Sustainability coordinator: Erie wins $7,500 compost technical assistance grant; climate RFP drafting underway

The city’s sustainability coordinator reported to the Erie Environmental Advisory Council on June 24 that the city received a $7,500 technical assistance grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate whether the city can sell its compost product and how to improve distribution so residents have fair access.

The coordinator said the assigned contractor will analyze site operations and distribution options; the grant is limited to technical assistance rather than capital funding. The coordinator noted past technical assistance from about 2005 had been implemented and said staff are ready to apply updated recommendations.

Council members were also briefed that the local climate action plan has approval to move forward and that staff are drafting an RFP to hire a contractor; members estimated the RFP could be posted within four to six weeks but cautioned the timeline depends on internal reviews. The sustainability coordinator said they will continue work while attempting to meet that four‑to‑six‑week goal.

Separately, Bureau of Planning staff reported that the draft parks plan, branded 'Erie Outside,' was posted for a 30‑day public comment period that closes July 21; the full plan and appendices are available on the city’s Erie Outside webpage and the EAC was asked to provide comments focused on conservation and resilience elements.