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Union City Borough Council approves emergency stormwater repairs, retroactively appoints code enforcement officer; police hire motion dies
Summary
At its July 9 meeting, the Union City Borough Council authorized emergency stormwater repairs after sinkholes and failed pipe sections were found, retroactively appointed a code enforcement officer and voted to pursue a Broadband Ready Communities designation; a motion to hire a full‑time police officer failed for lack of a second.
Union City Borough Council on July 9 authorized emergency repairs to failed stormwater piping after a Streets Department inspection found corroded galvanized pipe and a sinkhole behind 98 East High Street.
The council approved Mansfield’s quote to replace the failed galvanized section with plastic pipe for $14,500 and separately authorized work to open and inspect a hole in Municipal Lot No. 1 at up to $6,000 after seeking a competitive price. Councilor Steadman moved both measures; the pipe replacement was seconded by Councilor Kerns and the municipal lot work was seconded by Councilor Osborn; both motions carried unanimously.
Why it matters: Council officials said the damage poses an immediate infrastructure and public‑safety concern and requires prompt repair to prevent property damage to homes and borough parking facilities.
Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reported that a camera inspection showed roughly 50 feet of cement pipe in good condition, followed by approximately 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe whose bottom had eroded; the camera fell into the failed section and could not be retrieved. Phillips said a sinkhole at 98 East High Street measured about 3 feet wide by 8 feet deep. Mansfield’s replacement proposal would remove the galvanized section and install plastic pipe, at an estimated cost of $14,500.
The council also approved authorizing Mansfield to cut concrete and open the hole in Municipal Lot No. 1 and perform an initial cleanout for up to $6,000, contingent on contacting McLallen Construction for a comparative price and earlier availability.
Personnel and other actions: The meeting included several staffing actions. The Civil Service Commission certified one candidate for the full‑time police position, recommending Kenneth Fye; Councilor Steadman moved to hire him, but the motion failed for lack of a second and the council said the matter will be revisited. Police Chief David Pernice asked councilors why the motion died, saying he did not know what to tell the applicant.
Separately, the Personnel Committee’s recommended appointment of Mark Zigler as Code Enforcement Officer was approved retroactively. The motion to appoint Zigler (moved by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Joyce) carried despite one recorded opposition from Councilor Uber, who said he opposed the appointment based on residency concerns.
The council also voted unanimously to proceed with a public meeting and a resolution to participate in the Erie Area Council of Governments’ Broadband Ready Communities program, which designates a municipal broadband champion and can create additional ISP options for residents.
The meeting closed with an adjournment at 7:04 p.m. and an executive session from 7:06–7:38 p.m. to discuss personnel matters; no action was reported from that session.
