Latest news with #ErieCityCouncil
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City council has debate before approving spending on Miller Brothers building roof
The City of Erie is moving forward with plans to transform the former Miller Brothers property into a public works and safety facility, despite facing a funding challenge for necessary roof repairs. The project requires approximately $1 million to repair the roof of the facility, which is located in the 2100 block of State Street. A debate over the source of this funding had threatened to delay the renovations, with the City Council and the Mayor's office initially disagreeing on where the money should come from. USPS invests in modernization, undergoing upgrades at Erie delivery center 'We went back and forth with that. I kept saying I don't care where the money comes from. Let's get this done,' said Mel Witherspoon, Erie City Council President. The Miller Brothers property was purchased by the City of Erie in 2023 for $2.8 million, with city officials estimating that upgrades would cost around $30 million. Initially, the city administration proposed using funds from the city's water reserve fund or capital fund, which is a restricted account meant to grow and generate considerable interest. Chuck Nelson, Erie City Council Member, expressed concerns about using the city's water reserve fund, stating, 'This account has quadrupled in size since 2010. It's something that we don't like to touch and it takes six votes from council to touch it.' After a study session on Tuesday night, the council decided to use surplus ARP funds for the roof repairs, which are considered a more flexible pool of money. Approving the spending now was deemed critical to allow repairs to take place over the summer rather than risking further damage from winter snow. North East building that stood for over 125 years torn down Mel Witherspoon emphasized the urgency of the repairs, stating, 'We'll have 4-5 good months for it to take place and we hopefully have it done in September or early October. Once that is done, we'll move our equipment, our fire and some police operations out of there.' With the decision to use surplus ARP funds, the City of Erie aims to complete the roof repairs by early fall, paving the way for the new public works and safety facility to enhance services for residents. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie City Co. votes to update ‘Tenant Bill of Rights' to remedy unfair landlord costs
Erie City Council passed an amendment Wednesday morning to the ordinance that has been referred to as the Tenant Bill of Rights. Council members call it a small change that puts the city's law in line with the commonwealth's. Fire marshals can now give citations to drivers parked by fire hydrants, in fire lanes It involves a $15 application fee that potential tenants pay landlords when they apply for housing. Under the old ordinance, if they were turned down, the tenant would get that fee back. Erie County Council votes on appropriation of ICE funds But since landlords do background checks that cost money to conduct, if they turn a tenant down, they'd be taking on that fee regularly. 'This ordinance not only is putting everyone's rights in one spot, but it's also allowed more conversations around the education on what renters need to know and what landlords need to know to work together. It's creating a new collaboration that we didn't see happening before,' said Erie City Council member Tyler Titus. Titus said this was about rectifying an unfair step for landlords and that no other language in the ordinance was impacted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats Horton, Troop, Flores, Pol win Erie City Council nominations in primary
Two incumbents, a longtime Erie County Councilman and a former city government employee captured the four Democratic nominations for Erie City Council in Tuesday's municipal primary. According to final unofficial vote totals from the Erie County Courthouse, former Erie County Councilman Andre Horton was the top vote-getter with 6,770 votes, or 22%, followed by current council members Jasmine Flores (6,446 votes, 21%), Maurice Troop (5,311 votes, 17%) and former deputy city clerk Marilyn Pol, who garnered 4,856 votes, or 16%. Deonte Cooley, a local realtor, received 4,322 votes, or 14%, and lawyer Darrel Vandeveld got 3,271 votes, or 11 percent. Four City Council seats were on the ballot in the municipal primary, and there will be at least two new faces on the seven-member panel in 2026. Previous coverage: Erie City Council race includes six Democrats, including two incumbents, on primary ballot That is because council member Chuck Nelson and current council President Mel Witherspoon, both Democrats, are not seeking new four-year terms. Nelson unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for city controller in the primary; Witherspoon is retiring from politics. The four Democrats will face off against four Republicans who were on the primary ballot: Yevet Anderson, Anita Fay, Tina Hiotis and Kimberly Hunter — in the Nov. 4 municipal election. Election coverage: Meet the four Republican candidates in the Erie City Council race The GOP candidates are attempting to beat long odds in November. No Republican has served on City Council since John Evans, a CPA and certified financial planner, did so as an appointee between June 2012 and December 2013. Evans had been the first Republican to serve on City Council since Denise Robison, who was elected to a seat on the seven-member panel in 1989. That Democratic dominance is largely due to the more than 2-to-1 Democratic voter registration edge within city limits. Starting in 2024, City Council members, who serve part-time, saw their first salary increase since 1986. Council members who've served 12 months or less now earn $6,000 a year; the salary is $8,000 for members who have served between 12 and 24 months. Members who have served between 24 and 36 months receive $10,000 annually; those who've served 36 months or more earn $12,000 a year. Council's president receives an additional $2,000 a year. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie City Council: Horton, Flores, Troop, Pol secure Dem nominations
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sanfilippo claims Dem nomination in Erie city controller's race
Democrat Brooke Sanfilippo claimed her party's nomination for Erie city controller in the May 20 municipal primary, setting up a November showdown with Republican Matt Strupczewski, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination. According to unofficial vote totals from the Erie County Courthouse, Sanfilippo, a 46-year-old pension and 401(k) administration manager, garnered 3,795 votes, or 39.03%, ahead of two current members of Erie City Council, Ed Brzezinski (3,250 votes) and Chuck Nelson (2,654 votes). Erie elections: Four controller candidates state why you should vote for them Current City Controller Teresa Stankiewicz, a Democrat, is prohibited from running again because of the city's limit of three consecutive terms. The city controller currently earns $38,000 annually. However, City Council in September approved a 97% yearly salary boost for the controller's post, increasing that salary to $75,000 a year. The city's controller watches over various aspects of city finances, including contracts, purchase orders and pension funds. The controller is also tasked with verifying/auditing city records and accounts. Replay: Coverage of the Erie County municipal primary on May 20 "City council voted to make the salary higher so they could attract a more qualified candidate. I think I am that candidate," Sanfilippo said. "We worked hard on this campaign. We've been in every neighborhood in Erie (campaigning) and I feel that we really succeeded tonight." Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Sanfilippo, Strupczewski score wins in Erie controller's race
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2025 Primary Election Results: Erie City Council
(WJET/WFXP) — The 2025 Pennsylvania primary election took place on May 20. This year's election for the Erie City Council featured ten people fighting for their names on the November general election ballot, including Democratic incumbents Jasmine Flores and Maurice 'Mo' Troop. You can view election results as they update in real-time for the Erie City Council race below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
