Union City Council removes lien on downtown property, approves canoe launch and $23,600 in Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council voted Aug. 27 to remove a municipal lien on a downtown property, approve a canoe and kayak launch at the American Legion ball field and award $23,600 in Renaissance grant funding to local projects.

The meeting, held at First Global Methodist Church, was called to order by Councilor Joyce at 6:00 p.m. Councilors Osborn, Steadman and Kerns were present; Cross, Winkler and Uber were recorded as absent. Borough Manager Cindy Wells and Police Chief David Pernice were listed as officials present.

Council approved a motion to remove a lien of $2,690 on 121 East High Street after the Erie County Landbank requested satisfaction of the lien. Councilor Kerns moved the measure and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

The council also approved a $16,679 quote from Construction Services of PA to install a canoe/kayak launch at the American Legion ball field, contingent on the borough receiving an easement from the American Legion. Two quotes were listed in the minutes: Blum Property Services, LLC — $18,541.50 and Construction Services of PA — $16,679. Councilor Osborn moved the acceptance and Councilor Kerns seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Manager Wells presented seven Renaissance grant applications totaling $60,606 in project costs and requesting $23,600. Wells said $90,547.35 remained in the Renaissance fund, and the council voted to approve the recommended awards. Councilor Steadman moved approval and Councilor Osborn seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice updated the council on a previously approved hire, saying he had been unable to contact the candidate and ‘‘assume[d] he is no longer interested.’’ Pernice said he will reach out to the consortium list (32 candidates), schedule oral exams with the Civil Service Commission and send letters as part of an ongoing recruitment effort. He added that his preference is to hire two part‑time officers, though only one position had been authorized by council.

Manager Wells announced several upcoming events and administrative items: an EC Planning EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf on Aug. 28; a Devereaux Day kickoff and Erie‑to‑Pittsburgh Trail Head promotion on Sept. 13 (with Representative Banta, County Executive Brenton Davis and Jessica Horan of Erie County Planning invited); a public hearing on a zoning ordinance amendment at the next council meeting on Sept. 16; a council meeting to review health insurance plans on Sept. 25; CERT training Sept. 27–29; and the Erie County Firefighters Association safety awards dinner at UPMC Hamot on Sept. 27. Wells also said the borough will send a letter of support for a PennDOT Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant application along the U.S. Route 6 corridor.

The council passed a resolution accepting the Erie Area Council of Governments (EACOG) audit report as presented. Department liaisons had nothing to report, and the council adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

Votes at a glance: all motions recorded in the minutes carried unanimously (minutes record listed councilors present as Joyce, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns). One motion in the minutes is recorded as seconded by Councilor Winkler even though the attendance list indicates Winkler was absent; this inconsistency is noted in the minutes and remains on the record.