Union City Council approves hiring of part-time officer and several infrastructure and property measures

Union City Borough Council approved a slate of routine actions at its Aug. 13, 2024 meeting at First Global Methodist Church, including hiring a part-time police officer and contracting to repair a sinkhole at Municipal Lot No. 1.

Mayor Robert Wolf said maintaining a police department in the borough is important and recommended hiring a part-time officer. Following discussion about cost and coverage, the council voted to hire Kenneth Fye from the certified civil service list as a part-time officer; the motion, moved by Councilor Matthew (Matt) Joyce and seconded by Councilor Osborn, carried unanimously.

The council heard a report from Police Chief David Pernice that the department handled 269 calls between June 1 and Aug. 13 (about 3.63 calls per day), including pursuits, protection-from-abuse matters, warrants, domestic incidents, drug activity, homelessness and incidents involving suicide and mental health. Chief Pernice said he and an officer attended active-shooter training in late July and that the Union City Community Foundation awarded funding requested for four tasers and additional security cameras.

On public works, Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips summarized engineering recommendations to address a sinkhole and failing 24-inch clay line at Municipal Lot No. 1: replace the damaged 24" tile, reconnect pipes in the sinkhole area, install a larger catch basin and replace approximately 10 feet of pipe. Two written estimates were presented: Mansfield ($22,295) and McLallen Construction ($23,450). The council voted to accept Mansfield’s $22,295 estimate and authorized the work; both bids required the borough to provide a truck during construction.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells reported that the TA set-aside sidewalk project is ongoing and noted an Erie County Planning kickoff for park and trail improvements along French Creek and the Erie–Pittsburgh Trail scheduled Sept. 13, 2024. The council agreed to assist the Union City Volunteer Fire Department with demolition of a shed at 10 Market Street using borough personnel but declined to provide the department’s requested backhoe.

The council approved several retroactive and routine easements and property actions. A retroactive easement with property owner Anthony Hickey at 104 East High Street was approved to accommodate a PennDOT-installed catch basin and a borough-installed basin; the owner will construct and maintain an on-site ditch and pipe and the borough will accept responsibility for the two basins and about 60 feet of connecting pipe. The council also approved a retroactive purchase of a small parcel adjacent to Municipal Lot No. 3 from the owner of 8 South Street for $500, pending survey and solicitor preparation of closing documents.

On finance, the borough received its 2025 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) figures and the council approved the MMO: $48,029 for the nonuniform pension and $0 for the police pension. Councilors also approved a subdivision of property at 92 West High Street (combining portions with 88 and 90 West High Street) after Erie County Planning signed off on the survey maps.

The solicitor reported that an easement agreement for a kayak/canoe launch at the American Legion ball field along French Creek is being prepared; the launch will be funded by the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Environmental Council. The council voted to approve that easement.

Councilors agreed to change regular meetings to the first and third Monday of each month, September through April, at 6:30 p.m.; the next meetings were set for Aug. 27 and Sept. 16 due to Labor Day scheduling. The council adjourned at 7:06 p.m.; a later executive session on personnel and contract matters ran 7:06–7:52 p.m. with no action taken.

Votes at a glance: the meeting’s recorded motions (agenda adoption; approval of minutes; hiring Kenneth Fye as part-time officer; awarding the Municipal Lot No. 1 pipe repair to Mansfield for $22,295; retroactive easement at 104 East High Street; approval of the 2024 MMO; approval of the 92 West High Street subdivision; retroactive purchase of 8 South Street parcel for $500; approval of American Legion boat-launch easement; adjournment) all carried unanimously among present councilors.