Union City Council approves Willow Street bridge grant application and a slate of routine financial measures

The Union City Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution to apply for $400,000 in Multimodal Transportation Fund money to replace the Willow Street bridge and approved multiple routine financial and administrative measures on June 25.

Council approved the grant application for the bridge after a motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns. If awarded, the grant would provide the additional funds the borough said are needed to proceed with the Willow Street bridge replacement.

Why it matters: the bridge project was identified by borough staff as requiring outside funding; the grant application is a formal step that, if successful, would secure engineering and construction dollars for the crossing.

Other votes at the meeting (all motions carried unanimously): - Two tax-exoneration resolutions for properties purchased by the Erie County Land Bank at 11 Maple Street and 48 Atlantic Street (motion by Councilor Joyce; second Councilor Steadman). The resolutions remove outstanding tax liabilities on those parcels so the Land Bank can proceed with redevelopment activities. - Approval of payment on a Cross Paving invoice for $104,740.81, to be paid $92,130.00 from the Liquid Fuels account and $12,610.81 from the General Fund (motion by Councilor Steadman; second Councilor Kerns). - A resolution applying $15,625 in County Aid funds to the payment due to Suit-Kote for the 2024 seal coat project (motion by Councilor Joyce; second Councilor Osborn). - Authorization to deliver 2–3 loads of millings from the paving project to the American Legion ballfield and to have Union Township grind and track millings use (motion by Councilor Osborn; second Councilor Joyce). - Approval of Renaissance Grant awards: staff recommended approving four applications totaling $17,675 for the 2023/2024 grant period and carrying two applications totaling $9,452.65 into 2024/2025 (motion by Councilor Joyce; second Councilor Osborn). - Approval to open a new PLGIT Checking & Prime account and transfer approximately $140,000 from the Capital Equipment account at Northwest to seek a higher interest rate (motion by Councilor Kerns; second Councilor Steadman). - Authorization to post removed playground equipment for sale on Municibid (motion by Councilor Kerns; second Councilor Steadman).

The meeting also recorded administrative updates: the borough received a $100,000 ECGRA Renaissance Grant and the Union City Volunteer Fire Department repaid a $59,250 ambulance loan in full. Borough staff announced the Solicitor will deliver written findings in mid-July on a separate matter concerning an 'UC Chair.'

The council adjourned at 7:21 P.M. and entered an executive session to discuss personnel and contracts with no action to be taken.