Union City Borough Council hires part-time officer, OKs $22,295 pipe repair and multiple easements

Union City Borough Council approved a series of staffing and infrastructure actions at its Aug. 13 meeting at First Global Methodist Church, including hiring a part-time police officer and awarding a $22,295 repair contract to address a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1.

Councilor Riley Cross called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council recorded six members present. Mayor Robert Wolf urged the council to maintain a local police department and recommended hiring a part-time officer to bolster coverage, saying the department is "doing the best they can with what they have." The council voted unanimously to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time officer on a motion by Councilor Matt Joyce with a second from Councilor Osborn.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells told the council the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that hiring a part-time officer would cost less than allocating a full-time position. Police Chief David Pernice reviewed recent calls for service from June 1 to Aug. 13, reporting 269 calls — "about 3.63 calls per day" — that included pursuits, protection-from-abuse matters, warrants, domestic incidents, drug investigations, homelessness responses, and several mental-health or suicide-related calls. Pernice said he appreciated council’s approval of the part-time hire and noted that he and Officer Shelly attended an active-shooter training on July 24–25.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reported on a sinkhole and damaged 24-inch clay tile at Municipal Lot #1. Consultant Bob Carpenter (Insight) and Engineer Tim Wells recommended replacing the damaged tile, reconnecting pipes, installing a larger catch basin, and replacing roughly 10 feet of pipe. Mansfield submitted the low estimate at $22,295 and McLallen Construction submitted $23,450; both bids required the borough to provide a truck during the work. On a motion by Councilor Steadman seconded by Councilor Osborn, the council unanimously approved contracting with Mansfield for the $22,295 repair.

Manager Wells provided several other updates: the TA set-aside sidewalk project remains in progress and Erie County Planning will hold a kickoff for park and trail improvements along French Creek (part of the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail) on Sept. 13, 2024. The Union City Volunteer Fire Department requested borough assistance to demolish a shed at 10 Market Street; Public Works agreed to assist without use of a borough backhoe.

The council approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street so the borough can install a catch basin to work with a PennDOT-installed basin; the owner will dig and maintain a ditch and install the connecting pipe while the borough accepted responsibility for the two catch basins and approximately 60 feet of pipe. The council also approved an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak and canoe launch at the ball field along French Creek; those improvements are to be funded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

On finance and land-use items, Borough Manager Wells reported receipt of the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation: $48,029 for the nonuniform pension and $0 for the police pension. The council unanimously approved the MMO as recorded in the minutes. Erie County Planning had approved survey maps for a subdivision involving 92 West High Street; the council voted unanimously to combine a portion to 88 and 90 West High Street. Council also approved, retroactively, a $500 purchase of a small parcel from 8 South Street to support a gazebo project on Municipal Lot #3.

Council agreed to change its regular meeting schedule to the first and third Monday of each month from September through April 2025; the next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2024, with a subsequent meeting on Sept. 16, 2024 because of Labor Day. The council adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; an executive session on personnel and contract matters followed and ran until 7:52 p.m. with no action reported.

Votes at a glance — motions recorded in minutes and outcomes: The agenda amendment (adopted as corrected) — moved Matt Joyce, second Kerns — approved unanimously. Minutes approval for July 23 — moved Kerns, second Steadman — approved unanimously. Hire Kenneth Fye as part-time officer — moved Matt Joyce, second Osborn — approved unanimously. Mansfield pipe repair contract ($22,295) — moved Steadman, second Osborn — approved unanimously. Retroactive easement with Anthony Hickey (104 East High) — moved Osborn, second Kerns — approved unanimously. Approval of MMO (nonuniform $48,029, police $0) — moved Matt Joyce, second Kerns — approved unanimously. Subdivision (92 West High portion to 88 & 90 West High) — moved Osborn, second Kerns — approved unanimously. Retroactive purchase for Municipal Lot #3 parcel ($500) — moved Joyce, second Kerns — approved unanimously. Easement with American Legion for kayak/canoe launch — moved Osborn, second Joyce — approved unanimously.

The minutes record no public commenters and note that Solicitor Tim Wachter will draft required easement paperwork where indicated.