Dear Members of the Malibu community,
As we head into the busy summer months and a new fiscal year, I want to reach out to first thank the City Council and the community for your support in my role as Malibu’s new permanent City Manager. I am committed to ensuring the City operates at the highest possible level and that everything we do strives to make Malibu a better place to live, work and visit. I also want you to know that our very dedicated staff stands ready and committed to supporting the needs of our residents in the most fair and equitable way.
We are working very hard to modernize City Hall and improve our levels of customer service. We added six new full-time positions (one consisting of two half-time interns) on July 1, which we hope to fill shortly, and we are looking closely at how we can attract and retain the best possible employees for the City. We ask for your patience as we work through these improvements while still working through the challenges brought by COVID-19. We remain committed to public safety and completing the rebuild from the Woolsey Fire, while continuing our fight for an independent school district.
I am honored and blessed to serve this wonderful community, and I believe by working together and listening to and trusting each other we will make Malibu an even brighter star. As always, I am open to your feedback.
Steve McClary, City Manager
City of Malibu
310-456-2489, ext. 226
UPCOMING
- Monday, July 11, 6:30 PM - City Council Regular Meeting - virtual
- Monday, July 18, 6:30 PM - Planning Commission Regular Meeting - virtual
- Tuesday, July 19, 2:00 PM - Homelessness Task Force Regular Meeting - virtual
- Tuesday, July 19, 5:30 PM - Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting - virtual
- Wednesday, July 20, 4:00 PM - Dark Sky Ordinance Outreach Meeting - virtual
(NEW) CITY COUNCIL ADVANCES EFFORTS TO ENHANCE LOCAL SCHOOL SECURITY FOLLOWING RECENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS
During the June 27, 2022 City Council meeting, the City Council advanced efforts towards enhancing safety and security in Malibu’s four public schools in light of recent tragic school shootings. The Council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a private security service, and an RFP consulting services to increase safety for local schools. The Council also formed an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein and Mayor Paul Grisanti to lead research on school safety issues, review the RFPs, and report back to the City Council during the next 45 days. The City Council held an in-depth discussion of the issue of addressing school shootings, with input from Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's Station Captain Jennifer Seetoo. Video of the discussion in City Council is available to view. (starts at 1:41:47)
(NEW) FACEMASKS NOW REQUIRED WHILE INSIDE CITY HALL
Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the County of Los Angeles and resulting positive cases among City staff, all visitors and staff must wear facemasks while inside City Hall, and in outdoor areas when 6 ft. physical distancing cannot be maintained. City Hall remains open and all City services continue, but members of the public are encouraged to make use of the City’s virtual appointments and services online, and by phone, video conferencing and email. Appointments can be made online. The City of Malibu is committed to protecting the public health of the community and the safety of the visiting public and the City staff in City Hall, and follows all Los Angeles County Department of Public Health COVID-19 guidelines. Please excuse any inconvenience. For more information visit the webpage.
CITY HALL REMAINS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON A LIMITED BASIS
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.
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 AT CITY HALL OPEN FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
The Senior Center is open for general and various in-person services and programs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Facemasks are now required while inside City Hall, and in outdoor areas when 6 ft. physical distancing cannot be maintained. 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 is available daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information, call 310-456-2489, ext. 357 or visit the 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 July 6, 2022, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) confirmed 14 new deaths and 4,879 new cases. Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard as of July 6, 2022 include the following:
- 2,484 confirmed positive cases and 13 deaths in the City of Malibu to date
- 3,148,370 confirmed cases and 32,271 deaths in LA County to date
- 920 current hospitalizations in LA County, an increase of 241 since June 22
(NEW) FIRE CONDITIONS UPDATE
Fire season is upon us. Large fires have already broken out around the state and in Southern California. We have also seen several small vegetation fires in and around Malibu. Fortunately, they were quickly extinguished, but they are a good reminder to get started on, or to improve and review, your household or business emergency plans and supplies. That includes planning for off-site reunification locations, prescription medications for people and pets, planning evacuation routes and making sure all family members are signed up for emergency alerts. For guidance, review the City’s free Emergency Survival Guide. Homeowners can also schedule a free home wildfire hardening assessment with the Fire Safety Liaisons. (See details below).
Live Fuel Moisture Levels Lower Than Normal - As part of continuous wildfire preparedness, the City tracks Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) in the Malibu area as an important part of determining current fire conditions. LFM is the percentage of water content to dry matter in live vegetation. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division conducts sampling approximately every two weeks and posts the results on their website. As of June 23, LFM is at 74%, down from 78% from the previous sampling. The historical average for this time of year is about 90%. LFM can be as high as 200%, and 60% and below is considered critical. Live Fuel Moisture is at currently at levels normally seen later in the summer. This means fuels are drier and more receptive to fire spread. Fire conditions will continue to worsen as the summer progresses and fuels continue to dry out. This illustrates the point that we all need to be extra careful with any potential ignition sources, such as power brush clearance and landscaping tools, and remain vigilant - if you see something, say something. Report fires by calling 9-1-1. The earlier that fire units arrive on scene, the better chance they have of quickly getting a small fire under control before it can grow into a large fire that can threaten lives and homes.
(NEW) SCHEDULE YOUR FREE HOME WILDFIRE HARDENING ASSESSMENT
Malibu homeowners can schedule a free home wildfire hardening assessment with the City’s Fire Safety Liaisons to learn how to protect your home from the millions of burning embers that can fly up to two miles out ahead of a wind-driven wildfire. Flying embers are a leading cause of homes burning down during wildfires. The 30-60 minute inspections follow the Fire Code and nationally recognized best practices. You can learn simple and often inexpensive steps, such as maintaining good brush clearance, keeping dead vegetation and flammable materials such as wood furniture away from the house, and covering up eave vents with metal mesh. Schedule an appointment by emailing FireSafety@MalibuCity.org or calling 310-456-2489, ext. 388 or visiting the Fire Safety webpage.
(NEW) UPDATE ON EFFORTS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN MALIBU
During the City Council meeting on June 27, 2022, the City renewed its contract for Homeless Outreach Services with The People Concern through June, 2024. The People Concern provides outreach, emergency and interim housing options, and housing navigation services for homeless individuals and families in the Malibu community. Since first contracting with the City in 2017, The People Concern have been able to transition 318 people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Malibu into temporary, interim, or permanent housing while connecting them to a fully-integrated system of care, including mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, and employment services. Of those, 53 have been permanently housed. For more information, visit the webpage.
(NEW) HOMELESS OUTREACH REPORT, MAY 2022
The City’s Homeless Outreach Team, which consists of two outreach workers and one housing navigator from The People Concern, submits monthly reports on its activities, which are posted on the website. In May 2022, the team reported 182 total contacts. There are currently 125 people experiencing homelessness in Malibu who have been previously engaged, 62 of whom are in various stages of engagement, with 63 refusing services. The Outreach Team continues to engage these individuals with the goal of ultimately getting them off the streets and into housing.
Beach Outreach - In May, the Outreach Team and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) teamed up with the LA County Lifeguards at our local beaches to help engage with as many homeless people as possible on our beaches. Beach Lifeguards were provided with business cards so they could contact the Outreach Team whenever they encountered homeless people previously not seen in the area so the Outreach Team could begin engaging with them.
Wildfire Safety Outreach - With peak wildfire season approaching, the Outreach Team continued conducting outreach to educate people experiencing homelessness about the dangers of living unhoused in wildfire zones, to urge them to refrain from setting cooking/warming fires, and to leave from areas that are at high risk of wildfire spreads.
New Services - In an effort to reduce barriers to housing, the Housing Navigator and Program Manager will begin helping clients get credit reports and work with credit reporting agencies to try to remove negative items that can hurt their credit ratings, which can be an obstacle to getting into permanent housing.
(NEW) MONTHLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME REPORTS
In order to help community members stay informed about public safety in the community, the City posts monthly reports from the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff's Station on crimes, arrests, traffic incidents and citations and noteworthy incidents on the website. The LA County Lifeguard Division also provides monthly reports on the number of beach visitors and Lifeguard actions, including medical response, ocean rescue, missing persons, boat warnings on Malibu’s beaches. See current and past Lifeguard reports on the website.
(NEW) OVERNIGHT PARKING ENFORCEMENT ON PCH
The LASD, Sheriff's Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs) and City staff recently conducted an overnight parking operation to address the seasonal increase in the number of vehicles parked overnight along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in violation of the City's Overnight Parking Restrictions. Vehicles were cited and the operation helped City staff and LASD identify potential public safety concerns. The City will continue to work with the LASD to monitor and address overnight parking on PCH.
(new) DARK SKY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PUBLIC HEARING, august 8
The City Council will hold a virtual public hearing to consider an amendment to the City's Dark Sky Ordinance on August 8, 2022. The amendment would allow a light trespass limit for commercially and institutionally zoned properties onto the public right-of-way. The Council will also consider the recommendations of the Planning Commission. The Dark Sky Ordinance aims to reduce light pollution to protect Malibu’s wildlife, habitats and quality of life. The staff report, viewing and commenting instructions will be posted in advance of the meeting on the Virtual Meeting webpage. Members of the public are encouraged to submit comments by email to the City Council before the meeting begins.
Compliance Deadlines Extended - On January 10, 2022, the City Council extended the deadlines for commercial, residential, and institutional zoning districts to comply with Dark Sky Ordinance to October 15, 2022. The extension was in response to concerns about non-compliance and community feedback requesting more time and information about the requirements. The compliance period for gas stations remains October 15, 2019. Learn more on the Dark Sky webpage.
(NEW) DARK SKY ORDINANCE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION MEETING, JULY 20
As the October 15, 2022, deadline to comply with the City's Dark Ordinance approaches, the City is working to help commercial properties be prepared to comply with the Dark Sky requirements. Commercial property owners or managers are invited to attend a virtual informational meeting on Wednesday, July 20, 4:00 PM to get guidance and information and ask questions from City staff. Meeting link. The Dark Sky Ordinance aims to reduce light pollution through the proper application of outdoor electric lighting. Requirements include light fixtures that are fully shielded, have low color temperature, and direct light downwards. For more details, visit the Dark Sky webpage.
(NEW) CITY MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE IN EFFECT JULY 1 FOR ALL EMPLOYERS IN CITY LIMITS
Effective July 1, 2022, the minimum wage for all employers within the city limits increased to $15.96 per hour, and going forward will include an annual cost of living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). By mirroring the minimum wage increases of LA County and some neighboring cities, the City hopes to help local businesses stay competitive and be able to attract excellent staff. In 2016, the City Council approved incrementally raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020, with CPI increases after that. Smaller local businesses with 25 or fewer employees were given an additional year to adjust to the changes. For more information, visit the webpage.
CITY COUNCIL ADOPTs FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 budget
The City Council approved the Proposed Budget, Annual Work Plan and resolutions for the appropriations limit, authorized positions, salaries, and new job descriptions for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 on Monday, June 13, 2022. The Proposed Budget totals $89.9 million in revenue and $89.8 million in expenses and includes General Fund annual revenue of $46.2 million and General Fund annual expenditures for ongoing City operations of $44.2 million. The City presents a balanced budget each fiscal year. For Fiscal Year 2022-23, the proposed budget achieves this balance while investing and aligning the City’s resources with the Council’s priorities as established in the annual Work Plan.
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 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. As part of the Proposed Budget, organizational changes to the City's Environmental Sustainability and Planning Departments are being proposed to improve customers service, efficiency and transparency. Video of the City Council's Budget presentation and discussion is available to view online (segment starts at 4:06).
(NEW) MALIBU MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT IN CITY COUNCIL, JULY 11
The Malibu Middle and High School (MMHS) Specific Plan Project is scheduled to be discussed during the July 11, 2022 City Council meeting. On May 31, the Planning Commission considered the MMHS Specific Plan, EIR, and code amendments and made its recommendation to the City Council. The Planning Commission’s comments will be presented to the City Council. The Specific Plan establishes the development standards and plans for the redevelopment of the MMHS Campus to be implemented in four phases over the next 10 to 15 years. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s (SM-MUSD) proposal is currently under review by the City. If the City Council approves the Specific Plan, it will be forwarded to the California Coastal Commission for final certification of the Specific Plan. Please note that any Coastal Development Permits and other entitlements for the MMHS redevelopment will be considered by the Planning Commission at a later date. For more information, visit the project webpage.
(NEW) Demolition of Juan Cabrillo Elementary School hearing, july 18
The Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the application a coastal development permit application by the SM-MUSD with the City for the demolition of the Juan Cabrillo Elementary School Campus on Monday, July 18. The application is separate from Phase 1 of the MMHS Campus Project. The demolition work includes abatement of hazardous materials in buildings, demolition of all existing structures, abatement and removal of hazardous materials in soils and leveling of soils. The staff report will be available on the City’s website in advance.
(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 - 237
- Single Family Dwellings complete - 86
- 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) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – DISASTER RECOVERY MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROGRAM
In response to unmet recovery needs related to the Woolsey Fire, the City was awarded approximately $15 million in federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to serve as gap funding to finance eligible multi-family housing projects. The City of Malibu has published a Notice Inviting Interest in the CDBG-DR Affordable Multi-Family Housing Program and is requesting that Eligible Developers (those interested in federal CDBG-DR funding available to cover funding gaps needed to finance new construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation for affordable multi-family housing projects in Malibu) submit a Notice of Interest form (included as Attachment 1 to the Notice Inviting Interest). Submit the form by email to the City Clerk at CityClerk@MalibuCity.org at or before 5:00 PM on Monday, July 18, 2022, after which time they will be reviewed by City staff in consultation with Housing and Community Development.
MANDATORY WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT DUE TO DROUGHT
With the current drought estimated to be considerably more extreme than the 2015 drought, the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts (LACWD) has issued mandatory water use restrictions for communities including the City of Malibu, which is served by Waterworks District 29. LACWD asks all customers to cut back their water usage by 30%. Outdoor and lawn watering is restricted to two days a week based on address numbering and property type:
- Tuesdays and Fridays = residential even number
- Mondays and Thursdays = residential odd number
- Mondays and Fridays = commercial
- 10 minutes per station maximum
- Only allowed between 6:00 PM and 10:00 AM
Separately, the City of Malibu also prohibits spray irrigation between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and prohibits any landscape irrigation within 48 hours of significant rainfall. See all of the City’s water conservation rules. See the complete list of LACWD water use restrictions at: LACWaterworks.org.
WATER CONSERVATION REBATES AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE
With mandatory water use restrictions in place due to the drought, residents and businesses are urged to make use of the many rebates and resources available to help save money and water. One of most effective ways to permanently reduce water use is to replace water-thirsty grass lawns with beautiful, drought-resistant landscapes. Malibu residents and businesses can apply for a cash rebate to remove grass lawns of $5 per square foot (up to 5,000 square feet or $25,000 total). Other rebates for Malibu residents include water-saving toilets, laundry machines, sprinkler nozzles, rain barrels and cisterns, weather-based irrigation controllers and soil moisture sensor systems. Rebates and resources for commercial customers include water-saving devices, the Water Savings Incentive Program, the Onsite Retrofit Program, and the Public Agency Turf Replacement and Project Assistance Program. All of the residential and commercial rebates are listed with application instructions on the Socal Water Smart website.
(NEW) PARK TALES
The Community Services Department and the Malibu Library invite the community to Park Tales on Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 AM at Malibu Bluffs Park. “Paws, Claws, Scales, and Tales” is a family-friendly, educational program that will feature stories narrated by the Malibu Library Children's Librarian. The program will include an art activity and complimentary snacks. Pre-registration is recommended on the webpage.
(NEW) SENIOR CENTER EXCURSION
Join Senior Center staff on July 20 for a private tour of the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum. Attendees will experience a three-floor exhibition featuring diverse, international and complex stories of moviemakers and the work. Afterward, attendees will enjoy lunch at Fanny's Restaurant and Café located inside the museum. Pre-registration is required. Register on the webpage or by calling 310-456-2489, ext. 357.
(NEW) CINEMALIBU OUTDOOR MOVIE
The City's first CineMalibu outdoor movie event of 2022 will feature the family-friendly hit film “LUCA” on Saturday, July 23, at Malibu Bluffs Park. Pre-movie activities begin at 7:00 PM including arts and crafts, giveaways, food trucks and special guests. The movie begins at 8:00 PM. Remember to bring a chair and blanket, and please note that alcohol is not permitted. RSVPs are not required. For more information, visit the webpage.
MALIBU BLUFFS PARK MULTIPURPOSE FIELD CLOSED JULY 5 – AUGUST 15
The Multipurpose Field at Malibu Bluffs Park will be closed for its bi-annual rest and renovation Tuesday, July 5 through Monday, August 15. The rest and renovation play an important part in keeping the field in safe and playable condition throughout the year. Other facilities at Malibu Bluffs Park will remain open.
(NEW) SPECIAL EVENTS REPORT
Currently, there are permitted events on July 9 and 30, August 6 and September 17, as well as every Sunday for parking for the Farmer's Market, and June 18 through October 3 for the Temporary Day-Use Impound Yard. 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) DAYTIME WORK CONTINUES ON TRANCAS CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Work on the Caltrans Trancas Bridge Replacement Project continues with daytime pile driving weekdays 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The work is expected to be more noisy than usual, although within the limits specified in the project. There will be intermittent lane and shoulder closures on PCH between Guernsey Avenue and Trancas Canyon Road. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should proceed with caution, and watch for vehicles, equipment staging, workers, dust, lights, signs in the road and shoulder, and unplanned temporary lane and shoulder closures. The speed limit is reduced to 30 MPH, with signs posted, in the construction zone. Under California law, speeding fines are doubled in construction zones. Sign up for traffic alerts via text or email on the website (scroll to “Alert Center"). Updates and information about the project, work activities and lane closures are posted on the website.
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