Union City Council hires part-time officer, approves sinkhole repairs and several easements

The Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 voted to hire a part-time police officer, approve public-works repairs to fix a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1 and authorize several easements and property transactions, among other routine business.

Councilor Cross called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at First Global Methodist Church. Councilors present were Cross, Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Uber and Kerns (Winkler absent). The council adopted a corrected agenda that moved an update about Municipal Lot #3 to Municipal Lot #1 and added a discussion about changing meeting dates.

The Mayor, Robert Wolf, underscored the importance of maintaining a local police department and recommended hiring a part-time officer to stretch available resources. Council discussed the option of hiring from the certified civil service list as a part-time employee; Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council that the budget had at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that the final cost would depend on hours worked. Council then approved hiring Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time officer (motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn). The motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice reviewed July activity, saying the department handled 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 — about 3.63 calls per day — including vehicle pursuits, protection-from-abuse matters, warrants, domestics, drug activity, incidents involving homelessness and several suicide/mental-health calls. Pernice said he and Officer Shelly attended an active-shooter training in late July. The chief also reported that applications to the Union City Community Foundation for four tasers and additional security cameras were awarded.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips briefed council on a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1 affecting a 24-inch clay tile and described engineering recommendations (lining pipes in sections, replacing the 24" clay tile in the sinkhole area, reconnecting pipes, replacing the nearby catch basin with a larger unit and replacing about 10 feet of pipe). Two contractor estimates were presented: Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450; both estimates required the borough to provide a truck during the project. Council authorized the Mansfield scope of work at $22,295 (motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn). The motion carried unanimously.

Council addressed stormwater and property matters at 104 East High Street after PennDOT committed to installing a catch basin there. The borough agreed to install an adjacent catch basin and accept responsibility for approximately 60 feet of connecting pipe and two catch basins. Under the arrangement the property owner, Anthony Hickey, will install and maintain a ditch and the connecting pipe; the solicitor will prepare an easement. Council approved a retroactive easement with Mr. Hickey (motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns). The motion carried unanimously.

On pensions, the borough received the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation figures: $48,029 required for the nonuniform pension and $0 for the police pension. Council approved the 2024 Minimum Municipal Obligations for nonuniform and police pensions (motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Kerns). The motion carried unanimously.

Land-use and property items included Erie County Planning’s approval of survey maps that reassign a portion of 92 West High Street to 88 and 90 West High Street; council approved and signed the subdivision (motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns). Council also approved a retroactive purchase of a small parcel adjoining Municipal Lot #3 from 8 South Street for $500 after a survey and solicitor-prepared agreement (motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Kerns). Both motions carried unanimously.

The solicitor reported he is drafting an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch at the ball field along French Creek. The launch will be funded with grants from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council; council approved the easement (motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Joyce). The motion carried unanimously.

Council agreed to change its regular meeting schedule to the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. from September 2024 through April 2025. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2024, with the following meeting moved to Sept. 16, 2024 because of Labor Day.

The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; council then held an executive session on personnel and contract matters from 7:06 to 7:52 p.m.