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.
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
Eligibility for Board or Commission Membership
List of Authorities, Boards, and Commissions
Blighted Property Review Committee
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 Requirements
Meetings
2nd Wednesday of every month, 9-11AM
City Hall, Room 500
Agendas & Minutes
Meeting Agendas
Meeting Minutes
Members
BPRC – Blighted Property Maintenance, Rental Appeals Board
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
1501.01
Meetings
3rd Thursday of every month, 2PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Members
Building Code Board of Appeals
General 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 Requirements
Meetings
1st Thursday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Members
City of Erie Higher Education Building Authority
General 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
City of Erie Land Bank
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 Requirements
Meetings
3rd Monday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, Council Chambers
Members
Second Term Ends: 1/01/2022
First Term Ends: 12/31/2021
City Planning Commission
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.
The Planning Commission in Pennsylvania (2017)
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
Powers and Duties
The planning commission acts as an advisor and recommending body to City Council. The MPC authorizes a planning commission to conduct the following activities for the municipality:
- Prepare a comprehensive plan for the long-term growth, development, and well-being of the municipality to present it for consideration and adoption
- Prepare and present a zoning ordinance, and make recommendations on proposed amendments to it
- Prepare, recommend, and administer subdivision and land development and planned residential development regulations
- Make recommendations concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map
- Submit a recommended capital improvements program
- Review the zoning ordinance, subdivision and land development ordinance, official map, provisions for planned residential development, and such other ordinances and regulations governing the development of land
Ordinances
Meetings
3rd Tuesday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Please contact the Planning Commission Secretary for information regarding the process for submitting items for review.
Contact Information
Email: JWelsh@erie.pa.us
Phone Number: (814) 870-1273
Agendas & Minutes
Planning Commission Agendas
Planning Commission Minutes
Planning Commission Annual Reports & Other Misc. Documents
Members
Civil Service Commission
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
Design Review Committee
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 500
Members
Term Expires: 12/31/2024
Director of ECD
Erie County Convention Authority (Erie Events)
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
Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority
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 Plan
Meetings
Held the last Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. via video conference. Contact tcroll@ride-the-e.com for meeting links.
208 East Bayfront Parkway, Second Floor
Members
County Representative
Term expires: 10/22/2025
City representative
Term expires: 10/22/2024
County Representative
Term expires: 10/31/2023
City Representative
Term expires: 1/18/2028
City Representative
Term expires: 10/22/2026
City Representative
Term Expires: 10/22/2022
City Representative
Term Expires: 10/22/2023
Erie Parking Authority
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 Ordinances
Meetings
Second Tuesday of every month at 8:30AM
Members
Erie Regional Airport Authority
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 Council
Website
Board of Directors
Board of Directors – Erie International Airport
Ordinances
Ordinances
Membership Requirements
Meetings
4th Wednesday of every month, 12PM
441 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16501
Members
Erie Sewer Authority
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
Meeting Agendas
Members
Erie Water Authority (Erie Water Works)
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 Archives
Meetings
Third Tuesday of every month, 3PM
340 West Bayfront Parkway
Ordinances
Ordinances
Articles of Incorporation
Members
Erie-Western PA Port Authority
General Information
Skills/Expertise: Logistics, Parks & Recreation, Marketing/Branding, Human Resources
Requirements:
Term: 3 years
Appointed by: The Mayor
Purpose
Port Authority Homepage
Master Plan
Meetings
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of every month
Ordinances
Third Class City Port Authority Act
Repeal of the Port Commission
Defining Ordinances
Regulatory Power
Regulatory Power
Members
Historic Review Commission (HRC)
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
Powers and Duties
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.
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure
Nomination Form
Overview Document
Policies
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Take the survey
Provide feedback on future historic resources and critical preservation issues in Erie.
Meetings
1st Monday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Agendas and Minutes
Members
Other Resources
Erie County’s Historic Resources
Preservation Erie
Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office
Housing Authority of the City of Erie (HACE)
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
History
Ordinances
Meetings
Fourth Monday of every month, 1:15PM
606 Holland Street
Members
Human Relations Advisory Board
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 Information
Meetings
Members
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie (RACE)
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 Plan
Ordinances
Meetings
Second Wednesday every other month 3:00-5:00PM
City Hall, Council Chambers
Members
Stationary Steam Engineers Board of Licensing Examiners
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 Requirements
Meetings
2nd Wednesday of every month, 3:30PM
City Hall, Room 500
Members
Trades Licensing Board
General Information
Purpose:
The purpose of the board is to:
- Review applications for licensing of contractors and tradesmen, recommending approval or denial of applications to the City of Erie’s Building Code Official.
- Review applications for temporary licensing & registration, hold hearings on appeals for the issuance of temporary licenses, and make recommendations to the City of Erie’s Building Code Official regarding temporary licenses. The Building Code Official may issue apprentice and journeyman licenses without board approval for temporary licenses only. These licenses will expire 90 days after issuance.
- Make recommendations to the City of Erie’s Building Code Official for the revocation or suspension of licenses.
Number of Board Members: 13
Requirements:
Skills/Qualifications:
Term: Staggered – Two (2) one-year terms, Five (5) two-year terms, Six (6) three-year terms.
Appointed by: Mayor, with consultation by the Manager of Code Enforcement
Ordinances
Meetings
1st Tuesday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Members
Urban Forest Committee
General 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
Defining Ordinances
Membership Requirements
Meetings
4th Thursday of every month, 12PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Members
Zoning Hearing Board
General Information
Purpose: The Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) is a quasi-judicial body that hears and renders decisions regarding specific types of land use actions. The ZHB functions like a court, although formal court procedures are not necessarily required.
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) provides a specific set of rules that must be followed by the ZHB (ZHB Procedures).
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
Powers and Duties:
The Zoning Hearing Board is authorized to conduct hearings and render decisions in specific areas of review including:
- Applications for a variance (from a specific zoning ordinance requirement)
- Applications for a use by special exception
- Appeal from a Zoning Officer’s determination
- Substantive challenges to the validity of any land use ordinance
Ordinances
City of Erie Zoning Ordinance – March 2021 Edition
Membership Guidelines
Meetings
2nd Tuesday of every month, 1PM
City Hall, City Council Chambers
Please contact the zoning office for information regarding application submittal to the ZHB.
Contact Information
Email: zoning@erie.pa.us
Phone Number: (814) 870-1265 or (814) 870-1273
Application/Submittal Requirements
In order to be placed on the ZHB agenda, an application must be completed and submitted to the Zoning office along with required attachments and [$300.00] application fee. Applications are due three weeks prior to the meeting date. Payment must be received by the due date in order to be placed on the agenda.
Application Form (PDF)
Procedures (PDF)
Agendas & Minutes
Zoning Hearing Board Agendas
Zoning Hearing Board Minutes
Members
Legacy Authorities, Boards, and Commissions
Historic Preservation Task Force
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.