Union City approves $84,774 trail contract, $5,000 stormwater repair and seeks broadband designation; police hiring debated

Union City Borough Council on July 23 voted unanimously to award a contract to Vavala Concrete and to approve a set of infrastructure and policy actions, while members continued to debate hiring another full‑time police officer.

The council awarded the Devereaux Park/French Creek Trail project to Vavala Concrete, the low bidder at $84,774. Councilor Osborn moved to award the contract and Councilor Steadman seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Councilors also approved a $5,000 quote from Mansfield to repair and reconnect pipe at a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1, with the borough providing pipe and fittings. The minutes record an alternative bid of $6,800 from McLallen Construction; Councilor Kerns moved to accept Mansfield’s lower quote, and Councilor Steadman seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

In other business the council approved an update to the borough's Right‑to‑Know Rules and Regulations clarifying anonymous requests, and it adopted a resolution authorizing an application to the PBDA for Broadband Ready Community designation. The resolution also appoints the Erie Area Council of Governments to serve as the borough’s municipal broadband champion; Councilor Kerns moved the resolution and Councilor Winkler seconded. The minutes note a public meeting on the broadband topic at 5:45 p.m. with no members of the public in attendance.

The meeting included a substantive exchange about whether to hire an additional full‑time police officer. Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough ‘owes the candidate an explanation’ after the hiring process and noted the candidate’s preference for a smaller department; Melissa Winkler and James Kerns told council they were concerned about the borough’s recent stormwater issues and the unexpected costs those repairs could create. Jeremy Sterling of Centerville asked council to explain its decision not to hire another officer; council did not take a vote or adopt a hiring decision at this meeting.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells reported administrative items including a July 30 meeting to present health insurance plans at the Municipal Authority, National Night Out scheduled for Aug. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m., withdrawal of a USDA grant application due to lack of funding, and availability of Northwest Pension second‑quarter reports.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reviewed storm sewer work and inspection plans after crews placed dye in a storm drain near Hogan’s Alley that appears to be entering the sanitary lines serving Municipal Lot #1. He said video camera inspections are being scheduled to trace the pipe toward the Salvation Army property to determine the cause and extent of the problem.

The council agreed to advertise changes to the borough’s parking and zoning ordinances, with the zoning revisions to be sent first to Erie County Planning and Union Area Planning for comment. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.; minutes record an executive session on personnel and contracts from 6:42 to 7:37 p.m. with no action taken.