Union City Council hires part-time officer, approves sinkhole repair and several easements

Union City Borough Council voted unanimously Aug. 13 to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time police officer and approved a package of infrastructure and land-use measures, including a $22,295 contract to repair a sinkhole and damaged pipe near Municipal Lot #1.

The meeting, held at First Global Methodist Church, opened with Councilor Cross calling the session to order. Mayor Robert Wolf emphasized the importance of maintaining the borough police department and recommended hiring part-time help. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits for the position and that hiring a part-time officer would reduce costs depending on hours worked. On a unanimous vote (motion by Councilor Joyce; second by Councilor Osborn), council approved hiring Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time officer.

Police Chief David Pernice reported the department handled 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 — about 3.63 calls per day — with incidents ranging from vehicle pursuits and domestic calls to drug activity and homelessness-related responses. Pernice said he and Officer Shelly attended an active-shooter training July 24–25 and that the UC Community Foundation awarded funding for four tasers and additional security cameras.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips described a sinkhole and a failing 24-inch clay tile near Municipal Lot #1 and presented engineer recommendations to replace the tile, reconnect pipes, enlarge a catch basin and replace roughly 10 feet of pipe. Two contractor estimates were presented: Mansfield at $22,295 and McLallen Construction at $23,450; both required the borough to provide a truck during the work. Council voted unanimously (motion by Councilor Steadman; second by Councilor Osborn) to contract Mansfield to perform the work for $22,295.

Manager Wells also reported several administrative matters: the TA Set-Aside sidewalk project remains in progress; Erie County Planning will hold a kickoff Sept. 13 for park and trail improvements along French Creek tied to the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail; and the borough will assist UCVFD with a shed demolition at 10 Market Street without providing a backhoe. Council agreed to change regular meetings for Sept. 2024–Apr. 2025 to the first and third Monday at 6:30 p.m.; the next meeting was set for Aug. 27 and then Sept. 16 because of Labor Day.

Council approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street so the borough can install a catch basin that will tie into a PennDOT basin; the easement requires the owner to dig and maintain a ditch and install the connecting pipe. Council accepted responsibility for the two basins and approximately 60 feet of connecting pipe (motion by Councilor Osborn; second by Councilor Kerns). The council also approved the borough's minimum municipal obligation for 2025 — $48,029 for the non-uniform pension and $0 for the police pension (motion by Councilor Joyce; second by Councilor Kerns).

On land-use matters, council approved subdivision paperwork to combine part of 92 West High Street with 88 and 90 West High Street (motion by Councilor Osborn; second by Councilor Kerns) and retroactively approved purchase of a small portion of property adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 from 8 South Street for $500, pending survey and solicitor paperwork (motion by Councilor Joyce; second by Councilor Kerns).

Council also approved an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain 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 (motion by Councilor Osborn; second by Councilor Joyce).

The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m., followed by an executive session on personnel and contract matters from 7:06 p.m. to 7:52 p.m. that produced no action.