Union City Council removes landbank lien, approves canoe launch quote and seven Renaissance grants

Union City Borough Council convened at 6:00 p.m. on Aug. 27 at First Global Methodist Church and approved routine business before taking a series of unanimous votes on local projects and grants.

The council voted to remove a lien of approximately $2,690 on 121 East High Street, a property held by the Erie County Landbank. Borough Manager Cindy Wells said the Landbank requested the lien be removed; Councilor Kerns moved the action and Councilor Steadman seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Wells presented two quotes for a canoe-and-kayak launch at the American Legion ball field and said the borough engineer (The EADS Group) reviewed both. Construction Services of PA submitted the lower quote at $16,679 and Blum Property Services, LLC quoted $18,541.50. Councilor Osborn moved to accept the $16,679 quote contingent on receiving an easement from the American Legion; Councilor Kerns seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

On local grant awards, Wells reported seven Renaissance grant applications totaling $60,606 in project costs and $23,600 requested from the Renaissance fund; she said $90,547.35 remains available in the grant fund. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded approval of the seven recommended grants totaling $23,600 for the 2024–2025 period; the motion carried unanimously. Wells framed the awards as property improvements that will help fight blight.

Manager Wells also announced several upcoming events and administrative items: an Erie County Planning EMS meeting at Fort LeBoeuf on Aug. 28; a Devereaux Day kickoff on Sept. 13 to promote park and trail improvements and the Erie-to-Pittsburgh trail head (with Representative Banta, a representative for Senator Dan Laughlin, County Executive Brenton Davis and Erie County Planning staff invited); a public hearing and vote on a zoning amendment and a parking-ordinance advertisement; and staff meetings to present health insurance plans Sept. 25.

Police Chief David Pernice reported difficulty contacting a previously approved new hire and said he is "assuming he is no longer interested." He said he will contact the consortium (there are 32 candidates on the list), coordinate oral exams with the Civil Service Commission, and continue the search; council agreed to recruit for one part-time officer although the chief said he would prefer two.

Council also passed a resolution accepting the Erie Area Council of Government (EACOG) audit as reviewed by COG members, and approved routine administrative items including acceptance of the Secretary's Report and payment of bills. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Approve Aug. 13 minutes: motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Accept Secretary's Report: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Approve bills: motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Winkler — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Remove lien on 121 East High Street (~$2,690): motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Accept canoe/kayak launch quote ($16,679) contingent on easement: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Approve seven Renaissance grants (requested $23,600): motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes). - Accept EACOG audit resolution: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried unanimously (Joyce, Osborn, Steadman, Kerns: yes).

Next steps The council will advertise a public hearing on a zoning-ordinance amendment and an amendment to the parking ordinance as required, and will hold a public hearing as advertised prior to voting on that zoning amendment. The canoe/kayak installation will proceed once the easement from the American Legion is secured.