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Council approves agreement with Phoenix Graphics; one councilor abstains over business relationship
Summary
Ordinance No. 36‑2025 approving an agreement between the County of Erie and Phoenix Graphics Inc. passed; Councilmember Coakley stated a preexisting business interaction with the grant recipient and abstained from the vote.
Erie County Council on Tuesday approved Ordinance No. 36‑2025, an agreement between the County of Erie and Phoenix Graphics Incorporated. During discussion, Councilmember Coakley said he had “a preexisting business interaction with the recipient of this grant” and announced an abstention; the council then moved and approved the agreement with the abstention recorded.
Why it matters: The vote approves a county agreement with a named private vendor while a councilmember publicly disclosed a potential conflict of interest and abstained from the vote.
Details and vote: The ordinance was moved and seconded and called to the question. Councilmember Coakley spoke to the record stating he has a preexisting business interaction with the recipient and said, “I’m abstaining from this vote.” The roll calls recorded Yes votes from Winarski, Bale, Copeland, Drexel, Horton, Schauerman and Chairman Scutella; Coakley’s abstention was recorded. The transcript does not provide further details of the agreement’s dollar value or scope.
Follow up: The transcript contains no additional information about whether county ethics staff reviewed the disclosure or whether the contract includes special provisions related to the abstention or potential conflict.
