Union City Borough council approves canoe/kayak launch contract, removes Landbank lien and greenlights Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council met Aug. 27, 2024, at First Global Methodist Church and unanimously approved a package of routine actions that included removing a Landbank lien, awarding a contract to build a canoe/kayak launch, and approving Renaissance Grant projects.

Councilor Joyce called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Councilors Joyce, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns were present; Cross, Winkler and Uber were listed as absent. Borough Manager Cindy Wells and Police Chief David Pernice were listed as officials present.

The council voted on several routine procedural items at the start of the meeting, approving the agenda, minutes from the Aug. 13 meeting, the secretary’s report and the payment of bills. Those motions passed unanimously.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells summarized a series of community announcements and upcoming events, including an Erie County planning EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf on Aug. 28 and a Devereaux Day kickoff on Sept. 13 aimed at park and trail improvements along French Creek and promotion of the Erie‑to‑Pittsburgh Trail Head. Wells also noted a public hearing for a Zoning Ordinance amendment and a separate hearing and vote on a Parking Ordinance amendment scheduled to be advertised as required, and she listed dates for health insurance presentations and CERT training.

Police Chief David Pernice updated the council on recruitment for part‑time officers. Pernice said he had been unable to contact the candidate approved at the prior meeting and ‘‘assumes he is no longer interested.’’ Pernice said he will contact the consortium (there are 32 candidates on the list) and arrange Civil Service oral exams; he reiterated a preference to hire two part‑time officers but noted only one position was approved by council. Council agreed to continue searching for one part‑time officer.

On property and grants: Wells reported the Borough holds a lien of approximately $2,690 on 121 East High Street, a property donated to the Erie County Landbank, and that the Landbank requested the lien be removed. Councilor Kerns moved to remove/satisfy the lien for the full amount (approximately $2,690); Councilor Steadman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Wells presented two contractor quotes for a canoe/kayak launch at the American Legion Ball Field that did not require formal bidding because the cost was under the $23,200 threshold. The EADS Group engineer reviewed the quotes: Blum Property Services, LLC quoted $18,541.50 and Construction Services of PA quoted $16,679. Councilor Osborn moved to accept the $16,679 quote from Construction Services of PA contingent on receipt of an easement from the American Legion; Councilor Kerns seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Wells said seven Renaissance Grant applications were received totaling $60,606 in project work and requesting $23,600 in grant funding; account balance for the Renaissance program was $90,547.35. Councilor Steadman moved to approve the seven recommended applications totaling $23,600; Councilor Osborn seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Wells also noted that the Erie Area Council of Government (EACOG) audit had been reviewed and accepted by COG members; she asked each municipality to pass a resolution accepting the audit report. Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Steadman seconded a resolution accepting the audit; the motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approve minutes (Aug. 13, 2024) — mover: Councilor Kerns; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously. - Accept Secretary’s Report — mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously. - Pay bills — mover: Councilor Kerns; seconder (transcript lists): Councilor Winkler; outcome: approved unanimously. - Remove lien on 121 East High Street (~$2,690) — mover: Councilor Kerns; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously. - Award canoe/kayak launch contract to Construction Services of PA ($16,679), contingent on easement — mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approve seven Renaissance Grant applications (requesting $23,600; project total $60,606) — mover: Councilor Steadman; seconder: Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved unanimously. - Accept EACOG audit resolution — mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved unanimously. - Adjournment — mover: Councilor Osborn; seconder: Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 6:19 P.M.

Notes on transcript inconsistency: the meeting's attendance list names Councilor Winkler as absent early in the record, but the minutes text also lists a motion as seconded by Councilor Winkler when bills were approved. The minutes record the motion and unanimous outcomes; the council minutes do not reconcile the apparent inconsistency between the attendance line and the recorded seconder.