Union City Council hires part‑time officer, approves sinkhole repairs and multiple easements

Union City Borough Council voted Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time police officer and approved a set of routine infrastructure and property actions at a meeting in the First Global Methodist Church.

Mayor Robert Wolf, speaking during the meeting, said it is important "to maintain a Police Department in the Borough" and recommended hiring a part‑time officer. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told the council that the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that a part‑time hire would reduce costs depending on hours worked. The motion to hire Fye was made by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Osborn and carried unanimously.

The council also approved a streets project to repair a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1 after reviewing engineer recommendations to replace a 24‑inch clay tile, reconnect affected pipes, install a larger catch basin and replace roughly 10 feet of pipe. Two contractor estimates were presented: Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450. Councilor Steadman moved to accept Mansfield’s $22,295 estimate; Councilor Osborn seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice summarized recent department activity, saying the department logged 269 calls from June 1 through Aug. 13 — "averaging about 3.63 calls per day" — including vehicle pursuits, protection‑from‑abuse cases, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity, homelessness, suicide and other mental‑health events. Pernice said he and Officer Shelly attended an Alert Active Shooter training and that the Union City Community Foundation awarded grants for four tasers and additional security cameras.

Borough Manager Wells reported several other items: the TA set‑aside sidewalk project remains in progress; Erie County Planning will hold a Devereaux Day kickoff for park and trail improvements on Sept. 13 focused on the Erie‑to‑Pittsburgh Trail; and Public Works will assist the Union City Volunteer Fire Department with a shed demolition at 10 Market Street without using the department backhoe.

Council approved a schedule change for regular meetings from September 2024 through April 2025, agreeing to meet on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; the next meeting was set for Aug. 27, 2024, and the following meeting for Sept. 16, 2024 because of Labor Day.

Several routine motions carried unanimously: a retroactive easement agreement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street (the owner will install a ditch and pipe; the borough will accept responsibility for two catch basins and approximately 60 feet of pipe); approval of the 2024 minimum municipal obligation (MMO) for pensions, with the non‑uniform MMO reported as $48,029 and $0 indicated for the police pension; approval of a subdivision combining parts of 92 West High with 88 and 90 West High Street; a retroactive $500 purchase of property adjoining Municipal Lot #3 pending survey and solicitor paperwork; and approval of an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch on the ball field along French Creek using funds from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Environmental Council.

The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. and council entered an executive session from 7:06 p.m. to 7:52 p.m. to discuss personnel and a contract; no public action was recorded during that session. Solicitor Tim Wachter and Borough Manager Cindy Wells will complete required easement and purchase paperwork as directed by the motions.

Votes at a glance: all motions on the Aug. 13 agenda were recorded as "motion carried unanimously"; six councilors were present for votes (Cross, Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Uber and Kerns).