Daniel Prince
Around $285,000 total needed for project; council to discuss request during budget sessions
At Tuesday’s Union City Council meeting, Tom Alexander was honored for 20 years with the Union Public Safety Department. Robert Garner was recognized for 14 years on Union City Council. Michael S. Weaver celebrated 10 years with the Gas Department, and Amy L. Knox was honored for 5 years in the Planning Department. City Council set the dates for its budget work sessions to be Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 and 13, at 4 p.m. The work sessions will be held in council chambers at City Hall this year after holding them at Main Street Junction last year. Council appointed Neil Valentine and Quandra Jeter to another three-year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Both have served several terms on the board.
Amy Austin, on behalf of The Miracle League of Union County, requested $50,000 from the city to help toward resurfacing the Miracle League field. Before making the request, she talked about the successes the organization has seen through the years:
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She said that due to high activity on the field, the surface has begun to peel, causing concrete to show through in some areas and creating a fall hazard for players. The field surface has a life expectancy of only around two more years, and the surface warranty expired two years ago. She said repairs could be done for around $20,000, but they would prefer to save that and roll that money into resurfacing. They are looking at using a turf product that is glued down in long strips. It has a ¾” pile height and is made of highly durable polyethylene fiber with a nylon thatch. The manufacturer offers a 7-year warranty on it, and its life expectancy is 12-15 years. The approximate cost of demolishing the existing surface is around $20,000, and the cost of resurfacing is quoted at $285,468. Austin said they are doing fundraising and writing grants, but many of the grantors want to know what sort of community support the group has. She has requested commitments and money from the county and the city for the project. Mayor Harold Thompson told Austin that council would take up the request in the upcoming budget hearings.
An executive session was held to discuss an economic incentive for a downtown developer, a contractual matter, and the renewal of the Timken lease on their building in Commerce Park. No action was taken following executive session, and the meeting adjourned.