State College Borough Council approves AFSCME contract, aims for zoning updates next year

The State College Borough Council approved the collective bargaining agreement for the local union representing its public works and parking employees Wednesday. Mayor Ezra Nanes says it was important to get this done before the new year and talks about what the top priorities are for the borough in the coming months.

The proposed CBA was ratified by the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union last week. The council unanimously approved the contract for three years and also increased the ‘fixed employer contribution,' which is made by the borough to the union workers, from 4.5% to 10%.

“We want to be competitive in this labor market so we got to support our employees in their long-term plans as well,” said Mayor Ezra Nanes.

Mayor Nanes also talks about what the council is trying to accomplish in the new year. He says one of their goals is to rewrite the zoning ordinance, which outlines how different parts of land are allowed to be used.

“This is a 60-year-old zoning ordinance, it has had a lot of revisions over the years and we need to update it for the present day, that’s something that we are really aiming to bring home," said Nanes.

He also talks about how they plan to continue investing in pedestrian and bike infrastructure and affordable housing.

“Those are three big priorities and of course the foundation of everything always is continuing to make this a welcoming and inclusive community where every person feels safe," said Nanes.

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