Union City Council adopts zoning and parking changes, OKs CDBG application for stormwater repairs

Union City Borough Council voted unanimously Sept. 16 to amend local zoning and parking rules and to apply for up to $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to pay part of stormwater repairs at Municipal Lot No. 1.

The Council, meeting at First Global Methodist Church, approved amendments to Zoning Ordinance 1118 to define and regulate redemption-game uses (games of skill) and to allow use of accessory structures on adjoining lots. Councilor Kerns moved the zoning amendment and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded adoption of amendments to Parking Ordinance 1137 to tighten restrictions on unlawful and disabled vehicles and make technical schedule changes; that motion also passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The zoning changes create a local regulatory framework for redemption-game businesses and clarify accessory-structure rules that affect property owners and new businesses. The parking changes revise enforcement and restricted zones in the borough.

The Council also approved submitting an application to Erie County for up to $100,000 in CDBG funding to cover part of the stormwater repairs in Municipal Lot No. 1, which Council learned requires sinkhole repair, replacement of about 10 feet of pipe and installation of a new catch basin before smoke-and-dye testing and paving. "We met with Solicitor Tim Wachter about the sinkholes," said Bob Phillips, Streets Supervisor, describing the recommended sequence of repairs and testing before paving. The motion to pursue CDBG funding was made by Councilor Steadman and seconded by Councilor Osborn and carried unanimously.

Councilors also approved administrative and routine actions: the agenda and minutes for prior meetings, acceptance of the Secretary’s Report, ordering unpaid bills paid, and a resolution exonerating $5,563.49 in taxes on 121 East High after the Land Bank purchased that property. Councilor Kerns moved the tax-exoneration resolution; Councilor Steadman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Other business included approval of advertised changes to the Tenant Registration program to allow multiple annual charges for violators who fail to provide required information; a Council resolution supporting Erie County’s preparation of a countywide comprehensive housing plan using MAP grant funds and Act 137 deed-transfer funds; and approval of borough trick-or-treat hours for Oct. 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All votes noted in the minutes carried unanimously.

Public comment and clarifications: Council President Riley Cross said he spoke with Lance Greer regarding the Hometown Heroes civil case and reported Greer would not accept money from that case. Bev Ballog, with Hometown Heroes, thanked the Borough "for all the support" for the project and said she "is happy to hear that Lance is not accepting the money."

What’s next: Streets staff will obtain quotes from JT Patching and Cross Paving for paving work and will schedule smoke-and-dye testing after sinkhole repairs and pipe replacement; the Borough will hold a health-insurance presentation for Council members on Sept. 25. The minutes record an executive session from 6:58 p.m. to 7:42 p.m. on real estate, personnel and contracts with no action taken.

Votes at a glance: all motions recorded in the minutes were approved unanimously by the four Councilors present (Cross, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns); Councilors Joyce, Winkler and Uber were absent.