Union City council approves removal of landbank lien, awards canoe-launch contract and OKs Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council met Aug. 27, 2024, at First Global Methodist Church and unanimously approved a set of routine actions including removing a lien on a Landbank property, awarding a contract for a canoe and kayak launch, and approving seven Renaissance grant applications.

Councilor Joyce called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the body conducted roll call; Councilors present were Joyce, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns. Borough Manager Cindy Wells and Police Chief David Pernice were listed as officials present. The evening opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.

The council handled standard housekeeping items first. Motions to approve the meeting agenda, the Aug. 13 meeting minutes, the Secretary’s Report and payment of bills were made and carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice updated the council on staffing. He reported the candidate approved at the previous meeting has not responded to outreach and said he would contact the hiring consortium, arrange oral exams through the Civil Service Commission and send letters to applicants. The chief said he would like to hire two part-time officers but acknowledged only one position was approved; Council directed staff to continue searching to fill one part-time slot.

The council took the following formal actions (all motions carried unanimously):

Votes at a glance

• Removal of lien on 121 East High Street: Motion to remove/satisfy the Borough lien against the Erie County Landbank property at 121 East High Street for the full amount, approximately $2,690. Mover: Councilor Kerns. Second: Councilor Steadman. Outcome: approved. (Recorded unanimous vote.)

• Canoe/kayak launch contract: The EADS Group reviewed quotes for installation at the American Legion ball field; Blum Property Services, LLC submitted $18,541.50 and Construction Services of PA submitted $16,679. Council voted to accept the $16,679 quote from Construction Services of PA contingent on receipt of the required easement from the American Legion. Mover: Councilor Osborn. Second: Councilor Kerns. Outcome: approved.

• Renaissance grant approvals (2024/2025): Seven applications totaling $60,606 in project costs and requesting $23,600 in grant funding were recommended for approval to help address blight. Wells said $90,547.35 remains in the Renaissance Grant fund. Motion to approve the seven recommended awards totaling $23,600. Mover: Councilor Steadman. Second: Councilor Osborn. Outcome: approved.

• EACOG audit acceptance: Following review by COG members, the council passed a resolution accepting the Erie Area Council of Government audit report. Mover: Councilor Osborn. Second: Councilor Steadman. Outcome: approved.

Other business

Wells announced several upcoming events and administrative items: an Erie County Planning–hosted Devereaux Day kickoff on Sept. 13 to promote park and trail improvements along French Creek and the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail Head (invited attendees include Representative Banta, County Executive Brenton Davis and Jessica Horan of Erie County Planning); an EC Planning EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf on Aug. 28 at 7:00 p.m.; a Council meeting and public hearing on a Zoning Ordinance amendment scheduled for Sept. 16 (to be advertised twice); a health insurance plans presentation for Council members on Sept. 25; Community Emergency Response Team training Sept. 27–29; and the UPMC Hamot–Erie County Firefighters Association Safety Awards Dinner on Sept. 27 at 6:00 p.m. Wells also said the Borough would send a letter of support for a PennDOT Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant application along the U.S. Route 6 corridor and that Council chose not to advertise for bids related to a towing ordinance.

The meeting closed after department liaison reports (none) and a motion to adjourn at 6:19 p.m. Mover: Councilor Osborn. Second: Councilor Kerns. Outcome: approved.

Note on transcript inconsistency: the meeting roll call (the minutes) lists Councilors Cross, Winkler and Uber as absent, but one procedural item records Councilor Winkler as the seconder for the bills motion. That inconsistency appears in the recorded minutes and is noted for transparency.