GCEA Board of Director’s Meeting, February 2026

GCEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held on February 18, 2026, in person in the GCEA office and on TEAMS. Meeting was called to order by Sean Toro, GCEA President at 12:15 p.m. and roll was called. Guest in attendance Ronnie Lira.

Guest in attendance: Damary Machuca

MEETING AGENDA APPROVAL:

Motion was made by Elisabeth Bergman to accept the printed agenda for the January meeting. The motion was seconded by Leslie Fox. All in favor, motion carried.

FINANCE REPORT:

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

MINUTES APPROVAL:

January meeting minutes were approved via email.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION:

·        Matt Mancini and Sean Toro are currently addressing ongoing disciplinary matters.

·        Continuing to need additional directors to fill positions and support across areas including Parks. We need to ensure we are effectively serving our members.

·        The GCEA is actively working with all bargaining units and will be hosting an upcoming lunch. Recruitment efforts are essential at this time, and we encourage involvement to help strengthen our representation and overall operations.

·        If you receive any pushback from managers, please contact Sean or Matt immediately. The City has new management, and we are currently working to align management with our established procedures including release time. It is the right of a Director to be released to attend Board meetings and to assist the membership.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT:

·        It is time to begin gathering ideas as we prepare to address our MOU in 2027. If you have any new proposals or suggestions, please bring them forward for consideration.

·        We need clarification regarding translation pay. There has been no official resolution on this matter. The MOU specifically references verbal translation, not written. Written translation and transcription services should be discontinued in accordance with the current language in our agreement.  Sean will draft a memo outlining this clarification and Kerri will distribute to the library staff.

 COMMITTEE RERORTS:

Community Alliance:

·        Joe Palos, Chair, is stepping down. If anyone would like to fulfill the role of Chairperson, please let him or Stephanie know. Joe will continue to serve on the committee.

·        We need to schedule a meeting to decide or create a schedule for the year.

·        Cesar Chavez event will be held March 31st.

Political Action:

·        Ani Azoyan met with a potential city council candidate, Ronnie Gharibian.

·        Dan Brotman contacted Sean regarding re-election. He would like to meet with those on PAC.

·        The goal supporting candidates should be to support those who support the general worker and not management.

Benefits:

·        The committee is still interested in bringing in a CalPers representative to discuss retirement plans with GCEA members. Joe Palos will contact CalPers and begin setting up the meeting.

·        There will be a city Health Benefits meeting on March 24th that Joe and possibly other members of the committee will attend.

Digital Communications:

·        Elisabeth Bergman reported that we are trying to get more of our membership familiar with MemberDeals. We will need to begin sending out monthly reminders or emails to membership. Stephanie will work with Cathrine from MemberDeals on submitting information to promote.

·        Stephanie will review the Directors list for accuracy.

·        Anyone who attends an event or has photos from events, the photos are needed for our social media accounts. You can forward your photos to Elisabeth Bergman and Greg Asaturian.

·        Greg suggested Stephanie add the LinkedIn information in the Welcome Letter sent to new members.

Scholarship:

·        The committee is working on how to proceed with the scholarships offered. Currently we offer four (4) scholarships. The past two years we have not received many applicants. The committee will consider offering two (2) scholarships which will allow us to offer a larger scholarship.

Disciplinary:

·        Currently have no open cases.

·        It is imperative that you communicate with your members as we have new managers who do not understand the MOU. Contact the BOD if members need assistance.

New Employee Orientation:

·        Elisabeth informed the board the next New Employee Orientation meeting will be held in March.

·        Decisions to be made about Welcome Bags and the swag we are using. Considering one larger item instead of several small items.

OLD BUSINESS:

No old business

NEW BUSINESS:

·        Regarding voting and surveys, we will consider using the survey function in Microsoft instead of Survey Monkey.

·        Announcing the appointment of Damary (Dee) Machuca and Ronnie Lira to the Board of Directors.

·        The change in remote work status is being brought up by our membership. Sean and the negotiating team will be keeping a list of issues to use as a tool in the negotiations of the MOU.

·        Damary would like to join Community Alliance Committee.

·        Patty Mundo would like to join the New Employee Orientation Committee.

·        The GCEA will remain a member of WAGE. As a nonpaying member we will have no voting rights.

·        In March the Executive Committee will be established. The President will appoint one candidate, the Vice President will appoint a second candidate, and the Board of Directors will select a third candidate. These three individuals will then comprise the Executive Committee.

·        It is the conclusion of the board that we need to up our digital presence.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Joe Palos. Elisabeth Bergman seconded the motion.  Meeting adjourned at 1:52 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Stephanie Kinnison