News Flash

Upcoming

• Tuesday, December 22, 9:00 - 11:00 AM - Virtual Cultural Arts Commission Meeting
• Tuesday, December 22, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing at City Hall 
• Thursday, December 24, City Hall Closed at 12:00 PM for the Christmas Eve Holiday
• Friday, December 25, City Hall Closed for the Christmas Holiday

City Council Reorganization

Bruce Lee Silverstein, Steve Uhring and Paul Grisanti, who were elected in the November 3, 2020 Malibu General Municipal Election, were sworn in to begin their first terms on the City Council during the virtual regular City Council meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020. During the meeting, Grisanti was elected by the new City Council to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem. Out-going Mayor Pro-Tem Skylar Peak and Councilmembers Jefferson Wagner and Rick Mullen were honored for their service to the Malibu community.  

Notice Inviting Applications for Council Appointment to Commissions and Committees

The City is accepting applications for Council appointment to the following commissions and committees: 

• Cultural Arts Commission
• Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization Commission
• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Planning Commission
• Public Safety Commission
• Public Works Commission
• Wastewater Advisory Committee
• Building Board of Appeals

Application forms are available on the City’s website. Applications received will be presented to the City Council for consideration at the Regular City Council meeting on January 11, 2021. Applications must be received by Heather Glaser, City Clerk, City of Malibu, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265, or hglaser@malibucity.org by 5:30 p.m. on January 4, 2021.  No late applications or postmarks will be accepted. 

John Cotti named interim city attorney

On December 9, the City Council appointed John C. Cotti of Best Best & Krieger LLP as Interim City Attorney. Cotti replaces Christi Hogin who recently retired after 32 years as Malibu's first and only City Attorney. 

COVID-19 Response Update

City staff continues to monitor and respond to the pandemic by participating in regular briefings and conference calls with partner agencies, and issuing alerts and notifications regarding changes to the situation.  On December 17, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 102 new deaths and 14,418 new cases of COVID-19 and announced that, according to the State, the Southern California Region has 0% ICU capacity remaining. 

Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard as of December 17, 2020 include the following:  

• As of December 17, 186 confirmed positive cases and 5 deaths in the City of Malibu, which represents an increase of 10 cases and 2 deaths from December 10
• 580,325 confirmed cases and 8,664 deaths in LA County - an increase of 92,408 cases and 515 deaths from December 10
• 4,864 current hospitalizations in LA County - an increase of 1,431 from December 10

The City’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated since March 12 to manage the City’s response. Current operational objectives include: 

• Monitor news for changes to regulations that impact City residents and businesses
• Post updates on all social media platforms on an as-needed basis
• Identify City rules and regulations that need adjustment due to the pandemic
• Respond to community concerns regarding compliance with State and County Public Health Orders
• Maintain field operations per health guidelines and ramp up virtual operation capabilities
• In addition, the City continues to provide nearly all regular City services and all staff are working. In order to protect visitors and City staff, visitors are allowed in City Hall by appointment only

Updated LA County Health Officer emergency quarantine & Isolation orders

On December 17, the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer issued a revised Public Health Emergency Quarantine Order and a revised Public Health Isolation Order. More information and guidance on how to comply with these orders is available on the LA County Department Public Health’s website.

State Issued Regional Stay At Home Order In Effect

On December 6, the State issued a Regional Stay at Home Order for Southern California went into effect as the region's ICU capacity fell below the threshold established by Governor Newsom. The order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes in-person operations except for critical infrastructure, and establishes capacity limits for retail and grocery stores. More information is available on the State's website. The order will remain in effect for at least three weeks and will be lifted when the region's projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%.

LA County Temporary Health Order

On December 9, the County updated the Temporary Health Officer Order to align with the State's policy and provide clarity. The Order will remain in effect at least through December 27. For more information on all the current restrictions, see the Temporary Health Officer Order.  

PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE FOR HOLIDAYS  

As people prepare for the holidays, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) released guidance on COVID-safe and permitted ways to celebrate the holidays and travel while minimizing the risk of exposure and helping slow the spread of the coronavirus. See the complete guidance for celebrating the holidays. 

GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S TRAVEL ADVISORY  

On November 13, in light of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Governor Newsom, along with Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee, issued a travel advisory urging against non-essential out-of-state travel, recommending people self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country and encouraging residents to stay local. 

Drive-Through COVID Testing at City Hall

The City has partnered with Malibu Medical Group to offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing at City Hall. Testing began on Wednesday, December 2 and will continue through the holidays. Upcoming testing days include Friday, December 18 and Tuesday, December 22 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Anyone seeking to be tested must be in line by 2:00 PM to get a test that day. Registration is required prior to your test.  

Through this partnership the Malibu Medical provides RT-PCR tests, commonly referred to as the nasal swab test, and Rapid Antigen tests to those with symptoms to help identify positive cases more quickly and help slow the spread of COVID-19 through the area. 

To register, please click on this link and complete the HIPPA Compliant form. The cost of specimen collection and laboratory testing will be passed along to your insurance or the CARES Act. Therefore, you will need to supply all demographic information, insurance information and a copy of your insurance card. If you are uninsured, you must provide a driver license number or your Social Security number and sign an attestation verifying your lack of insurance coverage. All PCR results will be sent directly to patients through the laboratory’s patient portal. All Rapid Antigen results will be published through the Malibu Medical Group patient portal.   

LA County Offers Free Home COVID Testing Kits 

Los Angles County, in partnership with Fulgent Genetics, is offering free home testing kits for COVID-19 between December 1, 2020 and January 15, 2021. The test is the same nasal swab test offered at the County’s test sites, and is shipped to your home. Register online, receive the testing kit at home, collect the swab sample, and ship it back via FedEx. Results will be available within 48 hrs. 

The home tests are available to people who have symptoms, are confirmed or suspected of having been in contact with someone with COVID-19, and seniors and disabled people who are unable to get to in-person testing sites. Kits cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. After January 15, the County may no longer ensure payment for the test. Although there is no cost, applicants are asked to enter insurance information so the test can be available for as many people as possible. Insurance is not required to get a test. You must have an email account to sign up.  Registration and all other information are available on the County's website.

Mask Ordinance

On November 5, Council adopted Ordinance No. 473 requiring the use of face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ordinance requires the use of a face covering over both the nose and mouth with certain exceptions. Exceptions include when persons in a residential zone, or vehicle, who are six feet away or more from any person who is not part of their household and others considerations based on age, medical requirements, the need to communicate with persons who are hearing impaired, and participation in water-based activities. The ordinance also subjects violations to a fine of $50 per violation but allow an individual to avoid citation if they immediately comply with the ordinance.  

Temporary No Parking To Limit Social Gatherings

In response to the increase in cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, the City has filed a new emergency request with the California Coastal Commission to re-install temporary no parking signs in multiple locations in Malibu that were taken down when limitations for public gatherings were laxed. The intent is to limit social gatherings and promote social distancing to preserve the public’s health. Signs have been installed along Pacific Coast Highway by Latigo Shore Drive, Rambla Vista and west of Trancas Canyon Road. 

Support for Local Businesses

The City Council continues to implement planning regulations to help local businesses impacted by COVID-19 public health orders. On September 14, the Council adopted an ordinance to temporarily waive certain sign regulations to help businesses advertise. Ordinance 471U provides local businesses temporary assistance in promoting their businesses and attracting customers. The ordinance allows business owners and non-residential use operators to install up to two temporary signs. Temporary signs may include portable signs (A-frame or sandwich board type signs), wall signs, window signs and banners for purposes of advertising a business or non-residential use located within the City. The ordinance allows placement of up to one of these temporary signs in the public right-of-way or in a private street or easement. Temporary sign permits may be approved by the Planning Director administratively. To submit a temporary sign permit application (no fee required), email mplanning@malibucity.org. 

Pesticide Ban Update

On December 9, 2019, the City Council adopted a Local Coastal Program Amendment that bans the use of pesticides, including insecticides, rodenticides, or any toxic chemical substance which has the potential to significantly degrade biological resources in the City. The amendment was submitted to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) for certification. In September 2020, the CCC granted CCC staff an one-year extension to hold the hearing. The City was recently informed by CCC staff that they are planning to hold the hearing in March 2021.  More information is available on the City's project page.

Los Angeles Waterworks Draft EIR Comments

Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29 has released the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for critical water system improvements that are proposed over the next six years. The updates will improve water supply reliability for customers in the City of Malibu and the LA County unincorporated community of Topanga. Draft EIR Documents are available online on the LA County Waterworks website. Comments on the CEQA EIR were due by December 14. As a reviewing agency, the City submitted a comment letter to the Draft EIR.

Malibu Rebuilds Statistics

Since the last update, another 2 homes have been completed enabling 2 more families to return home to Malibu. Here are the current rebuild statistics:

• Single Family Dwellings planning approvals issued - 280
• Single Family Dwellings building permits issued - 164
• Single Family Dwellings complete - 19

Malibu Rebuilds - Fee Waiver Deadlines December 30, 2020

Fee waiver applications must be received by December 30, 2020, all required Planning Department applications for the project must be deemed complete by December 30, 2020, and all required building permits must be obtained by June 30, 2021. Please note that the Woolsey Fire fee waivers are non-transferable should the property change ownership. If a waiver is obtained, a Certificate of Occupancy will only be issued to the property owner who filed the affidavit establishing primary residence at the time of the Woolsey Fire. All fees associated with post-approval revisions to the project’s Planning Department approval or building permit issuance will not be waived and will be charged in accordance the City’s Adopted Fee Schedule prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. For more information, visit the City’s Fee Waiver web page. 

Malibu Rebuilds - November 8, 2020 Deadline EXTENDED

On December 14, 2020, Council voted to extend the deadline to apply to rebuild non-conforming homes and structures destroyed in the Woolsey Fire without having to bring the structure into compliance or seek variances. The new deadline is November 8, 2021. In addition, the deadline to obtain building permits has been extended to November 8, 2023. The staff report is available on the City's website. To submit your rebuild application, please contact Aakash Shah at ashah@malibucity.org or at (310) 456-2489, ext. 385.

Malibu Rebuilds - Planning Consultations

The Fire Rebuild team is available for complimentary one-on-one consultations about any fire rebuild project. Contact Aakash Shah at ashah@malibucity.org to set an appointment for phone or online meeting. For ideas about how to get started with your project, visit the Rebuild Page, where you can view rebuild options and find all related forms and handouts. 

Malibu Rebuilds - Building Heights

New homes under construction will be required to submit a Height Survey Certification at framing inspection in order to verify City-approved heights. Any projects that are built to a height that is higher than allowed by code or by approved plans may be subject to a Stop Work Order, project revisions to remove the excess height or additional permitting to allow the height (if feasible). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Planning staff at 310-456-2489, ext. 385.  

UTILITY POLE MAINTENANCE

After the Woolsey Fire, Southern California Edison and other utility providers, rushed to restore service and repair infrastructure on utility poles. However, since then, the City has received complaints regarding the status of power or cable lines. As a result, City staff has contacted the California Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Affairs Branch regarding this issue. The California Public Utilities Code regulates the safety of utility poles and related infrastructure. Should any power or cable line be improperly installed on utility poles, the public can contact the California Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Affairs Branch to investigate and enforce its regulations at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/complaints/..

SCE's Clean Energy and Resiliency (CLEAR) Rebuild Program

SCE is providing enhanced incentives up to $17,500 for energy-efficient new home construction in areas affected by the Woolsey Fire. The CLEAR Program offers enhanced incentives to encourage rebuilding to or above the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), including clean, energy-efficient, solar and battery storage, and resilient design. If interested, email CLEAR@sce.com or call 1-866-723-2257. More information on fire rebuild resources and rebates is available on the City's website. 

Building Safety Online Permitting and Plan Check Services

Over the counter permits and plan checks can be submitted through the City's Online Building Permit Request Portal. To help facilitate Building Safety reviews, Building Safety has transitioned to electronic plan check submittals, permits, and invoices. Visit the City’s Building and Safety web page to find out how to start an electronic plan check submittal and permit request or email mbuilding@malibucity.org for more information. 

Fire-Resistant Landscaping Ordinance

In response to the Woolsey Fire, in March 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 461 - the Fire- Resistant Landscaping Ordinance. The Ordinance strives to minimize the risks to life and property as a result of fire, and protect property from damage caused by fires, by restricting the fuels available for the spread of fires.  The City has launched a web page to help homeowners comply with the ordinance and to further protect their homes. For more information, visit the Fire-Resistant Landscaping web page. 

2020 Wildfire Season Preparedness

The City’s Public Safety staff are prepared and ready to respond in the event of a wildfire that is threatening Malibu. Although fires can happen any time during the year, the most damaging fires occur in the fall and early winter when hot, dry, powerful Santa Ana winds are blowing, and fuel moistures are low. With each Red Flag Warning, the City’s EOC Team is placed on standby and all city employees are advised to be prepared for a full response. In addition, Public Safety staff participate in daily conference calls with County Fire and the National Weather Service to ensure that the City’s situational awareness is up to speed. More information on fire and emergency preparedness is available on the City's Public Safety web page 

2020 Wildfire Season: Evacuation Plan

On February 24, 2020, the City Council adopted the Mass Evacuation Plan as an update to the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. The Mass Evacuation Plan was one of the findings of a working group assembled after the 2018 Woolsey Fire to improve disaster coordination, communication, and evacuation among all of the public agencies that might respond to a disaster in Malibu. The Evacuation Plan, Evacuation Zone Maps, Evacuation terms and a search function to find out what your home’s Zone is, are all available on the City’s Evacuations web page.  The Evacuation Plan was recently updated to incorporate the State’s new evacuation terminology, including: 

• Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
• Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
• Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
• Evacuation Order(s) Lifted: The formal announcement of lifting evacuations in an area currently under evacuation.
• Hard Closure: Closed to all traffic except fire and law enforcement.
• Soft Closure: Closed to all traffic except Fire, law enforcement and critical incident resources (i.e. Caltrans, city/county roads etc. or those needed to repair or restore infrastructure).
• Resident Only Closure: Soft closure with the additional allowance of residents and local government agencies assisting with response and recovery

Wildfire Season Evacuation Zones

As part of the City’s Mass Evacuation Plan, the City partnered with the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s Departments to establish official Evacuation Zones. The Zones follow Malibu’s historic fire corridors. In the event of a large fire, officials may use the Evacuation Zones to quickly identify the timing, order, and routes of evacuation for specific areas to be more effective and avoid traffic bottlenecks.  

On September 14, the City mailed postcards to residents with information on their assigned Evacuation Zone. Residents are encouraged to become familiar with their Zone and evacuation routes and memorize their Evacuation Zone number. The Zones are available to view on the City’s website at: MalibuCity.org/Evac. Residents may also search by their address to learn the Zone in which their home is located on the City's website at: MalibuCity.org/ZoneSearch..

2020 Wildfire Season: Wildfire and Fire Safety Web Page

To help prepare for peak wildfire season, community members are encouraged to visit the City’s Wildfire and Fire Safety page, for ongoing information and resources. Topics featured on the webpage include: 

• Home Ignition Zone Assessments
• The Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• How to Create a Defensible Home
• How to Build an Action Plan
• Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch
• Live Fuel Moisture
• House Fire Safety
• Weed Whacker Safety

For more information about any of these topics, contact Fire Safety Liaison Jerry Vandermeulen at 310-456-2489, ext. 387 or JVandermeulen@malibucity.org, or FireSafety@malibucity.org. 

2020 Wildfire Season: Current Live Fuel Moisture

Tracking live fuel moisture (LFM) is an important part of maintaining situational awareness and determining critical fire danger and/or Red Flag Conditions. The LFM in the Santa Monica Mountains is at a critical level of 60%. LFM is defined as the percentage of water content to dry matter content in live vegetation. LFM can be as high as 200% and critical levels (60% or less) are usually reached by mid-October in a “normal” year. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division conducts sampling approximately every two weeks and posts the results on their website. The full Los Angeles County Live Fuel Moisture summary and the current Santa Monica Mountains Live Fuel Moisture are both available online. 

2020 Wildfire Season: Sign Up For Alerts and Disaster Notifications

If you are not already signed up to receive alerts and disaster notifications, now is the time to get that done. Make sure all members of your family, business, or organization are signed up for emergency, weather and traffic alerts by text and email from the City. To sign up, visit the E-notify web page and scroll down to Alert Center. When there is an imminent threat to any part of our community or evacuations, the City issues Disaster Notifications (similar to reverse 9-1-1) to the specific area that is being threatened. Last year, the City acquired a database of all cell phone numbers with accounts with a 90265 address. If you wish create an account or edit an existing account in the City’s Disaster Notification System, you can  you can visit the Disaster Notifications sign up portal, create a profile, and change your contact information. If the threat is widespread, the City can issue a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) which goes to all cell phones within the City with no subscriptions necessary, so it reaches visitors as well as residents. For more information about all of the City’s different types of alerts, go to the City’s web page. 

2020 Wildfire Season: Obtain a Dolphin Decal for Resident Only Road Closures

Malibu’s Dolphin Decal vehicle identification program was established to assist emergency personnel in identifying residents and other individuals who need to access their homes and businesses during some types of emergencies. In the event of a Resident Only road closure, the Dolphin Decal may expedite passage into the restricted area. When approaching a roadblock, all motorists will be checked for proof of residency or business in the Malibu area or to ensure they have a Dolphin Decal on their vehicle. This decal is used to assist in identification only and gives no special rights or privileges to the holder. Decals are non-transferable and non-refundable. There is no expiration date on the decals. To register for a Dolphin Decal, or for more information, visit the Dolphin Decal Program Page or call City Hall at 310-456-2489.  

2020 Wildfire Season: Emergency Survival Guide

The Malibu Emergency Survival Guide is now available. The Guide is based on the Los Angeles County Survival Guide but customized for Malibu. This comprehensive guide includes information about creating an emergency plan, emergency food and supplies, what to do when disaster strikes, basic first aid, important phone numbers and hazards specific to Malibu. The City encourages neighborhood and community groups to make an appointment to pick up the booklets in bulk to distribute in your neighborhood. To make an appointment to pick up the guide for your neighborhood/community group, contact Sarah Kaplan, Public Safety Specialist, at skaplan@malibucity.org or 310-456-2489, ext. 368.  

New Short-Term Rental Permit Program Effective January 15, 2021

Effective January 15, 2021, the short-term rental of residential property can only be conducted in accordance with a valid Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit as established by Ordinance No. 468. Failure to have a STR Permit as of January 15, 2021 may result in violations or fines. The STR Permit Application is now available on the City's website at MalibuCity.org/STR. 

Property owners are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as it may take some time to review the application. For questions or assistance filling out your application, please contact STRSupport@malibucity.org or call the City’s short-term rental support line at (310) 456-2489, ext. 381. 

Short-Term Rentals - Hosted Ordinance

On November 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 472 (Hosted STR Ordinance) to establish provisions to regulate short-term rental of property citywide which include, but are not limited to, requiring the presence of an onsite host during short-term rentals, primary residency requirements and multifamily restrictions. The Hosted STR Ordinance regulations cannot go into effect until the associated Local Coastal Program Amendment is certified by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). In a letter from the CCC staff, the CCC staff informed the City that they will provide comments on the LCP amendment by January 13, 2021. For more information, visit the City’s website at MalibuCity.org/STR.. 

Wireless Communication Facility Urgency Ordinance 

On Wednesday, December 9, the City Council held a Special Meeting and adopted an Urgency Ordinance, as amended, to regulate the permitting of wireless facilities in public rights-of-way and adopted a resolution to establish design and development standards and standard permit conditions for wireless facilities in public rights-of-way. For more information on the background of the Urgency Ordinance view the agenda and staff report online.

Wireless Communication Facilities Application Review 

On September 29, Council directed that the City issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF) Application Review Services. The RFP was issued for 30 days and is available on the City's website. Proposals were due Monday, November 30. The City received 4 proposals. Staff will conducted interviews and evaluate the proposals and associated fees. The award of contract is tentatively scheduled to be considered by the City Council on January 11, 2021. 

Wireless Communication Facility Ordinance Update Public Workshop December 16

The City is currently in the process of updating its Wireless Communication Facility Ordinance. On Wednesday, December 16 at 6:00 PM, the City held a virtual public workshop to solicit comments from the community on a draft ordinance and desired outcomes. This meeting is the first of a series of public meetings to review the proposed ordinance update which will include a Planning Commission Meeting and City Council Meeting. More information is available on the project web page including a project timeline for the development of the proposed ordinance update. 

Virtual Environmental Center

The Environmental Sustainability Department’s Virtual Environmental Center allows residents to enjoy virtual activities from home and learn about the City’s environmental projects. Virtual activities include SMMUSD Go Green Challenge for students, Smart Gardening webinars, Know Your H2O webinars, California Friendly Landscaping and Turf Removal webinars, and recycling tips.  

$160 Rebate Available for Sprinkler Upgrades

Through Malibu Smart, a partnership between the City, West Basin Municipal Water District, and LA County Waterworks District 29, residents can take advantage of enhanced rebates for water saving devices. The rebate for switching out old standard sprinkler timers for smart timers, also known as weather-based irrigation controllers, was recently doubled to $160. These smart timers easily adjust the watering schedule based on the weather, saving water and money. For more information on the rebates available, visit www.socalwatersmart.com. 

Smart Thermostats and Battery Energy Storage Incentives

Though Clean Power Alliance’s (CPA) Power Response program, residents with smart thermostats or battery energy storage systems can receive financial incentives for modifying their energy equipment use during times of peak energy demand between 4:00 - 9:00 PM on weekdays. For a limited time, participants will earn $100 for enrolling and get an additi­onal $100 yearly participation reward. To learn more or enroll, visit www.cleanpoweralliance.org/repowerresponse  

Virtual Recreation Center

The Community Services Department’s Virtual Recreation Center (VRC) allows residents to enjoy recreation programs from home during the pandemic. The VRC features a wide variety of programs, activities, and classes designed to help residents of any age stay active and entertained. Programs are updated frequently, so make sure to visit the Virtual Recreation Center on a regular basis. 

Senior Center Winter Drive-Thru

Malibu Seniors are invited to stop by our Senior Center Winter Drive-Thru on Tuesday, December 22 at the Malibu Bluffs Park Parking Lot. The event will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and attendees will receive a holiday gift bag, say hello to Senior Center Staff, and hear holiday music from the safety of their car. Participants must RSVP by Monday, December 14, by contacting Lisa Crespo at LCrespo@malibucity.org or by calling 310-456-2489 ext. 357. Please note that participants will be required to remain in their vehicle and must wear a face covering. 

Digital Winter Recreation Guide and City Newsletter

The redesigned Digital Winter Recreation Guide and City Newsletter is coming in late December! The redesigned guide will feature several changes, including a more modern look and streamlined layout that will be more reader-friendly and easier to navigate. The guide will cover January through March 2021 and include information on the Virtual Student Art Exhibit, recreation programs, facilities, and the Permanent Skate Park project. You can view the guide when available on the City's Parks Web Page.

Community Services department holiday closures

• The Community Pool will be closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. 
• The Skate Park will be closed on December 25 and January 1 in observance of Christmas and the New Year’s Holiday

Metro Bus Service Update

On October 22, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board adopted the Next Gen Bus Plan to update the bus system throughout the County. The Board Report is available on Metro's website. The plan will renumber Line 534 to 134 and discontinue the route through the Point Dume neighborhood on Cliffside Drive & Dume Road due to underutilized service. The Point Dume service changes went into effect December 13.

FEMA Preliminary Flood Maps Appeal

The City is in the process of appealing the revised FEMA Preliminary Flood Maps. These revised maps change the flood zone and flood depth along the City’s coastline. The proposed changes could have an impact to all existing properties and any new development along the beach. Since December 2019, the City’s consultant (Moffat & Nichol) conducted several conference calls with FEMA regarding the City’s proposed methodology to determine the base flood elevations along the coastline. They also performed a new land survey and then re-calculated the depth of flooding along the coastline. The majority of the sections analyzed showed a lower base flood elevation. The City’s consultant submitted the revised calculations to FEMA for their review. The City received comments from FEMA regarding the City’s Flood Map revisions.  The City’s consultant is working on the responses and will be providing FEMA with additional information within the next few weeks. The letter and more information is available on the City's Floodplain Management web page. 

Civic Center Way Improvement Project

This project will improve the horizontal and vertical sight distance, create additional space for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclist and transit to travel along Civic Center Way between Malibu Canyon Road and Webb Way. From September 21 to December 2020 (weather permitting) a portion of Civic Center Way between Vista Pacifica and the private driveway of 23901 Civic Center Way will be temporary closed. The temporary closure will include access for emergency vehicles to utilize the street during emergency situations. Work hours will be Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM with some work scheduled on Saturdays. The temporary closure will not prevent access to any adjacent side streets or private driveways. Additionally, the Contractor will not be working during red flag warnings. Current construction activities within phase one and phase two include surveying, grading, layout, subgrade preparation, storm drain inlet construction, placement of new storm drain piping, steel pile installation, pavement repairs and placement of new concrete curb and gutter. Additional information is available on the City’s website.  

Dume Drive and Fernhill Drive Speed Humps Project

This project includes the installation of speed humps on Dume Drive and Fernhill Drive from Grayfox Street to Cliffside Drive. The project was approved at the November 9. 2020 City Council meeting. Construction is expected to begin around December 16 and be completed by the end of the month. 

Bluffs Park Workout Station

The project is located at the Malibu Bluffs Park and consists of removal of the existing zip-line play structure and poured-in-place rubber surface, installation of a new workout station, including a new poured-in-place rubber surface similar to the existing surface, and installation of signage included with the workout station equipment.  On October 12, Council awarded the construction contract to Civic Construction Associates. Demolition work began on November 16 and the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of December. 

Malibu Canyon Road Work and Traffic Impacts

Southern California Gas is currently working on a project along Malibu Canyon Road. To accommodate the work, alternating lane closures are planned on Malibu Canyon Road, from Harbor Vista Drive to Malibu Crest Drive, Monday to Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Friday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Work is anticipated to last until January 15, 2021. Flaggers will provide traffic control and motorists should allow extra time for delays or use alternate routes.

McClure Tunnel Improvements and Safety Enhancement Project

Caltrans will begin work in the first week of January 2021 on a project to upgrade the tunnel lighting system in the McClure Tunnel and install a queue warning system on the Santa Monica Fwy (I-10) and State Route 1 (PCH) in Santa Monica.  The project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2021. The work zone spans one-mile from Lincoln Blvd on I-10 to the Broadway Pedestrian Overcrossing on PCH.  Overnight full closures (7:00 PM to 6:00 AM) of the McClure Tunnel and nearby ramps will occur during construction. Motorists should plan to use alternate routes.

E-Notifications

The City maintains a robust e-notification system so 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 RFeldman@MalibuCity.org. 

See Past City Manager Updates