1 City of San Clemente, CA: COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WELFARE COMMITTEE APPLICATION A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:
Date & Time:
Response #:
Submitter ID:
Service Application - Community Safety and Welfare Committee 11/01/2025 1:02 AM
15 36966
Time to complete: 49 min. , 30 sec.
Survey Details
1. Name
Mike Kay
2. How long have you lived in San Clemente?
20 years
3. What is your occupation?
Retired. Now a goat herder.
4. Please explain why you would like to serve on the Community Safety and Welfare Committee.
I have a long history of volunteerism, some of it in Public Safety. I was the US Representative to the World Tomato Council, a volunteer Chief Warden of the US Embassy, Kampala, Uganda. I was a Volunteer Firefighter. For the last year or so i have been a volunteer manager of the San Clemente Goat Pilot Program. I am also currently active in the citizens initiative to increase retail taxes by .01 to pay for beach sand and fire prevention. Previously i was active with Save Our Beaches regarding sand delivery schemes. My brother is a major land owner and businessman in town, and i have many friends and contacts in the area. My oldest daughter recently graduated from SCHS. We are active here, with deep roots in the community. Both myself and my brother raised our kids here. I have owned property and resided in three distinct regions of our City, and understand the issues in those areas.
I grew up in coastal SoCal, have spent over 50 years in the State. I have advanced degrees from UC Davis. I am fluent in Spanish. My family lost our home to the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Sonoma, then the worst fire in California history. Post fire I worked in Fire Debris Removal under the US Army Corps, and then new house construction, re-building over 40 homes. I gave talks to Eaton and Pallisades fire survivors, and recently to local organizations interested in goat grazing for fire fuel load reduction as well as invasive species mitigation.
I have good oral communication, public speaking, and writing skills. I am a team oriented person, and i understand the intricacies of various Public Safety entities, like police, fire and other first responders. As a former Volunteer Firefighter, i passed an FBI background check, was issued a badge and a RedCard, and took an oath to uphold our State Constitution. 2 I am currently very involved in San Clemente's emerging Fire Fuel Load Reduction, and upcoming Fire Wise certification efforts. As such i can offer valuable insights into our towns pivot towards a more proactive fire prevention schemes. For all these reasons i think i would be an excellent addition to the newly combined Community Safety and Welfare Committee. -Mike Kay
5. Please explain your background and experience in the public safety field.
Chief Warden US Embassy, Kampala, Uganda.
Responsible for communications, assistance and monitoring of all Americans (journalists, Aid Workers, etc) in conflict zones of N. Uganda. Reported monthly directly to US Embassy. Was in a terrorist attack by Kony Rebels/LRA (77 casualties), driver abducted. Had to self rescue from a very remote location, and then rescued two Americans. Rescued abducted driver 3 days later.
Class 3 Firefighter. Volunteer Firefighter, Mountain Fire Department, Sonoma County, CA Certifications in Confined Space Rescue, Haz Mat Response. Worked as a Volunteer Firefighter in a very rural area, mostly attended car crashes, elderly issues, and wildfires. Certified at Sonoma County Fire Academy. Fought the North Bay Complex Fire for three weeks. Lost my own house while working fire emergency. Survived being engulfed by a massive fire tornado.
6. What is your educational background?
High School/Colleges Attended Major/Field of Study Degree? 1 Vista High School Not answered Not answered
2 San Francisco State University International Relations/Middle East Studies B.A. 3 UC Davis International Agriculture/Ecology M.S.
7. Please explain any experience that you have in community, governmental, charitable or educational affairs.
I have given various guest lectures on post-fire loss, fire fuel load reduction, and invasive species mitigation with goat grazing. I currently manage the San Clemente goat grazing program.
In past years i have been involved with other volunteer efforts. From sports team coaching to beach sand advocacy and many other issues. But none of that is Public Safety oriented.
8. Please describe your understanding of the principal roles and responsibilities of the Community Safety and Welfare Committee.
My understanding is that the Community Safety and Welfare Committee is primarily in place to assist City Council make informed decisions on relevant topics by offering insights and wisdom and deep analysis.
9. The Community Safety and Welfare Committee meets bimonthly on the fourth Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. Please explain any challenges, if any, you may have in meeting this commitment.
No challenges.
10. Please use the space below to explain any other factors about yourself that you would like for the Councilmembers to consider as they review your application.
I have been active in local issues in our town for the last 6 years. I worked with Save Our Beaches, regularly attend City Council meetings, where i sometimes weigh in on topics of interest. I am aware that my work with goat herding might lead to occasional conflicts of interest, and will recuse myself on the issues of goat grazing contracting, should that topic come up.
I am a very active person, i have hiked or mountain biked just about all the open land areas in our town. I have met and talked with hundreds of San Clemente residents in recent months regarding their concerns about wild fires.
IMO our town is in need of additional fire prevention. We need additional fire fighting resources, as well as significant fire fuel load reduction. I bring insight and understanding of those considerable issues. 3
11. Applying for:
Community Safety and Welfare Committee
12. CONFIDENTIAL The following information will only be used by Staff unless you authorize it to be released to the public.
13. The information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Digital Signature:
First Name Michael Last Name: Kay Date: Nov 1st,
2025
Thank you,
City of San Clemente, CA
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