Union City Borough Council has approved a $4,000 contribution toward the fireworks display at this year’s French Creek Festival, reversing a decision made earlier this month to postpone action while additional financial information was gathered.
The funding was approved during the council’s June 23 meeting. Rather than providing the money directly to UC Action, which organizes the annual festival, council directed that the payment be made directly to the fireworks company.
Earlier this month, council tabled the request after members sought more detailed financial information from UC Action. Council later reviewed the additional information before voting to approve the contribution.
Council President Riley Cross had previously expressed concerns about providing taxpayer funding directly to UC Action because the organization no longer includes a borough representative on its board after changes were made to its bylaws. During the June 23 meeting, UC Action Vice President Tim Miller attended on behalf of the fireworks display and told council the organization wanted the borough’s continued support for the annual community event. He agreed to provide the borough with the fireworks company’s payment information.
In other business, council approved the hiring of Parker Phillips as an as-needed employee in the Public Works Department at a starting wage of $14.50 per hour. Phillips fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Terry Ranyak and has previously worked for the department.
Council also approved a resolution creating and participating in the South County Emergency Medical Services Committee. Councilman Brian Osborn was appointed as the borough’s representative, with Councilman Charlie Steadman serving as the alternate.
The committee is being formed by municipalities throughout southern Erie County to study long-term solutions for maintaining emergency medical services. Participating municipalities have been asked to appoint elected officials who can represent their communities should future financial decisions become necessary. Borough Manager Cindy Wells emphasized that no funding commitments have been made and that the committee’s initial purpose is to evaluate options for sustaining EMS service in the region.
During her report, Wells announced that the family of Union City Police Officer John Kerr, who was killed in the line of duty in 1990, requested a memorial at the City Building. The borough will install a commemorative metal plaque on the bench in front of the building in Officer Kerr’s honor.
Council also learned the borough will receive $100,000 through the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority’s Renaissance Grant Program, with $50,000 available in both 2026 and 2027. The funding will continue to support exterior property improvement grants in designated areas of the borough. Putnam Street will be added to the eligible area, while South Street, West High Street and the Avenues will conclude their participation after this funding cycle because they have been included in the program since 2018.
Wells also reported that the borough’s ordinance codification project has been completed. An ordinance formally adopting the updated code is expected to be considered following public advertisement at the July 28 council meeting.
Council also approved a utility easement requested by National Fuel in Municipal Lot 1 behind the Municipal Authority building. The easement will allow the company to install a new service line beneath West High Street while retiring an existing low-pressure line that currently crosses French Creek.
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