Union City Council removes landbank lien, awards canoe launch contract and approves Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council on Aug. 27 approved several local actions including removing a $2,690 lien on a landbank property, awarding a $16,679 contract to install a canoe and kayak launch, and approving seven Renaissance grant applications requesting $23,600.

Councilor Joyce called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. at First Global Methodist Church. Borough Manager Cindy Wells outlined multiple administrative updates and project items before the council took votes on several agenda motions.

The council voted unanimously to satisfy a lien of $2,690 on the Erie County Landbank property at 121 East High Street after the landbank requested the lien be removed. Councilor Kerns made the motion to remove the lien, Councilor Steadman seconded, and the motion carried without opposition.

On a separate agenda item, Wells reported that quotes for installing a canoe and kayak launch at the American Legion ball field were reviewed by the borough engineer at The EADS Group. Two quotes were offered: Blum Property Services, LLC for $18,541.50 and Construction Services of PA for $16,679.00. Councilor Osborn moved to accept Construction Services of PA’s quote, with work contingent on receipt of an easement from the American Legion; Councilor Kerns seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

The council also approved seven recommended Renaissance grant applications. The seven projects together total approximately $60,606 in project costs and requested $23,600 in grant funds; Wells said $90,547.35 remains in the Renaissance Grant fund. Councilor Steadman moved to approve awarding the requested $23,600; Councilor Osborn seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Additionally, the council passed a resolution accepting the Erie Area Council of Governments (EACOG) audit report as presented. Councilor Osborn moved for passage and Councilor Steadman seconded; the resolution was approved unanimously.

In other business Police Chief David Pernice updated the council on hiring efforts: a previously approved new hire has not responded, the chief said he will contact the hiring consortium (32 candidates on the list) and coordinate oral exams with the Civil Service Commission. Council agreed to continue searching to fill one part-time officer position despite the chief’s preference for two.

Wells announced upcoming events and administrative items including an Erie County Planning EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf on Aug. 28, the Devereaux Day kickoff for park and trail improvements Sept. 13 (with several invited officials), a public hearing on a zoning amendment at the next council meeting on Sept. 16, a health insurance presentation for council on Sept. 25, Community Emergency Response Team training Sept. 27–29 and an awards dinner at UPMC Hamot on Sept. 27. She also said the borough will send a letter of support for a PennDOT Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program application along the U.S. Route 6 corridor and that the council chose not to advertise for bids on a towing ordinance.

Routine procedural motions earlier in the meeting approved the agenda, previous minutes, the secretary’s report and the payment of bills; each of those motions carried unanimously. Department liaisons reported no items, the mayor and council president were not present, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m. following a unanimous adjournment motion by Councilor Osborn and second by Councilor Kerns.

The council did not take any votes with recorded opposition or abstentions during the meeting.