Union City council approves $400,000 bridge grant application, paving payments and local grants

The Borough of Union City Council on June 25 approved a slate of routine municipal actions, including a resolution to apply for a $400,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant to help replace a bridge on Willow Street and several financial disbursements related to this year's paving program.

Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Kerns seconded a resolution authorizing a grant application to the Multimodal Transportation Fund in the amount of $400,000 for the Willow Street bridge replacement; the motion carried unanimously. Council also approved payment on a Cross Paving invoice of $104,740.81, allocating $92,130.00 from Liquid Fuels funds and $12,610.81 from the General Fund to cover the charge.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells reported the Erie County Land Bank will purchase 20 Grant Street and 78 Miles Avenue from the tax sale. In a separate pair of resolutions moved by Councilor Matt Joyce and seconded by Councilor Steadman, councilors passed tax-exoneration resolutions for 11 Maple Street and 48 Atlantic Street, both properties purchased by the Land Bank; those motions carried unanimously.

The council agreed to apply $15,625 in County Aid funds toward the Suit-Kote payment for the 2024 seal-coat project, approved the transfer and grinding plan for paving millings (including an approved 2' to 3-load donation to the American Legion ballfield), and recommended approval of four Renaissance grant applications totaling $17,675 while carrying two additional requests totaling $9,452.65 into the 2024'/2025 grant period.

Councilors also approved financial-management and asset actions: opening a PLGIT Checking & Prime account to transfer approximately $140,000 from the Capital Equipment account to seek higher interest accrual, and posting removed playground equipment from Southwest Park for sale on Municibid.

Votes at a glance: - Tax exonerations for 11 Maple St. and 48 Atlantic St.: moved by Councilor Matt Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - Multimodal Transportation Fund grant application, Willow Street bridge ($400,000): moved by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - Cross Paving invoice ($104,740.81) payment split between Liquid Fuels and General Fund: moved by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - County Aid application to apply $15,625 to Suit-Kote payment: moved by Councilor Matt Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - Millings disposition, including 2' to 3-loads to American Legion ballfield: moved by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Matt Joyce; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - Renaissance grant approvals (four totaling $17,675; two carried totaling $9,452.65): moved by Councilor Matt Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - Open PLGIT Checking & Prime account and transfer approximately $140,000: moved by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0). - Post removed playground equipment on Municibid for sale: moved by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously (6-0).

Why it matters: The multimodal grant application, if funded, would supply a major portion of the capital cost for a Willow Street bridge replacement. The paving payments and county-aid allocation finalize vendor payments and materials disposition for this year's roadwork. The Renaissance grant awards aim to support property improvements that the borough says will help fight blight.

What comes next: The grant application will proceed through the Multimodal Transportation Fund process; the council will await further notice on awards and the solicitor's written findings on a separate UC Chair matter expected in mid-July. No motions were opposed at the June 25 meeting and no votes were tabled or postponed.