Union City Council approves emergency stormwater repairs, affirms code‑enforcement hire; police hire motion dies

Union City Borough Council on July 9 approved emergency stormwater repairs and municipal sinkhole work that officials said were needed after recent inspections, took personnel action to appoint a code enforcement officer retroactively and authorized the borough to pursue a Broadband Ready Communities designation.

The most immediate action authorized Mansfield to replace a failing section of pipe behind 98 East High Street at a cost of $14,500 after a camera inspection showed roughly 50 feet of cement pipe in good condition followed by about 90–100 feet of galvanized pipe that had deteriorated, Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips said. A sinkhole described by Phillips as about "3 feet wide by 8 feet deep" prompted the repair request. Councilor Steadman moved to approve the Mansfield quote; Councilor Kerns seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Council also authorized Mansfield to cut concrete and investigate a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1, spending up to $6,000 after soliciting a quote from McLallen Construction and giving priority to who could complete the work soonest; that motion also passed unanimously. Together the two authorizations total up to $20,500 in immediate repair spending.

At the meeting Police Chief David Pernice recommended hiring Kenneth Fye as a full‑time officer, saying Fye "passed his civil service testing and background check" and that the chief "has nothing but good comments about him." Councilor Steadman moved to hire Fye, but the motion failed for lack of a second and the matter will be revisited at a future meeting; the council provided no further explanation on the record.

On personnel, the council approved a retroactive appointment of Mark Zigler as code enforcement officer. The Personnel Committee recommended Zigler, who is available to start training July 12 and to begin actual duties July 29. The motion to appoint Zigler was moved by Councilor Osborn and seconded by Councilor Joyce; Councilor Uber opposed the appointment on the grounds that the officer should reside in the borough, but the motion carried.

Manager Cindy Wells gave routine updates: the TA Set‑Aside sidewalk project is scheduled to begin July 15, 2024; the borough will meet virtually on the South County EMS study July 11; and staff will present health insurance plans to council members July 30. Council agreed to use WRA, LLP (the county's appointed engineer) for work related to an approved school crossing feasibility study.

Councilors also discussed a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to allow above‑ground pools on adjoining vacant lots and to permit sheds up to 144 square feet on removable bases without an adjoining setback; Solicitor Tim Wachter will draft suggested language for future review. The council reviewed proposed changes to the parking ordinance for Municipal Lot #2 (including considering removal of front‑end parking and angled stalls) and asked the Street Supervisor to calculate space counts for a formal draft.

The Erie Area Council of Governments (EACOG) initiative to secure a Broadband Ready Communities designation drew a unanimous vote to proceed with a public meeting and an authorizing resolution; Councilor Kerns moved and Councilor Joyce seconded that motion.

Council closed the regular meeting at 7:04 P.M. and held an executive session on personnel from 7:06 P.M. to 7:38 P.M.; no action was taken in executive session.