Union City Borough Council approves canoe/kayak launch, removes lien and awards Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council on Aug. 27 approved several routine measures including removal of a lien on a landbank property, acceptance of a contractor quote for a canoe and kayak launch and the allocation of Renaissance grant awards.

The actions came during a 19-minute regular meeting called to order by Councilor Joyce at 6:00 P.M. Borough Manager Cindy Wells presented several updates and brought the grant and project recommendations to council for votes.

Council approved a motion to remove and satisfy a borough lien of approximately $2,690 on the Erie County Landbank property at 121 East High Street after the Landbank requested that removal. Councilor Kerns moved the measure and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Borough officials reviewed two contractor quotes for a canoe/kayak launch at the American Legion ball field; because the project cost fell below the $23,200 bid threshold, the borough accepted quotes reviewed by the engineer at The EADS Group. Construction Services of PA submitted the lowest quote at $16,679. Councilor Osborn moved to accept that quote contingent on the borough receiving an easement from the American Legion; Councilor Kerns seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Wells also presented the recommended slate of seven Renaissance Grant applications for the 2024–2025 period. The seven projects total $60,606 in project costs with $23,600 requested from the borough’s Renaissance Grant fund; Wells said $90,547.35 remains available in the program. Councilor Steadman moved to approve the recommended awards totaling $23,600, Councilor Osborn seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Wells said the approvals were made on the basis that the property improvements would help address local blight.

Council accepted a resolution approving the Erie Area Council of Governments (EACOG) audit after Wells reported the audit had been reviewed and accepted by COG members; Councilor Osborn moved the resolution and Councilor Steadman seconded it, with unanimous approval.

On staffing, Police Chief David Pernice updated council on a previously approved hire he has been unable to reach. "I have tried to make contact but have had no luck," Pernice said; he told council he plans to reach out to the consortium list of candidates (about 32 names), check with the Civil Service Commission to set oral exams, and send letters. Pernice said he would like two part-time officers but that only one was approved; council agreed to continue searching for one part-time officer.

Other administrative notes from Borough Manager Wells included a Sept. 13 Erie County Planning kickoff event to promote park and trail improvements and the Erie-to-Pittsburgh trail head, a Sept. 16 council meeting with a public hearing to consider a zoning ordinance amendment and a parking ordinance (both to be advertised as required), a Sept. 25 council health-insurance presentation, free CERT training Sept. 27–29, and the Erie County Firefighters Association Safety Awards Dinner on Sept. 27 at 6:00 P.M. Wells also said the borough will send a letter of support for a PennDOT Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant application along the U.S. Route 6 corridor and that the council opted not to advertise for bids related to a towing ordinance.

With no further business, council adjourned at 6:19 P.M. after a motion from Councilor Osborn and a second from Councilor Kerns that carried unanimously.