Erie council approves appropriations and first readings, tables tax-claim sales
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Summary
City Council approved a $15,000 canine donation and several first-reading appropriations (including a $20,507,447.17 capital bond fund item and $400,000 for street lighting), reappointed a water-authority member and tabled two tax-claim property sales amid concerns about out-of-state buyers.
Erie City Council on Wednesday approved multiple budget and administrative items while tabling two proposed tax-claim property sales after public concern about out-of-state purchasers.
Council voted 7-0 to adopt Ordinance 82 20 25, an appropriation of $15,000 for a canine donation, sponsored by Councilmember Witherspoon and seconded by Councilmember Nelson. On first reading, the council adopted three appropriations: council file 16 5 76 ($400,000 from fund balance and liquid fuels for 2025 street lighting and traffic signals), council file 16 5 77 ($115,500 — a Commonwealth contribution for a strategic management program) and council file 16 5 78 (an appropriation of $20,507,447.17 from the City of Erie Capital Bond Fund for capital expenditures associated with a public safety complex). Each of the first-reading ordinances passed by voice vote, recorded 7-0 in favor.
In old business the council moved to table a waterfront conditional-use resolution filed by McErie Partners LP for construction of two multi-family buildings totaling 30 units on consolidated vacant lots at 263 West Front Street; the motion to table passed 7-0.
Under new business, the council reappointed Dave Pilatus to the Erie City Water Authority for a five-year term (resolution passed unanimously), and approved a street renaming designating Chestnut Street between West 3rd and West 4th Street as James C. Sherrod Way. Council members explained the street-renaming criteria and noted the Martin Luther King Center will sponsor sign installation.
Two proposed repository sales (tax-claim purchases of vacant lots identified by assessment indexes) drew objections from council members who said out-of-state buyers are buying up many lots at minimal price. After debate the council voted to table both items, meaning the sales will not proceed at this meeting.
Administration reported 10 grants submitted in November and noted an upcoming housing needs assessment outreach process. Council adjourned the meeting at 11:24 a.m.
