HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Fire Commission Appointment____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: March 20, 2023
Disposition: Approved appointment
Agenda Item No: 4.b
Meeting Date: March 20, 2023
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Department: City Clerk Prepared by: Lindsay Lara, City Clerk
City Manager Approval: ______
TOPIC: FIRE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT
SUBJECT: APPOINT DAVID FONKALSRUD TO FILL ONE FOUR-YEAR TERM TO THE
END OF MARCH 2027 ON THE FIRE COMMISSION DUE TO THE
EXPIRATION OF TERM OF LARRY LUCKHAM
RECOMMENDATION:
Appoint David Fonkalsrud to fill one four-year term to the end of March 2027 on the Fire
Commission due to the expiration of term of Larry Luckham.
BACKGROUND:
On February 3, 2023, the City Clerk called for applications for the Fire Commission to fill one
four-year term to the end of March 2027 due to the expiration of term of Larry Luckham. Larry
Luckham was not eligible to reapply due to meeting the maximum of two four-year terms;
however, Alternate Member David Fonkalsrud expressed an interest in serving as a full-voting
member and submitted his application, which was the only application received by the deadline
of February 27, 2023. Staff recommends the appointment of David Fonkalsrud to the end of
March 2027.
The Fire Commission consists of five commissioners who advise and support the goals and
objectives of the San Rafael Fire Department. In concert with the Fire Chief, Fire
Commissioners contribute their experience and expertise with department-related initiatives,
such as public education and information, emergency preparedness, support of the San Rafael
Fire Foundation, photography, and documenting fire service history.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
The call for applications was advertised through mass email notification, the City website, social
media platforms, and physically posted at City facilities.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Appoint David Fonkalsrud to fill one four-year term to the end of March 2027 on the Fire
Commission due to the expiration of term of Larry Luckham.
ATTACHMENT:
1. One (1) application
2. Bylaws
Boards and Commissions Application
1 / 3
Q1
Contact Information
First and Last Name David Fonkalsrud
Address
City/Town San Rafael
State/Province CA
ZIP/Postal Code 94901
Email Address
Phone Number
Q2
What district do you currently live in?
Respondent skipped this question
Q3
What Board would you like to apply to?
Fire Commission
Q7
How long have you lived in San Rafael?
19 years
Q8
Business Information
Respondent skipped this question
#1
COMPLETE
Collector: Web Link 1 (Web Link)
Started: Sunday, February 26, 2023 7:53:43 PM
Last Modified: Sunday, February 26, 2023 8:00:47 PM
Time Spent: 00:07:04
IP Address: 67.169.75.120
Page 1
Page 3
Boards and Commissions Application
2 / 3
Q9
How did you hear about this vacant position?
Other (please specify):
currently serving as alternate member of the Fire
Commission
Q10
Do you participate in any civic activities? If so, what are they?
San Rafael Fire Commission alternate (2016-present); St. Anselm Parish CYO Athletic Director (2017-2022); Coaching various kids
sports teams (soccer, basketball); Various fundraising activities (Swim Across America, Glenwood School Foundation, St. Anselm
School Golf Tournament, Leukemia Society – Team in Training).
Q11
List any civic organizations of which you are a member:
San Rafael Fire Commission (alternate)
Q12
Education:
Denison University, B.A. 1987
Q13
Why are you interested in serving on a board or commission?
Firefighters across the nation and world put their lives on the line every day to protect the public. I would like to continue to help serve
in a way in which I can give back a small amount in exchange for the tremendous sacrifices they make. I am also interested in
emergency response, as I am an Eagle Scout from a Boy Scout troop that was very focused on first aid and emergency preparedness
-- and from the fact that my father was a surgeon. I feel that now more than ever the public needs to be aware of fire risks and what
they can do to be more fire wise and prepared – something that I can hopefully contribute to from my background in public relations
and communications. I also have several friends who are fire fighters.
Q14
Describe possible areas in which you may have a conflict of interest with the City:
None
Q15
Upload your resume.
Respondent skipped this question
Page 4: Demographics
Boards and Commissions Application
3 / 3
Q16
Ethnicity
Q17
To which gender do you most identify?
Q18
How old are you?
Fire Commission Bylaws
Page 1 of 2
FIRE COMMISSION BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.1. Name. The name of this body shall be the City of San Rafael Fire
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Commission.”
Section 1.2. Purpose. The purpose of the Fire Commission is to advise and support
the goals and objectives of the San Rafael Fire Department as articulated by the Fire
Chief.
Section 1.3. Commission Responsibility. The Commission’s authority is advisory
only. The Fire Commission has no power to act on behalf of the City of San Rafael or
any other entity.
Subject to the direction and control of the city council, as provided in Section 2.04.030 of
the San Rafael Municipal Code, the powers and duties of the Fire Commission shall be:
1. To review and recommend concerning the future needs of the fire department in
respect to long-range capital needs, including buildings, training facilities, and
water mains and hydrant replacements;
2. To review the relationship of the fire department with other governmental agencies
and private entities concerning topics which the commission feels present a true
and pressing need for the city's fire service, i.e., mutual aid and the fire rating
system of the Independent Insurance Office;
3. To recommend to the fire chief and the city council action concerning initial
adoption and future amendments to the fire prevention code, the building code,
and other such ordinances which pertain to the prevention of fires within the
community;
4. To receive monthly reports from the department head concerning the general
operations and functions of the department;
5. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the city council.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.1. Number of Members. The Commission shall consist of five (5) members,
one of which may be a Councilmember. The City Council has the authority to appoint
alternates as needed. The Chief of the fire department shall be an ex officio member of
the Commission but shall not be entitled to vote as a member of the Commission.
Section 2.2. Eligibility. Commissioners shall be residents of the city of San Rafael.
Fire Commission Bylaws
Page 2 of 2
Section 2.3. Appointment of Commissioners. Commissioners shall be appointed by
the City Council. Appointments shall be published on the website for the City of San
Rafael in accordance with Government Code Section 54973, as amended from time to
time.
Section 2.4. Terms of Appointment. Each Commissioner shall serve a term of four (4)
years. An effort will be made to ensure that the terms are staggered, and not all of the
appointments expire in the same year.
Section 2.5. Term Limits. Commissioners shall be limited to two (2) consecutive four-
year terms. Additional terms may be served if there is a break between terms.
Section 2.6. Absence and Removal. An unexcused absence from two (2) consecutive
Commission meetings without notification to the Staff Liaison shall be considered a
voluntary resignation from the Commission. Previously dismissed Commissioners may
be eligible for reappointment to the Commission. Commissioners shall be subject to
removal by the affirmative vote of three members of the city council.
Section 2.7. Compensation. Commissioners serve without compensation.
ARTICLE III. MEETINGS
Section 3.1. Time and date of Regular Meeting. Notification of meeting place, date,
and time shall be rendered to the public through posting on the City of San Rafael website.
The Commission shall meet once per month, unless there is no business to conduct, and
shall be scheduled annually. The schedule for the upcoming year will be set by December
of the previous year.