Union City council approves zoning and parking amendments, backs county housing plan and tax exoneration

Union City Borough Council voted unanimously on a slate of administrative and regulatory measures at its Sept. 16 meeting at First Global Methodist Church.

Council President Riley Cross called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council approved the agenda and the Aug. 27 minutes. Routine financial and secretary’s reports were accepted and unpaid bills were ordered paid.

The council moved through several advertised and proposed ordinance changes. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded approval of an amendment to Parking Ordinance 1137 that restricts parking of unlawful and disabled vehicles and updates Schedules I, II and IV; the motion carried unanimously. Councilor Kerns moved and Councilor Steadman seconded approval of an amendment to Zoning Ordinance 1118 adding definitions and regulations for redemption games (games of skill) and adding a provision, section 701.04, for accessory structures on adjoining lots; that motion also passed unanimously.

Borough Manager Cindy Wells presented a proposed amendment to the tenant-registration ordinance to allow violators to be charged more than once per year when they fail to provide required information. Councilor Steadman moved, and Councilor Osborn seconded, a motion to advertise the amendment; the motion carried unanimously.

The council approved a resolution exonerating $5,563.49 in taxes on 121 East High after the Land Bank purchased the property. Councilor Kerns moved and Councilor Steadman seconded the tax-exoneration resolution, which carried unanimously.

On housing, the council approved a resolution supporting Erie County’s work on a new countywide comprehensive housing plan. The plan will use MAP grant funds and Act 137 deed-transfer funds to develop recommendations aimed at improving housing quality and affordability; Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Steadman seconded the resolution, and it passed unanimously.

Council also approved the borough’s request to submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the county for up to $100,000 to cover a portion of stormwater repairs in Municipal Lot #1. Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Osborn seconded the motion; it carried unanimously.

Other actions included approval of borough trick-or-treat hours for Oct. 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and the customary department liaison reports. Councilor Steadman noted a successful Devereaux Day event and the new trailhead.

The council adjourned at 6:50 p.m.; an executive session on real estate, personnel and contracts followed from 6:58 p.m. to 7:42 p.m. with no action taken.

Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda: motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman — unanimous (4–0). - Approve minutes (Aug. 27): motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns — unanimous (4–0). - Accept Secretary’s Report: motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Osborn — unanimous (4–0). - Approve bills: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Kerns — unanimous (4–0). - Advertise tenant-registration amendment: motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn — unanimous (4–0). - Tax exoneration, 121 East High ($5,563.49): motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman — unanimous (4–0). - Approve resolution supporting Erie County housing plan: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Steadman — unanimous (4–0). - Approve amendment to Parking Ordinance 1137: motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn — unanimous (4–0). - Approve amendment to Zoning Ordinance 1118: motion by Councilor Kerns, seconded by Councilor Steadman — unanimous (4–0). - Approve CDBG application for stormwater repairs (up to $100,000): motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn — unanimous (4–0). - Approve trick-or-treat hours: motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Kerns — unanimous (4–0).

The meeting record shows the borough reiterated it is not formally connected to the Hometown Heroes project while expressing support for the group’s aims.