Union City Council hires part‑time officer, approves sinkhole repairs and several easements

Union City Borough Council voted on multiple routine municipal actions at its Aug. 13, 2024 meeting at First Global Methodist Church, including hiring a part‑time police officer, contracting for sinkhole repairs, approving easements and accepting small land purchases tied to local projects.

Mayor Robert Wolf urged the borough to maintain its police department and recommended hiring part‑time staff to increase coverage. Councilors discussed a candidate from the certified civil service list who was interested in part‑time employment; Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the budget had allowed at least $33,560 for wages and benefits and actual cost would depend on hours worked. On a motion by Councilor Joyce seconded by Councilor Osborn, the council approved hiring Kenneth Fye from the civil service list as a part‑time officer; the motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief David Pernice reported 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13, averaging roughly 3.63 calls per day. Pernice noted a range of incidents—including vehicle pursuits, protection from abuse petitions, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity, vandalism and recent mental‑health and suicide‑related calls—and said he and Officer Shelly attended active‑shooter training July 24–25. He also said the UC Community Foundation awarded two grants: one for four tasers and another for additional security cameras covering North Main Street.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips briefed council on a sinkhole near Municipal Lot #1 that damaged a 24‑inch clay tile line. Consultant Bob Carpenter (Insight) and Engineer Tim Wells recommended replacing the damaged clay tile, reconnecting pipes, installing a larger catch basin and replacing about 10 feet of pipe. Mansfield submitted a bid of $22,295 and McLallen Construction bid $23,450; both bids required the borough to provide a truck for the project. On a motion by Councilor Steadman seconded by Councilor Osborn, the council approved contracting with Mansfield to complete the work for $22,295; the motion carried unanimously.

The council also approved several easements and small property transactions tied to drainage and recreation projects. Members approved a retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street that directs the owner to dig and maintain a ditch and install a pipe between the PennDOT catch basin and the borough catch basin; the borough accepted responsibility for the two basins and approximately 60 feet of pipe. The council approved a retroactive purchase of a small parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot #3 for $500 to support a gazebo project, pending a completed survey and solicitor paperwork. Separately, the solicitor will prepare an easement with the American Legion to install and maintain a kayak/canoe launch along French Creek; the project will be funded with grants from the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Environmental Council. Each of those motions carried unanimously.

On finance and administrative items, Borough Manager Wells presented the 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO): $48,029 required for nonuniform pension plans and $0 required for the police pension. The council voted unanimously, on a motion by Councilor Joyce seconded by Councilor Kerns, to approve the MMO. Council also approved a subdivision combining portions of 92 West High Street with 88 and 90 West High Street after Erie County Planning cleared the survey maps.

Council agreed to change its regular meeting schedule to the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 PM from September through April 2025; the next scheduled meetings are Aug. 27, 2024 and Sept. 16, 2024 (the latter adjusted for Labor Day). The meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM; an executive session on personnel and a contract ran from 7:06–7:52 PM with no action taken.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions at the meeting carried unanimously.