Union City council removes small lien, approves canoe launch contractor and awards Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council convened Aug. 27, 2024, and unanimously approved a package of routine actions that included removing a borough lien, selecting a contractor for a canoe and kayak launch and awarding local Renaissance grants.

Councilor Joyce called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. at First Global Methodist Church. Councilors Joyce, Osborn, Steadman and Kerns were recorded present. Borough Manager Cindy Wells and Police Chief David Pernice were listed as officials in attendance.

The council voted to remove a borough lien of approximately $2,690 on 121 East High Street, a property that has been donated to the Erie County Landbank. Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the Landbank requested the lien be removed; Councilor Kerns moved to remove the lien and Councilor Steadman seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

On a separate item, council accepted the lowest quote of $16,679 from Construction Services of PA to install a canoe and kayak launch at the American Legion ball field. Wells said bids were not required because the cost fell below the $23,200 threshold; council’s approval was made contingent on the borough receiving an easement from the American Legion.

Wells presented the Renaissance Grant recommendations for the 2024–2025 cycle. Seven applications totaling $60,606 in projected project costs requested $23,600 in grant funding; Wells said $90,547.35 remains available in the Renaissance Grant fund and recommended approval of all seven applications to help address blight. Councilor Steadman moved to approve the recommended awards and Councilor Osborn seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Council also passed a resolution accepting the audit report for the Erie Area Council of Governments (EACOG) as reviewed and accepted by COG members.

Police Chief David Pernice updated the council on hiring in the police department, saying he has attempted to contact the candidate approved at the prior meeting but “has had no luck. He is assuming he is no longer interested,” and that he plans to reach out to the civil service consortium, set up oral exams and continue the search for one part-time officer. The chief said the department ultimately seeks to staff two part-time officers but only one position was approved at this time.

Borough Manager Wells made several announcements: a regional EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf on Aug. 28; a Devereaux Day kickoff and Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail Head promotion on Sept. 13; a public hearing for a zoning ordinance amendment at the next council meeting; a Sept. 25 meeting to present health insurance plans; and a free Community Emergency Response Team training on Sept. 27–29. Wells also said the borough will send a letter of support for a PennDOT Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program application along U.S. Route 6.

The council adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions in the meeting passed unanimously. Specific motions included approval of the agenda; approval of Aug. 13 minutes; acceptance of the secretary’s report; payment of bills; removal of the lien on 121 East High Street (approx. $2,690); acceptance of Construction Services of PA’s $16,679 quote contingent on an easement for the canoe/kayak launch; approval of seven Renaissance grants totaling $23,600 in awards; and passage of a resolution accepting the EACOG audit report.