GCEA Director’s Meeting January 2025
GCEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was held on January 15, 2025, in person in the Perkins Room and via Teams. Meeting was called to order by Sean Toro, President at 12:08 pm. Roll was taken. Guest in attendance: Anna Osborne, CEA
FINANCE REPORT:
The December Profit and Loss report was reviewed by the Finance committee and approved via email. The report will be distributed with approved January Minutes.
MINUTE APPROVAL:
December Meeting Minutes were approved via voting buttons. Please post in your departments if you have not already done so.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
• Sean Toro addressed windstorm and fire situation. Requesting that if you have members who have lost their homes, please reach out to them.
• Sent an email to HR requesting information on how to support our members regarding what kind of leave can be used. Was not pleased with the response that was received by HR. The matter has been escalated to the city manager.
• Inquired about vacation cash out for members who have lost their homes. Vacation cash out process is currently too long, and members need support now.
• As Civil Servants we must report to work. Here is the link to the Administrative Policy Manual https://home/employee-resources/administrative-policy-manual The section for mandatory responders is 1-7.
• Regarding media questions, do not respond. You may direct the media to Cheryl Getuiza, Communications Manager for Fire.
• We are conducting a membership drive to increase our enrollment. We currently have 465 members with 190 eligible members.
o Directors you will need to reach out to non-members in your departments. Stephanie will send out a list of non-members for your information.
• Bylaw updates and raised dues for 2025, discussion:
o After much discussion the board has decided to ask the membership for an increased dues amount from $7.50 per payroll to $10.00 per payroll. Dues have not been raised in over 10 years at least. The cost of living and doing business has increased and the GCEA needs to raise dues to cover cost.
o Associate Membership dues will be raised from $2.25 per payroll to $5.00 per payroll. No vote needed to raise associate dues.
Discussion after President’s Report:
• Isabella brought up issues regarding sending out workers without proper PPE. Regarding this, Sean stated he will send out an email to HR regarding protocols.
• If you have issues or concerns, email your supervisor and CC Sean and Patty.
• Regarding the fires and call backs, how is OT submitted properly?
o If you are called out or called, you need to keep track of dates, and times due to hour resets. If you receive a phone call, you can submit in 10-minute increments for your time according to the MOU.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
• Greetings and Happy New Year.
• Need to reschedule the Social Media committee meeting scheduled for today.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Community Alliance – nothing to report, Joe Palos absent.
Political Alliance –Patty Mundo, Chair stated she needs to be trained on this committee.
Benefits – nothing to report, Joe Palos absent.
Social Media – Elisabeth Bergman, Chair would like to send out the survey to membership. Sean has given his approval for the survey to be sent.
Employee Assistance – Stephanie Kinnison gave report. All loans are up to date. This committee does need to meet to make some final decisions on revamping loan process.
Vendor – nothing to report.
Scholarship – nothing to report.
Disciplinary – Patty stated she needs to meet with Ronnie regarding any pending cases of discipline.
New Employee Orientation – Meeting was cancelled this month due to fires.
Bylaws Committee - needs to meet to finish updates on the bylaws prior to sending to CEA for final review then membership vote. The date needs to be decided upon for membership voting.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Elisabeth will now take over compiling and delivering the Welcome Bags for new members.
MOUs have been removed from the GCEA office. Sean needs to contact HR regarding ordering more MOUs.
Sean is working with Facilities on revamping the GCEA office space.
DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS:
Sean has presented a new organizational chart for the GCEA. Bertha Albright shared with the group why we have Groups 1 and 2 in our bylaws. This is so that when a director rolls off due to expiring term or leaves then the group will not be without representation. Sean is going to send out the organizational chart for review. This decision will be discussed after review.
Motion to adjourn made by Elisabeth Bergman
Motion seconded by Kerri Zelenak
Meeting adjourned at 1:53 pm
Minutes submitted by Stephanie Kinnison
