Authorities, Boards and Commissions
Welcome to the City of Erie’s page on Authorities, Boards, and Commissions. We have created this page to provide important information on each organization in an effort to advance transparency, accessibility, and opportunity.
We have also created an open application process to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you are dedicated to and passionate about our community and have the required skill set and expertise to help lead our Authorities, Boards, and Commissions into the future, we invite you to apply at https://go.citygro.ws/city-of-erie/authorities-boards-and-commissions
All City of Erie Authority, Board, and Commission appointments are voluntary, and terms of service as well as required skill sets/expertise vary for each organization.
The deadline to apply is January 11, 2021 by 11:59 p.m.
Below, we have provided the following information (where applicable):
- An overview of each organization and its purpose
- Roles and responsibilities
- Current roster
- Meeting dates, times, and locations
- Links to defining ordinances and/or pdfs
- Links to respective websites
- Skill sets, experience, and qualifications requested by the organization.
- Requirements
- By-Laws
The following Pennsylvania Laws provide an overview regarding Optional Third Class City Charters and Third Class City Code, of which the City of Erie is both.
Optional Third Class City Charter Law
Act of Jul. 15, 1957,P.L. 901, No. 399 Cl. 11 – OPTIONAL THIRD CLASS CITY CHARTER LAW (state.pa.us)
Third Class Cities
Title 11 – PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)
2014 Act 22 – PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)
Municipal Authorities
Chapter 56. – Title 53 – MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY (state.pa.us)
Eligibility for Board or Commission Membership
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General Information
Number of Board Members: 9 (4 Council Appointments, 1 City Council Liaison, RACE Executive Director, Planning Director, Director of Code Enforcement, Planning Commission Liaison)
Skills/Experience: Code enforcement, blight, rehab/renovations, construction; knowledge/understanding of Erie Refocused, Activating Our Vision, and Neighborhood Plans
Term: 2 years
Appointed by: City Council
Ordinances
Defining Ordinances
Membership RequirementsMeetings
2nd Wednesday of every month, 9-11AM
City Hall, Room 500Members
Angela EckelbergerCouncil Appointee (Voting Member)Second Term Ends: 12/31/2022[Vacant]Council Appointee (Voting Member)Term Ends: 12/31/2020PJ MonellaCouncil Appointee (Voting Member)Term Ends: 12/31/2021[Vacant]Council Appointee (Voting Member)Second Term Ends: 12/31/2022Liz AllenCouncil Member (Voting Member)Aaron SnippertERA Director (Voting Member)Kathy WyrosdickMayor Designee (Voting Member)Andy ZimmermanMayor Designee (Voting Member)Rich SpeicherPlanning Commission (Voting Member)[Vacant]City Housing Office (Non-Voting Member)Mike LaveryCode Enforcement (Non-voting Member)[Vacant]Fire Department (Non-Voting Member)[Vacant]Police Department (Non-Voting Member)Steve LetzelterTax Claim Director (Non-Voting Member)General Information
Any person aggrieved by any decision of a Building Code Official or Public officer submit an appeal to the Building Code Official for a review by the Blighted Property Review Committee/Property Maintenance/Rental Appeals Board, which shall issue a decision in writing setting forth specific facts and legal conclusions; and may appeal subsequently under Local Agency Law to the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County.
Number of Board Members: 5
Skills/Expertise: Engineer, Property Owner, General Contractor, Construction
Requirements:
Term: 3 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Ordinances
Ordinances
105.03
907.11
715.01
165.08
1501.01Members
Hank GraygoEngineerTerm Expires: 01/01/2010Ruth ThompsonProperty OwnerTerm Expires: 09/21/2012Carl ZimmermanGeneral ContractorTerm Expires: 01/01/2010Tim McCormickAlternateTerm Expires: 01/01/2010VacantGeneral Information
Number of Board Members: 9 + 2 alternates
Skills/Experience: Master Plumber, Registered Industrial or Chemical Engineer, Registered Architect, Structural Engineer, Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Fire Protection Engineer or Technician, General Building Contractor, Business/Industry Representative, Member of General Public, Drywall Contractor)
Term: 3 years
Appointed by: City Council
Ordinances
Defining Ordinances
Membership RequirementsMeetings
Twice a year
Members
David SteeleStructural EngineerRobert HerbstrittBusiness/Industry RepresentativeMatthew RoseGeneral Building ContractorJ. Douglas ArmstrongMember, General PublicDave WoodsElectrical EngineerDean WilsonChairperson/Fire Protection EngineerThomas GroszRegistered ArchitectAl NaylorAlternate / Drywall ContractorVacantMechanical / Plumbing EngineerVacantReg. Industrial or Chemical EngineerVacantAlternate / Master PlumberGeneral Information
Purpose: Formed for the purpose of undertaking any project for any college, university, or institution of higher learning at such locations within or without the City of Erie, and which are authorized by the provisions of the Municipality Authorities Act of May 2, 1945, as amended and supplemented.
Number of Board Members: 7, including the City Treasurer and the President of City Council
Skills/Expertise: Finance
Requirements: Must be a resident of the City of Erie
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Ordinances
General Information
Number of Board Members: 5
Skills/Experience: Real estate, construction, blight
Requirement: Must be a resident of the City of Erie
Term: 3 years
Appointed by: The Mayor, City Council, and the School Board of Erie’s Public Schools each appoint one representative, and are joined by a designee of the Redevelopment Authority and the Director of the Department of Economic and Community Development. City Council’s appointee must be (1) a resident of the City of Erie, (2) not a public official or municipal employee, and (3) a member in good standing of a recognized civic organization in the City of Erie.
Ordinances
Defining Ordinances
Membership RequirementsMeetings
Third Monday of every month
City Hall, Room 500Members
TJ SandellChairpersonSecond Term Ends: 1/01/2022
Paul GambillVice ChairpersonTerm Expires: 1/18/2023Debra SmithTreasurerDirector of ECDDarlene FeeneySecretaryFirst Term Ends: 12/31/2021
Chris GronerMemberTerm Expires: 12/31/2023
General Information
Purpose: Planning is a visionary task to lead residents in creating and building a view of their future. Local planning commissions are established to guide land use and development at the municipal level. The planning commission has the responsibility of developing and implementing a comprehensive plan as well as reviewing proposals for new developments and public projects. The planning commission requires technical skills and expertise to provide advice to the City. The planning commission is the City’s surrogate on land use issues, providing assistance by taking time to conduct in-depth research on important planning issues and then make informed recommendations for action. As an independent advisory body, the planning commission gives the City the assurance that the important issues of land use and future growth are given the necessary attention.
Recommendations to public authorities; approval of plans.
[Ord. 16-1962 § 1, passed 5-9-1962]
The City Planning Commission may make recommendations to any public authorities, corporations or individuals in the City, with reference to the location of any buildings, structures or works to be erected or constructed by them. No improvement, redevelopment or revitalizing project shall be constructed or otherwise undertaken, in whole or in part, by any agency, authority or department, without first acquiring approval of the City Planning Commission that such project complies with the comprehensive and detailed planning and programming for the improvement, redevelopment and revitalizing of the City and, secondly, without acquiring Council’s approval thereof by ordinance.
Number of Board Members: 5 + 2 alternates
Skills/Expertise: Planning, Zoning, Neighborhood Development, and an understanding of Zoning and Erie Refocused, the City of Erie’s Comprehensive Plan:
Requirements: Must be a City of Erie resident
Term: 4 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Website
General Information
Purpose: To provide for and oversee the examination of applicants for appointment and promotion to any position in the police or fire department, excluding the Chiefs.
Number of Board Members: 3 + 3 Alternates
Skills/Expertise: Hiring and Firing experience, Human Resources, Legal, Employee Management, Retired Police and Firefighters; will need to develop an understanding of PA Civil Service Rules and Regulations and the 3rd Class City Code, especially as it relates to the role of Civil Service Boards.
Requirements: Must be a City of Erie resident, No city officer, official, or employee shall be eligible for appointment.
Term: 4 years
PA 3rd Class City Code, Civil Service:
Title 11 – PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)
Appointed by: City Council
Members
Fred RushTerm Expires: 2020Anthony PolTerm Expires: 06/23/2021Bob ZarutaTerm Expires: 7/31/2022[Vacant][Vacant][Vacant]
General Information
Purpose: The Design Review Committee, following City of Erie zoning ordinances, reviews projects in the city’s Waterfront Commercial District and makes recommendations to City Council, which must approve all building projects in the waterfront zone.
Number of Board Members: 5
Skills/Expertise: Planning, Zoning, Neighborhood Development
Requirements: Must be a City of Erie resident
Term: 4 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Meetings
First Wednesday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, Room 500Members
Shelly BuehlerMemberTerm Expires: 12/31/2024
Dan DahlkemperMemberTerm Expires: 12/31/2021Rich SpeicherMemberTerm Expires: 12/31/2021Mark StegMemberTerm Expires: 12/31/2021Debra SmithMemberDirector of ECD
General Information
Purpose: To acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain and operate, own, and lease, all facilities necessary or incidental therefore for the operation of a Civic Center/Convention Center Complex in the City; and to promote, attract, stimulate, develop, and expand business, industry, commerce, and tourism in Erie County.
Number of Board Members: 11
Skills/Expertise: Legal, finance, business, entertainment
Requirements: Mayoral appointees must be residents of the City of Erie
Term: 4 years
Appointed by: The Mayor (2), The Governor (2), County Council (7)
Website
It’s all right here! – Erie Events
Ordinances
Meetings
Third Tuesday of every month at 3:00PM at the Bayfront Convention Center. Meetings are open to the public.
Members
General Information
Purpose: to acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain and operate, own or lease all facilities necessary or incidental to the operation of a mass transportation system in the City and its environs within the County of Erie.
Number of Board Members: 9
Skills/Expertise: Business Acumen, Diversity, Construction, Finance, Riders, Legal
Requirements: Mayoral appointees must be residents of the City of Erie
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: The Mayor (5); the County Executive (4)
City of Erie, PA Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (ecode360.com)
Purpose
EMTA Homepage
Transit Development PlanMeetings
Last Thursday of every month, 5:30PM
208 East Bayfront Parkway, Second FloorMembers
Dave RobisonChairpersonCounty Representative
Jessica MolczanVice Chairperson<pterm expires:="" 10="" 22="" 2024="" city="" representativeAshley LawsonSecretary & TreasurerCounty Representative
Tom BlyMemberCounty RepresentativeLyn Twillie-DarbyMemberCounty Representative
Rick GriffithMemberTerm Expires: 10/22/2020
City RepresentativeGyan GhisingMemberTerm Expires: 10/22/2021
City RepresentativeGeorge WillisMemberTerm Expires: 10/22/2022
City RepresentativeBen WilsonMemberTerm Expires: 10/22/2023
City Representative
General Information
Purpose: To acquire, construct, improve, maintain and operate parking projects, and establish a permanent coordinated system of parking facilities.
Number of Board Members: 5
Skills/Expertise: Business Acumen, Diversity, Construction, Finance, Downtown Business, Legal
Requirements: Must be residents of the City of Erie
Term: 4 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
City of Erie, PA Erie Parking Authority (ecode360.com)
Purpose
Erie Parking Authority Homepage
Ordinances
Defining Ordinances
Parking Ordinances
Parking Meter OrdinancesMeetings
Second Tuesday of every month at 8:30AM
Members
General Information
Number of Board Members: 9
Skills/Expertise:
- Vision and ability to see the big picture and focus on long-term goals.
- Have some understanding of the aviation industry including how airport projects are funded and how airports generate revenue.
- Be business-minded and have the ability to make decisions that benefit the growth of the airport as a regional asset; not make decisions based on what is “popular public opinion” at the time.
- Have no personal stake so Board decisions are made in the best interest of the airport as a whole.
- Willingness to prepare for meetings – must be computer proficient.
Requirements: The members of the board, each of whom shall be a taxpayer in, maintain a business in or be a citizen of the municipality by which he is appointed or be a taxpayer in, maintain a business in or be a citizen of a municipality into which one or more of the projects of the authority extends or is to extend or to which one or more projects has been or is to be leased, a majority of an authority’s board members shall be citizens residing in the incorporating municipality or incorporating municipalities of the authority.
Terms: 5 years
Defining Ordinances, By-Laws, and Documents:
EMAA-Articles-of-Incorporation-11-28-1950.pdf (erieairport.org)
Erie-County-Runway-Resolution-59-2007.pdf (erieairport.org)
Section 5610 – Title 53 – MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY (state.pa.us)
Act of Jul. 15, 1957,P.L. 901, No. 399 Cl. 11 – OPTIONAL THIRD CLASS CITY CHARTER LAW (state.pa.us)
ERAA Documents – Erie International Airport (erieairport.org)
Appointed by: 5 are appointed by City Council, 4 by County CouncilWebsite
Board of Directors
Board of Directors – Erie International Airport
Ordinances
Ordinances
Membership RequirementsMeetings
4th Wednesday of every month, 12PM
441 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16501Members
General Information
Number of Board Members: 5
Skills/Expertise: Finance, Legal, Construction
Requirements: Majority must be City of Erie residents, City of Erie employees are not eligible to serve
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: City Council
Chapter 56. – Title 53 – MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY (state.pa.us)
Ordinances
Meetings
3rd Tuesday of every month, 11AM via teleconference
Members
General Information
Number of Board Members: 9 (2 Millcreek residents, 1 Harborcreek resident, 6 City of Erie)
Skills/Expertise: Finance, Business, Legal, Community Members
Requirements: Must be a City of Erie resident, City of Erie employees are not eligible to serve
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: The Mayor (2) and City Council (7) – one each
Chapter 56. – Title 53 – MUNICIPALITIES GENERALLY (state.pa.us)
Purpose
Water Quality Reports
Capital Improvement Projects
News ArchivesMeetings
Third Tuesday of every month, 3PM
340 West Bayfront ParkwayOrdinances
Ordinances
Articles of IncorporationMembers
General Information
Skills/Expertise: Logistics, Parks & Recreation, Marketing/Branding, Human Resources
Requirements:
Term: 3 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Purpose
Port Authority Homepage
Master PlanMeetings
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of every month
Ordinances
Third Class City Port Authority Act
Repeal of the Port Commission
Defining Ordinances
Regulatory Power
Regulatory PowerMembers
General Information
HRC is a newly created, 7-member board with 5 citizen members, who are voting members, and 2 ex-officio non-voting members who represent the City and guide the commission. The HRC was created on the recommendation of the Historic Preservation Task Force, which was convened for a temporary two-year appointment to research, investigate, and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding next steps. As they come close to completing their work, one of the recommendations of the Task Force was to create the HRC.
Purpose: To support the City of Erie in their efforts to protect some of this community’s most valuable and important assets including the historical, cultural, and aesthetic heritage of the City of Erie as they are seen as essential to the promotion of the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people. See pdf for additional information.
Number of Board Members: 7 total (3 appointed by City Council; 2 appointed by the Mayor, 2 ex-officio members representing the Department of Planning & Neighborhood Resources and the Planning Commission)
Requirements: Majority must reside in the City of Erie
Skills/Expertise:
- 1 professional preservationist or architectural historian active with a broad-based local organization involved with historic preservation/history;
- 1 architect w/ interest and background in historic preservation;
- 1 rep of Erie County Board of Realtors to share viewpoints of the Real Estate sales community.
- 2 citizens who have demonstrated an outstanding interest/knowledge of historic preservation and restoration in the City of Erie.
Term: 4 years
Appointed by: The Mayor and City Council
Website
General Information
Purpose: to provide dwelling accommodations for persons of low income.
Number of Board Members: 5
Requirements: Must be a resident of the City of Erie; No more than two persons holding any other paid public office shall be members of the same housing authority at the same time. No elected official shall be a member of a housing authority
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Act of May. 28, 1937,P.L. 955, No. 265 Cl. 64 – “HOUSING AUTHORITIES LAW” (state.pa.us)
Website
Purpose
Policies and Procedures
HistoryOrdinances
Meetings
Fourth Monday of every month, 1:15PM
606 Holland StreetMembers
General Information
Number of Board Members: 11
Skill Set/Expertise: An 11-member nonvoting Human Relations Commission Advisory Board supports the Human Relations Commission with research, education, and public relations.
Requirements: City Council’s appointments must be residents of the City of Erie, no City of Erie employees are eligible to serve
Term: 3 years
Appointed by: Seven are appointed by County Council, and four are appointed by Erie City Council.
Commission Boards – Erie County, PA
Human Relations Commission – Erie County, PA
Website
Erie County Human Relations Commission
Ordinances
Ordinances
Bylaws
Membership InformationMeetings
Members
Rev. Anthony HarrisMemberFirst Term Expires: 8/31/2020Elisabeth EspinosaMemberFirst Term Expires: 8/31/2022Diego AndujarMemberFirst Term Expires: 7/31/2022Freda TepferMemberFirst Term Expires: 9/30/2021
General Information
Number of Board Members: 5
Skills/Expertise: Realtor, Neighborhood revitalization, Finance, Redevelopment
Requirements: Must be a resident of the City of Erie
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Urban Redevelopment Law.pdf (fcadc.com)
Purpose
Erie Redevelopment Authority Homepage
Downtown Master PlanOrdinances
Meetings
Second Wednesday every other month 3:30-5:00PM
City Hall, Room 500Members
General Information
Purpose: to examine all applicants for license to perform the duties of engineers and water tenders having charge of steam boilers, steam-driven machinery, and/or ammonia refrigeration machinery, in the City and review all violations of this article. It shall be the further duty of the Board of License Examiners to advise the Coordinator on matters concerning enforcement of this article.
Number of Board Members: 7
Requirements: Must have a First Class Engineer’s License or be similarly qualified by education and training
Skills/Qualifications: Chief Stationary Engineer
Term: 2 years
Appointed by: City Council
Ordinances
Defining Ordinances
Membership RequirementsMeetings
2nd Wednesday of every month, 3:30PM
City Hall, Room 500Members
Dave ComstockMemberMike BrasingtonMemberJason BerneskiMemberDennis AuerMemberTobie McKeenMemberBob GodfreyMemberPaul Pawlak, Jr.MemberGeneral Information
Number of Board Members: 7
Skills/Expertise: Tree care, Gardening, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Public Utilities, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Contracting, Arboriculture, Planning, Environment
Requirements: City residents
Term: 2 committee members will serve for 1 year, 2 members will serve for 2 years, and 3 will serve for 3 years. Upon the expiration of each term, a successor shall be appointed by the Mayor for a term of 3 years. All terms are renewable for 3 years, but members may serve no more than 3 consecutive terms
Appointed by: The Mayor
Ordinances
General Information
ZHB functions in a quasi-judicial capacity; Board members must maintain impartiality in matters that may come before it for adjudication and decision.
Number of Board Members: 5 + 2 alternates
Skills/Expertise: Land use/development – real estate, construction, planning, law. Ability to distinguish relevant facts and considerations from testimony when hearing appeals in order to make logical conclusions and decisions; technical-based intelligence; good judgment; and understanding of community development objectives as contained within the zoning ordinance or stated by reference to the Erie Refocused comprehensive plan.
Requirements: Must be a resident of the City of Erie; may not hold an elective office or be appointed to the Planning Commission.
Term: 5 years
Appointed by: City Council
Website
Legacy Authorities, Boards, and Commissions
General Information
Purpose: To work within a 24-month time frame to study, analyze, and develop a historic preservation plan for the City of Erie that will include community-supported goals for preservation and identify policy recommendations and funding opportunities that will be presented to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to City Council and the Mayor.
Appointed by: The Mayor and City Council
Term:Temporary 2-year term from March 20, 2019 to March 20, 2021, at which time the Task Force will cease to exist and a Historic Review Commission will be created.
Website