Union City Borough Council approves $400,000 bridge grant application and routine spending in unanimous votes

Union City Borough Council voted unanimously June 25 to authorize a $400,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application for a Willow Street bridge replacement and to approve several routine disbursements and local grant awards during its meeting at First Global Methodist Church.

The meeting opened with the borough vision statement: "The Union City area is a thriving rural community of families, businesses and organizations dedicated to encouraging growth while maintaining small town values." Mayor Robert Wolf and Borough Manager Cindy Wells were present, along with Councilors Cross, Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Uber and Kerns.

The key action was passage of a resolution authorizing submission of a $400,000 grant application to the Multimodal Transportation Fund to support the Willow Street bridge replacement; the resolution was moved by Councilor Osborn and seconded by Councilor Kerns and carried unanimously. Council also approved two tax-exoneration resolutions for properties purchased by the Erie County Land Bank (11 Maple Street and 48 Atlantic Street) on a motion by Councilor Joyce and a second from Councilor Steadman.

On paving and roadwork payments, Council approved disbursing $104,740.81 to Cross Paving, with $92,130 drawn from Liquid Fuels funds and $12,610.81 from the General Fund (motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Kerns). Council additionally passed a resolution applying $15,625 in county aid to the payment due to Suit-Kote for the 2024 seal coat project (motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn).

Council addressed millings from its paving project, agreeing that millings must be ground before reuse and that Union Township will truck and grind material and track usage. The council approved sending two to three loads of millings to the American Legion ballfield to help with driveway issues (motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Joyce).

On small local grants, the borough received six Renaissance Grant applications totaling $27,127.65. Staff recommended, and the council approved, funding four applications totaling $17,675 and carrying two applications totaling $9,452.65 into the 2024–2025 grant period; the approved awards leave an $750.49 balance in the current Renaissance fund.

For municipal cash management, councilors approved opening a PLGIT Checking & Prime account and transferring approximately $140,000 from the Capital Equipment account to take advantage of higher interest (PLGIT rate cited as 5.40% as of 6/21/24). Council also authorized posting removed playground equipment from Southwest Park on Municibid for sale.

Police Chief David Pernice updated the council on department activity and cooperative coverage for the French Creek Festival; he reported contacting Corry and Warren police about recent golf scramble fundraisers and said Corry reported about $16,000 raised while Warren reported about $18,000–$20,000. Chief Pernice also said he is updating policies using Lexipol and expects a Civil Service–required background check to be completed by July 5, 2024.

Council discussed proposed amendments to the parking ordinance for Municipal Lot No. 2, including changes to front-end/angled parking. Chief Pernice described License Plate Reader capabilities and investigative uses; the council deferred ordinance changes pending Solicitor review. A separate proposed zoning amendment on small games of chance and pools on adjoining vacant lots was also deferred until the Solicitor can attend.

Votes at a glance: Council approved the meeting agenda and minutes; accepted the Secretary's Report; approved bills and payments including Cross Paving ($104,740.81) and application of $15,625 county aid to Suit-Kote; passed two tax-exoneration resolutions for Land Bank purchases; authorized a $400,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application for the Willow Street bridge; approved Renaissance grant awards totaling $17,675 with $9,452.65 carried to next period; approved a PLGIT transfer of approximately $140,000; authorized posting playground equipment for sale; and approved sending 2–3 loads of millings to the American Legion ballfield. All recorded motions carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.; councilors then entered a second executive session to discuss personnel and contracts from 7:22 p.m. until 8:17 p.m., with no action taken.