The Reader Beat Monthly Recap
Summary of February 2025 council meetings
The Reader Beat aims to cover city and county council meetings as well as other important government and community-related meetings. The following is a summary of each meeting for the month of February.
An ordinance to provide grants to low and moderate income homeowners for repairs was passed unanimously and concerns about ICE raids in Erie were addressed.
A resolution to file suit to enforce the annual budget and prohibit the Brenton Davis administration from illegal tax collection was tabled.
City Council Members Kathy Schaaf and Jasmine Flores discussed the need for another community center for unhoused people during the cold winters.
The resolution to file suit to enforce the annual budget and prohibit the Brenton Davis administration from illegal tax collection was passed 4-3 and a resolution to conduct an audit of the budgets from 2023-2025 was passed unanimously. Several community members contributed during public comments to share their thoughts on the resolutions. "I've been asking for this audit since last January, and since then things have gotten drastically worse," Councilman André Horton explained. "I'm in my 12th year and I haven't seen anything like this. Erie County's finances are in trouble."
The Police Athletic League honored Mel Witherspoon for nearly 45 years of contributing to youth programs. "PAL is a very important part of our community. It's an excellent program," Witherspoon said. "A lot of kids need direction and many of them don't get hugs when they go home." Additionally, concerns around immigration policies in Erie were discussed during public comments and addressed in the committee reports.
What's coming up this month?:
County Council Meeting, March 11 at 6 p.m.
City Council Meeting, March 19 at 6:30 p.m.
County Council Meeting, March 25 at 6 p.m.
For a detailed summary of all of these meetings, please visit eriereader.com/category/readerbeat