Union City council approves $400,000 multimodal grant application for Willow Street bridge and a slate of paving, grant and financial measures

Union City Borough Council unanimously authorized a $400,000 multimodal transportation grant application on June 25 to support replacement of the Willow Street bridge and approved several related and routine financial measures aimed at completing this year’s paving and capital work.

The council, meeting at First Global Methodist Church, voted to approve the resolution authorizing the grant application after a presentation of the funding request. Councilor Osborn moved to approve the resolution and Councilor Kerns seconded; the motion carried unanimously. Borough officials said the multimodal funds would provide additional needed support for the bridge replacement project on Willow Street.

Why it matters: The resolution clears the way for the borough to seek outside funding for an essential bridge project and aligns with recent paving work the borough has completed this year.

The council also approved payment of an invoice from Cross Paving for $104,740.81, authorizing $92,130.00 from Liquid Fuels funds and $12,610.81 from the general fund to cover the bill. Councilor Steadman moved the disbursement; Councilor Kerns seconded and the motion carried unanimously. County Aid of $15,625 was likewise approved to be applied to the Suit-Kote seal-coat payment (motion by Councilor Joyce; second by Councilor Osborn, carried unanimously).

Other financial and administrative actions approved unanimously included two tax-exoneration resolutions for properties purchased by the Erie County Land Bank (11 Maple Street and 48 Atlantic Street; motion by Councilor Joyce; second by Councilor Steadman), approval of recommended Renaissance Grant awards totaling $17,675 for the 2023/2024 period with two additional applications carried forward (motion by Councilor Joyce; second by Councilor Osborn), and authorization to open a new PLGIT Checking & Prime account and transfer approximately $140,000 from the Capital Equipment account to capture a higher interest rate (motion by Councilor Kerns; second by Councilor Steadman).

Council also approved disposition of millings from the paving project, approving 2–3 loads for the American Legion ballfield and arranged for Union Township to truck and grind material for reuse. A motion to post removed playground equipment on Municibid for sale passed unanimously as well (motion by Councilor Kerns; second by Councilor Steadman).

Votes at a glance: • Multimodal Transportation grant resolution for Willow Street bridge: moved by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • Cross Paving invoice disbursement ($104,740.81): moved by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • County Aid application to Suit-Kote payment ($15,625): moved by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • Tax-exoneration resolutions (11 Maple St; 48 Atlantic St): moved by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • Renaissance grant approvals ($17,675 recommended): moved by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • PLGIT account opening and transfer (~$140,000): moved by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • Millings allocation (2–3 loads to American Legion): moved by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Joyce; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • Playground equipment posted for sale on Municibid: moved by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent). • Adjournment: moved by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome — approved (unanimous; 6 yes, 1 absent).

Key numbers and fund sources recorded at the meeting included: a proposed $400,000 multimodal grant request; Cross Paving invoice of $104,740.81 to be split ($92,130.00 from Liquid Fuels; $12,610.81 from the general fund); County Aid of $15,625 applied to the Suit-Kote payment; UCVFD’s full repayment of a $59,250 ambulance loan; and an ECGRA Renaissance Grant award to the borough of $100,000 noted in the manager’s updates.

The council did not vote on proposed text changes to the parking ordinance and deferred zoning amendments related to small games of chance and allowances for pools in adjoining vacant lots until the solicitor could attend a future meeting. The council adjourned at 7:21 p.m. and entered a second executive session to discuss personnel and contracts with no action taken.