City Of Malibu: City Manager Updates February 5, 2021

Press release from the City of Malibu:

February 5, 2021

Upcoming

• Monday, February 8, 6:30 PM - City Council Virtual Regular Meeting

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 February 3, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 256 new deaths and 5,189 new cases of COVID-19. Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard  as of February 3, 2021 include the following:  

• 309 confirmed positive cases and 6 deaths in the City of Malibu to date
• 1,129,503 confirmed cases and 17,308 deaths in LA County to date
• 5,165 current hospitalizations in LA County, a decrease of 861since January 28 

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

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

STATE AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS UPDATE COVID-19 HEALTH ORDERS. OUTDOOR DINING ALLOWED STARTING JAN. 25 

LA County Department of Public Health issued a Revised Health Officer Order effective January 29 that clarifies requirements for some businesses allowed to re-open on January 25, and allows for the re-opening of outdoor dining at restaurants with updated protocols (see details)  The Revised Order also ended the requirement issued in December for low-risk retail businesses to close from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. 

• On January 25, 2021, California ended its Regional Stay At Home Order & Los Angeles County Department of Public Health allowed these re-openings, with COVID-19 safety protocols:
• Private gatherings outdoors up to 3 households, total of 15 people
• Museums, zoos, aquariums outdoor operations at 50% occupancy
• Outdoor recreational activities are open
• Hotels & motels for tourism and individual travel allowed
• Fitness facilities open for outdoor operations
• Personal care services open indoors at 25% capacity
• Indoor mall, shopping center, lower-risk retail open at 25% indoor capacity; food courts and common areas closed 
• For more information, see the Order.

seniors can now make an appointment for COVID-19 VACCINE 

Residents 65 and older in Los Angeles County can now make an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine online or by phone at: 833-540-0473. Space is limited but will grow as the County obtains more vaccine doses, so please be patient. The County has committed to eventually getting a vaccine to every person who wants one. 

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) is working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the CDC on the allocation, distribution, and administration of COVID-19 vaccine throughout the County. Vaccine is being made available to individuals in three phases of prioritization (with sub-phases and tiers) until larger vaccine supplies become available. You can get general information on the vaccine and sign up for alerts and updated on the LACDPH's COVID-19 Vaccine webpage. For information about the vaccine prioritization and allocation, visit the LACDPH web page.

APPLy now FOR LA COUNTY LOAN PROGRAM TO HELP STABILIZE SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE PANDEMIC

Applications are being accepted as of January 28 for the County's Small Business Stabilization Loan Program. The affordable and flexible business loan program aims to support and help stabilize businesses in the County impacted by the pandemic. Loans range from $50,000 to $3 million, and can be used for working capital, equipment purchases, inventory or refinancing of existing loans that are at higher interest rates. Eligible businesses will be required to attend the “Applying for An Affordable & Flexible LACDA Loan” webinar and complete a one-on-one counseling session. Learn more on the program website.

MASK ORDINANCE still in effect in malibu

The City's Ordinance No. 473 requiring the use of face coverings in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus and protect vulnerable people during the pandemic is still in effect in City limits. Face covering must cover the nose and mouth. Exceptions: when in a residential zone, in a vehicle, while more than six feet away from people from another household, children under 2, people with medical requirements, who need to communicate hearing impaired people, while participating in water-based activities. Violators may avoid the $50 fine by immediately complying. See the complete requirements and exceptions. 

(NEW) GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON COUNTY HOMELESS INITIATIVE FUNDING

Over the next three weeks, the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative is collecting Public Comment as part of the process to develop Measure H Funding Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2021-2022, which starts on July 1. The Initiative is inviting people to share their perspectives on what is working well, what gaps exist and the most effective ways to use the funding. Measure H, an initiative that was passed in 2017, created a tax to provide funding to prevent and combat homelessness. The City of Malibu received Measure H funding to develop its Homelessness Strategic Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in June 2018, and currently has funding for a Housing Navigator, who works with the outreach team and landlords to help people experiencing homelessness to get off the streets and into housing. Comments and ideas can be submitted online.

MALIBU REBUILDS STATISTICS

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

• Single Family Dwellings building permits issued - 166
• Single Family Dwellings complete - 20
• Multifamily – Malibu Garden Apartment permits were issued -12 apartment units

(new) MALIBU REBUILDS – COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS EXTENDING FEE WAIVERS on feb. 22

On February 22, the City Council will discuss extending the Woolsey Fire rebuild fee waiver program. Council had directed staff on January 11, 2021 to come back with an item to evaluate the fiscal impact of extending fee waivers. The deadline to apply for Woolsey Fire rebuild fee waivers was December 30, 2020. The deadline passed to apply to the Planning Department for fire rebuild projects in order for them to be considered complete by December 30, 2020. Going forward, to qualify for a fee waiver relating to building permits, all required building permits must be obtained by June 30, 2021. For more information, visit the City’s Fee Waiver web page. 

MALIBU REBUILDS - PLANNING CONSULTATIONS AND REBUILD RESOURCES

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

(NEW) WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY ORDINANCE UPDATE HEARING FEB. 16 POSTPONED 

The previously announced Planning Commission public hearing on February 16 as part of the City work to update the WCF Ordinance has been postponed. At this time staff is working with Malibu for Safe Technology group to receive input on the draft ordinance. Once the draft is complete, the Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on the draft WCF ordinance. The staff report for the hearing will be posted prior to the meeting on the website. After the Planning Commission makes its recommendation on the draft ordinance, a City Council public hearing will be scheduled. In addition to public meetings, the City will be releasing an online survey in the near future as part of efforts to incorporate community input. For more information visit the project web page.

(NEW) PROPOSALS FOR WCF APPLICATION REVIEW SERVICES IN COUNCIL FEB. 8

Revised proposal agreements for WCF application review services will be considered by the Council on February 8. The staff report is available on the City’s website. On September 29, 2020, Council directed that the City issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Wireless Communication Facilities (WCF) Application Review Services. The City received four proposals, conducted interviews and evaluated the proposals and associated fees. The City Council considered the award of contract item on January 11, and directed staff to come back with an amended scope of work to include post-approval compliance including conducting final inspections, emissions and noise testing, enforcement of unpermitted facilities, and mapping existing wireless facilities.  

(NEW) OVERSIZE VEHICLE ORDINANCE

On February 1, the local appeal period ended for two Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) required to install regulatory signs at the City boundaries for the Oversize Vehicle Ordinance. The Ordinance, adopted in December 2017, restricts parking for commercial and non-commercial oversize vehicles and trailers citywide. Currently, the CDP that approved the installation of signs along PCH in the public right-of-way of Tuna Canyon Road and Decker Canyon Road is undergoing its appeal period with the California Coastal Commission. On January 19, 2021, the Planning Commission approved the two CDPs to install the signs. For more information, see the staff reports for Item 5D and Item 5E. 

SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT PROGRAM EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 2021

As of February 5, the City has received 205 applications and has issued short-term rental permits for 182 dwelling units. Effective January 15, 2021, the short-term rental of residential property can only be conducted in accordance with a valid Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit as established by Ordinance No. 468. Advertising or operating residential property as a short-term rental without a permit as of January 15, 2021 will be considered a violation of Ordinance No. 468 and Malibu Municipal Code Chapter 17.55. The short-term rental of property or the advertisement, offer, or facilitation, of such rental without a valid short-term rental permit shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day or violation, or twice the advertised short-term rental’s daily rental rate per day or violation, whichever is higher. Property owners may apply for a permit at any time, but may not operate without a permit. The STR Permit Application is available on the City's STR web page. For more information, contact STRSupport@malibucity.org or call the City’s short-term rental support line at 310-456-2489, ext. 381. 

(NEW) CDP FOR CIVIC CENTER WATER TREATMENT FACILITY PHASE 2 APPROVED BY PLANNING COMMISSION 

On Monday, February 1, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and approved Coastal Development Permit (CDP), Variance, and Addendum No. 1 to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Phase 2 of the Civic Center Water Treatment Facility (CCWTF). The CDP will allow the expansion of the CCWTF to Phase 2 of the Prohibition Area, including portions of the Civic Center, Malibu Colony, and Serra Retreat communities. Project components include improvements to the treatment plant site. For more details, see the staff report. For background information about the CCWTF, visit the project web page. 

(NEW) SEA VIEW HOTEL ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPENS FEB. 4

The public comment period on the environmental document of the Sea View Hotel project is from February 4, 2021 through March 4, 2021. The Planning Department has prepared an initial study, and the City has issued a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project located at 22729 and 22741 Pacific Coast Highway. Additional project information and instructions on submitting public comment on the environmental document are available in the Notice of Intent.

(NEW) MALIBU PARK DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT GOING OUT TO BID AGAIN

The City Council rejected all bids on January 25, 2021 for the design and construction to repair and improve severe storm drainage failures associated with the aftermath of the Woolsey Fire. The locations are on Cuthbert Road, Busch Drive, Harvester Road, Morning View Drive and Birdview Avenue. On November 19, 2020, the City received six bids for this project. Staff is currently reviewing the design of the project and will re-bid the project in the upcoming months.

(NEW) UPDATED RULES FOR SKATE PARK RESERVATIONS

The City recently updated the reservation rules for the Skate Park. Parents may now register two skaters per e-mail address daily, and the maximum number of reservations was increased to 16 skaters per two-hour session. All other COVID-19 safety protocols are still in place. The Skate Park is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and starting February 8, hours will be 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Hours are adjusted based on the sunset time through the spring and summer. For rules, reservations and other information, visit the Skate Park web page.   

(NEW) CAFFEINATED VERSE VIRTUAL POETRY EVENT

Join Malibu Poet Laureate Dr. John Struloeff for the next Caffeinated Verse Virtual Poetry Event on Saturday, February 13 at 11:00 AM. The event theme will be Love and Relationships. Former Malibu Poet Laureate Ricardo Means Ybarra will hold a reading, and there will be an open-mic platform for poets to share their work with the Malibu community. RSVP for the event online, by email at CulturalArts@malibucity.org, or by calling 310-456-2489, ext. 349. Registered participants will receive an email with the Zoom link by Friday, February 12.

(NEW) APPLY FOR CITY GENERAL FUND GRANTS THROUGH MARCH 31

Non-profit organizations that benefit the Malibu community are invited to apply for the City of Malibu’s General Fund Grant Program for fiscal year 2021-2022. Applications are accepted now through Wednesday, March 31, 2020. For more information about the program and application instructions, visit the webpage. 

APPLY NOW FOR THE 2021-2022 HARRY BAROVSKY MEMORIAL YOUTH COMMISSION 

The City will begin accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Harry Barovsky Malibu Youth Commission on February 1, 2021. Applicants must be in grades 7-12 and either reside or attend school in Malibu. The application process will be open through March 26, 2021, and interested students can apply online at the Youth Commission web page.

VIRTUAL STUDENT ART EXHIBIT

The 2021 Virtual Student Art Exhibit will be available online from February 1 through February 28. The Community Services Department received over 140 submissions from local art students and instructors for the exhibit, which can be viewed on our Student Art Exhibit Web Page. See more of the Community Services Department's excellent virtual programs and classes offered this winter in the Digital Winter Recreation Guide and City Newsletter on the Parks web page. 

E-Notifications

The City maintains a robust e-notification system so the community can stay informed about all the City’s activities. Sign up to receive messages by text or email on the City’s e-notifications page. 

Further Questions

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

See Past City Manager Updates 

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