Politics & Government

City Of Malibu: City Manager Updates January 29, 2021

The deadline to apply for Woolsey Fire rebuild fee waivers was December 30, 2020. The deadline passed to apply to the Planning Departmen ...

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Press Release Desk, News Partner
(City of Malibu)

Press release from the City of Malibu:

January 29, 2021

Upcoming

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 January 28, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 213 new deaths and 6,592 new cases of COVID-19. Other key updates from the County’s COVID-19 Dashboard  as of January 28, 2020 include the following:  

Find out what's happening in Malibufor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • 305 confirmed positive cases and 6 deaths in the City of Malibu to date
  • 1,097,941 confirmed cases and 16,107 deaths in LA County to date
  • 6,026 current hospitalizations in LA County, a decrease of 1,227 since January 20 

 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. 

(NEW) DRIVE-THROUGH CORONAVIRUS TESTING AT CITY HALL FEB. 4

The City and Malibu Medical Group will offer drive-through COVID-19 testing at City Hall on Thursday, February 4, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Please be in line by 2:00 PM. The tests are RT-PCR tests, or nasal swab tests, and Rapid Antigen tests for those with symptoms, to help identify positive cases more quickly and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Pre-registration required using this HIPPA Compliant form. The costs will be covered by your insurance or the CARES Act. Therefore, you will need to supply demographic and insurance information and a copy of your insurance card. If you are uninsured, you must provide a driver license number or your Social Security number and sign an attestation verifying your lack of insurance coverage. All PCR results will be sent directly to patients through the laboratory’s patient portal. All Rapid Antigen results will be published through the Malibu Medical Group patient portal. 

Find out what's happening in Malibufor free with the latest updates from Patch.

(NEW) STATE AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS UPDATE COVID-19 HEALTH ORDERS. OUTDOOR DINING ALLOWED STARTING TODAY 

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.

WATCH VIDEO OF LADPH'S COVID-19 VACCINE VIRTUAL TOWN HALL

Video of the LA County Department of Public Health's January 19, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall is available to view on-demand. Public health officials give the latest information on the vaccines and distribution plans. For more vaccine information, visit the LADPH vaccination webpage.

(NEW) 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. 

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

MALIBU REBUILDS - FEE WAIVER DEADLINEs 

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. On January 11, 2021, the Council directed staff to come back with an item to evaluate the fiscal impact of extending the fee waiver program, and will discuss it on February 8, 2021 as part of the mid-year budget hearing. For more information, visit the City’s Fee Waiver web page. 

MALIBU REBUILDS - deadline for non-conforming structures extended to NOVEMBER 8, 2021

The City Council voted on December 14, 2020 extend the deadline to apply to rebuild non-conforming structures destroyed in the Woolsey Fire without having to bring the structure into compliance or seek variances until November 8, 2021. In addition, the deadline to obtain building permits has been extended to November 8, 2023. The staff report is available on the City's website. To submit your rebuild application, contact Aakash Shah at ashah@malibucity.org or at 310-456-2489, ext. 385.

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. 

WINTER STORM UPDATES, PREPAREDNESS, SANDBAG LOCATIONS IN MALIBU

The National Weather Service forecasts that the January 28 and 29 storm will bring steady and long-lasting moderate to heavy rain, and strong S-SE wind gusts of 30-50 MPH, through Friday, January 29. Rain totals in Malibu are expected to be about 2.12 inches. NWS forecasts another rain event Tuesday and Wednesday, February 2 and 3. The City has been putting out weather updates and preparedness information via alerts, social media and the website. See the current storm update web page. 

Winter Storm PreparednessAs part of its storm preparation plan, the City monitors storm conditions and crews use blade trucks to patrol and clear roads, storm drains and culverts to prevent flooding and keep the roads safe, and report any hazards or traffic signal outages to LA County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments and other agencies. Temporary concrete K-rails are placed to prevent flooding and heavy equipment is pre-placed at strategic areas. Sheriffs Volunteers On Patrol (VOP) assist with patrolling City streets and reporting issues. The City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Staff is on standby and the EOC will be activated if conditions warrant.  

HazardsWhen heavy rain is forecast, residents should be prepared for hazardous driving conditions, with potential rock falls on canyon and mountain roads, water, debris and mud in the roadway, potential power outages and traffic signal outages. Always approach an intersection with malfunctioning traffic signals as if they are an all-way stop sign. Avoid contact with ocean water near discharging creeks and storm drains due to high bacteria and pollutant content of storm runoff. During storms, potential beach hazards may include beach erosion, sneaker waves, rip currents, storm debris in the water, high surf and coastal flooding. Monitor weather and emergency information on local AM and FM radio, which will function with a battery-powered, solar, hand-crank or car radio when the power is out. See all current City alerts. Sign up for alerts.

SandbagsResidents can pick up free, empty sandbags at Malibu area fire stations. See a list of all sandbag locations.  See an instructional video on how to fill and place sandbags. 

  • Station #70 - 3970 Carbon Canyon Rd 
  • Station #71 - 28722 Pacific Coast Hwy 
  • Station #88 - 23720 Malibu Rd
  • Station #99 - 32550 Pacific Coast Hwy
  • Zuma Beach Lifeguard Headquarters. (bags, sand, and pre-filled sandbags available 24/7 at entrance of Zuma Beach main parking lot, and at Zuma Beach Maintenance Yard).

SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT PROGRAM EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 2021

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. 

As of January 28, the City has received 198 applications and has issued short-term rental permits for 169 dwelling units. 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. 

OVERSIZE VEHICLE ORDINANCE

On January 19, 2021, the Planning Commission approved two Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) to install regulatory signs at the City boundaries for the Oversize Vehicle Ordinance, adopted in December 2017. In order to implement the ordinance, which restricts parking for commercial and non-commercial oversize vehicles and trailers citywide, a CDP is required. Once the local and California Coastal Commission appeal periods have expired, the signs will be installed. For more information, see the staff report.  

(new) WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY ORDINANCE UPDATE hearing FEB. 16

The City is updating its Wireless Communication Facility (WCF) Ordinance. The Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on the draft WCF ordinance on Tuesday, February 16, 6:30 PM. The staff report will be posted on the website prior to the meeting. Once the Planning Commission makes its recommendation on the draft ordinance, a City Council public hearing will be scheduled to consider the draft ordinance. In addition to public meetings, as part of efforts to incorporate community input, the City will be releasing an online survey in the near future. For more information visit the project web page.

(NEW) proposals for wcf APPLICATION REVIEW services in council FEB. 8

The revised agreements will be considered by the Council on February 8 and the staff report will be posted prior to the meeting on the 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. For more information see the staff report.

report of wcf APPLICATIONs under REVIEW available on the website

In order to keep members of the public informed of WCF applications under review by the Planning Department, pending WCF applications are posted on the City’s website. The report will be updated when the status of an application changes, or a public comment period begins. To sign up for notifications of a new or updated WCF applications, email psalazar@malibucity.org.  In an effort to better inform the community and give opportunities to provide public comment on pending applications, the public notice has been revised to clarify the public comment period, explain the status of the application pending review and how to inspect records, and provide more information regarding the location of the pending WCF application. 

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND THE DARK SKY ORDINANCE

Seasonal lighting is allowed between November 15 and January 15 only. To protect Malibu’s dark skies, outside of the seasonal lighting dates, string lights are only allowed in occupied dining and entertainment areas, and may not be used as landscape lights. For more information on the regulations, visit the Dark Skies Ordinance webpage.

(NEW) APPLY NOW FOR THE D2021-2022 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.

(NEW) 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.

APPLY NOW FOR TAX SAVINGS UNDER THE COUNTY HOMEOWNER'S EXEMPTION

Homeowners in LA County can apply to have the assessed value of a home or condo that is the primary residence reduced by $7,000 for tax purposes under the the Homeowners’ Exemption (HOX). The deadline to apply for this year is February 15, 2021. If you miss the deadline, you may still apply and get prorated savings this year, and the full amount in following years. For more information and to apply, visit the County Assessor's website.

(NEW) CIVIC CENTER WATER TREATMENT FACILITY PHASE 2 planning commission MEETING Feb. 1

On Monday, February 1, 2021 at 6:30 PM, the Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing to consider a 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 Notice of Public Hearing. Meeting information and viewing and commenting instructions are posted. For background information about the CCWTF, visit the project web page.

CIVIC CENTER WAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT phase one extended to february

This project will improve visibility and create additional space to improve safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclist and public transit along Civic Center Way between Malibu Canyon Road and Webb Way. Due to unforeseen conditions and weather concerns, Phase 1 of the project including the Civic Center Way closure has been extended. The project is expected to be completed by March 2021 as originally announced. However, the Phase 1 closure (Civic Center Way between Vista Pacifica and the private driveway of 23901 Civic Center Way) has been extended until the first week in February. At that time the Phase 2 closures will start (both directions between the entry to Malibu Canyon Village Condos to Webb Way). The Phase 2 closure is expected to be completed by the end of February, weather permitting. Work hours will be Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM with some work scheduled on Saturdays. Emergency vehicle access, and access to adjacent side streets or private driveways will be preserved. Work will stop during Red Flag warnings. Additional information is on the City’s website. Additional information is on the City’s website. 

CLIFFSIDE UTILITY UNDERGROUNDING DISTRICT

The City received a letter from the property owners on Cliffside Drive requesting the City’s assistance with forming an assessment district to underground the overhead utilities on Cliffside Drive east of Fernhill Drive and the City Council directed staff on July 13 to proceed with the project and assist with forming the assessment district. The City received two proposals and have completed the evaluation process. The City Council approved an agreement with 30 Three Sixty Public Finance, Inc. to perform Assessment Engineering Services for this project and staff is working with the assessment engineer and community. Once the facilities, including ownership, are identified, staff will hold a meeting Southern California Edison (SCE), cable/telecommunication companies and community representatives.

MCCLURE TUNNEL IMPROVEMENTS AND SAFETY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

There will be overnight full closures (7:00 PM to 6:00 AM) of the McClure Tunnel and nearby ramps during construction on a project to upgrade the tunnel lighting system in the and install a queue warning system on the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) and PCH in Santa Monica. The work zone spans one-mile from Lincoln Blvd on I-10 to the Broadway Pedestrian Overcrossing on PCH. Caltrans began work in the first week of January 2021. The project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2021.

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.

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