Upcoming
(NEW) INTERIM CITY MANAGER STEVE MCCLARY APPOINTED AS PERMANENT CITY MANAGER
The Malibu City voted April 28 to develop a contract to make Interim City Manager Steve McClary the City’s permanent City Manager. “On behalf of Malibu, I am proud to welcome Steve McClary as our permanent City Manager, and I look forward to continuing our work together to serve the community,” said Mayor Paul Grisanti. “Malibu is fortunate to have such a well-qualified professional to fulfill this difficult and important role. Over the last year, Steve has been a pleasure to work with, and has shown his competence, leadership, demeanor and ability to build good relationships with staff, the Council and the community.” Steve was hired as Interim City Manager on April 29, 2021. He formerly worked as Assistant City Manager for the City of Camarillo, California, and City Manager for the City of Ojai, California. He started his career in local government in the City of Fillmore in 1997. Steve assumes the role as permanent City Manager after his contract is approved by the City Council. Community members may contact the City Manager at SMcClary@MalibuCity.org or 310-456-2489.
CITY HALL REMAINS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON A LIMITED BASIS - FACEMASKS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED WHILE INSIDE
City Hall remains open to the public on a limited basis. Regular City Hall hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Fridays 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Members of the public may come to City Hall without an appointment during public counter hours. An appointment will be needed for in-person assistance during any other hours. Visitors will be asked to remain outside the building until they can be helped by staff. Appointments can be made online. The City’s online appointment system will be available until further notice. Facemasks are no longer required, but are strongly recommended, while inside, in line with the updated Los Angeles County Health Officer Order.
Public Counter Hours
- Planning: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, walk in. Other times by appointment only.
- Permit Services: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Building Plan Check: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Environmental Health: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Geology / Coastal Engineering: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in and appointment. Other times by appointment only.
- Public Works: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, walk-in. Other times by appointment only.
To make virtual appointments with City staff and Departments, please call or email:
MALIBU SENIOR CENTER returns to iN-PERSON ACTIVITIES AT CITY HALL
The City of Malibu is happy to welcome Malibu’s seniors back to the Senior Center as part of the reopening of City Hall to the public. The Senior Center is open for general use Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and in-person programs resumed on April 4. Face coverings are not required, but are strongly recommended in Malibu City Hall, in line with the updated Los Angeles County Health Officer Order. Seniors can use the general use areas of the Center, including the computer lab, library and various recreation programs. Staff is also available to assist with Dial-A-Ride questions and program registrations. Fresh coffee will be available daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information, call 310-456-2489, ext. 357 or visit the webpage.
(NEW) CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO RETURN TO ZOOM-ONLY FORMAT STARTING MAY 23
The City Council voted on April 26 to return to holding City Council, Commission, Committee and Board meetings via Zoom starting May 23, after hearing concerns form the community about ongoing COVID-19 conditions in LA County. The City Council had voted on March 28 to resume in-person City Council meetings starting May 9, 2022, and directed the City’s Commissions, Committees and Boards to return to in-person meetings at their next regular meeting after May 9. Because of noticing deadlines, the May 9, 2022 City Council meeting will take place in person at City Hall as was scheduled. The Planning Commission will also meet in-person at City Hall on May 16, 2022. All other subsequent public meetings will continue to be held via Zoom, with the same instructions and procedures for participation and public comment, until further notice. All public meeting agendas are posted online. To sign up to receive notifications by text message and/or email whenever an agenda is posted, amended or cancelled for a City Council, Commission, Committee or Board meeting, visit the Notifications webpage, scroll down to Agenda Center, and select the desired meeting body. Agendas, together with viewing and commenting instructions for virtual meetings are posted on the Virtual Meetings webpage. Written comments may also be sent to the City Council at CityCouncil@MalibuCity.org.
(NEW) VIDEO: BUDGET WORKSHOP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 PROPOSED BUDGET
The Malibu City Council held the annual Budget Workshop on April 27, offering community members the opportunity to observe the presentation of the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to the City Council, and participate through public comment. Video of the Budget Workshop can be viewed online (starts at 2:14:06). The City’s annual budget is based on the City Council’s Work Plan that carries out the City’s mission to maintain its rural residential character by establishing programs and policies that avoid suburbanization and commercialization of its natural and cultural resources. The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 addresses three main aspects of critical alignment to achieve the City’s mission through the City’s organization: staffing; technology; and the protection of natural and cultural resources. The Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 is available on the website. Written comments may be sent to the City Council at any time at CityCouncil@MalibuCity.org. The Proposed Budget next goes before the Administration and Finance Subcommittee for review during a virtual special meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 10:00 AM. The agenda, staff report, viewing and commenting instructions are posted in the Virtual Meetings webpage. Community members are encouraged to attend and give their input.
(NEW) SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CITY'S ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS EXPO, JUNE 4
The City of Malibu will host the fourth annual Public Safety and Preparedness Expo on Saturday, June 4, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at City Hall. Attendees can take a ride in an earthquake simulator at the expo to learn about the importance of making your home earthquake safe. Meet first responders, find local volunteer opportunities, and learn about emergency preparedness equipment and services from vendors. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's and Fire Departments and other public safety agencies will have equipment and vehicles displays. No RSVPs are required for this free, family-friendly event. It is an excellent opportunity for households or businesses to get started on, or improve upon their emergency preparedness plans and supplies. More information will be posted on the Public Safety webpage.
(NEW) CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS WEEK MAY 1-7. HARDEN YOUR HOME, CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE, WORK ON YOUR PREPAREDNESS PLANS AND SUPPLIES
California’s Wildfire Preparedness Week is May 1 – 7, and CAL FIRE and other agencies are raising awareness on what people and communities can do to protect themselves, their homes and their communities from wildfires. Being prepared is a crucial part of making the community more fire resilient, especially in places like Malibu. All of Malibu is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and is at risk of catastrophic wildfires like the Woolsey Fire. Climate change has worsened fire conditions, including high winds, drought and high temperatures. Almost half of the state’s worst wildfires occurred in 2020 and 2021, when more than 6.8 million acres burned. This year, CAL FIRE expects that lack of rainfall and higher than average temperatures through the spring will leave fuel moisture levels lower than normal, increasing the potential for wildfires, especially when combined with Santa Ana wind events.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Californians have an important role in preventing, and being more resilient to wildfires with tools like fuel breaks, defensible space, home hardening, and having adequate preparedness plans and supplies well in advance of fire conditions. By preparing well in advance, you can dramatically increase your safety, the safety of your community, and the survivability of your home. Malibu homeowners can schedule a home wildfire hardening assessment with the City’s Fire Safety Liaison by emailing FireSafety@MalibuCity.org or calling 310-456-2489, ext. 388 or visiting the Fire Safety webpage. Learn more about wildfire safety and preparedness on CAL FIRE's webpage. You can also download the free Ready for Wildfire app, which includes local alerts, checklists for preparedness, evacuation plans, and more.
(NEW) SANTA MONICA COLLEGE ANTENNA TOWER UPDATE
In the last month, an Emergency Communications Facilities tower was erected at the Santa Monica College Campus and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Substation, currently under construction in the Civic Center. The 75-foot replacement tower was built in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, which require lights and colors, since it is adjacent to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helipad. In response to complaints from community members, the City Council directed staff to prepare a memorandum to inform the Council and the community about the project's chronology and permits. City staff notified the Project Manager that, except for necessary safety-related work, no further work can be done on the tower, including installation of antennas, until the Conditional Use Permit is obtained, as required by Condition No. 17 of Planning Commission Resolution No. 16-30. The Project Manager agreed to stop all work. For more information about the Santa Monica College Malibu Campus, visit the project webpage.
(NEW) HOMELESS OUTREACH UPDATE
During February and March, Malibu’s Homeless Outreach team regularly engaged up to 52 unhoused individuals and was successful in moving 10 of them off the streets of Malibu and into temporary or permanent housing. The Outreach Team consists of two outreach workers and one housing navigator provided through a contract with The People Concern, which is a service provider based in Santa Monica. In addition, the team conducted an RV operation on April 22, reaching out to individuals who are residing in RVs, trucks, cars and other form vehicle. For more information about the Homeless Outreach Team and other City efforts to address homelessness, visit the City’s Homelessness web page or contact Public Safety Liaison Luis Flores at 310-456-2489, ext. 236 or lflores@malibucity.org.
(NEW) TEMPORARY DAY-USE IMPOUND SITE UPDATE AND REVIEW IN CITY COUNCIL MAY 9
The City Council will consider an Urgency Ordinance amending the City’s Temporary Use Permit Ordinance to allow for a temporary day-use impound yard at the City-owned property on Pacific Coast Highway near Heathercliff Road during its regular meeting on Monday, May 9, 6:30 PM, in-person at Malibu City Hall. The staff report will be available online prior to the meeting. Community members are encouraged to attend and make public comment, or to watch live or later on-demand on the YouTube channel. Written comment can be sent to CityCouncil@MalibuCity.org. The City Council directed staff to prepared the Urgency Ordinance on April 25 based the recommendation by the Public Safety Commission. Watch video of the Temporary Tow Yard item in City Council on April 25 (starts at 3:12:18).
The ability to tow illegally parked vehicles in marked tow away zones is critically important for managing public safety, traffic mobility and maintaining parking for residents, year-round, and especially during summer months when beach and trail users crowd Malibu. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) currently contracts with Sierra Towing and Roy’s Towing, both based in the City of Thousand Oaks. A day-use impound yard is a place where towed vehicles can be stored until they are claimed by their owners or until transferred to the out-of-town storage site at the end of the day. No vehicles would be stored at the Malibu location overnight. The day-use tow impound yard would would reduce the amount of time deputies must wait for a tow company to arrive, and increase the number of vehicles the tow operators could tow in a day by eliminating the round trip to their impound yard in Thousand Oaks. Before making their recommendation, the Public Safety Commission explored numerous sites throughout the City, including Malibu High School, the Equestrian Park, City Hall Parking lot.
(NEW) SHERIFF’S department PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE
Lieutenant Chad Watters from the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's Station gave an update on traffic safety to the City Council on April 25. Last weekend, Deputies conducted traffic safety enforcement operations targeting the popup car show that has been occurring every weekend in the shopping center parking lots around Cross Creek Road. The car gatherings have caused traffic safety issues, drawing huge crowds, causing traffic congestion, noise and taking up all of the parking spaces that the businesses need for their customers. Deputies wrote 49 citations for speeding and racing. One of the vehicles was towed. Nine of them were cited for loud exhaust and were sent to the "Traffic Referee" who determines if their exhaust system must be replaced or remodeled. Over the last two weekends, there has been much lower turnout for the popup car shows, thanks to the Sheriff's operations. To assist the property owners of the Malibu Village shopping center in addressing the car shows, the Malibu-Lost Hills Station is working on signs to inform the public that the California Vehicle Code will be enforced in the parking lot. Frequent parking violations that occur during the car shows include parking in a fire lane, parking in a handicap spot, no registration, altered exhaust, and no, or improperly displayed, license plates.
Malibu-Lost Hills Station also conducted a pedestrian and cyclist traffic safety crosswalk operation, resulting in 46 citations for fail-to-yield, five for cell phone use, one for unsafe speed and one for unlicensed driver. Malibu-Lost Hills Station wrote 914 citations during the last month, 316 of which were for unsafe speeds. Malibu-Lost Hills Station also continued to mitigate or get rid of the large numbers of overnight parked RVs in Malibu. In the coming month, Deputies will be conducting operations targeting beach/vehicle thefts.
(NEW) COUGAR CONSERVANCY PRESENTATION
The Cougar Conservancy gave a presentation to the City Council on April 25 to provide information and resources to residents on how to reduce cougar-human conflicts. Cougars (mountain lions) are a protected and crucial part of the Santa Monica Mountains ecosystem, which includes all of the City of Malibu. Some steps include:
- Stay aware of your surroundings on hiking trails and other areas in and adjacent to wild areas of the Santa Monica Mountains, especially between dusk and dawn.
- When out walking or hiking with dogs, always keep them on leash, and consider not going alone.
- Eliminate hiding places on your property by trimming vegetation so that it is at least two feet off the ground and keeping hedges and bushes away from homes.
- Remove clutter from the backyard that may attract smaller animals that cougars prey on.
- Mountain lions are shy and normally avoid people. However, given an easy opportunity, they can and do kill and eat pets and livestock, and have (extremely rarely) attacked humans. In the rare event that you see a cougar in the wild, do not approach it, especially if it is eating or is with cubs. Stay calm and talk. In the even less likely event that a mountain lion approaches you, do not run away, or turn your back. Talk firmly to the animal, but give it a way to run off.
For more information and mountain lion safety tips, including videos, and for guidance on how to report and handle conflicts with cougars, visit the Cougar Conservancy, call 800-930-1087 or email Director@CougarConservancy.org.
COUNCIL APPROVES INCREASING CITATION FINES TO ADDRESS PARKING ISSUES IN MALIBU
The City Council voted to increase parking citation fines to address parking issues in Malibu on April 11. The Council directed staff to bring back recommendations for improved signage. Parking is always a challenge in the community, especially when Malibu is crowded with beachgoers and trail users. Increasing parking citation fines is intended to discourage illegal parking, which reduces parking available for residents and businesses, impacts traffic mobility, and creates potential safety hazards. The Malibu - Lost Hills Sheriff's Station and the Sheriff's Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) recommended increasing fines for 14 parking violations, with substantial increases to $150 for six violations due to their prevalence and public safety impact. The City Council also approved an escalating fine structure for violations of MMC 10.18 (Oversized Vehicles) which increases the fines for additional oversized vehicle violations within one year. For more information, see the staff report.
(NEW) MALIBU REBUILDS - STATISTICS
Staff continues to work with homeowners to rebuild. Here are the current Woolsey Fire rebuild statistics. See continuously updated statistics on the Rebuild Portal.
- Single Family Dwellings building permits issued - 233
- Single Family Dwellings complete – 76
- Multifamily building permits issued - 18 units
- Multifamily building units complete- 12 units
MALIBU REBUILDS - PLANNING CONSULTATIONS AND REBUILD RESOURCES
The Fire Rebuild team is available Monday through Friday at City Hall for complimentary one-on-one consultations about any fire rebuild project. Contact Aakash Shah at ashah@malibucity.org to set an appointment for a meeting by phone or online. For ideas about how to get started with your project, as well as numerous handouts, forms and resources, visit the Rebuild webpage.
(NEW) 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 April 27, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) confirmed 4 new deaths and 1,583 new cases. Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard as of April 27, 2022 include the following:
- 2,152 confirmed positive cases and 13 deaths in the City of Malibu to date
- 2,865,825 confirmed cases and 31,941 deaths in LA County to date
- 232 current hospitalizations in LA County, a decrease of 24 since April 14
(NEW) COUNCIL TAKES STANCE OPPOSING COUNTY OF LA PROPOSAL FOR CAMPING IN ESHA
On April 11, the City Council approved sending a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors opposing the County’s proposed Local Coastal Program amendment that would allow camping in Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA), including in the Malibu area. Alllowing camping in ESHA in the Malibu area could create wildfire risks as well as potential wildfire evacuation challenges, and environmental threats to the community. For more information, see the press release. The letter from the City Council requested that the Board of Supervisors oppose the modifications including the removal of the protection measures (no camping on red flag days, daily campsite inspections, no cooking facilities, and 100-foot ESHA setbacks) added by the Board in the 2019 version of the LCP amendment. On April 19, the Board of Supervisors adopted the California Coastal Commission's (CCC) suggested modifications to the County's LCP amendment, and the action will be reported to the CCC for final certification. For more information on the proposal, visit the website. The City Council previously sent a letter for a public hearing on this subject in 2019.
EARTH MONTH 2022 EVENTS
April is Earth Month, and the City encourages the community to participate in our environmental activities all month. Find out how you can live sustainably, help fight climate change globally and locally, and help protect Malibu's beautiful natural environment. All the events are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, visit the website.
International Dark Sky Week - April 22-30. Visit the International Dark-Sky Association website to learn how to reduce your light pollution footprint to help the international effort to preserve dark skies, and to comply with the City’s Dark Skies Ordinance, which is meant to protect Malibu's environment and quality of life from light pollution. The deadlines for compliance for commercial, residential and institutional districts has been extended to October 15, 2022. The City Council directed staff to start a public education program with the goal of helping residents and businesses comply with the ordinance. Learn more about the Dark Sky ordinance.
Malibu Living Shoreline Community Volunteer Restoration Event - Saturday, April 30, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Point Dume State Beach. Community members of all ages are invited to volunteer to help The Bay Foundation remove non-native vegetation, care for native plants and seeds, and repair restoration elements at the Malibu Living Shoreline Project. The Bay Foundation, in partnership with the City of Malibu, L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors, and the California State Coastal Conservancy, began restoring three acres of coastal dunes at Zuma Lagoon and Point Dume State Beach to increase the resiliency of the sensitive habitats. For more information or to register to volunteer, visit the Bay Foundation website.
Residential Zero Waste Guide - The City created a new online guide to help residents learn how to separate their food scraps and other organic waste under the City's new mandatory organic waste recycling program.
(NEW) DARK SKY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PUBLIC HEARING, MAY 16
On May 16, the Planning Commission will hold an in-person public hearing at Malibu City Hall to consider an amendment to the City's Dark Sky Ordinance to allow "light trespass" onto the public right-of-way for commercial and institutionally zoned properties. The staff report will be available online prior to the meeting. Residents, building professionals and businesses are encouraged to attend and make public comment. The meeting can be viewed live or later on-demand on the YouTube channel. Written comment can be sent to TEaton@malibucity.org. For more information, see the Notice of Public Hearing and the Dark Sky Ordinance webpage.
FREE SPRINKLER TIMER AND INSTALLATION THROUGH MALIBU SMART
Malibu residents may be eligible for a free smart sprinkler timer with installation. The timers ($200 value) make it easy to control your sprinklers from your phone and automatically adjust water levels based on the weather conditions. Plus, Malibu Smart is offering free installation (worth $300). Timers are available for a limited time only, on a first- come, first-served basis. For more information and to sign up, visit the website.
NEW EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY REQUIREMENT IN 2022
Starting in 2022, Malibu’s grocery stores must donate edible food to food recovery organizations with other food service businesses starting in 2024. This will help feed the one in seven people in LA County who are with food insecurity. Feeding hungry people through food recovery is the best use for surplus food and a vital way for the community to conserve resources and reduce waste thrown in landfills. Food waste in landfills releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. To learn who is required to participate in edible food recovery, visit the Food Recovery webpage.
(NEW) MALIBU library SPEAKER SERIES and POETRY SUMMIT AT MALIBU CITY HALL, MAY 14
Join Malibu Poet Laureate Ann Buxie for "Calling All Creatures" on Saturday, May 14, 4:00 PM at City Hall. The free, in-person event is part of the 2022 Malibu Library Speaker Series, and features poetry readings, music, dance and visual art by local artists and poets. The event is free to attend, and reservations are not required. For more information, visit the Poetry website.
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION, APRIL 30
Community members are invited to the free opening reception of the Malibu Arts Commission's next public art exhibition, "Malibu Perception," with complementary food and beverages this Saturday, April 30, 4:00 PM in the Malibu City Hall Gallery. The exhibition features scenic images by local photographers. The exhibition is open to visitors starting May 2, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. No tickets or reservations are needed. For more information, visit the Arts Commission website.
(NEW) MALIBU ART ASSOCIATION ART IN LEGACY PARK, MAY 1
The Malibu Art Association is proud to present Art in Legacy Park, an outdoor art show featuring local artists, on Sunday, May 1, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Original art pieces, include paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, and fine prints will be offered for sale, benefitting the Malibu High School Visual Arts Scholarship. For more information, visit the Malibu Arts Association website.
(NEW) SPECIAL EVENTS REPORT
Currently, there are permitted events on April 29 and 30, May 1, 16, 21 and 30, and July 9, as well as every Sunday for parking for the Farmer's Market. The City of Malibu Planning Department posts a weekly report of approved event permits on the website. In order for members of the public to be informed of pending event permit applications and to provide an additional opportunity for public input, the City has changed the Event Permit Report format to include all event permit applications deemed complete for review for consistency and compliance with the requirements of the Malibu Municipal Code and the Planning Director’s action on each application. The updated Event Permit Report has been posted to the City's website. To sign up to receive an email or text message when an updated Event Permit Report is posted, visit the e-notifications page (scroll down to the "Special Event Permit Report" category).
(NEW) LANE CLOSURES AND OTHER WORK FOR TRANCAS CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON HOLD
Right lane and shoulder closures as part of Caltrans' Trancas Creek Bridge Replacement are on hold for approximately two weeks as SCE and Caltrans prepare to install a temporary traffic signal at Guernsey Avenue and PCH, with a pedestrian crosswalk across PCH. After that, work resumes requiring intermittent lane closures of the far-right lane and shoulder in both directions of PCH from Guernsey Ave. to Trancas Canyon Rd. weekdays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Work continues on the Temporary Pedestrian Walkway along SB PCH, which will involve workers and vehicle activity and lane closures weekdays, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Expect lighting, noise, and movement of workers and vehicles in the area. Cyclists, motorists and pedestrians should proceed with caution. Motorists must adhere to the 30 mph temporary speed limit, in accordance with the posted signs. Fines for speeding are doubled in highway construction or maintenance zones when workers are present under the California Vehicle Code. Updates on this project will be posted on the City’s social media and via traffic alerts, and on the website. Sign up for City traffic alerts (scroll to Alert Center). Residents and businesses may send complaints or questions to Caltrans at TrancasBridgeProject@dot.ca.gov.
(NEW) CURRENT BIDS
The City has several bids and Requests for Proposals/Qualifications currently out. For more information about all of the City's current bids, visit the webpage.
Request for Proposals (RFP) - Government Relations and Lobbying Services - The City is requesting proposals from qualified firms registered in the State of California to provide government relations and lobbying services. Due May 16, 2022.
Request for Proposals (RFP) - Homeless Outreach Services - The City is requesting written proposals from qualified homeless service providers to provide outreach, emergency and interim housing options, and housing navigation services for homeless individuals and families in the Malibu community. Due May 20, 2022.
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 SMcClary@MalibuCity.org.
See Past City Manager Updates