Erie council adopts ordinance to enshrine ‘welcoming city’ status after debate, 6-1

Erie City Council voted 6-1 on March 4 to adopt ordinance 16597, establishing article 137 to align the city with Welcoming America guidelines and to formalize the city's responsibilities under that program. Council President Dr. Titus presided as public commenters and council members debated the measure, which included a friendly amendment directing the city to "seek to collaborate with other governing bodies" when carrying out the ordinance.

The ordinance codifies previous resolutions and sets implementation goals aimed at welcoming new Americans while clarifying enforcement boundaries for local police. "The city of Erie is a welcoming city," said Michael Keys, a resident who urged council to pursue the designation while ensuring existing residents are not left behind. Dozens of residents spoke during the public-comment period in support of the ordinance; Elizabeth Stanton commended the measure's diversity benchmarks for boards and an increase in recruitment targets for police and fire departments.

Not all testimony was supportive. During public comment, Freda, a resident, urged the city to prioritize accessibility projects such as completing an ADA curb ramp at First and 23rd and said federal enforcement had been casting some legally present immigrants as criminals: "rather than call these people illegal immigrants, we should consider that they are Trump criminalized legal immigrants," the speaker said. Other residents raised separate quality-of-life concerns, including sidewalk maintenance, parking-meter signage and potholes.

On the council floor, Council Member Brzinski said he would oppose the ordinance out of concern for public-safety flexibility. "I will be a negative," he said during debate, adding that police should not face limits that could endanger officers. Supporters countered that the ordinance simply reaffirms that city police will follow the law and does not "tie police hands," and that codifying the welcoming policy will allow Erie to complete its Welcoming America application and better support immigrant residents.

Council Member Shaw proposed a friendly amendment to add a subsection instructing the city to collaborate with other governing bodies when carrying out the ordinance; the amendment was seconded and passed unanimously before the final vote. With the amendment included, the ordinance passed 6-1 (Brzinski opposed). Council members applauded after the result.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 16597 (official ordinance 18-2026): Establishes article 137 and codifies Welcoming America guidelines; passed 6-1 after a friendly amendment requiring collaboration with other governing bodies. - Ordinance 16596 (official ordinance 17-2026): Amendments to council rules (seminar and conference reports); passed 7-0. - Ordinance 16598 (first reading): Designate Erie Cemetery, 2116 Chestnut St., as a historic site; first reading passed 7-0. - Purchase order (Considine Bible & Company): Change order for Erie Police Operations Renovation Project; council approved the change order and final contract amount as presented.

Why it matters: Supporters said the ordinance will help Erie complete a formal certification process with Welcoming America and give city staff clearer guidance when serving immigrant residents; critics argued council should not adopt policies that could be interpreted as limiting local law enforcement. Mayor Daria Develin said the administration will complete the city's Welcoming America application and emphasized follow-through on neighborhood concerns raised during public comment.

The council did not list a specific implementation timeline in the meeting minutes beyond the directive to collaborate with partner governments; the mayor and staff said they will report back as the application and related implementation steps proceed.