City Of Malibu: City Manager Updates August 6, 2021

Press release from the City of Malibu:

August 6, 2021

Staff continues to work with homeowners to rebuild. Here are the current rebuild statistics: 

Several City of Malibu staff members working in City Hall have contracted COVID-19. They are isolating at home and the City sends its support and well wishes to them and their loved ones for a fast and full recovery. The City takes the health and safety of its staff and the community very seriously, at all times, and particularly during the pandemic, and has taken steps including contact tracing and reinforcing mandatory facemask use and social distancing inside City Hall. Additionally, persons entering City Hall will undergo a screening process to ensure safety and occupancy limits. City Hall remains open to the public with facemasks required. However, with the concerns about the highly contagious Delta variant spreading rapidly, community members who are concerned about COVID-19 safety should consider using the City’s online, phone and Zoom services rather than in-person services. For information on how to access non in-person services, call City Hall at 310-456-2489 or visit the webpage to make an appointment.  

The Senior Center at City Hall is temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution due to the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant, which is spreading rapidly, causing a surge in new cases and hospitalizations in Los Angeles County. Staff continues to be available to assist seniors with Dial-A-Ride questions and registration and other services. Learn more.

With the re-opening of City Hall, the City has resumed public counter hours. Appointments are not necessary, but can be made on the webpage or by phone at 310-456-2489.  

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENTPermits: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM -12:00 PM, and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM for walk-ins and appointments. Other times by appointment only.Building Plan Check: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM -12:00 PM, for walk-ins and appointments. Other times by appointment only.Environmental Health: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 AM -12:00 PM, for walk-ins and appointments. Other times by appointment only.Geology/Coastal: Monday and Wednesday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, for walk-ins and appointments. Other times by appointment only.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT - Public counter temporarily closed.

PLANNING DEPARTMENTPublic Counter: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM for walk-ins. Other times by appointment only.Biology Counter: Tuesdays, 9:00 AM -11:00 AM. Other times by appointment only. 

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 phone or online meeting. For ideas about how to get started with your project, as well as numerous handouts, forms and resources, visit the Rebuild webpage.

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 August 2, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) confirmed 20 new deaths and 2,293 new cases of COVID-19. Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard as of August 2, 2021 include the following:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) announced that, due to increased COVID-19 transmission and the even more contagious Delta variant that is spreading fast in Southern California, facemasks are required while indoors in public settings and businesses in the County, regardless of vaccination status, starting July 18. Further clarification was provided with an updated Health Officer Order, effective July 23. For more information, see the Updated Health Officer Order. 

The City Council passed on first reading proposed amendments to the City’s Nuisance Code aimed at homeless encampments on private property in Malibu during a special virtual meeting on July 21. The amendments return for a final reading and approval during the Monday, August 9 virtual Council meeting. The staff report and viewing and commenting instructions are posted on the website. During the July 21 meeting, Councilmembers also appointed members to the new Homelessness Task Force. Video of the July 21 meeting is available to view online.  The Homelessness Task Force will hold its first virtual public meeting on Thursday, August 12, 1:00 PM. The staff report and viewing and commenting instructions are posted on the website. Community members are encouraged to review documents related to the City's past and current work to address homelessness posted on the webpage.

The City tracks Live Fuel Moisture (LFM) as an important part of determining current fire conditions for our community. LFM is the percentage of water content to dry matter in live vegetation. As of August 1, LFM in the Santa Monica Mountains is at 62%, down from 65% on July 15 and 70% on July 1. LFM can be as high as 200%, and 60% is considered critical. Fuels are currently as dry as they typically are in September. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division conducts sampling approximately every two weeks and posts the results on their website. For current and forecast fire weather conditions and warnings for the Malibu area, visit the National Weather Service, Los Angeles/Oxnard website (type "Malibu" or "90265" in the search box). 

As part of the City's efforts to prepare for and help residents be prepared for wildfires, the City is launching an innovative, grant-funded, free fire hazard tree removal and chipper days program this summer. The goal is to decrease fire hazards and fuel loading within the City of Malibu and to help homeowners increase or maintain their brush clearance for wildfire safety. If you have dead or dying trees on your properties that may be a fire hazard, sign up online. A licensed arborist will work with Public Safety staff and homeowners to identify and assess trees that pose a fire hazard, map them out, and schedule them for removal later this summer. The Community Chipper and Green Waste Days in September will offer residents an opportunity to dispose of large amounts of fire-hazardous vegetation, including dead vegetation from brush clearance that was required to be complete by June 1. For more information, visit the Fire Safety webpage.   

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Public Safety Office will be hosting events all month to encourage community members to get prepared for wildfires, earthquakes and other disasters. Preparedness Month ends with the City's annual Public Safety Expo on Saturday, October 2, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. At the Expo, you can attend trainings, including Crisis First Aid, see presentations, ask questions, find volunteer opportunities, learn about emergency preparedness services and products and more. Participating organizations include public safety and emergency response partner agencies, volunteer organizations and emergency services and products vendors. RSVP for classes online. In September, the City will conduct a test of its Disaster Notification System. The annual Community Fire Season Briefing is scheduled for Thursday September 23 at 6:00 PM. LA County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Drew Smith, a Fire Behavior Analyst, will give a presentation on local Live Fuel Moisture, expected weather patterns, and what that means for fire conditions in Malibu.

As part of Malibu’s ongoing efforts toward community-wide wildfire preparedness, the City continues to offer its no-cost Home Ignition Zone Assessment Program with Fire Safety Liaison Chris Brossard. Chris will visit your home and give you a checklist of simple, often inexpensive steps you can take to harden your home against flying embers, a major cause of homes igniting during wind-driven wildfires like the Woolsey Fire. To schedule an appointment or for help with wildfire preparedness, email Firesafety@malibucity.org or call 310-456-2489, ext. 387 or visit the Fire Safety webpage. 

The City Council will hold a virtual public hearing on Monday, August 9 at 6:30 PM to consider the Sea View Hotel project environmental document, code amendments and project entitlements as well as the Planning Commission's recommendation for the project. For the public hearing viewing and commenting instructions, see the Notice of Public Hearing. For more information about the project, visit the project webpage. 

The Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing to consider the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue Project environmental document and project entitlements on Monday, August 16 at 6:30 PM. The staff report will be posted online prior to the meeting.

The City Council will hold a virtual study session during the regular meeting on Monday, August 23 at 6:30 PM about the 2021-2029 update of the General Plan Housing Element. The Housing Element establishes goals and policies for providing housing for all income levels, consistent with the California Housing Element Law. No legislative action will be taken at this meeting. For more information visit the Housing Element webpage. 

The Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on Thursday, August 26, at 6:30 PM to consider the Malibu Inn Motel project environmental document, code amendments and project entitlements. The viewing and commenting instructions are posted on the website. For more information about the project, visit the webpage. 

The Planning Department has created a guide to help you navigate the services you need, listing all services and the format they are offered in: in-person, by appointment, virtual meetings and e-services. Please note that some services are only offered in one format. Schedule appointments online or by calling 310-456-2489, ext. 485. 

The Community Services Department will offer a free Girls Softball Clinic for youth ages 7-13 on Saturday, August 14 at 10:00 AM at Malibu Bluffs Park. The event is part of the City’s #PlayLikeAGirlMalibu initiative to increase female participation and leadership through sports. For more information or to register, visit the registration web page or call 310-456-2489, ext. 239.

Local artists are invited to submit original paintings (oil, acrylic or watercolor) to be featured in the Malibu Arts Commission’s new fall art exhibition to be displayed at Malibu City Hall October 4 through November 24, 2021. “An Eye to the Future” will feature the artists’ vision of what the future holds. The deadline to submit is August 25. Visit the Malibu Arts Commission web page for submission and exhibition details. 

Submit your nominations for the City’s 2021 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award now through September 10. The annual award recognizes an individual or group that has made significant contributions to enhance recreation resources for the Malibu community. Submit nominations and find more information, including a list of past award recipients, on the webpage.

The City will hold a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronic-Waste collection event at City Hall in the upper parking lot on Saturday, August 21 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Drop off your paint, motor oil, household chemicals, and electronics to be safely and properly disposed of for free. The accepted materials are listed on the website.

There will be alternating lane closures on Cross Creek Road (PCH to Civic Center Way), Civic Center Way (Cross Creek Road to Stuart Ranch Road) and Stuart Ranch Road (Civic Center Way to City Hall driveway) Thursday August 12, Friday August 13 and Monday August 16 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM for Frontier cable work. 

There are two events permitted between August 5 and August 12, 2021. The City posts a weekly report of approved event permits on the 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).

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. 

For questions or comments, contact the City Manager at SMcClary@MalibuCity.org.

See Past City Manager Updates 

This press release was produced by the City of Malibu. The views expressed here are the author’s own.