Union City Council removes $2,690 lien, approves canoe launch contract and $23,600 in Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council on Aug. 27 unanimously approved a set of routine actions including removal of a borough lien, a contract for a canoe and kayak launch, and seven Renaissance Grant awards.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells summarized several administrative items and community events before the votes. Wells said the borough holds a lien of approximately $2,690 against 121 East High Street, a property donated to the Erie County Landbank, and that the Landbank requested that the lien be removed. Councilor Kerns moved to remove and satisfy the lien for the full amount and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice told the council he had been unable to make contact with a previously approved new hire and will reach out to the consortium list of about 32 candidates and work with the Civil Service Commission to set oral exams. Pernice said his department’s goal is to hire two part-time officers though only one position had been approved; council agreed to search for one part-time officer.

The council reviewed quotes for a canoe/kayak launch at the American Legion ball field. Engineer review identified two quotes (Blum Property Services, LLC for $18,541.50 and Construction Services of PA for $16,679). Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Kerns seconded acceptance of the $16,679 quote from Construction Services of PA, contingent on receipt of an easement from the American Legion; the motion carried unanimously.

Wells reported seven Renaissance Grant applications totaling $60,606 in project costs and requesting $23,600 in grant funding; $90,547.35 remains in the Renaissance Grant fund. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded approval of the seven recommended awards totaling $23,600 for the 2024–2025 grant period; the motion carried unanimously. Wells said the approved improvements are expected to help fight blight.

Council also passed a resolution accepting the audit report for the Erie Area Council of Government (EACOG) that had been reviewed and accepted by COG members. Routine procedural motions — approval of the agenda, minutes, the secretary’s report and bills — were approved, and the meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

No public commenters spoke during the meeting. Manager Wells listed upcoming events including an EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf, the Devereaux Day kickoff for park and trail improvements (Sept. 13), free CERT training later in September, and noted the borough would send a letter of support for a PennDOT charging and fueling infrastructure grant application along U.S. Route 6. The council was reminded of a public hearing on a zoning ordinance amendment scheduled before the Sept. 16 meeting and of a staff presentation of health insurance plans on Sept. 25.

The meeting record shows all motions carried unanimously; where movers and seconders were recorded, those names are included above. The council did not take any action on towing bids, and the Street Supervisor and Mayor were not present.