City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. is uh 5:31. This is just caucus. We're good. She's on her way. She's on her way.

Are we going to have a quorum tonight? We will have once she's called. Yeah. No, we have a quorum. Not here you go. How long do we have? Yes, please. Thank you.

This is just uh just a reminder to those we're so glad that we are out here um now with caucus and so that everyone can participate. But the acoustics in this room are not great. In fact, they're actually they're a little too great is probably the the real issue. And so whenever there's chatter, it comes up and it gets picked up on the mics and then it's heard of on on the YouTube as well. So, just a reminder once we're in this space, if we could still just just keep the the chatter down. So, thank you. Um, we'll go ahead and get started here. We do have councelor Flores who will be here momentarily so that we will have quorum. Uh, we do not currently have quorum right now, but we are not in a in a voting session. We're in caucus. So, um, I wanted to kind of start it off to see if counselors have any questions with anything, uh, that we will be doing, especially for final passage tonight. There are three before us for final passage. We have the three code enforcement vehicles, the wastewater treatment plant disinfection systems improvement project, and then the Eerie Loop bikeway French street project. Uh, and as a reminder, uh, before we get to that vote on that final passage, we will have the presentation as well.

And Dr. Titus, if I could, the team is here, so we weren't sure how heavy your caucus discussion would be today, but if you don't have much and you'd like us to start the conversation here in caucus, they'll of course, you know, do a quick overview in the public, but if if it's helpful, you know, we are here and prepared during caucus time as well.

Wonderful. Thank you. Uh, we'll probably take you up on that offer. Um just to make everybody aware uh council aware as well, we had on the agenda um a street renaming and a designation that was going to be done by councelor troop that we are going to go ahead and this is with councelor troop's uh permission uh as he's not able to be in attendance to to pull this off tonight's agenda. We spoke with the the individuals who who initiated helped initiate this process. They're okay with us waiting until the next meeting. It does not delay the ceremony that they're going to be having. Um, and then we'll go ahead and let the streets department know as well once we have the the rest of the funds paid so they can move forward with the signm. Um, so that is one of the things. It's not that we're not going to address it. It's just that the person who had brought it forward and out of respect to them will not be present tonight. All right. Any questions from council um on on the final passage stuff? Anything on the first reading? For first reading this evening, we have the firefighter protective equipment and then the $2,150 for the certified local government grant. All right. How about under any the transfers or the contracts? Any questions? The one question I did have and I know I had I had briefly spoken with um Jason Sers from public works around uh what does it mean and when we say unit prices um and if he wouldn't if he wouldn't mind just kind of going over what we had gone over uh about how that's within the contracts and it's not

a an indefinite number. There's there's still a cap on on unit prices if you wouldn't mind just coming up to Thank you. Yeah. And so, just so everyone can follow along, when we're looking under contracts, we're looking at items um three, four, nope, sorry, four, six, it skips around there. 7 8 9.

Okay. So, we have items 4, six, 7, 8, and nine. So those are all uh uniforms uh different vendors, five different vendors for public works and they're all per unit prices. So what they are is are just bid sheets of various it's actually all safety uh related uniforms and equipment. Uh one is uh number seven is shoes and but they're all per unit prices and then the amount uh per teamster is is spelled out in the in the teamsters contract.

Thank you. I think it's just important for um council to know but also for the public to know that when we're talking about unit prices that again that that was is within a parameter uh and that there there is a it's laid out in the budget as well uh but it's also contractual within just like their their union contract. Correct. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions from from either of you on anything? All right. So then I guess we if if council is okay then I would invite the the uh administration's team to come forward and start the discussion on the bike lanes. Can I just ask you who else who who are we waiting for from council? Do you know who else is coming? Councelor Flores.

Just just her. Okay. Okay. Great.

So can I ask Jackie? Yeah Jackie. Sorry. Um and Leanne I if if just we're waiting for councilman Flores maybe you guys can come up here. That probably just as easy. you can just sit on the N2 seats there if you don't mind. So, I just want to remind council um you know, we had talked about you you knew that this this bikeway project was going to be on the agenda. We understood from Councilman Brzinski that his main concern was about the connection of the bike uh lane routes. So, you have a handout here that's a slide that that the team is going to go over, but we wanted to highlight this for you particularly because we knew this was the main concern. Um, but uh public works and planning have worked together on this. Um, so they have some slides and a presentation that they'll go over with you and that way hopefully when we get to the regular meeting, we can just fly through some things and and move along. So, you guys good?

Oh, we need you need the presentation up, don't you? No, I I can just speak to the map that they Yeah, sure.

Um the map that you have in front of you is from the active Erie transportation plan that was adopted by council in 2021. Um the this map on the first side here shows um the bikeway network that was proposed in 2021. These are low stress pathways. Um yes, it's it's not the one with the yellow side. So, this is what was proposed. Um, if you flip to the other side, anything in green on that map shows a completed bikeway that the city has done over the last 5 years. Um, the circle of course is what we'll be presenting on today and Leanne can go over a little bit of the um the project for the French Street bike loop. So, the bike loop will go I mean the bike lane will go from 10th

Can you talk in the mic, Leanne? Sorry, just into the mic. Yeah, thanks.

So, um the bike lane will go from 10th Street up to 26th Street. Um they will have two through lanes on French Street with the bike lane and parking from 10th to 14th. um in that one area in front of the Charter School of Excellence, there's currently three lanes. Um people tend to park in that one lane on the east and so we're going to make a parking lane over there so that they can safely park and the the lanes will be narrowed so it should calm traffic more than the because now we have almost 16 and 17 foot lanes. So hopefully that will cause some traffic calming, safer parking and then the bike lane has um safe biking area. So from there at 14th it goes under the bridge. So it tightens will have two through lanes and the bike lane. And the bike lane is a six-foot lane with a three-foot painted buffer. And that will go from 14th the bridge there to 21st Street. And then at 21st to 26th, we will have the parking will remain on the east side. We'll have one through lane and then we will have a shared through bike lane on the west. And we're hoping that's an interim situation where we can then carry the bike lane in the future from 21st up through 26th and then eventually for 38th to have that loop completed. And I I just want to add sorry that um this French street north south connector is quite critical in terms of flow and connection. It connects not only to the 10th street existing bike lane that's already there but then also to the 20

19 21st 21st sorry 19th and 21st right which are both um listed as the bike pathways for the network. And Jackie, can you share the data point about you were sharing with me earlier about the number of um residents who don't have access to cars and how that changes in some of our neighborhoods as well?

Sure. Yes. Um and you'll see this in the presentation later this evening. Um 19% of the city very is without a vehicle. of our residents are do not have vehicles. But in the downtown um that rises um extra rises uh and also in certain areas to somewhere between anywhere between 30 and 40% and some places higher um where we see in parts of Little Italy parts of East Side Rent East Side Coalition um that and East Bayfront where those numbers are are much higher within 40 to 50% of of the residents without a a car. So that d that data point definitely um it drove the uh the the strategies and recommendations for the active transportation plan and the the necessity for bike bike ways and pedestrian connections.

Do you know the current conditions of the the ones that were done um already? The bike lanes that were done already? Yes. The current conditions? Yeah. Um like so for I I drive over East 38th. Some of those ones are like pretty worn off over and I know that's a hightraic area. Winter isn't kind, right? So we do refresh the sher on 38th Street every year. So they will be refreshed. Okay. Yes. I would imagine probably once paving season Yeah. starts and is finished, that's when they'd be refreshed. Would it have any impact on from 21st to 26th Street with the uh public safety. Yeah.

Would it have any um impact on the public safety um vehicles or building this being there between 21st and 26th Street? And have the residents has there been any communication with residents on how they feel about it? Okay. So, I don't think there should be any impact. There still be um two through lanes in that area. We are um keeping the parking for the residents there because many of them don't have driveways from 21st to 26th Street. So, those that will remain so that will be a single uh they will go from two lanes of traffic to a single lane.

So, traffic in that section. We're going to have a single lane of traffic and then a shared through with bikes and vehicles similar to 38th Street with the Cherro, but there's not been there's not a dedicated bike in there. And I guess again, has there been any engagement with that neighborhood? They have a pretty active neighborhood watch group. Has there been any uh engagement with the the residents there? Not not since we had our our public meetings with Green Garden and French Street at the same time

because I know Mr. Gamble um a few other other residents up there are pretty vocal about what happens in that neighborhood. So I was just wondering and I I think I think Councilman Horton is exactly right. I think once council agrees and as we said we wanted to give plenty of time for council to vote but I think our next step then will be to revisit with center city I believe. Is that right councilman Horton? I think that's the neighborhood watch there. I believe so. They're pretty active

at Booker T there. And we can certainly send either this team or our neighborhood resource coordinator out to have those conversations with the neighbors. Um I think that's a great suggestion. Yeah, cuz other than that, it just comes across as another, you know, they're being pontificated to against, you know, it's not like what do you think about this? It's okay, we're here to tell you what's going on in your neighborhood. Any other questions from from counselors on this the bike part of it?

I guess Dr. Dr. Titus, I'd just like to add as well, you know, if you look at the bikeway status in for 2026, that's the sheet that has the green and the blue. You know, we we recognize that in some cases, it seems a little disjointed. Um, but you do have to remember that we're not using any general fund dollars to do these bike lanes. So, we have to rely on grant dollars as they come in. So, of course, it would make the most sense to do this all at once and have a complete path, but in order to fund it, we need to wait until dollars are secured. Um, so when I talked to the team this afternoon, they reminded me that our safe streets grant now quite a bit of of money coming in that hopefully we'll be able to dedicate some of that at least to these so we get a little closer. But I just want to call that out. We we agree it is disjointed right now, but because of the funding we're we have to continue to do it in phases, but we hope we're getting close.

I think it's just to also reiterate the importance of just some of the statistics that were shared uh in the beginning and I know we'll get a little bit more into the presentation that how much of our our city uh does not have access to to vehicles as transportation. And I know that there's been statements um that have been made around how we've always shared the streets with bikes. Um I don't I don't think that's an accurate reflection. I don't think that that's true and how we've kind of laid out we're a very vehicle centered city. Um and that is not reflective at all of of our population and the needs that we have. I think about uh individuals who are who are who have been faced with discrimination in other capacities and how those systems impact them more when they have access to transportation or when they don't. And often times the only access that they have means to is a bicycle for things that are out of their control. uh especially when it comes to poverty and then and about our new Americans or our refugees and immigrants, how there are so many barriers and how this is often their first way to get to a job, to get to school. And so I think it's absolutely critical when we are talking about equity that that we're also talking about equity within transportation and how people are able to get around. Um I know that there's some frustration, but I I'm eager to see this project completed. I think it's absolutely critical um for for our region, not just for the environment, but for again coming back to the equity component of this because we've really have a disjointed city and how we how people are able to to get around and this this is a a good step in in that in that direction. It doesn't fix all the things especially with our winters, but it's a step in the right direction. So, thank you. Yes, you're absolutely right that and all of those things are rooted in the active transportation plan, especially equity and accessibility for all. And tonight's presentation will go through a series of data points that that helped make those decisions and recommendations for the plan, but also

we'll look at things that came out, data points that came out of our safety action plan having to do with fatal um fatal crashes and serious suspected injuries. um as well as pedestrian crashes and bicycle crashes over the last six years that's been provided because our data really stops at 2023 but we've been tracking what's been going on in our city and it's it's a pretty dark picture and so um this is this is one this is one aspect of solving it so

and I think as as we are watching what is happening just with with prices uh especially around gas prices uh that we're going to start to see an even more shift away from being able to have a one car or a two car home. Um another thing that has been brought up on council quite a bit and I think as we kind of revisit this is looking at mo those motorized vehicles that we're seeing more and more frequently. I don't not to approach them in a punitive measure. I really don't because I think that that's a huge injustice if we approach that from a punitive measure. But how do we incorporate those motorized bikes now um and and scooters into the plan because more and more people are going to be relying on them. Um and I think we need to just be mindful of that as we kind of flush this out more.

Sure. And that is a big concern because you know their speeds can go 20 to 28 miles hour. So we want them to have a safe space so that separated from the vehicle. Yeah. And I think right now too with just hard to implement on who can ride on a sidewalk, who can't ride on a sidewalk, enforcement around that. Um and again, I just my my biggest worry is as we look at this that it we immediately jump to a punitive measure. Um and I really want us to to not to not do that to not do that.

Right. And also the health benefits, environmental benefits, economic benefits, safety benefits, all of that that come come with an active transportation plan. Um, so we we're we'll get into that briefly tonight. Um, and provide you with a recap of that plan so that you, you know, to bring it back to life a little bit since we have this project on the agenda. Thank you. Any other questions from from counselors on on the bike way or this this project right now? The council person who would normally have rebuttals or questions is not here. So, you know,

but we will but I will add we answered the questions, I think. So, hopefully we're doing our best. You guys can go. Thank you so much. Can I just Can I just say one one thing about the motorized bikes? Yeah. Is that technically they're motorized. If you're driving a motorized vehicle, which includes ATVs, motorized bicycles on a public road, you're supposed to be licensed, insured, and registered. And that's state law. It's the same rules that apply to cars, trucks, on all that stuff. So, just want to to be aware, yeah,

that what we're talking about is really are bikes that are people powered. Uh these bike lanes, bike lanes that we're talking about are not for motorized vehicles technically. And also, if they're on the roadway without being registered, insured or um the other thing I said, Mhm. then they could get ticketed. Yeah. I think that puts us in an interesting predicament when we have retail stores selling to kids, right? And so then it becomes like, well, if you can buy a motorized bike on on Amazon, who's accountable for, you know, for that element of it. Um, I just think it that needs to be like just a part of a critical part of the conversation as we look cuz uh it's it's not going to go away. It's going to become more more prominent and

it's just where we are. Injuries in the is going to be some of Yeah. our our public safety is going to be Yeah, absolutely. A lot of that stuff, too. more prevalent they become and they don't see the motorcyclists out here now. Yeah, agreed. Absolutely agreed. Um, one of the things I did want to come back to uh I did attend the the presentation uh last night and you had mentioned just the literacy component. We have a couple of the summer programs on on the agenda tonight. So, just wanted to kind of get an idea just for council's perspective of of where that literacy program. I know it's very very new and in formation, but when we could maybe talk about it or even bring it to caucus.

Sure. So, um, first I will note that the contracts that you see on here, these are these are the projects that we fund through our parks department. So, these are not the ones being funded through CDBG. Um, we have two sources of funding here that we use for summer and after school. So, uh, the ECAP program, the YMCA, um, and the JFK center, I think those are all of them. Oh, and then foot lights further down there. Um, yeah, those are all being funded through the parks department. Um, these are recreational programs. So, what I asked um Leanne to do when she wrote these contracts up was to put very simple language in that as a requirement of the dollars that a literacy component had had to be added. We did not prescribe. We did not say you have to do this. What we simply said was tell us what your component is. Um, and I think I mentioned last night, you know, we are going to call a meeting with all of these um, organizations after the contracts have been approved to have this conversation with them. And what we'll tell them is that can be as simple as just inviting the bookmobile to come. Like it doesn't have to be a you don't have to be teaching phonics, just do something that incorporates literacy. So that's our intent and we'll cover that in the meeting with them. It'd be great for us to encourage every student to get their library card

library card. 100% 100%. And I'll tell you when we had our organizational meeting um when we talked about this with some of our community partners, I was a little shocked that like the bookmobile and the library never were connected with, for example, some of our summer programs. So when I asked the bookmobile for their schedule, they said, "Well, tell us where your summer programs are and we'll just go there." So I definitely think we have that level of coordination now. So that's what we're thinking for these. We'll do the same with the CDBG contracts when those come to you in June. And then to your question about a more a broader approach. Um one is as you saw in our proposal to you for CDBG dollars, we are going to ask council to allow us to hire a youth coordinator who would oversee um all of this programming. this summer probably just do baseline and then next summer work us toward actual outcomes in line with the area school district's literacy outcomes and then um in addition to uh in requiring literacy in in these funded programs um I'm going to announce uh in May a mayor's book club that we'll have an adult and a youth component um just to encourage kind of everyone to be reading something together and discussing it and then uh in addition to that we are working with partners like the library. Also, our independent book sellers, Preston and Warner Books, um as well as Hooked on Books, the foundation um for the library, they run the um Great American Book Sale to make sure that all of their events and dates are included in our summer recreation guide. So, our summer recreation guide that typically we mail out this year will be digital and it will include all of these partner events and programs around literacy, we're not doing them. We're just collecting and informing the public alto together. So, this summer is very just baseline. It's just about trying to get a handle on who's doing what, adding a couple of requirements, and then really building forward from there to see what we can do in the future.

Thank you. I just had one question on that. Um, if it's done digital, you're not going to have the handouts anymore. Um because I know what they used to do previous years. They would send them to the schools and hand them out before summer. Is there any way?

Yeah, we we had So, first of all, I just want to tell council the cost to print those was $40,000 out of the park's budget. So, we made that decision to say let's put that money somewhere else. Here's what we're going to do. It's a great question. Um the Erie School District right now has a parent communication system called Parent Square um that they're using very actively. They just added this 2 or 3 years ago. It has tailored individualized communication with parents in all languages. So we asked the school district to distribute the link and the QR code for the guide via parent square and they've agreed to do that and we honestly believe we'll reach more kids that way. Oh, definitely. Yeah. I just wanted to make sure.

You're absolutely right. And it will allow us to do it in all the languages as well, which I think is a is a win. Thank you. Any other questions from from counselors on anything that we have before us tonight? Um, just can we have a QR code on in the clerk's office so that people can, you know, be able to get that information as well because I'm used to people being able to come into the lobby and grab a booklet. And for those people who still want the information but might not have the access at the moment, I would prefer us have something for them to scan and get access on their personal device.

We're actually going to print um we have bookmarks designed. They're very easy to print in our print shop and that will kind of detail our approach and focus on literacy and it will have the QR code printed on those so anyone who comes into city hall at least can pick those up. Thank you. Um, I may be like making a mirage of this. Did you announce the scum summer schedule like just with the music? We announced the events.

We announced the events related to America 250. We have so much in the summer that we had to kind of piece it out. So, yes, you're not you're not imagining it. You're paying attention. Uh, yesterday we announced the schedule for America 250PA and Celebrate Erie that and the Sounds of Summer concert series and then some changes to the A14 concerts. Those events were announced yesterday. On May 14th, because we got a lot of questions about this, on May 14th, we will announce the headliners for Celebratory and the Sounds of Summer lineup with the actual bands. That's coming on May 14th. And on May 7th, we'll announce the schedule of youth recreation programs. So, we're doing it in chunks because there was so much of it. Um, this has been a a a constant uh discussion and I think one of of contention at many times is just the the flow of of Celebrate Erie, how it has impacted the downtown uh businesses. Um, actually like taking away quite a bit of business just where the stage and stuff location was. I'd be uh I'd warmly welcome a visit to caucus to kind of lay out how it's going to flow. And just so this is something that's been brought to us quite a few times.

I will be happy to send you the map for this year. Just in a nutshell, we've moved the stage to the south end of the area. So the stage will now be at 9inth and state. We did that on purpose because we wanted to avoid disruption to our downtown businesses between fourth and fifth street. Now, I will tell you they're not all happy about that because if you have a bar or restaurant down there, you probably got a little more business when the stage was down there. But on the other hand, moving it up to 9inth Street now, businesses like, you know, the Plymouth or 5 Iron or the ones that are a little further south, they might get that business. So, we want to try it. So the stage will go to the south end of the area at 9inth and state and the marketplace where you can shop will go down between fourth and fifth which will allow for vendors as well as our brick and mortars. We have brick and mortar shops down there. So we thought that's where it made sense to put the the marketplace the shopping district. The taste of eerie the food will still be in Perry Square here and the chalkwalk will be in front of um the art museum. I I do want to say something to council because I know that this has been something that perhaps you're used to. Um part of the decision to move the stage, part of the push back or the discussion was it was in the past that the steps on the art museum were VIP seats for council, for the mayor, for sponsors. We did away with that. Um we just I felt that it was not necessary to have the stage in that spot solely for that reason. So instead, we're going to do a sponsor event um on the Brig Niagara closer to celebrary date where our sponsors will be invited. All of you will be invited. It will be a separate event. Um but we just didn't I didn't like the idea of having that kind of section. It it felt like something that wasn't necessary. So those will go away. We want to make you all aware of that.

Yeah. Any other any other questions? I'll send them out. Thank you.

All right. We still have um about 30 minutes before the the public meeting is is set to start. I do think this is a good time to just make everybody aware that we do have the public hearing as well tonight. Um so what happened last time and what I suspect will happen this time is public comment will start roughly like at 6:35ish. Uh and then the public hearing will start at 7:00. So what happens on public hearing nights is is the public comment tends to get disrupted. We have to stop. we have to go with when the time the public hearing was advertised. So, we have to do that seven o'clock time and then we'll go through the public hearing and then re-res. So, it's not that we don't want to hear from everybody. We actually want to we want to hear from everybody and then it also gives the public an opportunity to hear the public hearing and incorporate that into your public comments after if you would like to. Uh just so that everyone kind of understands the flow of what's going to happen tonight. We'll we'll have the presentation. If you were at caucus, you got to see a little bit or hear some of the data around the bike loop, but we'll actually see the presentation um starting there.

Dr. Titus, could I just ask to since we have some time? Yes. Um just as a followup to our study session last week, um is anyone on council who's here opposed to us proceeding with some of the changes we discussed, we'd like to at least move forward to bring you some ordinances. And unless there's any kind of concern, I just want to if I can get some head nods so that we can keep that moving. Yeah, I I am very curious to see some other ordinances that we could incorporate um and to see what some other other cities are doing. I I had started reviewing the Allentown one. I know that you all were planning a trip. We are

I would I would love to come and just have some of this discussion with counselors down there as well. Um, I'm in I'm in in favor and I'd love to see this start moving as as as diligently but um as quickly as possible. Okay. So, we'll start preparing the things that will need to be officially reviewed for all of you to begin reviewing. Great. Yeah. Um, from my experience on council, most people don't uh want to uh go against anything until they see something. Sure. So, you know, they all their questions will come from whatever legislation you bring forth. So, that's helpful. Thank you. And I always say more information is better. So,

well, I'm excited about uh that there is some movement. Uh I don't think it's anything we should drag our feet with. I think time is of the essence. Um um I don't look as at it as a problem and I keep um using the word crisis because that's what what we have is a crisis. And so I'd be happy uh to see the administration move forward. Um but mindful that uh we as council have some work to do too. And there are some things and and as much as I saw uh all of the good things that I I did at the study session, uh it left uh it left questions uh and room for us to to uh inject uh more verbiage that would lend itself more on the citizen side of some things uh instead of always the developer or the landlord or the

Yeah. So please by all means. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Any other questions or anything that maybe we went over in the last study session? Things that we've heard, any calls or emails that we've received that we want to address now since we have a little bit of extra time. We're getting a lot of paving questions just to let you know. I don't know if you're all getting those too, but we are aware and we're getting ready to begin. Paving actually should begin here pretty soon. And then we'll share with you the the schedule um when when we have it. it will begin and then we'll share with you kind of where we are and what the plan is. So, we'll have that for you soon. But I'm very aware process determined.

Determined. Yes, I asked this year. Uh so, um there it used to be apparently that our public works department would go out and eyeball the streets and try to determine where things, but now because of the GIS data that we have, they're much more able to see kind of citywide what is happening and where the worst spots are. So they'll basically identify really bad spots. They'll also identify spots that haven't been paved in a lot of years. And then they'll also take into consideration any kind of high traffic or high complaint areas. And it kind of that all gets put together into a pool as you know. Then we have a limited budget. And what comes out of that is a list of proposals that that they have for the summertime. And not that I don't want to be presumptive, but to just request I guess so that it's also stated publicly that I think that there has always been an inequitable process that has gone through this and we certain see certain areas that get their streets repaved or or money put in there. Um and then we see certain areas where they're not.

I will tell you that public works has told me that they are very careful about at least doing an east side westside balance. Like they're very sensitive to that. Now does that mean that there's complete equity? No. But they are sensitive at least to the east and west sides. But certainly there's always room for improvement as those decisions are made. Thank you. And and it it does take a while for everything before the money comes in before they make the lists and public works has been diligent with the potholes. I I see them everywhere every day. So they have been really good with that. So hopefully that helps.

Yeah. And if I could just say on that too, you know, we you might have seen last week we did a news piece on on pothole repair. We're doing cold patch pothole repair right now, most people will tell you that the hot patch is is better, but we have to wait until the summertime to do that. So we saw some complaining like why are we doing it that way? That's what we have to do right now and then you know some we can do some additional hot patch in the summertime. But just in case you were getting those questions, there is a reason for that. Well, not about anything on the agenda or CDBG funds, but still get it's starting to become a pet peeve for me, and that's our relationship with the Erie Parking Authority. And so, I would be really uh I'd be really anxious uh to start to address that. I think after the amount of time that we've allowed to elapse is unacceptable.

I have an update, Mr. Horton, if that's okay. Um, I had on my calendar that the Erie Parking Authority Board met yesterday, yesterday, maybe the day before. So, um, what was it? Tuesday. Uh, so that evening I emailed, um, director Friday and said, "I know your board met today. I hope you discussed with them the agreement. I copied the solicitor." Um, and he responded and said that they discussed it a little, but they feel they need more discussion. So, now they're going to do a poll for another meeting on this topic. So, I'd hoped that maybe we'd have a little more um we'd have some we were going to begin the discussion. It sounds like it's going to take a little bit longer. So, I guess I want to say to you, I'm not opposed to council moving this along as well because we're we're doing the best we can, but uh as of right now, we're being told it's going to be a little bit longer. So, grateful for your movement as well. I think to to kind of reiterate what you said, council Horton, is that there um just for the public knowledge that there has there has not been a a receipt of payment despite there being I think a contractual obligation that there was supposed to be one.

Well, there's not a signed contract signed agreement. So, okay. Um which has has meant that with a non-signed agreement, there is no payment. So, therefore, there is funding that the city could have been entitled to, but we but we haven't been collecting. So I think uh it it behooves us as council to to to use the authority that's so vested in us to to to guide us along here. Uh to do anything less would be dereliction of duty. Mhm.

Uh we have a we all took an oath. Uh we said that we would be f fiscally and uh responsible. We took a fiduciary uh obligation to do that. And it's it's uh inching close to a decade now, which is with all these issues we have, all these problems we have in the city. Uh I think that you should take a note, Dr. Titus uh from council uh requesting that a study session or a because I don't want to do a closed door thing.

Yeah. uh but that he should come forward and answer some questions as to why here would be my request then from from council is um would we I know that three of us are missing this evening if we don't get the response Mhm. Uh worthy of our office uh then we should take a more dire approach. Would we be okay with me scheduling a study session, an additional study session? So, I know we've only been doing one, but I think that this does warrant, especially with the summer coming up.

And I would also add that it should not just be with him, but that it should be with his board to include his solicitor and ours. I'll get to work on this immediately. Absolutely. Are we okay with me doing an additional study session with this? Okay, Mr. Horton, thank you for that. Appreciate it. All right.

I did have another question and it's gone. So, it's okay. No, no, that was this is that's it's absolutely pressing and I think it's it's one that is it's been another one that has been consistently brought up. Um and we haven't we haven't really receive received a resolution there. So, we need to do that. We absolutely need to do that. Um any question anything else or any other comments from anyone? No. I would suggest that when you write that letter that you run that through our solicitor. Absolutely. Absolutely. We don't want cuz it might not be so friendly. Yeah. Absolutely. I'd like our solicitor to be the not so friendly one.

Yeah. Firm. Firm but not so friendly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I do better in person. Uh we have roughly 20 minutes for the public before the public meeting starts. If there's nothing that council would like to dis discuss further in caucus, um we can go ahead and recess caucus, get the room set up then for our public meeting and public hearing.