Union City council approves ARPA spending for stormwater repairs, accepts grants and several personnel actions

Union City Borough Council on Oct. 7 approved a package of routine but material actions that the borough says will fund building improvements, address stormwater repairs and update police staffing.

The council voted to use $39,060.20 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay stormwater repair costs in Municipal Lot #1 and to close a catch basin in Hogan’s Alley. Borough Manager Cindy Wells told the council the borough’s total ARPA allocation is $194,413 and that $160,000 had been designated for the Willow Street Bridge; $25,000 of that bridge allocation has already been spent. The motion to designate $39,060.20 for stormwater repairs was moved by Councilor Joyce and seconded by Councilor Steadman and carried at the meeting.

Manager Wells also reported the borough received three grants—$75,000 from the ECGRA Anchor Building Grant, $35,000 from the Helping Today Grant administered through ECF, and $154,000 from a Community Project Fund appropriation via the office of Rep. Mike Kelly—totaling $264,000 to continue first-floor improvements at the City Building.

On employee benefits, Wells said borough staff met with Municipal Benefit Services to evaluate switching the borough’s 2025 health insurance from Benecon to MBS. The presentation included an estimate the change could save roughly $13,730 per year, but would incur termination or run-out costs. Council approved a conditional motion allowing a provider change for 2025 only if estimated termination costs would not exceed $42,000; Councilor Brian Osborn moved the motion and Councilor Steadman seconded. Councilors Riley Cross and James Kerns recorded abstentions on that motion.

Council approved a retroactive purchase of a 2021 CF Moto CForce 600 ATV with plow from Marvin Phillips for $5,000, to be funded from the Capital Equipment fund. The vehicle was inspected and noted to require only ordinary maintenance items.

On public safety staffing, the council accepted the resignation of part-time Officer Rick Skonieczka and approved Chief Pernice’s request to proceed with background checks for two candidates on the Civil Service certified list and to hire two part-time officers from that list. After an executive session on personnel and contracts, the council voted to approve a police contract for Zackery Shelly; that motion was moved by Councilor Steadman and seconded by Councilor Kerns and carried.

The council authorized Borough Solicitor Wachter to finalize an agreement to present to the American Legion related to purchasing the American Legion ball fields and adding them to the borough parks system; the agreement would rely on outside funding and a private donor, with the borough covering closing costs if needed. Solicitor Wachter also presented and the council approved an easement agreement with the owner of 104 East High Street: the borough will install and supply a catch basin and will maintain a pipe and two basins while the property owner will install a 60-foot pipe to a PennDOT basin and dig and maintain a ditch to Bentley Run.

Other routine business included approval of the Sept. 16 minutes, review of code enforcement and zoning reports, notice of the ECAB annual meeting and permission for Aflac to present benefit options to staff. The public meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.; the minutes record two executive session intervals and the subsequent actions noted above.

Votes at a glance - Adopted agenda (as amended): motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Kerns — carried unanimously. - Approved minutes from Sept. 16: motion by Councilor Brian Osborn, seconded by Councilor James Kerns — carried unanimously. - Approved presenting American Legion agreement: motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Osborn — carried unanimously. - Designated $39,060.20 in ARPA funds for stormwater repairs in Municipal Lot #1 and Hogan’s Alley: motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried. - Conditional approval to change health insurance providers for 2025 if termination costs ≤ $42,000: motion by Councilor Brian Osborn, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried (Councilors Riley Cross and James Kerns abstained). - Retroactive approval of ATV purchase for $5,000 from Marvin Phillips: motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried. - Accepted resignation of Officer Rick Skonieczka: motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried. - Approved background checks and potential hiring from Civil Service certified list: motion by Councilor Joyce, seconded by Councilor Steadman — carried. - Approved easement at 104 East High Street: motion by Councilor Osborn, seconded by Councilor Joyce — carried. - Approved police contract for Zackery Shelly: motion by Councilor Steadman, seconded by Councilor Kerns — carried.

The council did not take public comment during the meeting. The borough will proceed with the items above subject to the terms and contingencies discussed (for example, the health-insurance provider change remains conditional on termination-cost estimates).