Union City Council approves part‑time police hire, sinkhole repairs and kayak launch easement

The Borough of Union City Council on Aug. 13 unanimously approved a slate of routine and infrastructure actions, including hiring a part‑time police officer, contracting for sinkhole and storm‑pipe repairs at Municipal Lot #1 and approving an easement for a kayak and canoe launch along French Creek.

Councilors met at First Global Methodist Church at 6:00 p.m. and voted to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part‑time officer. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and that the actual cost would depend on the officer’s hours. The mayor emphasized the importance of maintaining a local police department and recommended the part‑time hire to expand coverage.

Police Chief David Pernice reviewed July activity and said the department handled 269 calls from June 1 to Aug. 13 (about 3.63 calls per day), including pursuits, protection‑from‑abuse cases, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity and homelessness calls. Pernice also reported that he and an officer attended active‑shooter training in late July and that applications to the UC Community Foundation for four tasers and for additional security cameras on North Main Street were awarded.

On public works, Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips summarized engineering recommendations to address a sinkhole at Municipal Lot #1. Consultants recommended replacing a 24‑inch clay tile, reconnecting pipes, installing a larger catch basin and replacing roughly 10 feet of pipe. Mansfield submitted the low estimate at $22,295 (McLallen Construction quoted $23,450); both bids required the borough to provide a truck during the work. Council voted to contract Mansfield for the job.

Council approved several property and easement matters. A retroactive easement with the owner of 104 East High Street requires the property owner to excavate and maintain a ditch and install a connecting pipe while the borough will install and accept responsibility for two catch basins and approximately 60 feet of connecting pipe. Council also approved a retroactive $500 purchase of a small parcel at 8 South Street to expand Municipal Lot #3 for a gazebo project, pending completed survey and solicitor paperwork.

Separately, the council approved an easement with the American Legion for installation and maintenance of a kayak/canoe launch on the ball field along French Creek; the project is funded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the borough said.

Other business included approval of the 2025 minimum municipal obligation figures (a required non‑uniform pension payment of $48,029 and $0 for the police pension), approval of a subdivision combining portions of parcels on West High Street after Erie County Planning signoff, and a change in regular council meeting dates to the first and third Mondays at 6:30 p.m. from September through April. The next meetings were set for Aug. 27, 2024 and Sept. 16, 2024.

All motions at the Aug. 13 meeting carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; council then held an executive session on personnel and contract matters with no action taken.