GCEA Board of Directors Meeting, August 2026
GCEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held on August 19, 2026, in person in the GCEA office and on TEAMS. Meeting was called to order by Sean Toro, GCEA President at 12:07 p.m. and roll was called.
MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL:
Motion was made by Elisabeth Bergman to accept the printed agenda for the August meeting. The motion was seconded by Bertha Albright. All in favor, motion carried.
FINANCE REPORT:
The July Profit and Loss report was reviewed by the Finance committee and approved via email. The report will be distributed with approved August Minutes.
MINUTES APPROVAL:
July Minutes were approved via email.
PRESIDENTS REPORT AND DISCUSSION:
· Sean Toro reported that he and Matt have had a busy month. Due to the increased number of requests for assistance, Sean is requesting directors step up to assist with representation of issues. Additional support from the Board is needed to help manage the growing workload and ensure members receive timely assistance.
· Sean suggested we incorporate the Employee Relations Committee to assist with employee issues. The committee members for the Employee Relations Committee are Greg Asaturian, Patty Mundo, Ronnie Lira.
· If anyone would like to join ERC, please reach out to Sean, Matt or the GCEA office.
· Sean and Matt both attended a benefits meeting hosted by Human Resources. The city is working with healthcare broker Alliant as it evaluates the healthcare plans and coverage options that will be offered to employees.
o New healthcare rates are expected to take effect January 1.
o The city is also exploring the possibility of joining a group called Prism. If the city chooses this option, members may receive several additional benefits, including being assigned an agent whom they can contact directly with questions regarding their healthcare coverage. According to Sean, Prism appears to offer a greater selection of benefit and coverage options for employees.
· We will be reinstating the committee reports process. Each committee chair will receive a committee report form to complete and submit it to the GCEA office within one week prior to the board meeting. Once received reports will be distributed to the entire board for review. Committee chairs will have the opportunity during the Board meeting to provide updates or report any changes that have occurred since the submission of their report.
VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT AND DISCUSSION:
· Matt Mancini thanked directors Gigi Gurjot and Apoorv Verma for their work with GWP and ongoing issues in that section.
· Gerald Mendoza is stepping down from his role on the Political Action Committee. Ronald Lira will step into his role as chair for the PAC.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Political Action - Ronnie will begin the process of assigning PAC members to city council members. Once assigned the Political Action Committee will begin meeting with members approximately every three (3) months.
Community Alliance - Nothing to report.
Benefits – Nothing to report.
Digital Communications – Elisabeth Bergman, Chair shared the results of the recent GCEA membership survey. Nearly 200 members, or just under 50% of the membership, responded, which is an excellent response rate for a membership survey.
Elisabeth reviewed each section of the survey results with the Board and discussed the responses received.
A decision regarding whether the survey responses will be distributed to the board is still pending. Matt will check with Sean but does not think it will be an issue.
Employee Relations – Nothing to report.
New Employee Orientation – Elisabeth Bergman did not attend last month’s meeting; however, Patty Mundo presented on behalf of the committee. According to Patty, the meeting went well.
The committee does need to record a voiceover for the video and submit the completed video to Human Resources.
Negotiations – Matt Mancini asked Leslie Fox to give an update on submissions of those interested in serving on the Negotiations team for the upcoming MOU bargaining sessions.
During the September Board Meeting, a secret ballot vote will be held to select members of the Negotiations team. The board will vote to select one member and two alternates. In addition, President Sean Toro will appoint one member, and Vice President Matt Mancini will appoint one member to serve on the Negotiations team.
Deadline to submit your letter of interest to Leslie Fox will be August 31.
Vendor – Nothing to report.
Accident Review – Nothing to report.
Employee Assistance – Loans are up to date except for one loan.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS: Elisabeth distributed Welcome Bags to directors to hand to new members.
Steve Morris inquired about Civil Service Commission Charter review to City Council. Matt will follow up with Sean regarding the meeting.
Motion to adjourn made by Bertha Albright. Motion seconded by Cindy Ritter
Meeting adjourned at 1:24 pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Stephanie Kinnison
