City of Malibu, CA

03/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/09/2024 07:44

City Manager Updates September 3, 2024 UPCOMING

TUESDAY, september 3, 2024

UPCOMING

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS

(NEW) SENATE BILLS 1297 AND 1509 PASS CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE, HEAD TO GOVERNOR'S DESK

Senate Bill 1297 (SB 1297), authored by Senator Ben Allen and co-authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, has successfully passed out of the California Legislature on August 30, and is now headed to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for final approval. This landmark legislation aims to significantly enhance road safety by establishing speed cameras along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu.

SB 1297 addresses the critical need to improve traffic safety on one of California's most iconic and heavily traveled highways. The bill authorizes the installation of five speed camera systems along the 21-mile stretch of PCH within Malibu. These systems will be strategically placed in areas identified as having the highest incidence of speed-related collisions and fatalities. The goal is to deter speeding, reduce traffic accidents, and save lives in a community deeply affected by these issues. For details, see the press release.

Senate Bill 1509, the "NOT in California Act," authored by Senator Henry Stern and co-authored by Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, and several others, has also successfully passed through the California Legislature and is now on its way to Governor Newsom's desk for signature. This important piece of legislation aims to enhance road safety by designating repeat violations of driving 26 mph or more over the posted speed limit on roads with a limit of 55 mph or less as a two-point violation for passenger vehicles.

(NEW) MALIBU COMMUNITY LANDS PROJECT ENTERS PHASE 2 - GIVE YOUR INPUT AT UPCOMING MEETINGS AND POP-UP EVENTS

The City finalized Phase 1 of the Malibu Community Lands project and kicked off Phase 2, with upcoming meetings and pop-up events scheduled to gather more community input. Malibu Community Lands is the City's extensive outreach and engagement program to gather feedback on the future uses of the five community lands spanning over 60 acres from the community.

We want to know which category of uses you envision for the future of each land. During Phase 2, the project will take a more focused approach to gathering input. Based on community feedback in Phase 1, the City identified the 10 categories of uses that were most frequently suggested (listed alphabetically, no prioritization or ranking implied):

  • Commercial use (parking, business development)
  • Community center (senior center, youth center, library, visitor center)
  • Community pool/splash pad
  • Grass sports fields (soccer, football, baseball, softball)
  • Housing (workforce and senior)
  • Indoor theatre/arts center
  • Open space (pathways and trails, community garden)
  • Outdoor amphitheater
  • Sports courts (basketball, pickleball, tennis, bocci)
  • Other (dog park, skate park, bike trails, bike parks)

Anyone may submit their input on the project website as well as at in-person events. Click here to submit your input and to see all of the comments submitted so far during the project. For detailed information about the project, visit the MalibuCommunityLands website.

(NEW) COMMUNITY LANDS PROJECT METHODOLOGY CONCERNS

The City Manager updated the City Council on the community lands project on August 26, and answered some questions that have been raised by community members about the methodology used. The 10 most popular categories of uses that were most submitted during the outreach and engagement process were listed in alphabetical order, with no prioritization or ranking implied. There were concerns about one of those categories, "Commercial use (parking, business development)." That category comprised suggested uses including park and ride, visitor center, affordable/workforce housing, and entertainment. Regarding the project gathering input from "non-residents," the outreach and input gathering has been inclusive of all community stakeholders, which includes residents, local businesses and organizations and their employees, residents in the unincorporated areas of Malibu, and Pepperdine University staff and students, all of whom access our amenities and services on a regular basis. It should also be noted 94% of the respondents in Phase 1 identified themselves as residents of Malibu. All of the responses submitted throughout this process are available to view on the project website. When the final outcomes are reported to the City Council this October, the report will delineate out data submitted by residents.

(NEW) CHANGES COMING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETING FORMAT AND START TIMES

The Malibu City Council has adopted Ordinance 521, officially changing the time and organization of City Council meetings. Starting October 14, 2024, Regular Council meetings (still on the second and fourth Mondays of each month) will begin at 5:30 PM. The meeting agenda will be restructured to move the Consent Calendar, presentations, and reports from the City Manager, Commissions, and Committees prior to 6:30 PM. Public Comment will continue to be scheduled at 6:30 PM. These changes are meant to improve meeting efficiency, ensuring that administrative and presentation items are addressed promptly, allowing more time for public engagement and deliberation on actionable City business items.

Additional details include:

  • Earlier Start Time: Meetings will now begin at 5:30 PM, 60 minutes earlier than before. This adjustment is intended to allow the Council to deliberate on actionable City business at a more reasonable hour while also ensuring that administrative or ministerial items are addressed earlier in the evening.
  • Consent Calendar: The Consent Calendar will be addressed before 6:30 PM. This change will help both the Council and City Staff complete these administrative items promptly, avoiding delays caused by other actions. The public still can comment on the entire Consent Calendar, and Councilmembers will retain the ability to pull items for further discussion. However, the public will no longer have the ability to pull items off the Calendar for discussion, but may request that the Council do so.
  • Presentations: Presentation items will be heard immediately after the Consent Calendar and prior to 6:30 PM. This adjustment is designed to accommodate participants who need to present, ensuring their items are addressed early in the meeting.
  • Written and Oral Communications: The order of communications during meetings will be reorganized as follows:
    • Commission/Committee/City Manager Updates (before 6:30 PM)
    • Public Comment concerning matters not on the agenda (at 6:30 PM)
    • City Council Subcommittee Reports/Mayor and Councilmember Reports (resuming after Public Comment)

Council meetings will continue to be held in-person at City Hall and virtually over Zoom, with public commenting available in both formats. Videos of all Council meetings are available to view on-demand on the YouTube channel (click "Live Videos").

All City Council agendas and staff reports, along with viewing and commenting instructions, are posted in advance on the website.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement these adjustments to better serve our community.

(NEW) COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION APPROVES MOVING FORWARD WITH HEARINGS ON MALIBU'S SCHOOL SEPARATION PETITION

On August 7, the LA County Office of Education (LACOE) Committee on School District Organization unanimously voted to schedule hearing dates on the City's petition to form an independent Malibu School District. The exact dates have not been determined, but the hearings will take place in November, before Thanksgiving. One hearing will be in Malibu and one in Santa Monica. During the meeting, the Santa Monica - Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) reported that it intends to bring a full separation package to the SMMUSD School Board for a vote on October 24. The package includes three agreements (Revenue Sharing Agreement, Operations, and Joint Powers Authority). The City will continue to announce details on any new developments or opportunities for public participation. For more information about the City's school district separation effort, visit the webpage.

2024 MALIBU GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

(NEW) ELECTION NOMINATION PERIOD FOR 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION CLOSED. FIVE CANDIDATES CURRENTLY QUALIFIED AND RUNNING.

The nomination period for candidates running for Malibu City Council in the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election closed on August 9, as all of the incumbents filed by the deadline. Eleven potential candidates pulled nomination papers. Six filed their paperwork by the deadline. One candidate has withdrawn. The five remaining candidates who qualified by submitting the list of confirmed signatures by the deadline are listed on the Elections webpage. Three City Council seats are up for election, each for a four-year term. Before any candidate raises or spends any money in connection with their campaign, they must first fill out and sign the Declaration of Intent to Solicit and Receive Contributions Form and the Fair Political Practices Commission Form 501 and file them with the City Clerk. Both forms are available on the Elections webpage along with other information on dates, voter registration, vote-by-mail ballots, and candidates. The webpage will be regularly updated with new information.

PCH SAFETY EFFORTS UPDATE

The City of Malibu is committed to doing everything possible to improve safety on our 21 miles of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), which has long been a top priority for the community. See the past and current measures to improve PCH safety on the dedicated webpage. For decades, PCH safety has been a top priority for Malibu. The City Council declared a local state of emergency to address the increasingly dangerous conditions on the highway, culminating in the tragic deaths of four Pepperdine University students struck by a speeding driver while walking along PCH in October 2023. Since 2010, 61 people have lost their lives on PCH.

(NEW) MID-YEAR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT UPDATE SHOWS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT TO TRAFFIC SAFETY IN MALIBU

Since the City contracted with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for a Malibu Task Force to patrol PCH in Malibu in January, adding to the LA County Sheriff's Department (LASD) traffic operations, there has been a significant increase in enforcement and progress in reducing injury collisions. Traffic citations issued for all hazardous driving have increased by 74% and citations for speeding have increased by 82%. Although the number of collisions hasn't changed significantly, the combined enforcement efforts of both agencies have resulted in a 36% decrease in injury collisions for the same period last year.

Incidents & Citations in City of Malibu
January 1 - June 30

2023

2024

Change

Total Hazardous Traffic Citations Issued

2,749

4,790*

+74%

Total Speeding Citations Issued

1,865

3,404*

+82%

Total Collisions

165

166

0%

Total Injury Collisions

64

41

-36%

*Includes CHP and LASD

(NEW) PCH SAFETY UPDATE IN AUGUST 12 CITY COUNCIL MEETING

City staff gave a presentation on the progress of the PCH safety efforts during the August 12 Council meeting, with updates on legislative initiatives, the latest law enforcement statistics, infrastructure projects, and the public education campaign.

Legislation: The City sent delegations to Sacramento to advocate for passage of SB 1297 and SB 1509. SB 1297 (Allen) would establish five speed safety systems along Malibu's 21 miles of PCH. The automated cameras, which studies have found to reduce accidents and fatalities by an average of 41%, will record speeding vehicles and issue citations to help reduce dangerous driving behaviors. SB 1509 (Stern) aims to discourage reckless driving and enhance accountability through stricter penalties for excessive speeding. SB 1297 and SB 1509 have both passed successfully out of the Legislature and now go to the Governor for final approval.

Law Enforcement: Traffic citations issued for all hazardous driving have increased by 52% and citations for speeding have increased by 76% January 1 through June 30, 2024. The combined enforcement efforts of CHP and LA County Sheriff's Department have resulted in 15% fewer collisions and a 55% decrease in injury collisions compared with the same period last year.

Infrastructure - Median Improvements Project: The City's PCH Median Improvements Project (John Tyler Drive to Puerco Canyon Road) is complete.

Infrastructure - PCH Signal Synchronization Project: The City's PCH Signal Synchronization Project is rapidly progressing, and is on track for completion by the end of this year. The City's contractor is working for several weeks from the Malibu Lagoon bridge to Webb Way installing underground conduit. Fiber optic lines are being installed and crews are working on the new traffic signal controller cabinets. Additional safety enhancements are being added: the pedestrian signal at La Costa will be modified to a full pedestrian signal, the eastbound left turn lane at PCH and John Tyler Drive will be modified to a protected left turn. An adaptive system will automatically adjust the signal timing if excessive speeding on PCH is detected.

Infrastructure - Intersection Improvements: The final design for improvements on Trancas Canyon Road is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. Construction will start after the Caltrans Trancas Bridge Project is completed to avoid any potential conflicts in the temporary traffic detours.

Infrastructure - Pedestrian Undercrossing at Corral State Beach: Proposals are due on August 22.

Infrastructure - PCH Crosswalk Improvements at Big Rock Drive: Design proposals were due on August 8.

Infrastructure - PCH /Las Flores Canyon Road & Rambla Pacifico: The City has approved the Metro funding agreement and staff is waiting for a fully executed agreement from Metro. Once that is obtained, a request for proposals will be issued for the design.

Infrastructure - PCH Median Improvements at Paradise Cove & Zuma Beach: Staff has completed the evaluation of the design consultant proposals and will bring an agreement to Council in September.

Infrastructure - Caltrans PCH Master Plan: Caltrans has held several public meetings for community members to learn about and give input on the PCH Master Plan, and has a virtual workshop September 12. The project aims to identify safety and multimodal travel improvements for all users of PCH in Malibu, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit, with various traffic calming street improvements, including a "boulevard" roadway.

The PCH safety update presentation is available to view online.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR CALTRANS PCH MASTER PLAN, SEPTEMBER 12

The Caltrans Master Plan Feasibility Study aims to identify safety and multimodal travel improvements for all users of PCH in Malibu, including multimodal travel options for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as enhancing transit opportunities on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu. The PCH Master Plan will include community stakeholder engagement activities and community outreach meetings to gather input on various traffic calming measures and other street improvements, including a "boulevard" roadway. This Master Plan will be used in future PCH safety improvement projects. For background information, review the Fact Sheet. For further questions, please contact: [email protected].

WATCH VIDEO OF THE JULY 11 WORKSHOP

Public Safety

(NEW) GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE

The City Council will consider initiating an update to the City's General Plan Safety Element during the Council meeting on Monday, August 12, 6:30 PM at City Hall and virtually via Zoom. The Safety Element is critical to ensuring the City is in compliance with State requirements, State funding and grant eligibility, and possibly insurance reductions for residents. The Public Safety Department will be leading this project in coordination with the Planning Department. For more information, review the staff report. Public hearings on this item will be scheduled, with details to be announced.

(NEW) MALIBU DISASTER COUNCIL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 12

The Malibu Disaster Council will meet on Thursday, September 12, 10:00 AM in the Multipurpose Room at City Hall to review the City's updated Emergency Operations Plan. The Disaster Council is established by ordinance and includes representatives of public and private organizations having an official emergency responsibility in Malibu. The Council is charged with reviewing emergency plans and making a recommendation to the City Council. The 2024 update to the Emergency Operations Plan sought to incorporate the many community resources such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Sheriff's Volunteers on Patrol (VOP), Boys and Girls Club Malibu, Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, Arson Watch, American Red Cross, KBUU 99.1 FM, and Disaster Communication Service into the response plan. Representatives from these groups will be present to provide brief presentations on what their organization's role is during a disaster and what capabilities they have. The agenda and staff report will be posted in advance on the website.

(NEW) NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER

Throughout September for National Preparedness Month, the City will conduct Disaster Notification System drills, share emergency preparedness tips, and offer CERT Training courses in ramps up wildfire season preparedness activities. All of the City's Preparedness Month activities and information will be posted on the webpage.

(NEW) NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - WEEKLY TESTS OF EVERBRIDGE DISASTER NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN ADVANCE OF WILDFIRE SEASON

As part of the City's efforts to be prepared and help the community prepare for wildfires and other disasters, the City will send weekly test messages using the Everbridge Disaster Notification system in September. Each week, a test message will go out to one of the City's four Genasys Protect Evacuation Zones. The City's official Evacuation Zones are MAL-C111, MAL-C112, MAL-C113 and MAL-C114. Look up the Zone for your home, business, school, or organization. No registration is required for the Everbridge test, as most cell phone and landline numbers with Malibu addresses are automatically loaded into the system. However, you can create profile in Everbridge to add or change multiple phone numbers or email, which helps the system to operate more effectively. If you do not receive the test message or need assistance with your Everbridge profile, please contact the Public Safety Department at [email protected] or call 310-456-2489, ext. 237.

  • Thursday, September 5, 5:00 PM - Evacuation Zone MAL-C111
  • Thursday, September 12, 5:00 PM - Evacuation Zone MAL-C112
  • Thursday, September 19, 5:00 PM - Evacuation Zone MAL-C113
  • Thursday, September 26, 5:00 PM - Evacuation Zone MAL-C114

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT CERT TRAINING STARTING SEPTEMBER 5

Space is still available for the City's next round of the highly popular Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. This certification course is offered as part of the City's ongoing efforts toward community-wide preparedness. The series of seven classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, September 5 through October 17, at Malibu City Hall. The free program is offered across the country to empower community members to help themselves and their neighbors during disasters. Through hands-on training, participants learn the most up-to-date information on basic disaster preparedness, including the use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and neighborhood team building. For more information and to sign up, visit the CERT webpage or email [email protected] or call 310-456-2489, ext. 237.

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - TAKE YOUR PREPAREDNSS FOR WILDFIRES, EARTHQUAKES AND OTHER DISASTERS AT THE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS FAIR, SEPTEMBER 15

Take your preparedness for wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters to the next level at the City's annual Safety and Preparedness Fair on Sunday, September 15 at City Hall. The free event will offer a broad assortment of public safety and disaster preparedness information and resources on subjects including traffic safety, bicycle safety, animal safety, and disaster preparedness. The event will include Touch-a-Truck with vehicles from the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff's Departments, SoCal Edison, Waste Management and Tip-Top Tow. The bicycle safety non-profit Safe Moves will host a Bicycle, Scooter, and Pedestrian Rodeo to teach pedestrian and bicycle safety. There will be a rock-climbing wall, as well as an earthquake simulator that recreates a realistic and educational experience of a major earthquake inside a house. The Fair is a great opportunity for kids and adults to learn about emergency preparedness, and meet our local public safety and law enforcement professionals in person. Learn about emergency and wildfire preparedness products and services from the many participating vendors, and enjoy lunch and dessert for purchase from the In-N-Out and Tikiz Shaved Ice food trucks. For more details, visit the website.

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - SIGN UP NOW FOR THE NEXT, FREE CERT CLASS AS PART OF WILDFIRE SEASON PREPAREDNESS

As part of its ongoing efforts toward community-wide preparedness, the City of Malibu is offering the next round of the highly popular Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The series of seven classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, September 5 through October 17 at Malibu City Hall. The highly acclaimed free program training program is administered by the City and other public safety agencies across the country, and empowers community members to help themselves and their neighbors during disasters. Through hands-on training, participants learn the most up-to-date information on basic disaster preparedness, the use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and neighborhood team building. For more information and to sign up, visit the CERT webpage or email [email protected] or call 310-456-2489, ext. 237.

(NEW) ENCAMPMENT IN FRONT OF MALIBU LIBRARY CLEARED

On August 27, City of Malibu staff, the Sheriff's Department, the City's Outreach Team, and Malibu C.A.R.T. coordinated a shopping cart retrieval in front of the Malibu Library, reducing the accumulation of personal belongings and other debris in areas frequented by the community. Local businesses impacted by the shopping cart accumulation participated to ensure the carts were properly retrieved and a supply flatbed truck was provided during the morning operation to ensure that individuals had a place to dispose of any excess belongings. The Outreach Team and the Sheriff's Department continue to actively engage people experiencing homelessness around Malibu Library and in Legacy Park, citing and arresting when needed, and offering housing opportunities and resources to those receptive to services. For more information about the City's efforts to address homelessness, visit the webpage.

(NEW) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ON HOMELESSNESS IN MALIBU

The City has compiled a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on homelessness in Malibu, covering the City's actions and abilities to address homelessness, implications of recent court decisions, jurisdictions, encampments, fire season considerations, and more. See the complete FAQ.

  • For more information about the City's efforts to address homelessness in the community, visit the webpage.
  • For questions or concerns, contact Luis Flores, Public Safety Coordinator at [email protected] or call 310-456-2489, ext. 236.
  • To request homeless outreach services, contact the Malibu Homeless Outreach Team (The People Concern) at [email protected] or call 310-460-2638.
  • To report a person experiencing homelessness who appears to be a danger to themselves or others, contact the Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff's Station at 818-878-1808.

(NEW) MALIBU COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE, SEPTEMBER 19

Give the gift of life, donate blood at the City of Malibu and American Red Cross Blood Drive Thursday, September 19, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road). The Red Cross reports it is experiencing an extreme blood shortage, so blood donations are needed even more badly. It is needed every day for surgeries, emergencies, regular medical procedures, as well as for major emergencies such as earthquakes, hurricanes, shootings or terrorist attacks. Please register in advance on the Red Cross website and enter sponsor code "CityofMalibu." For more information, call 818-200-3445. Bring a photo ID, drink plenty of water and eat well before and after giving blood.

FIRE SAFETY

FIRE SEASON RAPIDLY APPROACHING - NOW IS THE TIME TO GET YOUR HOME, FAMILY, OR BUSINESS PREPARED FOR WILDFIRE

CURRENT WILDFIRE CONDITIONS - LIVE FUEL MOISTURE AT 76% (60% IS CRITICAL) -
Currently in Malibu, our Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) levels are at 72% (as of August 23), down from 76% two weeks earlier, and slightly higher than the historical average for this time of year. The strong vegetation growth from last winter's heavy winter rains is drying out quickly. It will soon reach the critical 60% level, greatly increasing the fire hazard, especially when the seasonal hot, dry Santa Ana winds begin. LFM is the water content percentage of living vegetation, and an important indicator of how fast and large a brush fire can spread. LFM is measured every two weeks by the LA County Fire Department and posted online. Residents should monitor wildfire weather conditions at NWS Los Angeles / Oxnard.
GET PREPARED NOW - Now is the time to get prepared! It is crucial to complete your mandatory brush clearance. Check your family or business emergency plans and supplies, and check for expiration dates of food, medication, water and batteries. Remember your pets! Seniors, people with disabilities or mobility challenges, and owners of horses and other large animals should make special plans to be able to evacuate early and safely.

HOME/PROPERTY HARDENING

- Focus on clearing defensible space around your home, moving any flammable material and dead vegetation away from the house. Schedule your free Home Wildfire Assessment with our Fire Safety Liaisons. They will come to your home and point out easy steps to protect your home from the millions of flying, burning embers that can fly out more than a mile ahead of a wind-drive fire, a leading cause of homes burning down during wildfires.

PREPAREDNESS PLAN & EMERGENCY SUPPLIES - Learn how to create a family or business emergency plan and gather supplies in the City's Emergency Survival Guide. Include evacuation routes and reunification locations, an out-of-state emergency contact, sign up for emergency alerts from the City and Los Angeles County, and be sure to check in on elderly or disabled neighbors to ensure that they are informed and prepared.

GET HELP FROM THE CITY'S FIRE SAFETY LIAISONS - For assistance or information about brush clearance, or to schedule a Home Wildfire Assessment, or for guidance on wildfire preparedness for your family or business, please contact our Fire Safety Liaisons at [email protected] or call 310-456-2489.

SAFETY LIAISONS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP NEIGHBORHOODS ATTAINING FIREWISE USA RECOGNITION

The City's Fire Safety Liaisons are available to help neighborhoods attain Firewise USA recognition, which improves fire safety and can help with fire insurance. Firewise USA is a free, voluntary program to provides a simple framework to help neighbors work together to improve wildfire safety and resilience in their neighborhoods. Any neighborhood, HOA, POA, condominium complex, or mobile home park with more than eight but fewer than 2,500 units is eligible to apply.

In addition to several items in the City's Home Wildfire Assessment program, becoming a recognized Firewise USA community is one of the factors that insurance companies must consider for discounts under new Department of Insurance Safer from Wildfires regulations. See details. As CAL FIRE designated Regional Coordinators, the Fire Safety Liaisons can help neighborhoods through the entire process. For more information, visit Firewise website. For further questions or schedule a meeting for your neighborhood, email Fire Safety Liaison Bradley Yocum at [email protected].

MALIBU WELCOMES NEWEST FIREWISE-RECOGNIZED COMMUNITIES - MALIBU CANYON VILLAGE AND PORTICO AT MALIBU

The City is proud to welcome our two newest Firewise USA recognized neighborhoods, Malibu Canyon Village and Portico At Malibu. Both have been recognized as "In Good Standing" Firewise Communities by CAL FIRE and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), with the assistance of the City's Fire Safety Liaisons. The City now has five recognized Firewise USA communities, including Big Rock Mesas, Malibu Country Estates, and Malibu West. Firewise USA is a nationally recognized volunteer program that provides a framework to help neighbors in fire-prone areas to get organized, find a common goal, and to take action to increase the wildfire resistance of their homes and communities. For more information, visit Firewise website.

IT IS STILL CRITICAL TO COMPLETE YOUR MANDATORY BRUSH CLEARANCE BEFORE PEAK FIRE SEASON

The June 1 deadline for mandatory brush clearance has passed, but it is still crucial for Malibu homeowners to get started on their mandatory brush clearance. Proper brush clearance is one of the most important ways to make your home and the community more resistant to wildfires. If you have not yet completed your brush clearance and need help or information, please contact our Fire Safety Liaisons at [email protected] or call 310-456-2489, we are here to help you. Brush clearance helps create the "defensible space" that firefighters need to safely and effectively protect life, property, and the environment. Be sure to complete your brush clearance before the June 1 deadline to avoid fines. For more information including a list of vendors, maps, a video and more, visit the LA County Fire Department website.

SIGN UP NOW FOR A HOME WILDFIRE ASSESSMENT AND ASSISTANCE WITH BRUSH CLEARANCE BEFORE PEAK FIRE SEASON

In addition to completing mandatory brush clearance, one of the best ways to protect your home and community is to get a free Home Wildfire Assessment. The assessment involves a 30-to-60-minute exterior inspection of your property by the City's Fire Safety Liaisons looking at what can be done to make the home and property less vulnerable to the millions of flying embers from a wind-driven wildfire, a leading cause of homes burning down in wildfires. You'll get a checklist of steps to take to harden your property, such as removing dead vegetation or wood furniture that is touching the house and covering attic vents with fine steel mesh. For more information and to schedule a free Home Wildfire Assessment, visit the Fire Safety webpage or call 310-456-2489, ext. 238, or email [email protected].

APPLICATIONS AGAIN BEING ACCEPTED FOR FREE HAZARD TREE REMOVAL PROGRAM

PROGRAM APPLIES TO DEAD TREES ONLY. OPEN TO MALIBU CITY RESIDENTS ONLY. The City is once again accepting applications for the free Hazard Tree Removal Program. The City secured an additional $326,000 in grant funding to extend the popular program. This is the third round since the program started in 2021. The program is one of the concrete steps that the City is taking to improve wildfire safety across the community in Malibu. It empowers residents to make their homes and properties less vulnerable to wildfire, which in turn protects entire neighborhoods by reducing the fuel that fires need to spread. The City's Fire Safety Liaisons and a licensed arborist will come to your home and determine if the trees meet the program's criteria for removal. For more information and to sign up, visit the webpage.

Planning

(NEW) VIDEO OF PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING ON MALIBU HOUSING ELEMENT

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the City of Malibu's Housing Element during its August 19 meeting. Click here to watch the video of the hearing. The updated Housing Element Fact Sheet is available online.

(NEW) TEMPORARY USE PERMIT ORDINANCE HEARING SLATED FOR SEPTEMBER 9

The City Council will hold a public hearing to consider the Temporary Use Permit (TUP) proposed ordinance on Monday, September 9, 6:30 PM in-person at City Hall and virtually via Zoom. The agenda and staff report will be posted online in advance. The hearing is to consider an ordinance and the Planning Commission's recommendations on updating regulations for TUPs, which are permits for events at non-residential properties. For more information about TUPs, visit the webpage.

(NEW) COASTAL COMMISSION HEARING ON LECHUZA BEACH PUBLIC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, SEPTEMBER 13

The California Coastal Commission (CCC) will hold a public hearing on the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) application for a Coastal Development Permit for the Lechuza Beach Public Access Improvements Project on Friday, September 13 in Monterey, California. Members of the public may participate remotely. The Malibu Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 1 on the MRCA's application for the project. However, the adopted resolution denied the requested Conditional Use Permit for an onsite wastewater treatment system and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -compliant restroom, and added conditions to provide public access to the beach in the event of a fire. The Planning Commission's decision was appealed to the CCC by the MRCA. The hearing agenda, staff report and viewing and commenting instructions are available on the CCC website.

(NEW) CITY COUNCIL TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON ADOPTION OF HOUSING ELEMENT, SEPTEMBER 23

The Malibu City Council is scheduled to adopt the City's draft Revised 2021-2029 Housing Element, Monday, September 23, 2024, 6:30 PM at Malibu City Hall and remotely via Zoom. The staff report will be posted on the website in advance of the meeting. The City is working on important code amendments to comply with State housing requirements as part of a settlement in April 2024 with the State to reach compliance with California's Housing Element Law. With technical support from the State, the City is on track to adopt a Housing Plan by the September 23, 2024 deadline that includes 79 housing units, 47 of which must be affordable to low- and very low-income households. The agenda, viewing and commenting instructions are now available online. For more information, see the updated Housing Element fact sheet and visit the Housing Element webpage.

(NEW) CODE ENFORCMENT TEAM AT WORK FOR MALIBU

The City's Code Enforcement Officers are patrolling the City on weekends to address issues. To report possible code violations during business hours, call 310-456-2489, ext. 484. Evenings and weekends, call the City's One-Call to City Hall line at 310-456-2489, ext. 311. The Planning Director and Code Enforcement Manager will be notified immediately in order to deploy a Code Enforcement Officer to the site, if warranted. The City's certified Code Enforcement team provides enforcement for City ordinances, including transient occupancy tax violations, locking trash container lid violations, dark-sky ordinance compliance, public works encroachment permit violations, operating permit violations, environmental program violations, and stop-work orders for unpermitted building activities. For more information about Code Enforcement, visit the webpage.

(NEW) INTERIM PLANNING DIRECTOR APPOINTED WITH EXTENSIVE PLANNING, ARCHITECTURE, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

The City is excited to announce that Maureen Tamuri has been appointed as the new Interim Planning Director. Maureen brings a wealth of experience and expertise with over 40 years in planning, architecture, and community development. Maureen holds a Master's degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from UCLA and a Bachelor's in Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture. She is a licensed architect in California and an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Her extensive career brings experience working with many city governments and public agencies in California, including her most recent leadership roles as Interim Community Development Director for the City of Oxnard and Community Development Director for the City of Calabasas.

(NEW) MALIBU REBUILDS - STATISTICS

Rebuilding from the Woolsey Fire remains a top priority for the City. Here are the current Woolsey Fire rebuild statistics. See continuously updated statistics on the Rebuild Portal. Out of 465 destroyed homes: 

  • Single-family home rebuild applications submitted: 372
    (of which 362 have been approved by the Planning Department)
  • Single-family home rebuild applications under planning review: 10
  • Single-family homes complete: 173
  • Multifamily building units complete: 18
  • Multifamily building permits issued: 18
  • Projects under construction: 120
  • Inspections approved: 10,548
  • Inspections total: 18,803
  • Single-family home rebuild building permits issued: 293

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND BUILDING SAFETY

(NEW) SMART GARDENING WORKSHOP

The City is partnering with LA County to offer a smart gardening workshop on Saturday, September 7, 10:00 AM at City Hall. Learn about backyard composting, worm composting, water-wise gardening, grasscycling, and edible gardening. Discounted compost bins will be available to purchase after the workshop. For more information about this event, visit our website. Details about additional countywide events are available on the website.

(NEW) ORGANICS RECYCLING VIRTUAL TRAINING AND KITCHEN CADDY GIVEAWAY

The City is offering an organic waste recycling virtual training on Wednesday, September 18, 7:00 PM, funded by CalRecycle. The Organic Waste Recycling Program is an important way that Malibu can fulfill its commitment as a community to be part of the efforts to address climate change and protect the environment. Attendees will receive a free dishwasher safe, 1.9-gallon kitchen scraps caddy to help conveniently separate food waste to be recycled (limit one per household). The Zoom meeting link for this and future trainings is posted on the webpage.

(NEW) RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PERMITTING PLATFORM

Senate Bill (SB) 379 requires most California cities and counties to implement an online, automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance instantly for a residential solar energy system, or solar paired with storage. The City is partnering with Symbium to launch this permitting portal by September 30, 2024. Licensed contractors seeking to pull permits under SB 379 will be able to apply for instantaneous plan review approval via the portal. Projects must meet specific criteria to qualify for an instant solar permit.

(NEW) LOCKING LID DUMPSTER PROGRAM UPDATE

Effective April 2020, all Malibu restaurants and businesses must lock and keep lids closed on their solid waste bins in order to maintain clean trash enclosures and prevent pollution from reaching local beaches and waterways. In 2023, City staff conducted 234 site inspections at 59 businesses. The City continues to ensure compliance through ongoing education and outreach efforts, regular inspections, meeting with business owners and managers, and compliance tracking. This local law reduces the attraction of pests such as birds and rodents to food waste, thereby minimizing the need for pesticides and is part of the City's broader effort to preserve the integrity of Malibu's natural environment. For more information, visit the Recycling webpage.

(NEW) EXTERIOR ELEVATED ELELMENTS (E3) INSPECTOR LIST

State Senate Bill 721 and SB 326 require inspections of E3s such as balconies, decks, and stairs by January 1, 2025. This program applies to multifamily buildings with three or more dwelling units. In order to assist property owners and home owner associations, the City has compiled a list of E3 Design Professionals who can complete the inspection and report. It is recommended to check to licenses and complaint records on the website prior to hiring any company. For more information, visit the E3 webpage, call 310-456-2489, ext. 390, or email [email protected].

(NEW) ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS HOME OCCUPATION USES

On June 24, 2024, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 517 amending Malibu Municipal Code Chapters 15.40, 15.42, and 15.44 to require additional onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) requirements for home occupation uses that place additional strain on an OWTS. This program is effective as of July 24, 2024. Applicants will need to request a Residential Planning Clearance Application from the Planning Department during counter hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) to determine if a permit for the home occupation use will be required prior to submitting to Environmental Health, and then the application will be routed to Environmental Health to determine if an advanced OWTS is required. For more information, visit the website, call 310-456-2489, ext. 390, or email [email protected].

TAKE THE COASTAL VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT SURVEY

The City invites community members to share their thoughts on the City's Coastal Vulnerability Assessment and projected impacts of sea level rise associated with climate change in our community. Community input is crucial as the City plans for the future. Click here to take the two-minute survey. The draft report and virtual workshop recording with technical results of projected sea-level rise impacts are available on the website. For more information call 310-456-2489, ext. 390, or email [email protected].

MALIBU DEVELOPMENT PORTAL

A new Development Portal has been launched for applicants or owners to submit projects, get status updates, keep track of progress on their projects, and manage documents and fees. Property owners will have access to individual projects, real time updates, Departments' revisions, required documents, and fee information. Other features include managing inspection requests and researching public documents. Click here to access the Portal. For detailed instructions on how to use the Portal, including a tutorial video, visit the webpage.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

(NEW) AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

Fall afterschool programs in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu, designed for students in grades TK through 5, begin September 10 at Malibu Elementary School and Webster Elementary School. Programs are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday and include basketball, clay creations, and karate. Visit the Community Programs webpage for details.

(NEW) FALL SWIM TEAM AND WATER POLO AT THE MALIBU COMMUNITY POOL

Aquatic programs held in partnership with the Malibu Marlins Swim Club and Los Angeles Water Polo Club begin the week of September 9. Join coaches for both programs for meet-and-greets and parent meetings. Meet Coach Erik Ran of the Malibu Marlins Swim Club on September 3 at 6:00 PM and Coach Kornel Ujszaszi of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club on September 4 at 6:00 PM. Registration for swim team, Splashball™, and water polo are available online. Visit the Aquatics webpage for more information and to sign up.

(NEW) SEPTEMBER POETRY PROGRAMS

Aspiring poets of all ages are invited to join the free poetry readings and workshops in September. An RSVP is not required. The Fall Jubilations poetry reading and open mic with Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall and the City's first Poet Laureate Ricardo Means Ybarra takes place on Saturday, September 7, 2:00 PM at the Malibu Library. Caffeinated Verse featuring Ronald Koertge will take place Saturday, September 21, 11:00 AM at the Malibu Library. The Ripple Effect, a poetry writing workshop led by Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall is coming up on Saturday, September 28, 2:00 PM at the Michael Landon Center at Malibu Bluffs Park. For more information, visit the Poetry webpage.

(NEW) PARK TALES, WORLD EXPLORERS, SEPTEMBER 12

Families with children ages 2-5 years old are invited to join the Park Tales "World Explorers," a fun, free, educational program that includes storytime, an art activity, and a complimentary snack on Thursday, September 12, 10:00 AM at Malibu Bluffs Park. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket. Park Tales is a monthly partnership program with the Malibu Library. Visit the special event website for details.

(NEW) MALIBU CITY GALLERY OPENING ART RECEPTION, SEPTEMBER 14

The Malibu Arts Commission will host a free opening reception for "Derek Schimming: An Artist Retrospective," the City's next public art exhibition on Saturday, September 14, 12:00 PM at the Malibu City Gallery at City Hall. The exhibition honors Schimming, a beloved Malibu artist and supporter of the arts community. Additional artwork includes pieces from the Malibu Art Association. Celebrate the artists, enjoy complimentary refreshments and live music by the Martini Kings. The exhibition will be on display from September 16 through October 25 and is open Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. RSVPs are not needed for the reception or to visit the gallery. For more information, visit the Arts Commission website.

(NEW) TRANCAS CANYON PARK PLAYGROUND CLOSED FOR IMPROVEMENTS, SEPTEMBER 3 - 20

The Trancas Canyon Park playground will be closed for maintenance from September 3 through 20. The surface will be replaced to enhance playground safety for park patrons. Other facilities at Trancas Canyon Park, including the dog park, will remain open. For details on other parks and playgrounds, visit the Facilities webpage.

EXPLORE THE CITY'S UPCOMING RECREATION PROGRAMS IN THE FALL RECREATION GUIDE. REGISTRATION IS OPEN.

The Fall Recreation Guide and City Newsletter is available online now and will be mailed to Malibu households during the week of August 12. Recreation programs and events offered from September through November are listed in the Recreation Guide, including Afterschool Programs in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, Bird Watching and Nature Journaling at Legacy Park, Complimentary Wellness Workshops with The Mindry, Discover Scuba, Parent and Me Programs, Poetry Workshops, Senior Programs, and Water Polo. The Recreation Guide also includes information for upcoming special events, including the film screening of "My Ascension" in partnership with the Malibu Library Speaker Series, Senior Resource Fair, Tiny Tot Olympics, and Halloween Bu Bash Carnival. Registration for Fall Programs opens on Monday, August 19 at 8:00 AM, visit the Registration webpage for a list of programs.

MALIBU RESIDENTS CAN SIGN UP FOR THE FINAL EVENT OF THE MALIBU FILM SOCIETY'S SUMMER SPECIAL EVENT SERIES, SEPTEMBER 24 AT CITY HALL

The Malibu Film Society and the City of Malibu present special film events at City Hall this summer, with 50 free seats reserved for local residents. Sign up now for the final show in this series, a very special event on Tuesday, September 24. Details will be announced soon. The screening is in the Malibu Civic Theater at City Hall, located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Showtime is 7:30 PM, with doors opening at 7:00 PM for the free pre-show reception including wine, snacks and soft drinks for all guests. To attend, complete the one-time registration process online, then make reservations for the show. Advance reservations are required, with 50 free seats for residents available on a first-come/first-served basis. The additional seats are available at a special discount.

PUBLIC WORKS

(NEW) PCH SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROJECT

The City's contractor is currently working on the underground conduit for the new traffic signal operation system. This is the largest project the City has ever undertaken to address traffic safety and mobility on Pacific Coast Highway. The work is currently being performed between Webb Way and Malibu Canyon. This work includes identifying existing utilities, installation of new vaults/utility boxes/equipment, and the boring operations for the installation of the new underground conduits. The contractor is also working on electrical items and equipment installation. The contractor is still on schedule to complete the project by the end of the year.

The project will make PCH a safer "Smart Corridor" by installing communication lines between the existing traffic signals on PCH from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to John Tyler Drive to synchronize the signals to existing traffic conditions. It will allow signals to be controlled remotely by the Caltrans Traffic Management Center to lower traffic speeds and reduce congestion. For more information, visit the project webpage.

(NEW) MORNING VIEW DRIVE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS AND RESURFACING

The City's contractor has completed the paving on Morning View Drive and is scheduling the traffic striping week within the next week.

(NEW) TRANCAS CANYON PARK PLAYGROUND RESURFACING

This project consists of replacing the existing playground surfacing at Trancas Canyon Park. The City has hired a contractor to perform this work. The work is anticipated to begin September 9 and last two to three weeks. During construction, the existing playground will be closed.

OUTREACH & FEEDBACK

E-NOTIFICATIONS

The City maintains a robust e-notification systemso the community can stay informed about all the City's activities. Sign up to receive messages by text or email on the City's e-notifications page.

FURTHER QUESTIONS

For questions or comments, contact the City Manager at [email protected].

See Past City Manager Updates