Union City Council approves infrastructure repairs, easements and property moves in unanimous votes

Union City Borough Council on Aug. 13 approved a package of motions covering infrastructure repairs, easements, property transactions and procedural changes, with all recorded motions passing unanimously.

The council awarded a contract to Mansfield to repair a sinkhole and replace approximately 10 feet of 24-inch clay pipe at Municipal Lot #1 for $22,295 after engineers and a consultant recommended lining and reconnecting damaged pipes. Mansfield’s bid was the lower of two estimates; McLallen Construction submitted a $23,450 estimate. Both bids required the borough to provide a truck during the work. The motion to accept Mansfield’s proposal was made by Councilor Steadman and seconded by Councilor Osborn.

Council approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey for work at 104 East High Street tied to a PennDOT catch basin installation. Under the agreement the borough will install a catch basin, accept responsibility for two basins and about 60 feet of connecting pipe, while the property owner will install a ditch and the connecting pipe between the PennDOT and borough basins; the solicitor will draft the easement language.

The council approved the borough’s 2024 Minimum Municipal Obligation payment schedule, which lists a required nonuniform pension payment of $48,029 for 2025 and $0 for the police pension. Council moved and approved the MMO at the meeting.

A subdivision request moving a portion of 92 West High Street into parcels at 88 and 90 West High Street — already approved by Erie County Planning — was approved and signed by council.

Council approved a retroactive purchase of a small parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 for $500 to accommodate a planned gazebo project; the solicitor will complete the purchase after a survey. The council also approved an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch at the ball field along French Creek; the project is funded through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

Council agreed to change regular meeting dates for September 2024 through April 2025 to the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.; the next meetings were scheduled for Aug. 27 and Sept. 16, 2024, noting the Labor Day calendar adjustment.

Several items were routine or informational, and the meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; the minutes record an executive session from 7:06–7:52 p.m. to discuss personnel and contract matters with no action taken.