City Council - Regular Meeting

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and bring this caucus session into order. Um, tonight we are meeting uh with a special meeting uh with the agenda before us to to vote on the resolution and discuss here in caucus the resolution that's before us regarding the Harbor Place. We have a set of conditions that we've laid out. Um, but this is our opportunity right now as council to discuss before we move into the the meeting where we're going to vote. So, I'm going to pause and see if we do have um a couple guests here this evening if we would like to ask any questions of them. Um, so that that's that's in front of us as well. Um, but I want to pause and kind of open the floor up to council to see if we want to go through the resolution if there's any questions on on the conditions that we have laid out. Um, while we have the solicitor and everyone here,

can we just go over some of the changes if you know on a whole no one got to see Yeah, absolutely. specifics. Jason, are you ready for the hot seats? Just the material change. Yes.

Let me see here. So I don't know if I would agree that they were material. It's

just that they were already in place and the changes reflect the original intent of the document. Um okay so number one condition was unchanged. The number two section there was uh the original draft had uh what was called contiguous areas. However, that presents a really a an an a barrier for the because it can't be continuous because the whole campus, I'll call it a campus for lack of a better word, involves stuff north of Front Street and south of Front Street. So, you can't really make a contiguous area that's all green space as well. So, that was one of the things we took out. Now the other thing though too is so you're going to have your certain green space and you're going to have the other uh we call the imperous surfaces. So surfaces um initially we had 20% in discussing with everything it sounds like 40% is a more reasonable number and that includes because there's going to be a paved walkway that's going to be for public access. it's going to have I don't know if it's going to be like a farmers market or access for for people to sit on the benches and that also will help. So that's one of the changes there. Now, if you go back up to 2A, dealing with uh regionally native species, the problem with this and the reason we changed it to them to incorporate it where it was reasonable is for instance, um it was explained that grass, so naturally occurring grass that would be used for like say a lawn in Pennsylvania doesn't doesn't sub doesn't last all winter. So there the grass they use is the Kentucky blueg grass. And so Kentucky bluegrass obviously is from Kentucky. It's not native to Great Lakes

region, but that's the grass that's used for you know if you would look I'm sorry there's a

yeah on page two though. So I'm in 2A. So all the grass series wouldn't even qualify for regionally invas regionally uh grasses. That makes sense. So, it's kind of like that way. And the same thing with flower beds. If the flower and the goal for the flowers, too, is not to be replanting new flowers, you know, every single year, but you want to have it that they can do the native species and then but still have be able the ability to upkeep the landscaping um all year round or hopefully not have it killed during the winter season. Um, going down to paragraph three, the only change that was made to three was you'll see in the middle of that paragraph, vehicular use areas. So the at the addition was the parenthesy for that excludes vehicle emergency I'm sorry excluding emergency vehicle access. So I think this is the idea is that we have all this square footage that's for open space or green space and for public access. But what if um there's an emergency, there's a fire and so for like say an hour, certain places are off limits you due to the emergency. Now it would make sense. You're like, "Well, that's an emergency." No one's going to complain about that and maybe measure the square footage, but there's a possibility that one whole street or maybe the whole area is cut off from public access. So in those areas that are cut off from public access, they would would be below the square footage requirement for open space. So that's why that's the exception that is listed there. So um also the other change was so the only word we added at the let's see the next last sentence. It was feebased access, we changed to permanent fee based access. So that

would in that kind of like so in case like someone was you know had asked the hotel, hey can I have my wedding pictures taken in the morning and they maybe they would close off you know part of the green space so that people could take their pictures but they would only be there for a little while then they would leave. But that's not a permanent thing that they do. It would be a special occasion. It would be a rarity. So that's why we added the permanent but otherwise the feebased access or private reservation that is all the same. Number four. Now number four this was a change that reflected we had some original language that would that kind of was dealing with lighting that affected the birds or mig migratory species. So instead, we rewrote it to really make it more broad because part of the part of the calculation in this goes towards not just lighting. So lighting does affect some migratory birds or some other animals, but also the glass in the building as well. And so lighting doesn't really deal with the glass specifically. So having the reflections um be the pro bird would be helpful as well. So that's why that was rewritten to kind of incorporate both lighting and the glass or anything else that would affect birds or wildlife. Number five was originally written to deal with um facades, the walkway area, um public accessibility, but when we were looking at it, we're trying to make trying to translate that into the proper language. And so this really was changed that with the idea of public access in mind is that you know just like the zoning code says they're supposed to have it be harmonious but then we wind up adding this last u two and a half lines that says we also shall avoid physical barriers design features or site elements that would reasonably discourage public entry uh pedestrian

activity or engagement by citizens or business invitees. So it says that we you still have to do the public access but we're also adding in there that you can't design something that also would discourage it. So it's again give them the flexibility to design it but also that's in there. Um number six. Now this was originally so I'll go to 6A. So this was originally um there was one public bench for every 25 ft of building facade. And I believe there was some confusion on how to calculate that was at the height of the building was that um or along the waterfront, but it does say along the water's edge. So we end up changing it to from 25 ft to 40 linear feet. And then that way when you do the calculation, it would add a number of benches. And so then also doing some math mathing or guesstimating is that you could get up to so and the reason so then we figure there's roughly three to four acres that encompass you know the Hampton Hotel the proposed Marriott in that area and with that so it was like if you get to it seemed a number that was reasonably mathwise eight benches per acre. So if you have three acres, that's 24 benches. If you have four acres, that's 32 benches. All for that particular area. And that would again, they're supposed to be um comply and then have them be complying with uh 306.2D and 306.5B, which is that they have to be, you know, of good quality, weather resistant, and that they would then need to comply with the ADA and the zoning code. Now the other change, let me go back here a second. Yeah. So part of the last part of six B, so it would be the last page. Yeah. At

the top there, is that so they shall bear no commercial advertising, which is already in the zoning code, but there was a request that would exclude donor plaques. So, say if I wanted to donate the cost of the bench, it could say provided by, you know, Jason Czech, solicitor. Um, that the plaque would be no more than 6 in x 12 in and it would be like a metal or bronze, you know, like a plaque you would see for something on something similar to that. So, because that would would reflect on who made the donation, but still no commercial like advertising. So, that seems reasonable under those circumstances. And then there was a change in 6C and in general so they still would include the owner would still still do all the maintenance costs but there was we wanted to change it again to keep it uh with the language it's got to be reasonable. So reasonable cleanliness regular repairs and replacement of the structurally unound benches within a reasonable amount of time. So the goal is, you know, if they would be clean at all times because at the all times phrase was in there twice. So I think there was some fear of like, well, can we clean it at all times if it's the middle of winter, it's buried, you know, is are we going to be able to do that if we have like snowageddon or something? So it should be reasonable though for it to be, you know, dug out, you know, again with like everything else that would be dug out. And then the benches within a reasonable amount of time. That one's changed in part because the benches probably there's not going to be a store like a benches in storage ready to go. If they have to send it to the manufacturer, it has to be shipped and then it has to be installed and painted or such things like that. So that seems like if that could take more than 30 days. So, whatever a reasonable amount of time is to get that reinstalled properly, not just get some bench in there that doesn't meet the qualifications of being weather

resistant and of good quality and the other things. And then number seven, my original uh thing had in here about management and operation, which we replaced that with maintenance, and that's in the fourth line down of the hotel because really the maintenance is kind of like we want the whole the hotel to be in good shape just overall. We don't want it to be like an abandoned building or something of that nature. So, those were the changes that were from the first version to this version. Any questions or thoughts from from council? [clears throat]

Yeah, thank you. Uh, attorney, I want to thank you, the mayor, and [clears throat] want to give a special thanks to Dr. Titus [snorts] uh for helping to aggregate all of the comments or information um to the degree that we could from the public hearing uh to uh be incorporated into this document. Uh I think you know [clears throat] I don't want to start calling names but several people from the microphone whether they spoke about the bird lighting or some of the open spaces that you know the sons of Lake Erie had concerns with um or mostly the things that were promised in phase one. Uh and so it's good work. I appreciate it and I just want to say that publicly to you all here. Thank you. I think Kathy submitted some help on that, too. So, thank you so very much. [clears throat] So I do have a specific um constituent voice who's in my head right now when I ask the following question that's going to come to um the architect here is if we could go back to the um under number two talking on section A the consistent with general landscaping criteria uh that shall include regionally native planting materials where reasonable So, I guess I just would like a little bit more clarification as to to why we wouldn't why we wouldn't want regional native plants. Um, I know that there was a definition to, you know, we don't want to do maintenance or we don't want to be replanting every year. Um, that's not that's to me that's not a very convincing argument. So that's I would still like to see native native plants be

well the goal is not to exclude native plants. The goal is that native plants as long like the hardier strains that would fit would meet that meet the criteria would be used. So I mean Mr. Weber who's the architect he's here I would I mean I think he would give the better answer. Yeah. So if that's Would you feel comfortable just kind of sharing a little bit more thought on on that part? Thank you. Sure. And just so you know, I'm you know, I'm a I'm a licensed landscape architect as well as an architect. So the the issue with with Is that mic on the green light? Yeah. I Yeah, it is. I'm sorry. I just closer. Yeah.

Uh so the issue when you're talking about regional native landscaping? So there's there's a couple issues with that term. And the first one is what we consider regional. That can be pretty subjective. what is the region that we're going to identify the geographic region of what that is. So if we take that to the most strict point which would be things that are regionally native to Erie Pennsylvania or Erie County the issue with that is that a lot of our native plants here uh in in regionally native plants don't do well with salt. They do really bad in urban conditions and that's one of the reasons why we bring in other varieties that do better under salt conditions, do better under heavy snow loads, things of that nature. So, Harbor Place is very much an urban condition. We have Front Street. We have a lot of parking. We're going to have a lot of salt being used. We're going to have a lot of snow removal being used down there. We all know Erie. It's also very brutal and very exposed. Other piece of regionally native landscaping is that typically they're more shade tolerant and they do less well in highly [snorts] exposed areas like we have down at the bayfront. Highly exposed by sun, highly exposed by wind, weather and all of those where you can even tell that even some of the plants we plan in phase one, you know, have been struggling. Natives would do would do even worse in that in that scenario. There's certainly a place for native. We certainly want to use native every place we can, but we also need to have the flexibility to put in plants that are going to last longer and aren't going to need replacing. The other biggest issue with that is because the language included lawns and grass. There is no regionally native lawn grass in Pennsylvania. They're sedges. Those are sedges are great grasses. They're wonderful. We use them. We just use them out of Penn State Baron. But they're clump forming forest grasses, right? And they don't mow. You can't use them for areas where you want to have picnics, where you want to kick a ball, where you want to throw a Frisbee, where you want to have active recreational spaces. So if that were to be that language in

there, then suddenly automatically excludes us being able to use any lawn areas for our public space and that just is in my opinion just doesn't make sense. We want spaces that are usable by the public. We want the families to get out there and be able to use these spaces. So, um, that's one of the reasons why we just felt that we needed to be a little bit more clear about that language. Still allow natives, still encourage natives, but don't be so exclusive to just regional natives. Thank you.

Okay. Does anybody else have questions while while he's up at the mic? Anything? We were also given a packet that we have over here by Mr. Ed Kissle. I don't and not sure that everyone's had the the chance to to review this. Um, a lot of this I think we had seen before and it was talked about at public comment before. Um, we are past like that public hearing spot where most of this now should be with us asking any questions or any follow-up just so that we feel comfortable with the vote that's going to take place tonight. But if are there any questions that we might still have that would help a counselor decide which way they would like to vote or feel confident in the vote that we're about to make? President Titus, I have a concern um question I guess because I don't want any of the people to lose public fishing access and would people still be able to have the ability to fish in like mooring areas that are around the hotel.

I don't know if that is off the public pathways that that would that's where it's still taking place. So that one I'm going to definitely deflect too.

Right. Um kind of in line with what you said. So the hotel doesn't abut up to the water line and that there is I believe uh about 20 ft of access from the waterline inland that is supposed to be reserved for the public at all times. That includes around the convention center and around this property that we're talking about as well. And so, so from that point of view, if you have, if you're within that 20 ft, you're able to do your, you know, fishing or hanging out or um, you know, boat watching. So, and I Who owns that part? Is that under the port authority?

That would be Well, if it's with the convention center with the convention center, if it's with the port authority, it's with them. So, but you know the part that the uh the part that's just passed like the putt putt, you know, that's owned by the Scots, but beyond that still is up in the public access. That's just the and that's written within the ordinance, too. Yeah. That I think that's part of an easements that goes back whenever that was formed. To go down and post no fish. Yeah. Clarify.

Yeah. So for the harbor for the Harborplace project, the Scots own 11 acres and that 11 acres is broken into three sections at the end of Holland Street Pier north of Front Street, south of Front Street. They do not own any land up against the water. That whole border, which is about 35 to 40 feet, it's actually a very wide concrete path that exists out there today. That is all owned by the Port Authority. So the Port Authority owns all the land bordering between Scott Enterprises Harbor Place and the W's Edge itself. And within that, the Port Authority has put in lamps. I believe they put in some benches and I believe they have it all paved. So that's covered. The Scots really have no ownership or control over that itself. Uh and then in the waterfront zoning, if by any any reason anybody along that waterfront or anyone in the waterfront actually owns water up to the water's edge, they are required by zoning to give 20 feet back to the public. So that doesn't really apply to Scots because they don't own that land anyways. So I just want to clarify that. Does that help, Kathy?

Yes, thank you. I I knew that, but I just didn't want anyone having the availability say like would be able to go up and say no longer able to fish in this area.

Um I don't want anyone being uh not able to fish in that area. I want people to be able to fish, you know. I don't want someone going up to them saying you're no longer able to fish here or anything like that. I think you make an incredibly valid point and and when we talk about equity and access and I know that those are terms we say a lot but when we when we break it down what that looks like is some people need that for access to food and that there are some people who do not have access to presc who use these fishing points as their means to the to the water to so that as we as are thinking through this I think that's very important to make sure that we're not precluding anybody from their access to to the fresh water. I I want to thank my colleague um Shaw for bringing that up as well because I grew up at the foot of Sassifras and that's [clears throat] more it's just as cultural the land and everybody don't go out on a boat but we've for you know long as I've been a kid I've fished around wherever there's a pocket of water all around the Blasco library all around the Port Authority property and it would be a travesty uh to see someone be able to come out and post No fishing.

Are there any other questions um for this part of of the meeting for the caucus? I can't remember when LERA is done like I I think it's been extended in 2024 or something. Is do you remember the date when it's not available? that I think that ordinance when we passed it was an additional 5 years I want to say that businesses can apply for it so it be subject the ordinance will be renewed probably I think 2029 and just for clarif so once they but once they apply for it they get the the 10-year tiered right I thought you meant the actual

yeah so we they have five years from when we passed it to apply but once they apply they get that 10-year tiered that's [clears throat] correct thank you Jason check because that's actually what I wanted to know like um so after 2029 council would have to take it up again. Yeah. Correct. Right.

You must have been in my household uh with the county when it came before us at the county. I voted against Lerta. Uh, and the reason why is um, forget the name on the Kota because it doesn't matter to me who it is. But if you get a quarter of your property of your project paid for, I would think that you would be the person or entity that would say, "Where do I pay my taxes?" Not I'm going to [clears throat] and and they've done nothing wrong or illegal because that's what the program is for. But I wouldn't expect with the state of our city and the state of our community. You would hope that they would run and say, "Well, where do I pay my taxes, not the 10year graduated or deflating, you know?" So, I'm glad to know that it's over in 29 again. I think that uh it's easy when we just say, "Oh, 10 years." But what happens in 10 years is you get a child go from kindergarten to out into the workforce practically. So you you've had a whole generation of students who we we we survive on property taxes, our schools. So you've had a whole generation of children cycle through school without benefiting fully uh from that project. And then your next one comes, it's another 10 years. And and uh the state of the city, we can't afford that. Uh, I didn't think we could afford it when we did it. Uh, and also with the, and I'll say this and be quiet, also with that Lura thing, it was a blight designation attached to that. And the reason I voted no from the county because I strongly believe then and I believe now that there's nothing blighted below uh, Front Street on the on the uh, Bayront. And once that was able to be manipulated, then it opened the door for all of this stuff. But

Lerta is uh I don't think we get we'll get we'll realize the tax eventually. Um and we'll get to 18 months of construction work. Uh but it'll be a whole it'll be a whole generation of kids who cycle through before they even get to benefit from that. And I don't care how much development you do. Uh and it's going to take all three taxing bodies, but I don't care how many cranes in the air, how many flags on them cranes. If we don't help fix our school district, uh, then nobody wants to move here or live here for Christ's sake. We had the hearing. It was a lady sitting right next doing public hearing talking about them being overrun by mice. 2,000 mice. And I'm here to tell you that development, all of that development didn't come without a cause. It drove rodents, mice, skunks, woodchucks, raccoons, you know, those people into those neighborhoods. And people are still dealing with that. And of course I find no fault with anyone who would want to go and ask for alert. I have my belief on it. But it's easy for it's it's hard to reconcile uh asking them not to apply for Alerta when we have the Eerie events who pays no taxes into perpetuity. So the Sherin and the Marriott are the two number one performing hotels. They're flagship hotels. uh clearly they're for business and the state has chosen to put that millstone around our necks uh like I said into perpetuity. We can't do anything about it. And so if I'm a developer then yeah I want a 10-year tax break cuz they don't pay anything. Haven't volunteered to pay anything. Haven't volunteered to pallet. Uh they see the state of our of what's going on here. Our our families are living in filth. Uh, and so it was really uncomfortable sitting listening to the first half of the public hearing while while the developers were sitting here like almost like hurry up and get

this over. I want my hearing. Uh, and this lady's telling you she's got mice overrun by mice. That was very disturbing. And so when 2020 you can't get here quick enough to end that lura because nothing below the below Front Street is first of all blighted. [clears throat] Uh, and the city of our citizens deserve a better return on their investment. Uh, more than if we build it, they'll come. Uh, I get the developer get something. I get the tourists get something. I get the citizens get the promise of the taxes coming into full fruition in 10 years. But I don't get where it makes sense uh, for our children saddling our children with that. I don't get it. We are it is 6:30. So um we need to move from caucus into the public uh the public meeting. So we'll just take pause here. We'll reset reset the stage and then we'll convene again for the public meeting. [music]

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Hey. to order. Roll call for the special meeting of Erie City Council on Thursday, April 30th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. President Titus here. Members Flores, Horton, Paul here, Shaw here, and Troop

here. Council member Brazinski is absent.

All right, we will uh stand for a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I have a motion for approval of the minutes from the Wednesday, April 15th city council meeting and bills for payment on May 1st, 2026. Members Flores,

yes. Horton, yes. Paul, yes. Shaw, yes. Troop and Titus, yes. Yes.

I skipped us. I apologize. Sorry. I moved us out of order there. That's on me. Uh, we have no presentations this evening. Uh, do we have anybody here to speak on a repository sale? Anybody here to speak on a repository sale? Anybody here to speak on a repository sale? [snorts] This will move us into the public comment. Um, I would ask that you when you come up, you line up on your right. Uh, and then we'll keep that way we can keep everybody kind of lined up over here. Uh be please be mindful that we have 5 minutes. So when we have the timer go off, please be mindful of that so we can listen to everybody. And then just state your name clearly and your municipality clearly for the record. Thank you. Elizabeth Stanton, Harbor Creek. Please pardon me, Mayor, Madame Mayor, and council members, for being redundant in my reading tonight. I got to get my glasses. Would you mind stating your name again [clears throat] as well? Elizabeth Stanton, Harbor Creek. As I say, this is going to be a redundant reading tonight. April 1st, when I did my first reading, persons were not here at that hearing. Therefore, I am doing my second reading. I would like to place the area of Erie known as the West Bay Front into its historical contact from a book Journey from Jerusalem by Sarah

Thompson, an illustrated introduction to Erie's African-American History 1795 to 1995. Mr. Horton, I think you would be interested. When I did this presentation before and I got the book out of the library, it hadn't been out of the library since 2016. I went to the library to get this book out for this presentation. It was not available and there are four people on the waiting list. So, I'm glad to see that that book is being used. In the 1820s, William Himrod bought a large track of land along Lake Shore's waterfront south to Sixth Street from Sassif Sassifress Street to Cherry Street. This land he divided into [clears throat] small house plots to sell at affordable prices to black Americans with the request with the requirement to build their homes and live there. By the mid 1800s, this area became a thriving center of black culture known as New Jerusalem. Black churches, black schools, black businesses, and the home base for the black baseball team P

Pontiac. Yes. Yes. The shift in the lakefront property ownership in Eerie from black residents to white is well documented. Throughout the 1900s, discriminatory practices of redlinining and urban renewal policies such as FHA lending in white only subdivisions severely impacted this eerie neighborhood, limiting opportunities for black residents to maintain their homes and built equity. This left black people with little or no wealth transfer of home ownership to their children while white parents could save, invest, and leave a wealth inheritance to their children. Demographic breakdown of data for 2026 indicates that this census designated area of New Jerusalem with a profile that is predominantly white. Gentrification in Erie's West Bayfront over the past 50 years has created significant pressure for lowincome long-term residents. As investments flow in, causing the influx of affluent residents, the poor long-term residents are being squeezed out. Thus, Erie City, Pennsylvania, is repeatedly ranked in the first three of the most difficult cities of USA for black Americans due to the massive racial inequality in home ownership. I believe that the Scott Enterprise building this hotel on the Bayfront continues this pattern of squeezing out long-term lowincome residents of Erie from participating in Bayfront activities. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause] Hello, my name is Anna McCartney and I'm from Northeast and I'm here to talk about the Bayfront development and the fact that uh for years I wrote an article a page in the Erie Times news about the environment for the Erie Times and I know all of the places along the Bayfront there are many many public parks in northeast Fair View. Uh you just go whole way along and people have access to be able to get on the lake. The one place that people don't have a wonderful place to go, a park to go and have a picnic where they don't have to buy anything because a lot of the people that live in the city don't have money to go to the restaurants and to the places where we're just filling up the bayfront with. I hope that you guys will consider that the people who live in the city who have the least amount of money deserve to have a park or someplace that they can go to that has bathrooms that has place where they can have picnics because everybody else in the county has those things available. Why don't the people in the city have that available? And so I hope you'll consider when you're giving permits and deciding on what kind of development happens on the bayfront that we keep in mind the people who actually live here. Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment? Anyone else for public comment?

Teresa Imler, City of Erie. Um, quick comment, just kind of want to toss it out there. I know that Scots have had a lot of different developments in properties again throughout the county. Um, and how many of those were done by different tax programs like LERA, um, in Summit in different places? And how many of those properties did they get the benefits from and then up and leave them and then leave the county municipality with some bricks and some concrete and no more business and no more employees and no more anything. So, I really just want to consider, you know, we keep doing things like this throughout the county. worried more about city right now. But if we're going to do things like this, are we going to actually expect that these people are going to stick around or we're just going to have another empty shell in a few years? Because we've got a lot of programs going on right now. We don't know what's going on in the marketplace. We got the other big building on 12th Street. I don't know what we keep expecting the city taxpayers to take on and not benefit from. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else for public comment? Anyone else for public comment?

Hi, Julie Hurt from Erie from Mil Creek. Um, I know this hotel is probably going to happen. And there's nothing we do about it. But we need to start building for the citizens of Erie and Erie County and stop building for wealthy people that we want to come in and visit us. This hotel is going right across from the peninsula, which is one of the biggest tour attractions in the area. And we're putting a hotel that's going to blast light everywhere and disrupt the nature that is on the peninsula, which is our biggest tourist attraction. Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone else for public comment? Hi, my name is Peter Lions and I just want to make a couple of remarks. What's your municipality? What's that? Your municipality? Uh, where do you like what city do you reside in? I live in Mil Creek.

Okay. Thank you. Uh in 1988 I opened a restaurant at Third and State and up until last year uh I owned a property inside Modern Tool. So I've been in downtown Erie for 38 years. And I remember when I first opened uh there was no convention center, no hotels, uh absolutely no economic growth. Uh as I leave there last year, I noticed that we have wonderful hotels, a first class convention center. uh Hammet Hospital is probably I don't know doubled in its capacity. Air insurance is probably tripled in size. Ganon is uh probably doubled its uh footprint and I I guess I'm a pro-economic person and you know to grow cities need money and economics to come in and I think that the hotel that's being proposed is rather unique. I looked it up on uh the internet and it's there's only 122 of them in the entire United States. It's a very unique hotel and all the hotels in Erie bring in tremendous amounts of money uh which is great. I think they employ a considerable number of people and um I guess I

you know, I I've seen the change in 38 years and it was due to people investing and companies, you know, expanding. And I think that's very important for any city is to have capital that can make the city better. And that's all I'd like to say. Thank you. [applause]

Go ahead.

Hey. Um, my name is John Degan. I actually don't live in Erie. I live in Meville. Um, but I've worked in Erie for the past 25 years for Scott Enterprise. And I will say, um, one of the things I want to speak about is because I've heard a lot of mention about citizens in the city and and things like that. And um one thing I I don't think is being appreciated is that um Scott Enterprise um provided me with an opportunity to grow. I was a young guy with no direction in my life and I was a mess. I had a GED. Um I drank a little too much and I had some problems and I was a dishwasher in the Meville Applebees. Um, for some reason these folks saw my hard work work ethic and um, they appreciated me as a person and uh, gave me some opportunities that I may have never gotten a chance to have. Um, and here I am now 25 years later. I'm an area director for Applebees. Um, one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. I never thought I'd be here. And I will say that what we need to do and consider is that when they're building these properties, they're providing opportunities for people like me who really didn't have any direction in life and gave me a chance to grow. And um I'm thinking that, you know, we definitely need parks and we definitely need things, but the economy needs to get better. People need to make money and they need to have jobs. And what these folks do is they take risks and they provide opportunities to people like me who otherwise may have thrown opportunities away that we had, you know, and and taken some risks and maybe not worked as hard as others, but we had another opportunity to work hard, roll up our sleeves, and provide ourselves with opportunities. These folks believed in me. I appreciate them tremendously, and I'm here advocating for them because of the opportunities that they provided. And I think that this city would tremendously benefit from that. Um, and they're continuing to look for ways to

grow and provide these opportunities for people and make it a more fun and attractive city. Um, and I just think that, um, there's a lot of negative things being said about it. Um, but I just really think that people need to appreciate Scott Enterprise a little bit more for what they've done for people like me and people like the folks that the citizens that these folks are talking about, they need opportunities as well and these folks do it. So, that's all I had to say. Thank you. [applause]

My name is Jennifer Robinson. I'm from Watsburg, but I do work here in Erie and I work for Scott Enterprise as well. Um, I never was ever dreamt of being in the hospitality business. But 10 years ago, an opportunity was presented to me. I started out at the Hilton Garden Inn, working at the Safari Bar and Grill as a waitress. Um my boss then decided I was not a lifer as a waitress as I did a well job and decided that I needed to move on to bigger and better things which now I'm an executive housekeeper which I've been for eight years now enjoy my job enjoy the people I work with. Um the Scots have been very very nice. I cannot even say one bad word. Um they're generous. They pay very well. Um, they've given me an opportunity to grow into something that I never dreamt that I would even possibly do in life. So, I thank them and having a new hotel down beside us would um benefit a lot and add more jobs for the people of Ari. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause] I'm Mark Genneret. I'm from Mil Creek. I'm also the incoming president and CEO of Visit Erie. I would like to voice Vis Visiti's strong support of Scott Enterprises and their AC hotel project. Scott Enterprises has proven has a proven track record of delivering highquality hospitality projects that contribute to Erie's visitor economy, resulting in more than a billion dollars in visitor spending annually. The Hampton Inn Suites Erie Bayfront has demonstrated strong performance since its opening and the addition of a second upscale property will only enhance the visitor experience. Visit Erie is committed to supporting initiatives that expand Erie's tourism product and strengthen our regional competitiveness. We believe this project will deliver substantial economic benefits, create new jobs, and reinforce the Bayfront as one of Erie's most important economic engines. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause] Anybody else for public comment?

Hi, Erica Fular and I reset in Lawrence Park. Um, I would like to say too, I work with Scott Enterprise. I've been with the company for a few years now. Um, I am located at the Hampton on the Bayfront and yes, it is a very busy property. Um, it's a beautiful property. I will tell you, Scott Enterprise is highly involved in all of their properties. Um, one of the best management companies I've worked with. I've been in the industry, hospitality industry for over 23 years. Um, and I enjoy working for the company. I think they're wonderful. We have a great staff with um the hotel itself, very low attention rate. Um we offer very competitive wages and opportunities for our employees to advance. I have a I had a couple front desk agents who move their way up in the ranks um to a front office manager or they move up to a supervisor role. Um, so there is room for um we need more employees in in this area and I think with adding that new hotel we'll be able to deliver that. Um, and I just think we need this for the economy as well. Thank you. [applause] Anybody else to speak for public comment? Anyone else for public comment? Um, Nick Scott, president of Scott Enterprises. I'd just [clears throat] like to say that um I I've been at this a long time and uh it's it's been a corn of a a joy to have this developments go on. It's it's makes me very happy. of course when they're successful. But I know that what we're

doing, especially now with this Bayfront is is a um an iconic vision of what we can produce down here because there are only certain places in the city where you can have big development going on because big development is only um attracted by the chance to have a profitable enterprise. And so the Bayront has with with what the convention center has done and what we have done and what the others have h have had done have done there in the past is going to be a strong economic pull for Erie. It's going to create taxes that can be used for all these things that the people that live in Erie want to do and it'll make the city more um able to do those things. So I [clears throat] um Andre Horton made some comments um and I've been a big fan of Andre for quite a while because he represents his cause very well, very intelligently. and he made some comments about uh uh the taxes that were not being paid by the convention center authority. Uh, and I tend to agree with him because of course we paid a lot of taxes and and just as an example, um, this piece of property that exists that we're building on now, uh, we held it for, uh, 25 years and paid like a million dollars worth of taxes and got nothing in return for it except holding the land. it uh when all these things finally happened, even though when I bought it, I thought what's going to happen is going to happen sooner, it it finally did happen and it it's become uh more valuable and

we had the opportunity to put the Hampton in and the beer garden and Oliver's uh down there in the miniature Gulf. And uh was through a lot of planning and uh stretching and help by the state government that we were able to do that. and it turned out to exceed the expectations that we have. Uh in the five years that we've been there, um we've paid um 20 I think 25 million is that right in tax five I'm sorry $5 million in taxes in addition to this the other million dollar we paid. So that money has been something that is is goes into the um the tax base and makes it possible for the city to do more and better things. The [clears throat] vision that we have for this project now is in eight stages and it will enable the CRIS to bring money into the community because uh um these stages that we have of development uh will allow the CRIS to fund the projects that will be very successful and again add to the the taxes that are are coming in and again uh bring more people to the convention center and bring more people into Erie that support all of the other things in Erie here. So I think um what we're doing is is a unique opportunity to do the development and and we've stretched ourselves to do something as good as we can do is is something that's on the worldass side. And so we we studied restaurants, we study hotels, we we put all our efforts with our team. Uh we have a a very well-developed team, my

son Chris and my son Nick Jr. and and u our architects Weber Murphy Fox who have been helping us develop for over uh 25 years and probably more. Um, and so we're at at the point where [snorts] we're here to present our put our best foot forward and do a great job for the city, for the county and and the northwestern Pennsylvania. So, um, we hope that you will vote in favor of this and make our our project something that we can start soon because as developers now, we face all sorts of difficult times. We face rising costs which are extraordinary and and we're we're working to value engineer all those things. Uh we face um uncertain economy that's going on and so forth. But we're willing to take the risk and and and go ahead and and do all this just like we did before. And so I think based on our track record of develop

I'm going to have to disrupt you. I'm sorry. That's the five minutes. Um the timer went the timer. I apologize. Thank you. uh uh with our track record of developing a splash lagoon which is a nationally known. It really is five minutes. I apologize. Oh, I'm done. Yeah, it's the public comment. This section gets five minutes. Yes. So, thank you. Uh is there anybody else for public comment? We've got a couple coming up. Go ahead. It's totally okay to line up, too, so I don't have to keep saying anybody else. And we need some music to start playing this off too, I think.

Uh, my name is Brian Weber. I'm with Weber Murphy Fox Architects. You've all heard from me already. So, uh, I just want to kind of reiterate a few things. Uh, you know, Weber Murphy Fox Architects, we have been, uh, part of the ear community for over 60 years. A company that was started by my father and I'm I'm very proud to be a second generation owner of that company and very proud of the commitment that we have made to Erie for over over 60 years now. um and working with with Nick unfort I would have I would have preferred the 20 years but unfortunately we have to show our age we've been working with the Scots for now 60 years we're very proud of the work we've done all through Erie very proud of the work we have done on the bayfront in particular Weber Murphy Fox as you many of you probably know we designed developed the Niagara Pier housing the Perry's Landing Yacht Club the original Liberty Park we're the architects for the bsentennial tower. We're the architects for the Blasco uh library. We're the architects for the uh the museum and the birth for the Niagara. We have been architects for the UPMC campus, the Bluff Condominiums, Ganon University, Erie Insurance, on and on and on. And we're very proud of the work that we have done over the years. And we are very proud of the work we have done and are doing with Scott Enterprises. When we began this master plan for Scott Enterprises, we made it very clear that this master plan was a balance between the developers needs and the community's needs. It is a sustainable development. We wanted to make sure we included the parks and the trails and the greenways and the public spaces as well as making sure we're meeting the needs of the developer and the economic development that the city needs. And that economic development has been recognized by the economic development committee, by rackby, by Chris, and by other

organizations that have worked very hard to bring development to Erie for our growth. I just want to reiterate, Harbor Place is the site of the old front street cold powered power station. Wasn't housing. No land was taken away from anybody except Panelch who left a very polluted piece of land. That piece of land went through a historic historic cleanup that won awards and set the standard for phase one cleanup for the state of Pennsylvania for contaminated sites. And to this we should be very proud that we are now today able to turn that into a usable piece of property for the city of area to use. and the benefit for economic development. Additionally, I just wanted to reiterate that Harbor Place per the agreements that have been made in the past at the end of phase 2, we are required to provide 33,695 square ft of open space. So, how much are we going to do? Well, at the end of phase two, the end of this project, we will provide 28,300 square feet of publicly accessible parks and green space, 23,500 additional open space for publicly accessible plazas. There will be 9,400 square ft of public Rome improvements. There'll be 28,755 square ft of trails and greenways. And there will be 28,000 square ft of undeveloped naturalized areas, which is a requirement for us to be putting in meadows, restored meadow lands. That total is 117,777

square ft of open space. We're required again 33,000 plus. So I think we're very proud of the work that we're doing down here. We're very proud of the open space and we're very very happy to be working with the city to make sure that these requirements are met and exceeded every opportunity we can to make sure that this project works for the community. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

Hello. My name is Todd Young. Um I live in Meatville, Pennsylvania. born and raised, but um I've had the privilege to work in this city for the past 11 years. Um a vacation in Eerie um for most of my life to be honest. I kind of grew up in a uh family where we enjoyed the outdoors. So I'm an outdoor enthusiast myself and we've always taken advantage of Prescy and the beautiful uh waterway in there and fish the peninsula. um you know, lots of great attractions down there. I've had the privilege now for the past 6 years to actually work um in the Harbor Place at Oliver's rooftop and at the beer garden. And um one of my favorite parts of hospitality is getting a chance to share the guest experience and building a relationship with them and hearing their stories and and why they chose to come to Erie and um why they chose to spend their time and their valuable precious um memories and choose Erie. And a lot of it has to do with the development that we have had down there recently. Um, it's really really catching a lot of attention in the neighboring cities and the neighboring states and it's become a very desirable place and um, I know firsthand that it's bringing a lot of people to the to the area and they're getting that same chance that I got as a kid to enjoy our beautiful Prescy and our beautiful waterfront. So, I just uh applaud everybody to continue to give that same opportunity to to more people and hopefully we get a chance to continue to develop that beautiful piece of land down there. Thank you so much.

Thank you. [applause] Anyone else for I'm Abdullah Washington area Pennsylvania guys do a lot of construction everybody knows that. I just have to say in this room, in this context, where are poor people going to live? Where's the development for the poorest among us? Just help us answer that question. Help us answer that one question. Where's the affordable housing? Thank you. [applause] [applause] Anybody else for public comment? Anyone else for public comment?

This is very theatrical entrances for That's okay. Ed Kissalt, Erie, Pennsylvania. Just a few things that I've heard here and I would direct council to take a look at the plan, the last plan that was submitted by the developer to actually take a look at the green space that is down there and what is proposed in an expansion of parking to qualify for the 140 rooms of the new hotel. The city was gracious enough through their zoning to give up on a variance about 79 places that are supposedly be for parking that the city uh allowed them not to have or to have, excuse me. Um the developer also I didn't mention but I will the Bayfront Parkway uh PennDOT took some square footage from them along the Bayfront uh to the tune of $254,000 that they received and compensation for that that area and their plans throughout uh from 2013 on. that shows that the proposal is to build some parking garages back in that area. So, um you'll see that maybe in your lifetime. It's taken from 1999 to 2013 to come up with the plans from 2013 uh 2017 and finally the first hotel was built. Uh in the overall plans uh that was claimed that council approved some time ago, um there were seven public parks called pocket parks that the city of Erie sponsored a $5 million grant for the first hotel to have some public

park, not a playground, but where somebody could sit along State Street, maybe eat a sandwich from the hotel and view the water. Uh on that map, what [clears throat] was discussed here, the concrete walkway down at the north end, north of the putt putt is about 21 ft wide. It is owned by the port authority, but the developer asked the port authority for 10 additional uh land space to make their putt putt wider and the port authority gave them that. Now, on the developer plan, that was programmed for a 1/2 acre public park, which would be the ideal place that somebody could walk, sit on a bench, eat their sandwich, watch a boat come by, or whatever. The other half acre is where the bar um beer garden is. That was programmed on the original plan for a public park. That is no longer in existence. There has not been one public park put in in the six years of development and the opening of that hotel that is for the public to go sit other than if they want to go in the bar and you have children that are not allowed in there at certain times. As far as talking about the money issue, uh it was mentioned there was like $5 million paid for the taxes. Well, five million came in from a grant from the state sponsored by the city of Erie, signed by mayor Senate that you have a copy of in your folder I left you that stated by the mayor who the city is the administrator in conjunction with Scott to put those things in or at least consider putting them in and doing it in the first years of that hotel being built. And I would ask council on all their projects that if a developer comes in and is offering public amenities that

those public amenities be done by the time development is okay for occupancy in those areas. Currently the developer uh has gotten a approval for $7.6 million under the Pennsylvania CRIS program. That is a program where a developer can put $1 in and receive $5 for their investment. Uh I would ask city council that some conditional uses be put in on this current one to the point that we get some public parks built where they're viewable and there's only a few green spaces left when you get done with the parking and the expansion for the new hotel. One of them is along State Street, the entrance going out of the parking lot on the west side. There's another area along Front Street and State Street, which is a dog park. I don't be that uh there's a container there to walk your dog and some plastic bags for him to uh for the individual to put them in. Uh but look at the plans and the pamphlet I gave you. I don't know if you're going to go into executive session after this and look at some of the information I I put in there. There is a diagram of city's waterfront showing what has been taken up for public access. Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello, Martha Wiguku, City of Erie. I'm not necessarily going to speak to the vote tonight. Um, the land was sold when I was either a sophomore or junior at Edinburgh. Um, these decisions were long made in rooms and meetings that most of the public at 1, 3:00, 2:00 p.m. cannot attend and don't have the access to. What I'm going to talk about is the long-term vision and the economy that we're building, not only for new adults like myself in the 30 in their 30s, but my little brother who's 18 and the children in our current school district. Um, and you usually hear me talk about very localized uh issues, but I'm going to try to talk about the bigger picture as well. We're currently living in what they call a K-shaped economy. People are seeing what is working for them based on where they are. If you are very wealthy, if you're the 10% wealthiest people in the city, county, country, you're seeing gains, you're seeing capital gains, you're seeing your stocks rise, you're seeing a lot of good money coming in in. But sitting in front of me here, I see a retired teacher, a vet slash uh construction worker, a social worker, a homeare worker, a former city staff, an educator. Most of the people in your positions are on the bottom half of the economy. They're in debt. They're taking out loans. They're falling behind. They have healthc care crisis. And we have, long before I became an adult with a voting voice, we have sold our economy off to the biggest profit m makers in our economy. It's not even just about the working-class people and the poor wages they make. It's about the little business owners who can't compete with the mega business owners who are getting have the money for the lawyers, the attorneys and architects to outbid and um shrink and put other small businesses out of um commission. And so, like I said, I'm not going to speak to the vote tonight. I think it's going to happen. It was long determined before me. Um but

I want to talk long term. The downtown corridor, it seems like it might be gone. The bayfront seems like it might be gone because we have put profit over people in the interest of public land and use. But when it comes to the lower west side, when it comes to the lower east side and beyond, as a Pittsburgger, I want to know that we're planning for economy that protects the people and residents who live there currently. I want to know that we're working for an economy where at the last uh public hearing, they could not answer directly if they paid what wages they started their workers on. If wages kept up with inflation, it would be 26 to $32. I want to hear Scott Enterprises saying that they're starting their workers in an economy that is struggling at $32. I want to know that their workers are getting health insurance. I want to know that they're putting funds into their students or the people who want to go to school to go to school and stay here in the ear economy. and I didn't get to say it in front of them the last time they were here. As a Pittsburgger, I grew up with a legacy of multi-millionaires giving back to the communities. We have Shenley Park, we have Frick Park, we have CargI Library, we have the CargI um music hall, we have so much. I want to know that what we are building is not just for their pockets. I want to know that they're giving directly in a way that the citizens, the educators, the social workers, the homeare workers can feel it. Like I said, I'm not speaking to the current vote. I'm speaking to the future and to other Eerie residents that don't believe that this is actually going to serve them. Thank you. [applause] My name is Hugh McCartney. I'm from Northeast. Uh the one thing that I haven't heard here is, and I would have to address you guys for this, is where are the public

bathrooms down there on State Street? Where are they? How how how can you go fishing and go to Would you invite me into your hotel to go to the bathroom? Could I fish out in front of your hotel? Yes, absolutely. But would you invite me in there? Because I have been turned away in the courage hotel right next to the library down there because I walked in looking like I do. They have no idea what my background is. They don't know that I was a computer scientist. They don't know you. I got turned away. Where? We can't hear though with the Sorry. Sorry. I I know.

Uh I was down uh walking from State Street toward the library and I wanted to go to the bathroom and first that's your hotel down there, isn't it? At that hotel I you know you can't it was like guarded. you you can't get past the desk. So, I just want to bring that out. The other thing is uh I think that these guys are on a shoestring budget. I really do. Otherwise, they wouldn't be coming here asking for some tax dollars, asking for a grant, asking for you to sign off on on that kind kind of money. No. No, I it it I I don't believe that they can fill these rooms. Maybe in the summertime, certainly not in the wintertime, unless you run a special for the kids at P&P. And I know that because I used to be a ski instructor. So, nobody comes here as a skier and stays in town. They're not filling these rooms in the winter time. I challenge them to show us the figures. Okay, I'm done. Thank you. [applause] Anybody else for public comment? Anyone else for public comment? All right. Anyone else for public comment? All right. We will go ahead and move on.

Okay. We have no ordinances for final passage or first reading. So, we will be moving on to old business. Um, in old business, city council tonight will vote on the waterfront conditional use request on behalf of Scott Enterprises for construction of a new eightstory hotel containing 139 guest rooms, three restaurants/bars located at East Front Street in a waterfront conditional use district with the following conditions. Number one, the developers and/or owners of record must abide by the conditions imposed by the city of Erie zoning board as part of their approval of a variance on or about July 8th, 2014. And that said variance is hereby incorporated as if restated in full and in particular. For each additional square footage of real estate created by the height variance, an additional square foot of open space is to be dedicated to the public excluding parking lots. Number two, further open space shall mean areas of maintained green space that satisfies all of the following criteria. A, it shall consist of living landscape material, including grass, ground cover, plantings, shrubs, and/or trees consistent with the general landscaping criteria set for in statute 306.5. and landscaping shall include regionally native planning materials where reasonable amb that impervious surfaces shall be shall not constitute more than 40% of any qualifying open space area and such imperous surfaces shall be limited to walkways, paths and bench pads serving towards public use of the space. And number three, further the following shall not count towards open space. Calculation under these conditions. Parking lots, enclosed or screen areas from public view, rooftop amenities not accessible from the grade. Vehic vehicular use areas but excluding emergency vehicles access. Any area

subject to permanent feebased access or private reservation and or any mandatory public access consistent with 306.1. Number four, further the developers and/or owners of record shall make reasonable efforts to incorporate bird and wildlife sensitive measures intended to support the safety of birds and/or migratory species. Number five, the developers and/or owners of record shall design and construct the site to be welcoming, publicly accessible, harmonious in character, and shall avoid physical barriers, design features, or site elements that would reasonably discourage public entry, pedestrian activity, or engagement by citizens and business invitees. Number six, the developers and/or owners of record shall install and/or maintain public benches pursuant to the following conditions. A, the minimum ratio shall not be less than one public bench for every 40 linear feet of building facade fronting the bay fence water edge as measured along the primary waterfront facing elevation of the structure. Whereas fractional results shall be rounded up to the nearest whole bench but not more than eight benches per acre is required. B. The design standards of the public benches shall be constructed of weatherresistant materials consistent with statute 306.2D and 306.5B shall be securely anchored to prevent displacement or removal. shall comply with ADA accessibility or be adjacent to an ADA accessible path and shall bear no commercial advertising consistent with statute 306.2H, but excluding donor plaques not to exceed a maximum size of 6 in x 12 in. And C, the owners of record shall be responsible for all maintenance costs,

including reasonable cleanliness, regular repairs, and or replacement of structurally unsound benches within a reasonable amount of time. Number seven, further the developers and/or owners of record shall comply with all policies and procedures above to the extent not otherwise incon inconsistent with federal law, Pennsylvania law, city of Erie ordinances and or other law applicable to design, construction, maintenance of a hotel and or restaurants andor other business enterprises that may occupy space within the buildings constructed as part of phase two of the Harbor Place development discussion

council. Does anybody something for discussion? Yeah. Thank you, Dr. Titus.

Thank you, Miss Watson, for reading uh the resolution. um kind of alluded to my comments earlier. It's really a tough um it's really hard to reconcile um I guess these halves and have nots or reconcile u what's going on far as development which is always nice to have cranes in the air. It's hard to reconcile that stuff when uh our citizens are coming in saying that they're being overrun by mice. And as fate would have it, we had that hearing on the same day. And the contrast was very very striking and it it was disturbing even. And so I'm not going to vilify anybody or anything cuz everybody's doing what thus says the law is. But I was a trooper for a little while. Talked about the law. We also talked about the spirit of the law. And I think we need a lot more spirit of the law around here. I get the intent. And [clears throat] as uncomfortable as I was sitting here listening to the comments from the public that night of the hearing, I hope the Scots were as equally as uncomfortable as I was. And if not, I'll just say it's hard to sit there and have a lady tell you that, you know, mice are jumping up on all her cabinets and she'd rather go stay in the shelter.

And that's just a microcosm of what's really going on in this town. So, it's not the Scott's fault. It's failed policy on the city. And we've let some things go, too. And we need we we acknowledge that. and it can't be the answer to everything. Uh but the hard part of reconciling it is when you have one quarter of a project paid for even though state money is taxpayer funding successful. All the hotels on the bayfront are probably the number one performing under their flagship or whatever. The Marriott for the convention center number one performing. Sherin number one performing. And I guess if any of our local businesses didn't have to pay taxes, they'd probably be pretty good performers, too. The part that's hard to reconcile is that I know that that isn't an isolated incident cuz every day people are running looking for housing. We're going to have another waterfront conditional use in front of us here shortly. And so it's not the Scots fault that the law is such as it is. And if I'm eligible homeowner, I'd apply for some stuff, too. And if I'm looking at my competition who doesn't have to pay any taxes in the perpetuity with a billion dollars worth of assets, I mean, come on. They own Jerry Park, not you. Warner Theater, Tulio Arena, the convention center itself.

number one performing Sheran, number one performing Marriott, two parking ramps, and they came and they almost ran into the same situation that we had on the hearing night. They told us how fabulous the project was and how much it's needed. But we had public comments that night, too. And to see the citizens just so lucked like I said, let's hurry up and get this over and have our hearing. It was deplorable. And so I'm I'm gonna vote yes for this because it's down the road and it's here before me. But I need you to know that I voted no before I came over here to the from the county when the lur came up, you know, goes to school district comes to the city counties last. I want you to know I voted no on the lura cuz I I situations like this both times. Voted no for the extension as well. I want you to know uh that it would be hard for me to say no while the convention center pays nothing. I want you to know that in 2019, and this is just bear with me. It's ironic because my very first vote on county council was to refinance the convention center every all the 40year 35 year legal beagles accountants said oh nothing would happen and it was 61 vote. I voted no against it and of course something happened. So in 200 Was it 2018 or 19 when the CARES CA care funding came out? Right off the bat, we had to give them 2.97 million. It came back like a year and a half later. They got money out of our general fund like $2,100,000

or something. And then they hit us a third time for a little over 2 million. We've given them $7 million. We haven't received any type of return on our investment except for if you build it, they will come. They enjoy they split a hotel uh they split a hotel tax with uh uh visit Eerie uh and the Eerie events and I think that there should be something our state representatives should add an additional tax to at least come back to the city so we can address some of our housing needs. [applause] I won't be labor much longer, but I am grateful for the development that the Scots have done in our region. This is their first outing in the city. I think I heard them say that that hotel was the number one performing in their inventory as well. And so, yeah, you know, Eerie is like the is like the Monte Carlo of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and we got that coming. But as someone who grew up at Second and SAS, someone who grew up at Short and SAS, someone who's a lifelong resident of New Jerusalem, uh someone who was the labor steward for the convention center itself and the parking ramp and the Sheron, someone who worked on every leg of the Bayfront Highway that's designed not to bring people into the city of Erie, but to divert them around. It chases commerce side out of the city. I want you to know that I'm offended. I am offended that people that live on top of that bluff, it doesn't even look like it used to look. They won't be able to afford that that uh a night of occupancy in either of those hotels. I'm offended that we run in here and say, "Well, we do competitive value. We give them $15 an hour. We fought for $15 an hour 10 years ago. The median income

in this city is like 17,000. I'm offended because we're sitting right here in 16501 tonight, which is always in the bottom five of the most distressed, poorest, worst situation for black and brown people in America. And I would be remissed if I just came in here and voted and said some stuff to you to make everybody feel good like we're playing in the sandbox. I hope it does make you uncomfortable. I hope you make you as uncomfortable as it made me. Uh, had I had the ability, I would have walked down there and told that lady, "Come here, let me put you up in a room for a couple of nights or a week or two while we figure this out because I don't think that any human being could sit here and listen to that story and not feel uh what some of us filth up here." And so it's a yes vote for me tonight, but anything come down the pike, Lura, Chris or whatever, you can count Andre Horton against it moving forward. When our first opportunity to do away for with it, I'm a I'm a I'm a yes vote. Do away with it. I don't care whether they vote for me or not. So, thank you. [applause]

I'll I'll comment next. Um, I'm just going to highlight the important of wages. As someone who I've worked with Erie County United for the fight for 15 for over the last 10 years, I can say that when you have developers come before you and bring a bunch of workers who are not the hourly workers who do not live in the city of Erie and tell us how great of employers you are. It's kind of insulting, especially considering I've worked and lived in the city. So, I have a lot of friends and family who've worked hourly jobs for the Scots. And it's insulting that you think that people don't know that the minimum wage kings are not paying adequate wages for the workers. And then I understand that the hospitality and the food industries are where you're making your bread and butter, but as a home health care aid who works with elderly and disabled people, they're not going to your hotel. They're not able to afford it. Even your hourly workers who you probably cap at 25 hours, maybe even 30 at the minimum wage of let's say it's 15, they can't even afford to stay in your hotel either. So, when you come before council, especially when it's local residents who live and work in the city, please make sure that you have the numbers for your wages and what you're paying the little people who hold up your business because I know that your guys's price points are way out of what the 17,000 salary in the city can afford. So, at the end of the day, I'm echoing Andre Horton on Alerta, that's going to be evaluated. The tax exemptness that some of you developers get, that's going to be re-evaluated because these are decisions that were made prior to me being here and prior to

other council members being here. But the good old boys club is not going to be able to have a rain going into the next 10 years, especially with the economy that we have. Smoky Bones just closed. So, how many more restaurants are we going to lose before all of this is fixed is really what we need to think about. But anyways, neither here nor there. But I just want you all to know that minimum wage jobs are a problem in our community and we need to address that. [applause]

Um, I just have a few things. Um, I've been back and forth um on this decision since it came up in front of us and um looking into everything and listening to all the comments with the public hearing and this evening um I I just don't feel comfortable but before it gets in front of council or by the time it gets in front of us as a council, it's pretty much a done deal. And that I think has to change. I think that's what we as a council need to work on. Um because the citizens don't have a say before it gets to council. Um you've been working on this project for years. uh cuz I follow everything on the bayfront. Um and to exclude you from saying, "Well, you can't you can't build." Um I know it's private property and um you know, telling you you can't when we tell everybody else uh that they can from the the boats that are down there that were never there before. I remember when the the you know the Bayfront Highway first came in um to all the new businesses down there. we've had a lot to absorb without much say as a a public and um because I was on the other side before I was on the citizen side of of the building and

everything was it was finished. it was done before it got to um this dis um the Chris I mean that that's no fault of yours that's that's a previous whatever but as we move forward that's something we could change Chris is good in a sense where it helps uh the everyday citizen plus businesses but the everyday citizen can't afford to build or to do additions to take advantage of that 10year. So, um I have nothing against, you know, I just I I know it's going to pass tonight and um I just hope I I appreciate um our president and our solicitor for making these changes that we asked for. Um, I think we we could have asked for a little more, but we're within that period of of where we have to vote. So, I I I will probably vote yes tonight. um because there, you know, it's it's not something that should be done anymore. Um especially where it's within our city and our bayfront. There's not much space left on our bayfront to be able to build. We need to be able to support our citizens to be able to go down to not just the Liberty Park area where

they can enjoy a playground or, you know, um they need to be able to access a hotel if they want to spend a weekend with their family um like they do in Mil Creek um and be able to afford it. And that's that's the that's the big deal. uh your average citizen in the city can't afford to stay not just at your hotel but or any of the hotels on the bayfront. And you know that's that's something we might have to look into. I don't know how it will change but it probably won't. Um I I'm just going to stop there. I just want to make a couple points known and to thank you for putting those additions in and hopefully, [snorts] you know, you keep the public in mind when you are building and to not block our citizens out because um you know when when the the pocket parks that were supposed to be there that's now a beer garden and then right next to it is a putt putt. Um, I don't feel comfortable taking kids to that putt putt with beer garden next to it. Um, but that's just me. Uh, so I just I just hope you know you are able to build what you need to build and just remember the citizens of the city. Thank you. [applause] Dr. Titus. Um, thank you. Um, I won't say a lot cuz it's a lot's already been said. Plus, I I have a job where I talk all day. So, um,

I I' I've been looking at number five, though, in the in the resolution. I was looking at that in the um and one thing I heard uh Councilman Horton say was when he was in law enforcement, they looked at the spirit and the intent of of laws. So, I'm looking at number five. I'm just going to read it aloud. It says, "Further, the developers and or owners of records shall design and construct the site to be welcoming, public publicly accessible and harmonious in character and shall avoid physical barriers, design features or site elements that would reasonably discourage public entry, pedestrian activity or engagement by citizens and business invitees. So, I guess I I want to defer to our solicitor if maybe he could explain to the public um what was the intent and spirit of number five. What was the thought behind this number five?

The thought specifically dealt with public access. So if I refer to the zoning code section 306.1 which discusses public access as a required element of any waterfront district development, the language there is is saying that you got to give public access and it goes into a bunch of things that would help that. However, so to to take this one step further though, so we've we've kind of summarized that language in the first two lines, you know, but after the part where it says harmonious and character, it says shall avoid physical barriers, design features, site elements that would reasonably discourage public entry, pedestrian activity, or engagement by citizens or business invitees. Those last two and a half lines where it says you shall not discourage is not in the zoning code. So really that's a condition that is new but reflective of the intent of what council had requested and also I think the spirit of the zoning code. That's how I would interpret or explain it. Is it I mean um basically afraid that the the new development could um discourage people from being around the I mean I'm just trying to

No, the No, kind of the opposite. The because it says you're supposed to give public access, but say they there's something designed maybe there's a fence or a row of hedges that seems like a barrier. Okay. Okay. What we're saying by the last two lines is they can't do something that looks like an obvious barrier, right? So, but you're still again providing flexibility to comply with the zoning code and then comply with what we're requiring. Like I said, the last two and a half lines aren't really reflected in the zoning code. But this is to say that if something looks like a barrier and smells like a barrier, we're saying no, we can't have that.

Can't have it. Okay. All right. That that's all I had. I just wanted to have that explained to the public. Thank you. Uh Dr. Titus, just is that something uh attorney check that we could uh should look at amending uh to add to the zoning code? Is that something we should talk about offline? But I think it's something we could I think it's probably something to discuss, you know, because I don't want to get in the weeds on I just Right. We've discussed um about revisions to the zoning code. This is something that should be on the list. That's what I think. Okay. Yeah. Thank you, sir. Council,

thank you, Dr. Titus. Thank you, Marty, for uh mentioning uh who we are. Um I'm 64 years old. I have lived in Erie my entire life and I have worked 40 years at St. James School. Prochial teachers get paid way less than public school teachers. And so I raised my daughters to enjoy life as free as possible. We have gone to Splash Lagoon occasions because they're very social and they've got many uh birthday invitations there and it is a wonderful place. Um, I have had the opportunity to have uh great family experiences, relative experiences um outside of Erie. My brother lives on an island uh and it's near Annapolis. I have visited many many hotels and things along the uh shoreline uh east and west of America because of uh generous family, relatives and friends and uh wedding invitations etc. because I'm a person who believes commitment is important. And last year we had two weddings that were expensive and I had a great experience.

Most of the places I absolutely love to go have benches along the shore and areas. Um, my grandparents lived on Fifth and Ash Street and because we were very close to them, I spent a lot of time in the Dobbins Landing area and my daughters live in Florida [clears throat] and one of them graduated from Mercy Hurst University in hospitality and hotel management. Um for her it didn't pan out the way I wanted to her. I you know everyone makes their decisions and um so she um lives away from me. My husband and I spend a lot of time. People would be absolutely surprised how much time we spend at the Dobins Landing area. And I go to the beer garden if we have a visitor from out of state come in and they're looking for something to do and we have enjoyed our time there. And we have relatives from different states and out of town and they have frequented the hotels and they have enjoyed their time there and they have mentioned how

hospitable um the hotels and not just yours um but um the Marriott and the Sherin as Well, I am committed to helping Erie as much as I can. I understand we need economic vitality and because of needing the taxes whether they're going to be next year or 10 years from now and because of the CRIS we do have an opportunity to help our city. I enjoy the music from the beer garden when it's available without being in the beer garden [clears throat] by being along the walkways. And you can actually hear it if you're walking all around. Um, I'm sure people on the bluffs can hear that music. Um, so I'm [snorts] at a point where I want to have an investment where people like uh Mr. McCartney though could uh use a restroom and uh

there are public restrooms at the towing place um until 9:00 p.m. where the uh mini golf course uh that was owned by the Stankviches. Um there is public restroom there. There are toilets, outdoor toilets, which I'm not happy about. Um, outside the tower. I wish we could go inside the tower and use toilets without having to pay now, but now you have to pay and buy something in order to use the toilet. And then there is the Blasco Library, which has um openings until 8:30 at night, but not on uh the weekends where you can use public restrooms. I'm all about public restrooms, believe it or not, because um I will tell you um you need them. And uh I want them. I want to see them at all the parks and anyways um so I feel the needs of the community. I uh wish that um you know we wouldn't keep comparing ourselves to Cleveland and Pittsburgh and all the big big cities that I love visiting. I was just in Chicago for a wedding in November and I could go on but I'm not going to go on. I I just want you to know that I get it and we're in a crossroads. Uh but I will I do want to finish with so I went to the convention center when the Jefferson Society had um the famous

physicist who I can't remember his name right now, Neil Degrassi. And that place was absolutely packed. And I was talking to um Fky and he did say how popular the Jefferson Society has become where it's just not eerie going to those events. We have spread ourselves out where people from many different states all across the country are coming to hear the speakers there. And so if the convention center it was packed, I had to park um by the old mini golf and walk to that because there was no other parking anywhere available. So in that instance, if there was another hotel, you know, anyways, I'm sorry I'm rambling. Thank you.

I felt like there was a thought that was going to come right at the end there. Could have. It's okay. Um I'm I am there was a lot that has been shared up here. I know it has been a long day. Um but I have to put on on honestly I have to put on record as as I as I'm sitting in this seat. I take it really I take it really seriously. Uh our children are watching. My children are watching. They're going to watch this video again in the future. Um, probably not now because I'm kind of boring compared to the things that they're doing at home, but I I genuinely want to emulate the values that I want them to embody. And and similar to what councelor Horton had shared, um, legal and permitted is is not synonymous with what is right. Uh, and then I I I I can't say that enough that often times um very unethical and unmoral things have been permitted and then they're they're allowed to happen. Where I where I am struggling is I have a deep value system dissonance with the decision that is before me. Knowing also the purview that I have um and the jurisdiction that I'm in uh with these ordinances and as they exist in the process as it exists before me, I do not think that this development is is for the betterment of the community. I don't and I've been pretty vocal about that. I I don't agree. I think that this is um a a very glamorous trickle down economy system that is that's being paid uh and and held by uh the residents of our city. Um, and as I'm sitting here, I mean, if I'm being honest, because that's how I am. I'm I'm I'm even scared to say some of these things out loud. And if I'm feeling nervous to say some of these things out loud as the as the council president, I can't imagine what some of the residents must also be feeling. I have a lot of privilege in the way I get to move through the world. Um, and I have a voice and a microphone that other people don't have access to. And I also know that I can't change a person's value system while I'm sitting right here. I

can't. That takes a long time. Um, and change only moves as fast as trust. And I don't think I have any of your trust. Um, which I I accept. Uh, but I do have the trust of the people who have voted for me and who expect me to to verbalize what they need me to say. And when it comes to to this, um, this is private property. Uh, but I'm also, uh, water water is how do you privatize access to that, right? Uh, and so that is that is where I am where I am deeply struggling. Um, and I guess what I what I would ask of of of you um is is to not forget the residents who who work in there every day uh and those who who don't have access and they will not have access and they're watching themselves lose access uh to things that they had access to as children. And it's I think it's easy for us to kind of sit up here. It's also not lost on me um that most of the people that spoke tonight are the same have were were lacking the melanin, right? Uh and I think that those uh people who came up and spoke and worked for it didn't reside in the city either and that also was not lost on me. Um I will I'll conclude my remarks because I I understand um I understand the legality of the ordinances that is in front of me and where I am and where I am not allowed to move. Um, but it doesn't it doesn't mean that I don't have a strong value conflict here. All right. Any other counselor?

We'll go ahead and call for the vote. [clears throat]

Yes. Horton. Yes. Pull. Yes. Shaw. Yes. Troop. Yes. Titus. No. Resolution. [applause]

The resolution passes 5 to one.

Council President, this takes us to committee reports. All right. It is with great hesitation I ask us uh to go through our committee reports. Um we'll start down with councelor. I don't have a report today. Dr. Titus. Uh councelor Cole. Uh councelor Flores. No report. Uh councelor Horton.

Yeah, I have a report but in light of u I'm still just a little heavy over this vote. uh because I truly uh understand my legal limitations. Uh I came here prepared to vote no on this vote as a protest, but in all practicality, this thing is down the road. Uh anyway, and I want to say to the citizens, cuz most of the people that came here and spoke for it, they have a stake in it. Um I don't think we get the return on the investment uh that we should. Uh, so I'm not going to sit here and talk about me going to land bank meetings or blighted property meetings or any of the other meetings that I attended this week.

Um, kind of feel the same way about this that I do about 20 celebrating what [snorts] 250.

That's like black people wishing uh they were back in Dixie, which is preposterous. uh very disappointed uh in myself um for not being able to better articulate this to the public and and them hearing it for the first time at the hearing. And I can tell you um in the interest of full disclosure, my conversations with the Erie Convention Center Authority, I believe that there should be more public engagement uh on that project. And I believe that there should have been more public engagement on this one. Uh and maybe there was 10 years ago, 15 years ago when this started, but uh if I look at that view, like Eri's like traditionally 25, 30 years behind other metropolitan cities. So by the time we get it, other people have learned the lessons from it.

And just case in point, most of the places that we run to to talk about their waterfront, uh they're tearing concrete out. They're making it more grassy, making it more Here we are. come Johnny come lately. We're putting in roundabouts and and walkways. Uh so we got it behind. I don't know what uh uh what my predecessors did or had on their mind, but I get the citizens of this city my word. Uh whether it's down the road or not, I will not just play in the sandbox, look good to play in the sandbox. I will vote every time uh no matter how it feels or how it looks uh in the best interest of the citizens because right now voting for a hotel while our citizens are living in filth is disgusting. I think as we I've said just about everything I I needed to say before as far as the report. The other thing that I will encourage everybody is to remember we have a local election coming up. We are voting um for state representatives uh and up and down the ballot. We've got some local races for the parties. So, make sure that you are registered. That deadline is coming up. May 4th, I believe, is the last day to register to vote. And remember, we are a closed primary state, which means that you have to be either a Democrat or Republican to participate in the primary election. Um and you can change your registration after, but I do think it is important that as we see um local politics, they matter. They matter in so many things. Uh so that'll be my report for this evening is just remember to register to vote. Make sure you know where to vote. If you've moved that you update your registration uh because by the time we get in front of you at the next meeting uh that that voter registration window will have closed. Um so with that, I will offer over to the solicitor or the mayor for any reports.

Excuse me. Go ahead. Go ahead. I didn't get a chance. I'm sorry, Michelle. Go for it. [clears throat] Um, yes, [cough]

I am going to have a report and I apologize, but um I really believe in neighborhood watches and I was at the Booker T. Washington Center. And I really encourage as many people as possible if you want to get involved to get involved with a neighborhood watch group, which is not going to have the term neighborhood watch anymore. Maybe a new name because um it's not about vig being vigilant. Um, but it's about [snorts] being uh committed to your neighborhood and helping your neighborhood as best as you can. And um there's many home repair grants that are out there. And that's a way people can learn about them by attending these neighborhood watch groups and um knowing uh about curfews that you know we do have curfews. There are cleanups and you can get involved with neighborhood cleanups. And um I appreciate uh the people who for many years have been working on these groups in their neighborhood communities. Um so many people have been doing it for over 20 years now and um would love to continue to see that grow. I um did attend the water meeting and um the water authority meeting and May 3rd through the 9th is uh a drinking water week and there's going to be a drinking

water festival and uh you want to get behind the scenes look at Eerie Waterworks state-of-the-art water treatment plant um which is going to be held Saturday, May 9th. 9 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at the Richard S. Washlesi water treatment plant that's on 399 Summerheim Drive. So that's the one that is um headed towards the peninsula there um by the elementary I think it's Tracy school that's out there in Mil Creek. But there's going to be games, giveaways, food trucks, face painting, um activities provided by the waterworks team and partner organizations. So, um parking available will be at Tracy Elementary School. So, um I just want to get the word out there for that. Thank you.

Thank you. And I apologize again, Council. Okay. Uh if there's no other reports, then we will go ahead and conclude tonight's meeting. City Council adjourns at 8:10 p.m. Members Titus, Flores, Horton, Paul, Schoff, and Truth. Heat. Heat. [music]