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Union City council approves canoe/kayak launch contract, clears property lien and awards Renaissance grants
Summary
At its Aug. 27 meeting, Union City Borough Council unanimously accepted a $16,679 bid for a canoe/kayak launch, approved seven Renaissance Grant awards requesting $23,600, and removed a $2,690 lien on 121 East High Street; the council also heard a police staffing update and scheduled zoning and parking public hearings.
Union City Borough Council met Aug. 27 at First Global Methodist Church and voted unanimously on a set of routine and project motions, including awarding a contract for a canoe and kayak launch, approving Renaissance Grant awards, and removing a borough lien on a Land Bank property.
Councilor Joyce called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.; Councilors Osborn, Steadman and Kerns were present. Borough Manager Cindy Wells reviewed a batch of administrative updates and project items; Police Chief David Pernice provided a staffing update and said he will pursue oral exams through the Civil Service Commission after failing to reach a previously approved new hire candidate.
The council accepted a bid of $16,679 from Construction Services of PA to install a canoe/kayak launch at the American Legion Ball Field. The borough engineer at The EADS Group reviewed the quotes; another bid from Blum Property Services, LLC was $18,541.50. The contract award is contingent on the borough receiving an easement from the American Legion.
Wells presented seven recommended Renaissance Grant applications with combined project costs of $60,606 and requests totaling $23,600. With $90,547.35 available in the Renaissance Grant fund, the council approved all seven recommended applications. Wells said the investments are intended to help fight blight through exterior property improvements.
Wells also told council members the borough holds a lien for approximately $2,690 against property at 121 East High Street that was donated to the Erie County Land Bank; the Land Bank requested the lien be removed. The council moved to satisfy the lien for the full amount.
Other business included a notice of an Erie County Planning — EMS meeting on Aug. 28; a Sept. 13 kickoff event for park and trail improvements on French Creek; an upcoming public hearing and vote on a zoning ordinance amendment and an amendment to the parking ordinance (public hearing to be advertised as required); and scheduled meetings regarding employee health insurance and CERT training. Wells said the borough will send a letter of support for a PennDOT Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program application along the U.S. Route 6 corridor.
Police Chief Pernice said he intends to continue recruiting for one part-time officer (the council previously had approved one position; the chief said he would ultimately like two part-time officers) and will contact the consortium of candidates and the Civil Service Commission to set oral exams.
The council also passed a resolution accepting the Erie Area Council of Government (EACOG) audit as presented. Department liaisons had no reports, and the meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Agenda approval — motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: carried unanimously. • Minutes approval (Aug. 13, 2024) — motion by Councilor Kerns; seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: carried unanimously. • Secretary’s Report accepted — motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: carried unanimously. • Bills authorized for payment — motion by Councilor Kerns; outcome: carried unanimously. • Remove lien, 121 East High Street (approx. $2,690) — motion by Councilor Kerns; seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: carried unanimously. • Canoe/kayak launch contract ($16,679 to Construction Services of PA, contingent on easement) — motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: carried unanimously. • Renaissance Grant approvals (seven applications; requested $23,600) — motion by Councilor Steadman; seconded by Councilor Osborn; outcome: carried unanimously. • Resolution accepting EACOG audit — motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Steadman; outcome: carried unanimously. • Adjournment — motion by Councilor Osborn; seconded by Councilor Kerns; outcome: carried unanimously.
The council scheduled a public hearing on a zoning ordinance amendment (advertised twice as required) and will vote on a parking ordinance amendment at an upcoming meeting. The borough manager asked council members to attend a Sept. 13 trail kickoff event and a Sept. 25 presentation of health insurance plans.
