Erie Council advances 'Welcoming City' ordinance on first reading after debate and public testimony

Erie City Council adopted on first reading an ordinance to formalize the city's participation in the Welcoming America program, voting 6-1 after a lengthy caucus and public comment period.

The ordinance, introduced as council file 16597 and sponsored by Council member Titus, would create Article 137 to outline city goals and responsibilities to obtain and maintain Welcoming America certification. Council members discussed whether the ordinance’s language should explicitly reference "legal" immigrants and stressed that the measure does not exempt anyone from complying with federal law.

Council member Titus said the proposal mirrors language used by other certified communities and is intended to align local practices with Welcoming America standards. Council member Shaw, a co-sponsor, described the measure as necessary to protect the city’s designation and the federal funding tied to population levels.

Council member Bzinski was the lone dissenting vote at first reading, saying he needed more time to review the ordinance. "I in good faith cannot be an affirmative vote on this until I have the opportunity," he said, explaining that there were unresolved "gray areas" he wanted clarified before a final vote.

Public testimony was robust. Supporters told council the ordinance could help stabilize and grow Erie’s population and maintain access to federal programs. "Erie was built on immigrants ... this is something we're going to definitely need if we want to grow our city," said Emerson Bannon Coutri during public comment. Several service providers and civic leaders — including representatives of faith and arts organizations — praised the measure as a tool to build trust and expand access to services for new Americans.

Speakers who urged caution emphasized operational details. Some asked the administration to clarify policies about police cooperation with federal immigration authorities and to ensure language access services are consistently available; others stressed that wording should make clear the ordinance does not shield people from immigration enforcement when federal law requires it.

The ordinance must return for a second reading before final passage. Council and city staff said they will provide additional materials and policy clarifications in advance of the next meeting. The council vote on first reading was recorded as 6 yeas and 1 nay.