Tag: Malibu City Council

MALIBU—On July 12, the city of Malibu announced on its website that on July 8, the Malibu City Council selected and swore in Doug Stewart as the City’s newest Mayor and Marianne Riggins as Mayor Pro Tem during the City Council meeting. Video of the Council changeover is available to watch online.

Mayor Doug Stewart had his oath of office administered by his wife Sharon.

“It’s a humbling experience to now be the Mayor of the town that I love. When I became a Councilmember, I pledged to represent not only the people who voted for me, but everyone in our City, and I promise to continue that representation as your Mayor. I look forward to continuing our ongoing work with the Council, Commissioners, community and City staff on the important matters that Malibu faces. With the Municipal Election coming soon, I will do my best to keep the work of the Council focused on the dais, and separate from the election,” said Mayor Doug Stewart.

Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins was sworn in by City Clerk Kelsey Pettijohn.

“As a lifelong Malibu resident, nothing could make me more proud than to be able to serve on the Council and give back to the community that has given me so much. I look forward to continuing our work with the City Council and the community to protect and preserve our unique rural, coastal village and provide the best possible services and programs for our residents,” said Mayor Pro Term Marianne Riggins.

The Malibu City Council thanked the outgoing Mayor, Councilmember Steve Uhring, for his service to the community, representing the City, the community, and the Council during his term as Mayor.

The City of Malibu is a general law city and operates under the council-manager form of government incorporated in 1991. The five-member City Council is elected at-large to serve four-year terms. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are elected annually by the City Councilmembers. For more information about the Malibu City Council, visit the City Council webpage.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on its website that the nomination period for candidates running for Malibu City Council in the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election opens on Monday, July 15, at 7:30 a.m. and ends August 9 (unless one or more of the incumbents does not file, in which case the nomination period will be extended to August 14).

Three City Council seats will be on the ballot. Nomination packets may be picked up in person from the City Clerk’s Office at Malibu City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road) throughout the nomination period during the City Clerk’s office hours, which are posted.

To schedule an appointment to pull nomination paperwork to begin the nomination process, email City Clerk Kelsey Pettijohn at KPettijohn@MalibuCity.org or call 310-456-2489, ext. 228.

Before any candidate raises or spends any money in connection with their campaign, they must complete and sign the Declaration of Intent to Solicit and Receive Contributions Form and the Fair Political Practices Commission Form 501 and file them with the Malibu City Clerk.

Both forms are available on the Elections webpage of the website, in addition to other information on dates, voter registration, vote-by-mail ballots, and candidates. The page will be regularly updated with new information throughout the period.

The five-member City Council is elected at-large to serve four-year terms. The Mayor’s office is rotated annually among all councilmembers.

Current members of the Malibu City Council include: Mayor Steve Uhring, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Stewart, and councilmembers Bruce Silverstein, Paul Grisanti and Marianne Riggins. The three council seats up for grabs include Uhring, Silverstein and Grisanti.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on its website that beginning July 1, 2024 the minimum wage will rise to $17.27 per hour. This is in accordance with the City’s Minimum Wage Ordinance. The increase includes a 2.2 percent cost-of-living increase based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Los Angeles – Long Beach – Anaheim statistical region (not seasonally adjusted).

“This wage reflects our dedication to creating a more equitable community in Malibu,” said Mayor Steve Uhring. “By aligning our minimum wage increases with L.A. County and some neighboring cities, we hope to help our local businesses stay competitive and be able to attract excellent staff at a time when companies across the nation face serious staffing challenges.”

The City’s Minimum Wage Ordinance requires that the minimum wage in Malibu increase every year on July 1, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. The CPI increase is set every year in December by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Malibu City Council voted on March 28, 2016, to incrementally raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020, mirroring the minimum wage increases implemented by Los Angeles County and other neighboring jurisdictions. Companies with more than 25 employees were required to pay employees no less than $10.50 after July 1, 2016, until reaching $15 per hour in 2020.

Initially, to give smaller local businesses with fewer than 25 employees adequate time to adjust to the changes, the city’s ordinance provided a one-year delay. Their minimum wage increases started July 1, 2017, and were set to rise annually on the same schedule until reaching $15.00 per hour in 2021. As of July 1, 2022, small businesses with fewer than 25 employees must also adhere to the same minimum wage established by the Ordinance (see Malibu Municipal Code Section 5.36).

All employers in the Malibu city limits are required to print out and display a poster explaining the ordinance, worker rights and protections, how to file a complaint for non-compliance, and other information. The poster is available to download, print out or share at: https://www.malibucity.org/MinimumWagePoster.

The poster must be placed in the same conspicuous and accessible location at all job sites where mandated federal and state labor postings are required to be displayed. The city of Malibu is conducting direct outreach to businesses in city limits to ensure that that all businesses are aware of and are adhering to the minimum wage requirements. Those wanting more information about the ordinance can view a video about the city of Malibu’s Minimum Wage via the city’s website.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Tuesday, March 5, the city of Malibu indicated in a press release that the Malibu City Council took action towards a Permanent Skate Park for its residents. In a 3-2 vote, they approved a settlement agreement with the neighboring property owner, who previously threatened litigation, clearing the way for the project.

The city reported on its website that it is “committed to providing excellent sports and recreation facilities and programs as part of a thriving, health community, and skating has always been an important part of the Malibu culture.”

City Council held a Special meeting on March 4, 2024, to continue talks on the matter from the February 26 regular meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to share the proposed settlement offer with the community and get feedback before making a decision.

Highlights of the proposed settlement agreement include:

-Allowing the neighboring property owner to install landscaping at its own cost to improve the park and prevent graffiti along the perimeter wall of the Skate Park.

-Shifting a portion of the Skate Park 10 feet further away from The Case project homes and lowering one of the above-ground elements.

-Allowing The Case project to lease a portion of the area adjacent to the Temporary Skate Park lot for parking for $5,627 per month until construction begins on the Permanent Skate Park.

-Assigning responsibility to The Case project for all costs related to the changes made to the Permanent Skate Park and requiring a deposit of $150,000 with the City to cover any additional design and construction costs.

On November 30, 2023, the Planning Commission approved the Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the Permanent Skate Park, and the decision was appealed by the owner of the neighboring property, where “The Case” home development project is under construction.

After filing this appeal, the owner of the neighboring property approached the city of Malibu, and the city and the property owner have been negotiating over a settlement to avoid a potential lawsuit by the property owner.

In 2019, the Malibu City Council directed staff to begin the design concept for a permanent skate park and authorized the installation of a temporary skate park. The 12,500 square-foot Permanent Skatepark will be built at Malibu Bluffs Park, providing a sports and recreation resource and safe community gathering place for youth in the region.

For information on the settlement agreement, and other details review the staff report: https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6565?fileID=59693.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On February 20, it was announced on its website that the Malibu City Council approved an ordinance to regulate inspections of balconies and other exterior elevated elements on any buildings with three or more units to help protect the public.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority, and no one should have to be afraid because a balcony they are standing on may collapse,” said Mayor Steve Uhring. “This is a common-sense regulation that will protect homeowners from the hidden danger of exterior elements that could collapse, and from liability.”

Exterior elevated elements (E3s) are balconies, decks, porches, stairways, walkways and entry structures that extend beyond exterior walls of a building.

The ordinance was proposed by the Malibu City Council in response to enacted California state laws monitoring exterior elements. The state laws were enacted in response to a 2015 balcony collapse in Berkeley that killed 6 students and injured 7. A subsequent investigation revealed that years of exposure to moisture led to dry rot along the top of the cantilevered balcony framing, causing it to disintegrate and compromise the load-carrying capacity of the supporting elements.

The State of California moved to address deficiencies in the laws around the maintenance and inspection of balconies, decks, and other exterior elevated elements. The primary differences between the Senate Bill (SB) 721 and SB 326 are who they affect and the frequency of inspection. These inspections will identify deterioration issues and determine if repairs are needed.

SB 721 applies to property owners of buildings with three or more dwelling units. The first inspection is required by January 1, 2025 and then every 6 years after.

SB 326 applies to condominium associations. The first inspection is required by January 1, 2025 and then every 9 years after.

All inspections must be completed by a California state-licensed architect, civil engineer, or structural engineer.

The ordinance must be approved by the City Council during a second reading before final adoption. The Environmental Sustainability Department has already developed educational materials including inspection protocols aligning with the new regulations, which can be found on the website or in person at city hall. The program provides concise standards for inspections of these structures and will assist property owners to make necessary repairs or upgrades to ensure their safety.

Malibu will host several town hall meetings in the spring to offer information and assistance to property owners. Further details will be announced.

For more information, including the types of properties that the ordinance applies to, visit: www.malibucity.org/E3.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On January 8, the Malibu City Council gave a one-time grant of $353,100 to the Malibu School Leadership Council to support local schools.

According to the city of Malibu’s website, the Malibu Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and Malibu School Leadership Council (MLSC) asked city council for a professionally run centralized fundraising entity to make it possible for the community to raise and spend funds to ensure Malibu public schools have additional resources for academics, arts, and athletics.

For more details, see the staff report: https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6451?fileID=57922.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Friday, January 12, the city of Malibu announced on its website that the Malibu City Council awarded permits to two organizations to operate road race events in the region. The City Council approved agreements with the Malibu Race Series and Zuma Foundation to operate the two road races that the City allows each year.

Both organizations bring significant community and charitable benefits and have plans to reduce traffic impacts.

According to the City Council Agenda Report, on December 11, 2012, the City Council adopted City Council Policy #47 – Road Race Policy (Attachment 1). In accordance with the Road Race Policy, the City may grant a maximum of two temporary use permits for marathons, triathlons, and cycling events per calendar year.

On August 12, 2013, the city of Malibu entered into a 10-year Agreement with Michael Epstein Sports Productions Inc. to host the Malibu Triathlon (Triathlon) through November 1, 2023. From 2017 to 2021 the Agreement transferred between two agencies, and from 2021 to 2023 Super League Holdings PTE LTD (Super League) organized the Triathlon.

On November 14, 2022, City Council reviewed a proposal for a new five-year Agreement with Super League, which would allow them to continue operating the event through October 2027. Council assessed the request and directed staff to bring back an item in January.

On January 9, 2023, Councilmembers Grisanti and Riggins were appointed to the Road Race Ad Hoc Committee (Ad Hoc). The Ad Hoc met with staff, reviewed the Road Race Policy, and recommended opening a Request for Proposals (RFP).

On August 28, 2023, City Council approved opening a Road Race RFP. Staff worked with the Ad Hoc to compile the proposal requirements, timelines, and selection process. The Road Race RFP was issued on August 30, 2023, and the city of Malibu received four proposals by the September 27, 2023, deadline. The Ad Hoc reviewed the proposals and conducted interviews with each race organizer.

The evaluation process examined the organization’s experience in addition to community benefits and involvement, road race impacts, registration data, proposed street closures, and financial documentation.

Following a thorough evaluation and screening process, the Ad Hoc has recommended the city award the agreements for the two allowable Temporary Use Permits to the Malibu Race Series LLC and Zuma Foundation Inc.

Malibu Race Series LLC and Zuma Foundation Inc. demonstrated a commitment to minimizing road closures and community impacts. The organizations will incorporate programs and partnerships with local organizations. In addition to coordinating the adult races, each organization will plan a children’s race to encourage fitness, goal setting, and the race experience. Fundraising opportunities will be prioritized for local non-profit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu and Malibu schools.

Since the December 11, 2023 Regular Council meeting, staff updated the Road Race Agreements with the following,

• Increased insurance limits and added additional coverage requirements following a recommendation from the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA).
• Included Red Flag Warnings as a condition for a race postponement and/or cancellation (consistent with City Council Policy #47).
• Changed the MRS 2028 proposed race dates since the initial dates were on a holiday weekend.

Each race organizer agreed to work with city staff and submit all required documents, permits, and referrals as part of the race requirements listed in the City Council Policy #47

– Road Race Policy.

For more information, see the staff report: https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6449?fileID=57920

By Trevor

MALIBU—On January 12, the city of Malibu disclosed on its website that on January 8, 2024, the Malibu City Council adopted an ordinance to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the city, taking a step toward addressing Malibu’s housing challenges while balancing the need to preserve the community’s rural coastal village character.

The report from the Malibu City Council meeting on December 20, 2023, stated:

“Conduct second reading, unless waived, and adopt Ordinance No. 510, an ordinance of the City of Malibu approving Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) No. 18-002, an amendment to the LCP to update accessory dwelling units (ADU) Regulations, and Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) No. 18-004, an amendment to Title 17 (Zoning) of the Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) related to definitions, guest homes, and changing the term second units to ADUs, and finding the amendments exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and 2) Conduct second reading, unless waived, and adopt Ordinance No. 511 approving ZTA No. 18-004, an amendment to Title 17 (Zoning) of the MMC to update ADU regulations and finding the amendments exempt from CEQA.”

Ordinance 510 states: “ORDINANCE NO. 510 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MALIBU APPROVING LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDMENT 18-002, AN AMENDMENT TO THE
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM TO UPDATE ACCESSORY DWELLINGUNIT REGULATIONS, AND ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 18-004, AN AMENDMENT TO TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE MALIBU MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO DEFINITIONS, GUEST HOMES AND CHANGING THE TERM SECOND UNITS TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, AND FINDING THE AMENDMENTS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.”

The city of Malibu defines an ADU as: “an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. An accessory dwelling unit also includes the following:
1. An efficiency unit, as defined in Section 17958.1 of the California Health and Safety
Code and the California Building Code; and
2. A manufactured home, as defined in Section 18007 of the California Health and Safety
Code.”

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, ATTACHED – an accessory dwelling unit that is
physically attached to the primary dwelling unit and share an interior wall or as an additional story above the primary dwelling unit, but which has independent, direct access from the exterior.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, DETACHED – an accessory dwelling unit that is not an
attached accessory dwelling unit.

CAR SHARE VEHICLE – a motor vehicle that is operated as part of a regional fleet by a public or private car-sharing company or organization and provides hourly or daily service. A car share vehicle does not include vehicles used as part of ride-hailing companies such as Uber or Lyft.

COMPLETE INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITIES – permanent provisions for living,
sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multi-family dwelling is or will be situated.

JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT – a residential unit that
1. is no more than 500 square feet in size;
2. is contained entirely within an existing or proposed single-family structure;
3. has a separate exterior entrance;
4. includes its own separate sanitation facilities or shares sanitation facilities with the existing
or proposed single-family structure; and
5. includes an efficiency kitchen.

KITCHEN, INCLUDING AN EFFICIENCY KITCHEN – an area within a structure that is
used or designed to be used for the preparation or cooking of food and that contains each of the following:
1. A cooking facility with appliances including, but not limited to: ovens, convection ovens,
stoves, stove tops, built-in grills or similar appliances.
2. A food preparation counter or counters that total at least 15 square feet in area.
3. Food storage cabinets that total at least 30 square feet of shelf space.

A coastal development permit is required for all detached and attached ADUs and ADUs located inside an existing accessory building including when legally established accessory structure is demolished and is replaced with a new structure for the purpose of creating an ADU. Fire sprinklers are required inside an ADU and not short-term rentals less than 30 days will be allowed.

An ADU may be rented, but no ADU may be sold or otherwise conveyed separately from the lot and the primary dwelling (in the case of a single-family lot) or from the lot and all of the dwellings (in the case of a multi-family lot), as stated in Ordinance 510.

For more details, see the staff report: https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6435?fileID=57906.

By Trevor

MALIBU—A report detailing 46 recommendations for improving Malibu’s development services was presented during the August 28, 2023 City Council meeting. The city indicated that a consultant was hired last year to conduct a Comprehensive Development Services Review in an effort to improve Malibu’s development services and operations.

As a result of the Woolsey Fire and the Coronavirus pandemic, the city needs improvement to its development services processes.

Malibu is looking to make changes in a cohesive and holistic approach and placed an out a Request for Proposals (RFP) and hired Baker Tilly US, LLP as the consultant to perform the study.

Baker Tilly US, LLP conducted a comprehensive organization assessment, which focused on how the three city departments principally involved in permitting processes deliver development services. It included a review of organization structures, staffing, policies and regulations, customer service, and the management system used to oversee functions related to the development process.

The review considered the role and effectiveness of the Planning Commission and assessment of customer service. The consultant’s report stated while there are challenges in the region that require key changes in the organization, as well as an additional investment in staff and resources, the core process (workflow) in Malibu is normal of cities with high-performing development review processes.

According to the report, the problems with the development process in Malibu are rooted in three areas:

• Policies and Regulations: A lack of clear and consistent policies and regulations that make project review more difficult and time consuming and result in varying outcomes;
• Staffing Resources: Insufficient staffing resources that constrain the City’s capacity to handle the workload; and
• Management System: Missing components and other challenges with the management system (i.e., the interrelated tools, techniques, approaches, and methods used to manage operations), which constrain the organization’s ability to monitor and manage the development process effectively.

The report discusses such issues in detail and provides recommendations designed to address them. The complete report is available to review in the staff report: https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/6236?fileID=53099.

Video of the presentation to the Malibu City Council is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_Do3KHiP4A&t=13855s (clip starts at 3:50:55).

Baker Tilly US, LLP will provide the Malibu City Manager with an implementation action plan the coming weeks, with additional details to be announced once available.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Monday, May 8, Malibu City Council shared opposition to a new plan aimed to address deputy gangs in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. They all voted unanimously against the proposal and plans on sending a letter to the Board of Supervisors detailing their opposition. 

Back in February the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission issued a report revealing evidence that deputy gangs exists in the police department stating that these groups, “engaged in egregious conduct such as violations of law, the excessive use of force, [and] threats to the public or department members” — and deputy cliques, which include both gangs and other “exclusionary subgroups.”

One of the plans to help address this issue was proposed during the city council meeting where the department would rotate deputies between stations at a cadence of no less than every five years. Other recommendations were also proposed. 

“We believe that rotating the deputies currently assigned to the sheriff’s Malibu/Lost Hills Station will disrupt the strong bonds and relationships that local deputies have built, which have been critical to our station’s success,” the council’s letter reads. “By requiring deputies to be reassigned every five years, this recommendation would be depriving our community of experienced and trusted law enforcement personnel with the specific institutional knowledge required to effectively serve the unique and diverse needs of our community.”

According to the report that was published by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission which designed to oversee the LASD, deputy gangs have been operating in various neighborhoods for the past 50 years who are primarily working in predominantly working class and minority neighborhoods. Some of these groups include the Banditos, Executioners, Regulators, Spartans, Grim Reapers, Rattlesnakes and Vikings. 

The report states that among the 80 or so people interviewed, “several witnesses would only testify anonymously and some did so remotely, using a voice distortion device out of fear of physical or professional retaliation. Several witnesses who had agreed to testify withdrew, often the night before the proposed testimony, out of similar fears.” 

These gangs recruit male deputy sheriffs based on their ethnicity and willingness to engage in violence and coverups according to the report. 

“Some of these groups have engaged in acts of violence, threatened acts of violence, placed fellow Deputies at risk of physical harm, engaged in acts celebrating officer-invaded shootings, and created a climate of physical fear and professional retribution to those who would speak publicly about the misconduct of such groups,” the report reads.

“Deputy Cliques that evolve into Deputy Gangs meet the definition of “law enforcement gang” in California Penal Code Section 13670. The problems they cause in the Department, however, go beyond their “gang-like” behavior. Deputy Cliques are rooted in secrecy and exclusivity. They undermine the Department’s leadership and supervision, foster insubordination, and are detrimental to the morale of other deputies and staff by exercising power and decision making that is fundamentally inconsistent with the para-military, chain of command structure of law enforcement agencies such as the Department. By exercising influence ordinarily reserved for supervisors and management, such as controlling assignments, schedules, and promotions, their existence within stations, bureaus and units of the Department violates fundamental principles of professional policing. But Deputy Cliques, whether they meet the definition of “law enforcement gangs” must be eradicated as they are the seeds from which Deputy Gangs develop,” the report included.

Malibu City Council’s decision comes after multiple groups have been urging cities in Los Angeles county to send similar letters. These groups include the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs and the union representing deputies.

Canyon News contacted Sheriff Robert G. Luna who is the Sheriff of Los Angeles County and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs for a statement on the matter but did not hear back before print. 

By Christianne