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Union City council backs county housing plan, seeks CDBG funds for stormwater repairs and approves local ordinance changes
Summary
At its Sept. 16 meeting the Union City Borough Council voted unanimously to endorse an Erie County comprehensive housing plan using MAP and Act 137 funds, authorized an application for up to $100,000 in CDBG funds for Municipal Lot #1 stormwater repairs, and approved amendments to parking and zoning ordinances and other routine business.
Union City Borough Council met Sept. 16, 2024, at First Global Methodist Church and voted on a bundle of local actions, including support for a countywide housing study and an application for federal block-grant funds to fix stormwater problems in a municipal parking lot.
The council unanimously approved a resolution requesting that Erie County complete a new comprehensive housing plan that will use MAP grant funding and Act 137 (Affordable Housing Act) funds derived from housing-deed transfers. Councilors said several borough residents have applied for Act 137 assistance based on income. Councilor Osborn moved the resolution; Councilor Steadman seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilors also authorized staff to submit an application to Erie County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds of up to $100,000 to pay for part of the stormwater repairs in Municipal Lot No. 1. Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips and Borough Manager Cindy Wells reported that Mansfield will fill a sinkhole, replace about 10 feet of pipe and install a new catch basin; a smoke-and-dye test is recommended after those repairs and the borough is seeking paving quotes. Councilor Steadman moved the funding-application motion; Councilor Osborn seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
On regulatory matters, the council approved amendments to Parking Ordinance 1137 to tighten restrictions on unlawful and disabled vehicles and to amend schedules I, II and IV. The council also approved amendments to Zoning Ordinance 1118 to add definitions and regulations for "redemption games" (games of skill) and to permit certain accessory-structure uses on adjoining lots. Both ordinance amendments were moved, seconded and passed unanimously.
The borough moved forward on several administrative items. Councilors voted to advertise a proposed change to the tenant-registration ordinance to allow repeated charges for violators who fail to provide required information; a resolution was approved to exonerate $5,563.49 in taxes on 121 East High after the property was purchased by the Land Bank; and the council set trick-or-treat hours for Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All motions carried unanimously.
During "hearing of visitors," Council President Riley Cross said he had spoken with Lance Greer regarding the Hometown Heroes civil case and said Greer would not be accepting money from that case. Bev Ballog, representing Hometown Heroes, thanked the borough for its support and said she was pleased by Cross’s statement.
The meeting closed with routine departmental reports: code and zoning reports for August were received with no questions; Mayor Robert Wolf noted the police department has been very busy and expressed appreciation for their work; and streets staff reported routine cleanup and pothole repair ahead of Homecoming. The council adjourned at 6:50 p.m.; an executive session to discuss real estate, personnel and contracts with no action to be taken followed, running from 6:58 p.m. to 7:42 p.m. Borough Manager Cindy Wells also scheduled a Sept. 25 meeting with council members to present health-insurance options.
