Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council members cite stormwater costs as reason hiring motion failed; mayor says candidate is qualified
Summary
Councilors discussed a failed motion to hire a full-time police officer, with Mayor Robert Wolf and the police chief supporting the candidate and councilors citing stormwater repair costs as the reason for delaying hiring; no hiring action was taken in the minutes.
A discussion at the July 23 Union City Borough Council meeting addressed why a motion to hire another police officer failed earlier in the process and what, if any, next steps would be taken.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the candidate had completed testing and evaluations and called him "a good candidate," adding the candidate "will be testing in the consortium." The mayor and the police chief expressed interest in having a full-time officer on the force.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was not aware that the borough was looking to hire another officer and said she was "concerned with the costs regarding the recent storm water issues." Councilor James Kerns similarly said the stormwater problems and their unexpected costs were the primary concern, not the candidate's qualifications. The meeting minutes record the discussion but show no motion to hire during the session.
The Police Chief provided the June 2024 report earlier in the meeting with no questions recorded. The minutes also show streets staff discussing a sinkhole and storm sewer repairs and planning a camera inspection toward the Salvation Army to identify where storm drain dye is entering sanitary lines — a budgetary and operational matter councilors cited as relevant to hiring decisions.
What happens next: the minutes do not record a new hiring motion or vote; council scheduled an executive session after adjournment to discuss personnel and contracts, with no action taken as recorded in the minutes.
