At its regular March 24 meeting, the Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees approved the creation of two new security positions as a part of the district’s changing security model. The board also initiated contract negotiations with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021 and approved a tentative agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 39.
Union Updates
The board approved the start of collective bargaining negotiations between the district and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1021. The proposed contract prepared by Peralta’s Human Resources Department mostly seeks to update “outdated” language within the existing contract for items like union member wages, benefits, and working conditions.
If an agreement is reached, the district’s contract with SEIU will last until 2028.
President Louis Quindlen opened up the session for a public hearing, but the board received no request to speak concerning this topic.
Trustees also approved a tentative agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 39, which includes a “me too” clause for a one time 1.75% off-schedule payment for full time employees, along with updated compensation and contract terms. A “me too” clause is a contract provision that gives a union the same wages, benefits, or terms negotiated by another similar bargaining unit.
The district’s agreement with Local 39 will last until June 30, 2027.
New Security positions
The board approved several new positions across the district, including community safety leadership roles and operational staff.
The board approved the creation of two new security positions. The community safety sergeant and lieutenant positions will supervise officers and oversee day to day safety operations under the district’s new Executive Director of Community Safety/Chief.
The Lieutenant will operate as the Executive Director of Community Safety/Chief’s second in command and “plan, direct, and manage” assigned activities by the chief position.
The Sergeant will directly oversee community safety service assistants, dispatchers and cadets. The Sergeant will also “receive and respond” to complaints and disputes made by campus community members, prepare “various records and reports” and maintain security equipment.
Both positions will be Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certified.
The hirings are a part of the district’s plan to implement a new hybrid security model that includes sworn peace officers, community safety service assistants, student safety aids, and the continued use of third party security services.
More from Human Resources
The board approved the creation of a staff accountant, which will provide support to district auxiliaries and “may assist other staff in resolving accounting related issues pertaining to the general ledger.” The position will be responsible for booking and accounting work for the Peralta Colleges Foundation (PCF), the bookstore, dining, parking, and transportation. The classified position will also oversee the management of the district’s financial reporting and compliance of these assigned areas.
The board also approved the creation of the Foundation manager position, a classified position under administrative direction that will be responsible for providing the day-to-day operational leadership and management of the PCF. The PCF is an auxiliary nonprofit branch of the district that raises funds for student scholarships and grants.
At the previous board meeting, the board listened to an audit report for the last two fiscal years of annual audit reports that revealed the PCF had an “excess” of cash balances in the Foundation’s checking account. This is a part of a larger pursuit in improving the management of the Foundation.
The custodial supervisor will be responsible for the supervision of facilities staff, performance management, and ensuring that District facilities are maintained under the direction of the Director of Facilities and Operations.
The new positions have not been added to the Peralta job listings as of publication.
Consent Calendar
The board approved a $161,670 change order for the Merritt College child development center project to cover additional construction work, including engineering adjustments, HVAC modifications, and interior improvements. This change order will increase the total approved amount for the project to $27.6 million dollars.
The board removed agenda item 7.1, which would have considered a contract with Texas-based digital textbook company BibliU to manage and operate the district’s bookstores. The Citizen reached out to Board President Louis Quindlen for comment on why the item was pulled.
“[T]here were some issues in the contract and faculty had raised some concerns that needed to be discussed,” he said. Quindlen was unable to confirm what those concerns were, but “it should be on the next meeting agenda.”
The board approved a three year consulting agreement with Keygent LLC to advise on the district’s bond program including debt structuring, regulatory compliance, and bond market strategy.
The board also approved three year underwriting agreements with Piper Sandler & Co. and Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC to support the district’s bond program. The firms will assist with bond issuance, market analysis, and securing favorable borrowing terms for capital projects.
The next regular Board of Trustees meeting will take place at the district offices at 333 E. 8th Street at 6 p.m. on April 14.
