Union City council approves sinkhole repairs, awards park trail contract, updates RTK rules and backs broadband application

Union City Borough Council unanimously approved several routine but budget-relevant items during its July 23 meeting, including storm-pipe repairs, a park- and trail-construction contract, a Right-to-Know policy update and a resolution to pursue Broadband Ready Community designation.

The council accepted a $5,000 bid from Mansfield to repair and reconnect pipe at a sinkhole in Municipal Lot No. 1, with the borough agreeing to provide pipe and fittings estimated at an additional $5,000. Councilor James Kerns moved the measure and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously. Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reported crews had placed dye in a storm drain near Hogan’s Alley and that dye was entering sanitary lines toward Municipal Lot No. 1; he is arranging camera inspection to trace the issue.

In procurement business, the council awarded the Devereaux Park/French Creek Trail project to Vavala Concrete, the low bidder at $84,774. Councilor Osborn moved the award and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Solicitor Wachter recommended clarifying the borough’s Right-to-Know Rules and Regulations regarding anonymous requests. Councilor Osborn moved to approve the updated language and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

On broadband, the borough’s public meeting produced no public comment. The council adopted a resolution authorizing an application to the PBDA for Broadband Ready Community designation and appointed the Erie Area Council of Governments as the borough’s municipal broadband champion. Councilor James Kerns moved the resolution and Councilor Melissa Winkler seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Sinkhole/pipe repair in Municipal Lot No. 1 (Mansfield): motion to accept Mansfield quote of $5,000; mover: Councilor James Kerns; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously (councilors present: Cross, Winkler, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns; yes:5; no:0; abstain:0).

- Devereaux Park/French Creek Trail project: award to Vavala Concrete for $84,774; mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously (yes:5; no:0; abstain:0).

- Right-to-Know Rules & Regulations update (anonymous requests): mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously (yes:5; no:0; abstain:0).

- Resolution to apply for Broadband Ready Community designation and appoint Erie Area COG as municipal broadband champion: mover: Councilor James Kerns; seconder: Councilor Melissa Winkler; outcome: approved unanimously (yes:5; no:0; abstain:0).

Context and next steps

Council discussion of stormwater infrastructure repairs included contractor quotes and a plan to camera the line toward the Salvation Army to determine subsurface conditions before further work. The borough manager noted schedule and administrative items (a July 30 health insurance presentation, National Night Out on Aug. 6, withdrawal of a USDA grant application and availability of Northwest Pension reports). The council also agreed to send amended zoning ordinance language to EC Planning and Union Area Planning for comment before advertising the changes for public review.

The meeting adjourned at 6:38 P.M.; an executive session on personnel and contracts followed with no action taken.