Union City Council approves stormwater repair contract, awards Devereaux Park trail project and adopts broadband-ready resolution

Union City Borough Council voted unanimously July 23 to approve multiple infrastructure and policy measures, including a $5,000 stormwater repair contract, an $84,774 park/trail construction contract and a resolution authorizing a Broadband Ready Community application.

Councilor James Kerns moved to accept Mansfield’s $5,000 quote to repair and reconnect pipe at a sinkhole in Municipal Lot No. 1, with the borough supplying pipe and fittings estimated at $5,000; Councilor Steadman seconded and the motion carried. The streets supervisor, Bob Phillips, told council crews had placed dye in the storm drain near Hogan’s Alley and that the dye was reaching sanitary lines that feed Municipal Lot No. 1, prompting an internal camera inspection.“It is getting into the sanitary lines that go to Municipal Lot #1,” Phillips said, and staff arranged to run video cameras to trace the lines toward the area near the Salvation Army.

The council also opened bids for the Devereaux Park/French Creek Trail project and accepted Vavala Concrete’s low bid of $84,774. Councilor Osborn moved to award the contract and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

On policy matters, Solicitor Wachter recommended clarifying language on anonymous requests in the borough’s Right-to-Know rules; Councilor Osborn moved to approve the update, Councilor Steadman seconded, and the council approved the change. Councilors also adopted a resolution authorizing an application to the PBDA for Broadband Ready Community designation and appointing the Erie Area Council of Governments as the borough’s municipal broadband champion; Councilor Kerns moved and Councilor Winkler seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. The minutes note a prior public meeting on broadband (5:48–5:59 PM) at which no members of the public attended.

Routine housekeeping motions — approving the agenda, July 9 minutes, the secretary’s report and payment of bills — also passed unanimously.

The council directed that amended parking and zoning ordinances be sent to Erie County Planning and Union Area Planning for review and then advertised; those ordinance amendments were agreed to but the minutes do not record final adoption at this meeting.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: the borough will supply materials and proceed with the stormwater repairs pending no additional problems; the awarded park/trail contract will proceed with Vavala Concrete; and the borough will move forward with the Broadband Ready Community application. An executive session to discuss personnel and contracts followed the meeting; no action was recorded from that session.