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Union City Borough Council removes Land Bank lien, awards canoe launch contract and approves Renaissance grants
Summary
The Union City Borough Council on Aug. 27 unanimously approved removing a $2,690 lien on a Land Bank property, accepted a $16,679 quote for a canoe/kayak launch contingent on an easement, and approved $23,600 in Renaissance grant awards to combat blight.
The Union City Borough Council met Aug. 27 at First Global Methodist Church and unanimously approved several routine actions, including removing a $2,690 lien on a property donated to the Erie County Land Bank, accepting a $16,679 quote to install a canoe and kayak launch at the American Legion ball field contingent on an easement, and approving seven Renaissance Grant applications requesting $23,600.
Why it matters: the motions free a donated property of a municipal lien, advance a small recreational infrastructure project along French Creek, and direct borough grant funds toward exterior property improvements intended to reduce blight.
Council action and details: Borough Manager Cindy Wells told council the borough holds a lien against 121 East High Street in the amount of $2,690 and that the Erie County Land Bank requested removal after the property was donated. Councilor Kerns moved and Councilor Steadman seconded a motion to remove/satisfy the lien for the full amount; the motion carried unanimously.
Wells reported that because the canoe/kayak launch installation cost fell below the $23,200 bidding threshold, the borough solicited quotes that were reviewed by the borough engineer at The EADS Group. Quotes were Blum Property Services, LLC for $18,541.50 and Construction Services of PA for $16,679.00. Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Kerns seconded a motion to accept Construction Services of PA's $16,679 quote contingent on receiving an easement from the American Legion; the motion carried unanimously. The contract award is conditioned on the borough receiving the required easement from the American Legion.
Wells said seven Renaissance Grant applications were reviewed with total project costs of $60,606 and grant requests totaling $23,600; she reported $90,547.35 remained in the Renaissance Grant fund. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded approval of the seven recommended applications totaling $23,600; the motion carried unanimously.
Audit resolution: Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Steadman seconded a resolution accepting the Erie Area Council of Government (EACOG) audit report, as had been reviewed and accepted by COG members; council approved the resolution unanimously.
Votes at a glance: the motions listed below were recorded as unanimous votes by the councilors present (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns). Absent: Cross, Winkler and Uber.
• Remove lien on 121 East High Street (approx. $2,690): mover Councilor Kerns; second Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved.
• Award canoe/kayak launch installation to Construction Services of PA ($16,679), contingent on easement: mover Councilor Osborn; second Councilor Kerns; outcome: approved.
• Approve seven Renaissance Grant applications totaling $23,600 (2024/2025): mover Councilor Steadman; second Councilor Osborn; outcome: approved.
• Pass resolution accepting EACOG audit report: mover Councilor Osborn; second Councilor Steadman; outcome: approved.
The council did not set implementation dates in the motions; next steps noted in the meeting include obtaining the American Legion easement for the canoe/kayak launch and processing grant paperwork for the Renaissance awards. The meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
