Union City Council unanimously approves bridge grant application, local disbursements and grant awards

Union City Borough Council unanimously approved a series of routine financing and project motions at its June 25 meeting, including submission of a $400,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application to support replacement of the Willow Street bridge.

The motions, all carried unanimously, included: tax exonerations for two properties purchased by the Erie County Land Bank; paying a Cross Paving invoice related to the 2024 paving project with $92,130 from Liquid Fuels and $12,610.81 from the General Fund; applying $15,625 in County Aid toward seal-coat payments for Suit-Kote; and authorizing 2–3 loads of paving millings to be provided to the American Legion ballfield with Union Township to grind and grade the material.

Council also approved recommended awards from the ECGRA Renaissance Grant program, approving four applications totaling $17,675 for the 2023/2024 period and carrying two applications totaling $9,452.65 into 2024/2025; accepted notification that the Union City Volunteer Fire Department repaid its ambulance loan in full ($59,250); and authorized opening a new PLGIT Checking & Prime account to transfer approximately $140,000 from the Capital Equipment account to capture a higher interest rate. The council voted to post removed playground equipment from Southwest Park on Municibid for sale.

Votes at a glance - Tax exonerations (11 Maple St. & 48 Atlantic St.): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Joyce; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved (unanimous). Present councilors: Cross, Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Uber, Kerns; absent: Winkler. - Multimodal Transportation grant application (Willow Street bridge, $400,000): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Liquid Fuels disbursement for Cross Paving invoice ($104,740.81): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Steadman; seconder: Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved (unanimous). - County Aid application to Suit-Kote ($15,625): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Joyce; seconder: Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Millings distribution (2–3 loads to American Legion): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Joyce; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Renaissance grant awards (four totaling $17,675): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Joyce; seconder: Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved (unanimous). - New PLGIT Checking & Prime account (transfer ~ $140,000): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Kerns; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Playground equipment sale (post on Municibid): Motion passed; mover: Councilor Kerns; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: The motions advance short-term maintenance and capital planning for Borough infrastructure — paving, drainage and a potential bridge replacement — and free up local funds and grant opportunities for future projects. The unanimous votes reflect routine consent for administrative and financing measures; several items (including the Willow Street grant application and zoning amendments) will require later follow-up and outside approvals.

What’s next: The Multimodal Transportation Fund application will proceed as approved; the borough will track millings use with Union Township and carry over two Renaissance applications into the next grant period. Zoning amendments flagged for later discussion were deferred until the solicitor is present.