Union City Borough Council approves infrastructure contracts and broadband resolution, debates hiring of police officer

Union City Borough Council on July 23 unanimously approved contracts to repair a sinkhole in Municipal Lot No. 1 and to build the Devereaux Park/French Creek Trail, and adopted a resolution to pursue Broadband Ready Community designation, while continuing discussion about hiring an additional full-time police officer without taking action.

Why it matters: The decisions allocate local funds and commit the borough to pursuing a broadband readiness designation that can support future infrastructure funding. Council members also weighed the budgetary implications of new personnel amid ongoing stormwater repair costs.

Council action and contracts

Councilor James Kerns moved and Councilor Steadman seconded a motion to accept Mansfield’s $5,000 quote to repair and reconnect pipe at the sinkhole in Municipal Lot No. 1, with the borough supplying pipe and fittings; the motion carried unanimously. The Streets Supervisor, Bob Phillips, had reported dye entering storm drains near Hogan’s Alley and said camera inspection work is planned to locate the source and extent of subsurface damage.

On a separate vote, Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Steadman seconded to award the Devereaux Park/French Creek Trail project to Vavala Concrete, which submitted the low bid of $84,774; that motion also passed unanimously.

Open‑records and broadband

Solicitor Wachter recommended clarifying the borough’s Right‑to‑Know rules regarding anonymous requests; Councilor Osborn moved to approve the suggested updates and Councilor Steadman seconded. The council approved the change unanimously.

The council also moved to adopt a resolution authorizing an application to the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) for Broadband Ready Community designation and to appoint Erie Area Council of Governments to serve as the borough’s municipal broadband champion. Councilor Kerns moved, Councilor Winkler seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The council had held a public meeting on the broadband effort earlier the same evening; no members of the public attended that session.

Police hiring discussion

Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough "owes the candidate an explanation" after the applicant completed testing and evaluations, noting the candidate had expressed a preference for a smaller department. Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was unaware that council was considering hiring another officer and expressed concern about the costs given recent stormwater issues; Councilor James Kerns echoed concerns about unexpected stormwater repair expenses. Council did not take a formal vote to hire a new full‑time officer at this meeting.

Other business and next steps

Council reviewed proposed amendments to the parking and zoning ordinances and agreed to advertise the changes after sending the zoning amendments to Erie County Planning and Union Area Planning for comment. Borough Manager Cindy Wells announced schedules for health‑insurance presentations and community events and said a USDA grant application had been withdrawn for lack of funding.

The meeting adjourned at 6:38 P.M.; councilors then held an executive session from 6:42 to 7:37 P.M. to discuss personnel and contracts and reported no action taken during that session.