capital fund and stormwater reappointments, amendments to quality-of-life rules on illegal burning, lease-rental debt approval, and several first-reading zoning and capital items. Most votes were unanimous (6–0).","taxTitle","Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2967,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516854,"Residents urge permanent cooling infrastructure after 48-hour heat wave; councilors note shelter/library limits",0,1331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed&start=1331&end=1331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed/thumbnail_1331000.jpg","/articles/6516854/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-urge-permanent-cooling-infrastructure-after-48-hour-heat-wave-councilors-note-shelterlibrary-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516854-7cd763b35608ece682b85c125e3dd99e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170186&Signature=WBgjGSLNeciu1-vTaEDiZGyNovTVOZarb8ed-ZHVMV0i4iPQLRQSh2LxyvPFe~G5s-jUjn-a5d66c-o-bpjnRl3U2bhkKd~tu5f1wGwyn2g4GS5qqnd2Ic9E~0PUU4pH5mFaW~PMnR9frE9LIrDQoqaksTixwpCMmaPrtlZT9wJBDZpsB0aiAViILXezWi9O-SNox1EiWYUEVV6cE1~6Uj2k3sVEcBaNCa~6owdUeRVfpJpNa-82-eZq17LSFFB~VaEoYOxPGnqq8pAqL2DHhIojHXIh8SF32T8ab8sBU661C~QLSNY9eVppfd6vdEcshlif2tgbx8DNe8dTeptz7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Erie residents used the July 2 public-comment period to urge City Council to establish permanent public cooling infrastructure and better services for people most vulnerable to extreme heat.

Michael Ortenby, one of the speakers, framed the issue as part of government’s role to protect public health and social welfare during environmental emergencies. He said governments must “identify resources both financial and for these sorts of events in the future” after the city experienced more than 48 consecutive hours of unusually high temperatures.

Wednesday Kennedy, who said she moved to Erie from New York City, described choosing Erie as “positioning itself as a climate haven” and urged the city to plan for people who cannot relocate. Nathan George (registered as living in Fairview Township) recommended establishing permanent cooling infrastructure — examples he and other speakers cited included public showers, air-conditioned community centers and hydration stations. Jane Deutschlander called for temporary cooling stations and water in central locations such as Perry Square during extreme heat.

Speakers pointed to existing local and regional examples: the recent pop-up cooling station run by the Erie Downtown Partnership at Perry Square (which distributed more than 100 cases of water), public showers at Beaches 8 and 11, and shelter models used in Cleveland and other cities. Commenters said many existing cooling or shelter options are inaccessible to pedestrians or are geographically concentrated on the Peninsula, limiting access for people without transportation.

Council members acknowledged the concerns. Councilwoman Jasmine Flores said the Blasco Library serves as an important cooling place for many residents and called for prioritizing “our most vulnerable communities” and expanding community spaces. In committee discussion later in the meeting a council member invited public commenters to share contact information so staff and council could follow up about crisis planning.

No formal council action was recorded in the meeting minutes to create new permanent cooling infrastructure. Council members and staff said they would continue outreach and consider next steps; staff noted that some funding approved later in the meeting (Community Development Block Grant and ESG appropriations) will be routed to community centers and shelters that provide services during heat events.

What residents asked for: permanent climate emergency shelters downtown, more hydration stations and water-bottle refill stations in public buildings, improved accessibility to existing air-conditioned facilities, and coordinated outreach and transport during extreme heat.

What council said: Council members expressed sympathy and noted capacity and access constraints at existing facilities; they asked staff to pursue outreach and to receive follow-up input from residents who spoke.","Multiple public commenters at the July 2 Erie City Council meeting urged expanded permanent cooling infrastructure, hydration stations and better outreach to the unhoused after a recent 48-hour heat wave; council members acknowledged capacity limits at existing facilities and discussed follow-up outreach.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516857,"Erie council ratifies $1 million Enterprise Zone loan for Gannon build-out after accessibility concerns raised",2236,340000,2576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed&start=340&end=2576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5460447-31aa29f16bf3df94ff4bf50ac73a21ed/thumbnail_340000.jpg","/articles/6516857/Erie/Erie-County/Pennsylvania/Erie-council-ratifies-1-million-Enterprise-Zone-loan-for-Gannon-build-out-after-accessibility-concerns-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516857-b59c44724033b2cafe5156571be813e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170186&Signature=TuccwamCZEPWWRlbcU3OJ9bJjKYBBkWGk7CoVUN7jd4w5eooAQKzzkjc6VXndtud0-ary9yUg5S74ykbojU5WPCsYyXi3WXnWIYUDp0HSHbcljy6rtWpdgQsrfwZmr-m8tdJXpE0kX0Slca7C7A6XmexfyUq5IuzK7BEH5vm3fpNemMFOWQSuVm8Y5PnYuHKlpY6z5GfovmwzUtF-RoAtQHpYdD2zulecK2EZkLyfXk-MdfJtnO~ShBGU2G2rTk1Y4JibfY5DjB4D1QehkuysbhFZy~x3-UBJlb7TyCeJshgTz~kkkKuTVJTMzDOKWQMaAolGYaCUXTaA66Mys36vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Erie City Council on July 2 ratified a $1,000,000 loan from the City of Erie Enterprise Zone revolving loan fund to support the First Ascent Biomedical project tied to Gannon University’s Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge. The loan is for 15 years at a fixed interest rate of 2.99 percent; council directed city officials to sign the necessary documents.

The vote followed public comment criticizing prior public subsidies to the project and citing repeated sidewalk closures during related construction. A resident (name not provided) told council the institution “is one of the worst offenders of the city's sidewalk closure ordinance,” and asked why the city should loan to “this supposed nonprofit” after other public support from the county.

Council members moved and seconded the ratification as an item of business. The loan resolution was sponsored by Council Member Titus and seconded by Council Member Flores and passed unanimously by the six members present.

City staff described the loan as being charged to the City of Erie Enterprise Zone revolving loan fund and noted a one-time processing fee equal to one-half of 1 percent of the loan amount. Council discussion after the public comments focused on construction-related accessibility. One council member who requested separation of the item said they wanted to highlight public comments and asked Gannon to present “a better plan and...responsibility around” maintaining pedestrian access during construction so members could vote with confidence. Another council member clarified that the loan was intended to finance a business build-out on Gannon property rather than direct support for the university as an educational institution.

The council’s formal action ratified the Enterprise Zone loan and authorized the proper city officials to execute loan documents. Council members voting in favor were listed in the record as Flores, Nelson, Schauff, Titus, Troop and Witherspoon. The council president announced the resolution passed 6–0.

Background: The item had been placed on the consent/omnibus portion of the agenda but was separated for discussion after public comment. The loan will be governed by the loan documents and the existing Enterprise Zone revolving fund procedures; no additional administrative conditions or enforcement steps related to sidewalk management were specified in the motion on the floor.

Council direction and follow-up: During the discussion a council member explicitly asked Gannon to produce a construction management plan addressing sidewalk closures and accessibility for disabled residents; the motion that passed did not incorporate a requirement that such a plan be submitted before closing the loan. Council members asked staff to pursue better accountability and to request a presentation from Gannon on mitigation measures for sidewalk impacts.

Votes at a glance: The Enterprise Zone loan ratification (Gannon University / First Ascent Biomedical project) passed unanimously, 6–0.

What’s next: The city authorized staff to sign loan documents and to proceed with fund disbursement under the terms described in the loan paperwork. The council requested that Gannon present accessibility/sidewalk mitigation plans to the council or relevant staff in the coming weeks.","City Council on July 2 ratified a $1,000,000, 15-year Enterprise Zone loan to finance a build-out tied to Gannon University's First Ascent Biomedical project, and a council member asked the university to present a plan to reduce sidewalk closures and improve accessibility during construction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Erie City Council approves HUD appropriations, capital and stormwater reappointments, zoning code amendments on first reading

Residents urge permanent cooling infrastructure after 48-hour heat wave; councilors note shelter/library limits

Erie council ratifies $1 million Enterprise Zone loan for Gannon build-out after accessibility concerns raised