GCEA Board of Director’s Meeting April 2026

GCEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held on April 15, 2026, in person in the GCEA office and on TEAMS. Meeting was called to order by Sean Toro, GCEA President at 12:05 p.m. and roll was called.

MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL:

Motion was made by Bertha Albright to accept the printed agenda for the April meeting. The motion was seconded by Cindy Ritter. All in favor, motion carried.

FINANCE REPORT:

The March Profit and Loss report was reviewed by the Finance committee and approved via email. The report will be distributed with approved April Minutes. 

MINUTES APPROVAL:

March meeting minutes were approved via email.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION:

·         Sean and Matt met with City Manager and Human Resources last week. The President reported that the meeting went well.

·         Sean and Stephanie met regarding an insurance survey to be sent out to all GCEA employees. Elisabeth Bergman has created the survey format. Once survey is finalized, Stephanie will send out to employees. This survey will be helpful in creating a list of negotiation requests regarding health benefits.

·         Sean and Matt met with HR to discuss positions to be identified for removal from the city, as they are considered obsolete. Once the list is finalized and received, directors will need to review it carefully to ensure that no positions are eliminated in a way that could negatively impact promotional opportunities.

·         The city is considering transitioning to a 4/10 schedule, which would include closing all Public Works buildings on Fridays to reduce utility costs. There is also a possibility of a hybrid 4/10 model, where employees would work eight hours remotely on Fridays. This proposal applies only to this specific campus and does not impact operations outside these three city buildings. Estimated date for new schedule would be July 1. Human Resources will confer with all association presidents next week.

·         The GCEA will be hosting a luncheon with all bargaining units regarding healthcare negotiations.

Discussion:

·         Cindy Ritter asked if we would consider a COLA tied to CPI every year and across the board for all employees regardless of which bargaining unit it is.

·         Leslie Fox inquired about an employee survey regarding what GCEA employees would like to see negotiated for them in the next MOU. Sean stated that yes, there would be a survey sent to all employees requesting their input.

·         Ronnie Lira asked if Paula Adams in HR was submitting a Salary Survey across the board. Sean stated that they were working on the survey but had no delivery date at this time.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION:

·         Matt reported he will be sending information to Vickie Barker for her to review regarding negotiations. She would like to have a list so that she can assist us in what our focus should be.

·         Representation Request Process: for clarification if a member is seeking representation, please have them fill out the Representation Request Form; this form will be posted online, or they may request one from the GCEA Office. Once the form is filled out it is submitted to the GCEA Director. The Director will then submit the form to the GCEA Office, Sean or Matt.

Committee Reports:

As per our new process, Committee Reports were submitted online. Summary below.

·         Update to PAC – Ani Azoyan and Matt Mancini met with a candidate who is running for City Treasurer. The meeting went well and PAC will meet to discuss endorsement.

·         Disciplinary – Report was not submitted. Matt reported that one case is currently pending.

o   Matt reminded everyone to review the documentation received from the meeting you might be a representative for and if there is incorrect information in the report, speak up so that it can be corrected.

o   Kerri reminded the Directors that a GCEA representative may attend any requested disciplinary meetings apart from an operational meeting.

·         Benefits – Joe Palos, Chair reported that he Sean Toro and Matt Mancini attended the city’s benefits meeting. Alliant the City’s medical broker discussed current medical plans, at this time there were no discussions about the new rates or plan changes. IBEW, GPOA, GMA and GCEA were the bargaining units in attendance. HR Director brought up the upcoming Health Fair, the benefits coordinator brought up past discussion about plan changes and negotiations. We were able to briefly chat with GMA, and IBEW reps and discuss setting up a meeting to discuss possible Joint Labor Committee for Medical Benefits.

·         Community Alliance – Bertha Albright, chair reported that due to the negative press for the Cesar Chavez event, the committee opted not to participate. The city cancelled the event after our GCEA meeting on 3/18, the committee voted not to participate in that event. We were asked to participate in the Parks Eggstravanza event on 3/28, the committee voted not to participate in that event. The committee needs to meet again to discuss an upcoming event for Foster All which will be held in June. I have emailed the contact person, Katherine Hernandez, that Isabella provided to request more information. Once more details are available, I will schedule a Teams meeting.

·         Political Action – Matt Mancini, chair reported the committee met with three council candidates and one city clerk candidate and they are likely to meet with another council candidate soon; Matt and Ani met with a candidate running for city treasurer.

·         Digital Communications – Elisabeth Bergman, chair gave report.

o   Slides, flyers and updated scholarship information have been uploaded to the website.

o   We have received several purchases through MemberDeals for the quarter.

o   Completed a draft of the survey for the GCEA wide feedback on insurance. Survey will need to be reviewed so that we can submit to the membership on May 1, 2026

·         New Employee Orientation – Elisabeth Bergman, chair reported the next NEO is scheduled for April 23rd. Discussion about new welcome items between Elisabeth, Sean, Stephanie and Greg occurred on March 25th. Leaning toward a smaller notepad portfolio.  Looking to get quotes and samples from several companies. Current plan is to buy enough for all GCEA members, both current and new.

·         Scholarship – The Employee Scholarship was announced. This year we will be offering one $1500 scholarship for employees only. Applications are due May 22nd. In the event we receive no applications or no qualified applicants, we will offer a dependent scholarship. Please let your staff know about the scholarship, an email was sent with information, and information is also available on the website.

·         Vendor – currently resourcing samples to submit for approval.

OLD BUSINESS:

·         Compensation for driving to a meeting or conference is not in the MOU, however the city was to add it to the Administrative Policy, and this did not happen.

o   Matt sent the documentation note regarding this addition to policy to HR. Paula Adams will review.

o   Policy stated that the driver, not passengers, were to be compensated for the travel time. If you drive, you are working and should receive time and ½ for a non-workday and regular time if trip occurs during the workday.

o   Leslie Fox stated she has an issue with this policy as she did not receive paid time. Matt will assist her with resolution.

NEW BUSINESS:

·         Introduced new alternate in attendance, Edson Monroy.

·         GCEA Open House is being planned.

o   Ronnie Lira requested we provide a raffle at the open house.          

o   Sean stated the Open House would be for all employees in hopes of engaging non-members.

·         Elisabeth reported that the New Employee Orientation meeting is moving to video entirely in June. We will need to create a voiceover for the slides and not be specific as to limit future changes.

·         Sean requested that we begin taking pictures of work groups. He would like to frame for hanging in the GCEA office.

·         Stephanie discussed the Mortuary Fund language change to be made in the bylaws. Language will be rewritten and submitted to the board for approval.

Motion to adjourn meeting made by Bertha Albright.

Motion seconded by Cindy Ritter.

Motion carried.

Minutes submitted by Stephanie Kinnison