MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
FIRE COUNCIL OF THE CENTRAL MARIN FIRE AUTHORITY
250 DOHERTY DRIVE, LARKSPUR, CA 94939
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025
AT 6:30PM
(Or upon conclusion of the CMPA Police Council meeting, whichever is later.) The Central Marin Fire Council met in person. Members of the public had the option to attend the meeting in person, or view and participate in the meeting remotely through the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/99034310040 Options provided for submitting public comment:
1. Email [email protected] prior to 4:00PM on the day of the meeting or during the meeting (Comments received prior to that time on the day of the meeting will be distributed to the Fire Council and made available in the online agenda packet).
2. Attending the meeting in-person at the Central Marin Police Authority Community Room, 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939.
3. Selecting the “Raise Hand” icon during the meeting, or dialing *9 if calling in to the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL
The regular meeting of the Fire Council of the Central Marin Fire Authority (CMFA) was called to order at 7:20PM by Chair Catherine Way.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Scot Candell, Council Member, City of Larkspur
Pat Ravasio, Council Member, Town of Corte Madera
Rosa Thomas, Vice Chair, Town of Corte Madera
Catherine Way, Chair, City of Larkspur
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Ruben Martin, Fire Chief
Adam Wolff, Corte Madera Town Manager
Dan Schwarz, Larkspur City Manager
Tom Bertrand, Authority Counsel
Lorena Barrera, Authority Clerk
May 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 2. OPEN TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Way opened up the item for public comment.
No public comments were received for open time.
Way closed public comment and moved on to the next item.
3. REPORTS AND COMMENTS
A. COUNCIL MEMBERS
No reports were provided.
B. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Town Manager Adam Wolff announced that a new Finance Director was hired and he will begin his employment with the Town on May 12th. He added that while there is no Finance Director present for this Fire Council meeting, the Town received assistance in the interim from Heather Rowden, former Finance Director for the City of Albany. Rowden could not be present for the meeting as she recently had a baby.
He explained that the transition for the Finance Director position has been challenging one this finance season compared to last year but thanks to Fire Chief Ruben Martin for taking on the brunt of that and working with the Rowden and the rest of the Finance team, a budget was prepared and is being presented this evening for Council consideration.
C. CHIEF’S COMMENTS
Chief Martin reported that the CalFire maps were approved and those will be transmitted to the State putting the jurisdictions in compliance with the state requirements.
City Manager Dan Schwarz added that Fire Inspector Chris Geul presented the maps in the City of Larkspur in Chief Martin’s absence and he complimented Geul for his presentation.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Chair Way asked if there were public comments or requests from Council or the public for removal of items from the Consent Calendar.
There were no comments received from online attendees and no comments received by email. No requests were received from the Council or the public to remove items from the Consent Calendar.
Way then called for a vote on the Consent Calendar.
May 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 MOTION: It was M/S/C (Candell/Thomas) to approve Consent Calendar items 4A – 4C.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0 in favor of the motion.
The approved Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
A. Approve Minutes of February 13, 2025 Regular Fire Council Meeting B. Accept the General Fund and Measure C Fire Tax Fund Revenue and Expenditure Report for February 2025 Through April 15, 2025 C. Acknowledge and File Accounts Payable Checks, February 1, 2025 to April 15, 2025, transfers to Payroll Account, February 1, 2025 to April 15, 2025, and Electronic Payments to CalPERS for Health Payments
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
A. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2025/05 Approving the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget
Fire Chief Ruben Martin introduced the item and provided a presentation to Council.
He explained the various funds and how they are used by the agency. He went over the contributions to the agency between Larkspur and Corte Madera, included information about permit fees and also went over how the state reimbursement process works.
Chief Ruben Martin then went over the various expenditures of the agency including the increases that have happened due to labor costs and recruitment efforts that were approved by Council.
Chair Way asked if the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) allocation has changed. Chief Martin said a 2.7 to 3.0 percent increase is expected.
Chief Ruben Martin added that due to some internal personnel related issues, the legal costs have increased. Martin explained that he always tries to handle personnel matters internally before bringing the legal team in.
Chief Ruben Martin also went over the costs associated with dispatch services, equipment replacements and changes in the insurance fund.
Council Member Pat Ravasio asked about funding for the maintenance of the fire stations considering the discussion from the previous meeting where she learned about all of the necessary upgrades and maintenance needs of the four fire stations.
Chief Martin stated that an update will be provided to Council, possibly at the next May 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 meeting so that Council can discuss the various options that exist to address what was brought up at that meeting.
Council Member Ravasio asked if there was any funding that was designated for a chipper clean up day sponsored by the fire department. Chief Martin said that in the Measure C fund, there are 6 weeks of chipping that come through Town paif by those funds. Every zone gets chipping for an entire week. He said the service is run through MWPA. Chief Martin explained the way the chipper program works and how residents can sign up for chipper days. Council Member Ravasio asked that the chipper days be communicated to the people.
Council Member Candell thanked Chief Martin for the work on the budget this year and stated there may be some instances where a more conservative decision will have to be made on some requests for funding from the City of Larkspur and he wanted to state that in advance.
Chair Way opened up the discussion for public comment.
No public comment was received for this item.
Way closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Chair Way called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Candell/Ravasio) to adopt Resolution No. 2025/05.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0 in favor of the motion.
B. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2025/06 Authorizing the Executive Manager to Execute a New 3-Year Professional Consulting Agreement with Heather Price-Fair, R.N. for Emergency Medical Services Continued Quality Improvement (CQI) Services
Fire Chief Ruben Martin introduced the item and presented the staff report.
Chair Way asked if the nurses continue their education during their time they provide service. Chief Martin confirmed.
Chair Way opened up the discussion for public comment.
No public comment was received for this item.
Way closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Chair Way called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Candell/Ravasio) to adopt Resolution No. 2025/06.
May 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0 in favor of the motion.
C. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2025/07 Approving an Amended Agreement Between the Central Marin Fire Authority and Kentfield Fire Protection District for the Provision of Shared Fire and Emergency Services and Authorizing the Executive Manager to Execute the Agreement Chief Ruben Martin introduced the item and presented the staff report including some background on how this agreement was developed. He added that this agreement is similar to one that the City of Larkspur had with the City of San Rafael for Battalion Chief coverage before the merger took place with the Town of Corte Madera.
Vice Chair Thomas asked about the cost difference with the new agreement. Chief Martin said he does not have an exact number but it could anywhere between $1,000 and $30,000 as it depends on the situations had in a year.
Council Member Ravasio asked about the service area that will be covered by Kentfield. Chief Martin explained how things were address for address and went over some of the areas covered by each agency. Ravasio asked what it would take to do a merge with Kentfield Fire District. City Manager Dan Schwarz explained that Kentfield Fire has a completely different property tax allocation and it would not be easy thing to do due to propositions that have passed in Kentfield.
Chair Way opened up the discussion for public comment.
No public comment was received for this item.
Way closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Chair Way called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Candell/Thomas) to adopt Resolution No. 2025/07.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0 in favor of the motion.
D. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2025/08 Authorizing the Management Committee to Approve Revisions to 1.) the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) Between the Central Marin Fire Authority (CMFA) and the Central Marin Firefighters Association – Local 1775 IAFF Dated July 01, 2024, Through June 30, 2027 and 2.) the MOU Between CMFA and the Central Marin Battalion Chiefs’ Association, Dated November 01, 2024 to June 30, 2027 May 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 Chief Ruben Martin introduced the item and presented the staff report and explained that the item was being brought back due to CalPERS requesting a change in how the language regarding longevity pay and uniform allowance were written in the agreements with the two employee labor groups.
Chair Way asked if the employee labor groups still have to approve the changes after Council adopts the resolutions. Chief Martin said the groups have already met with him and have approved the language that is being proposed for Council to approve via the resolutions.
Chair Way opened up the discussion for public comment.
No public comment was received for this item.
Way closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Chair Way called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Thomas/Candell) to adopt Resolution No. 2025/08.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0 in favor of the motion.
E. Consideration and Possible Adoption of Resolution No. 2025/09 Authorizing the Management Committee to Approve Revisions to the Existing Salaries and Benefits dated July 01, 2024 to June 30, 2027 for 1.) the Position of Fire Inspector/Investigator and 2.) the Members of the Fire Management Unit Chief Ruben Martin introduced the item and presented the staff report and explained that the item was being brought back for the same reason that was mentioned in the previous item.
Chair Way opened up the discussion for public comment.
No public comment was received for this item.
Way closed public comment. Following further deliberation, Chair Way called for a motion.
MOTION: It was M/S/C (Ravasio/Thomas) to adopt Resolution No. 2025/09.
ROLL CALL VOTE: 4-0 in favor of the motion.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Way adjourned the Council Meeting at 8:26PM to the next regular meeting scheduled for August 14, 2025.