Chapter 2.19
POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION
Sections:
2.19.010 Established.
2.19.020 Oath.
2.19.030 Compensation.
2.19.040 Filling vacancies.
2.19.060 Removal.
2.19.070 Removal—Definition.
2.19.080 Organization.
2.19.090 Duties.
2.19.010 Established.
There shall be a municipal police and fire commission as established by Section 7 of the municipal charter. The police and fire chiefs shall be ex officio members without vote. (Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.020 Oath.
Before entering upon the performance of their duties, each member of the commission shall take and subscribe to an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the state of Alaska and to faithfully strive to obey and carry into effect the duties imposed by law and ordinances of the city and borough. (Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.030 Compensation.
Members of the commission shall not receive compensation for services performed as commissioners. (Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.040 Filling vacancies.
In the event of a vacancy on the commission caused by death, resignation, inability to serve, or any other reason, before the expiration of the term of any member, the assembly shall appoint a person to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.
At the time of the vacancy, the assembly shall give fifteen days public notice that there is a vacancy on the commission and that interested persons may inform the assembly that they are willing to serve. The assembly is not, however, limited to those applying when appointing members. All applicants may be subjected to a background check and must be prepared to answer any questions the assembly might ask. (Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.060 Removal.
The assembly may remove a member of the commission for cause. (Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.070 Removal—Definition.
The assembly may remove a member of the commission as follows:
A. For good cause shown, the assembly may remove a member upon fifteen days notice of removal to the member. The notice shall set forth in detail when the alleged grounds for removal will become effective;
B. The commission member may appeal the proposed removal. Appeal shall be public unless the commission member requests otherwise and the assembly concurs. Notice of appeal must be given to the assembly no later than ten days prior to the date the removal is to be effective. The hearing shall be held prior to the effective date of removal if reasonably possible. If a proposed removal is appealed, the removal shall not become effective until after the assembly decision on the appeal. Following an appeal hearing, assembly action of removal shall not take place unless it is authorized by affirmative assembly vote;
C. As used in this chapter, “good cause” means a just, not arbitrary cause; one based on a showing of lack of competency or performance to the detriment of the public interest.
(Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.080 Organization.
A. The commission shall organize by annually electing a chairman at the first regular meeting in the month of January. The commission shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business, provided that three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and three affirmative votes shall be necessary to carry any questions.
B. Commission meetings shall be held in the city and borough at least once each month.
C. Permanent records or minutes shall record the votes of every member of each question and copies of the minutes shall be delivered to all members of the assembly and the municipal administrator.
D. The commission shall act as a body and not through individual members.
E. All meetings shall be open to the public except that the following may be discussed in executive session; however, no member of the assembly or the municipal administrator wishing to attend shall be excluded from an executive session:
1. Matters, the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the municipality;
2. Subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person; provided, the person may request a public discussion;
3. Matters which by law, municipal charter, or ordinance are required to be confidential.
(Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)
2.19.090 Duties.
The police and fire commission shall:
A. The police and fire commission shall advise the assembly concerning police and fire department matters, make recommendations concerning public safety, and undertake such other duties as the assembly may assign;
B. Aid in the public relations efforts of each department;
C. Make, through the administrator, such periodic or special reports as requested by the assembly;
D. Advise the administrator or assembly on such other matters as may be requested, such as hold hearings, or act as a screening committee for applicants for of chief of either department.
(Ord. 83-579 § 4(A) (part), 1983.)