Malibu City Manager Updates June 5, 2020

Press release from the City of Malibu:

June 5, 2020

UPCOMING

Monday, June 8 6:30 PM City Council Meeting

Monday June 15 6:30 PM Planning Commission Meeting

COVID-19 RESPONSE

The City activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on March 12, 2020. On March 16, the City Council held a special meeting and adopted Resolution 20-14 ratifying the Director’s Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency issued on March 14, 2020.

The City’s EOC staff is on-call 24 hours a day seven days a week monitoring information, keeping social media and other information channels up to date and are available to respond to any emergent situation that may arise. The City follows the direction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health orders regarding the pandemic.

CURRENT CITY OPERATIONS

While Malibu City Hall and the Senior Center are temporarily closed to the public, essential City staff, including the EOC team, continue to work both remotely and in City Hall.

Staff is answering the City’s main phone line (310-456-2489) Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Residents can contact staff using the following departmental extensions or emails:

o Planning – 310-456-2489, ext. 485 or MPlanning@malibucity.org

o Building Safety – 310-456-2489, ext. 390 or MBuilding@malibucity.org

o Public Works – 310-456-2489, ext. 391 or MPublicWorks@malibucity.org

o All other City business – 310-456-2489, ext. 392 or info@malibucity.org

On May 15, Malibu City Parks opened for limited use with physical distancing requirements and safety guidelines.

The City is preparing to make City Hall open to the public by appointment only with additional safety precautions and a new appointment scheduling system. More information will be provided as we get closer.

VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

City Council and Planning Commission meetings have been held virtually since April 13. Agendas and videos can be found by visiting the City’s website MalibuCity.org and clicking the "Virtual Meetings" banner homepage or going directly to the Virtual Meetings web page. There, you can either follow the instructions to sign up to speak during a meeting or watch a meeting. If you experience difficulty connecting to the live Zoom meeting you may contact Parker Davis, Media Technician, at 424-395-6433 for assistance during the meeting.

RESTAURANT RECOVERY PROGRAM

On June 8, the City Council will consider an urgency ordinance that would allow restaurants to temporarily expand seating area when following State and County guidance. The staff report is available on the City website at: Temporary Restaurant Recovery Program.

CITY COMMUNICATIONS DURING COVID-19

The City is committed to providing timely, important information to ensure the health and safety of the Malibu community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since mid-March, the City’s emergency communications team has been work remotely and is on-call 24 hours a day to monitor situations and send out information to the community. The City created a dedicated COVID-19 information web page and has maintained a robust COVID-19 communications program, maintaining regular emergency alerts (twice-daily until mid-May, and once-daily alerts until May 28) with information about the COVID-19 crisis, response and resources for the community, from financial assistance to free meal delivery for seniors to mental health and wellness resources. The City also releases regular COVID-19 communications using the website Newsflash feature, Nextdoor, social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram), audio messages for KBUU 99.1 FM, video messages from the Mayor and Councilmembers, newspaper ads, the City Hall phone hotline, posters and flyers distributed by the Malibu CERT Team, direct mail postcards sent to every household in Malibu, infographics on the City TV channel, the Everbridge Disaster Notification System (reverse 911), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA - Amber Alerts) and press releases.

The City continues to put out emergency alerts and notifications as new information emerges. To sign up for the COVID-19 E-notification list, enter your email address in the bar near the top of the ‘Notify Me’ page and select preferred delivery methods: email or text message.

VIRTUAL RECREATION

The Community Services Department launched a new Virtual Recreation Center so residents can continue to enjoy the City’s recreation programs. The Virtual Recreation Center features a wide variety of programs, activities and classes designed to help residents of any age stay active, engaged, and entertained while safe at home during the pandemic. The programs range from virtual museum tours to online arts and cultural classes, to yoga, dance and fitness and are regularly updated.

CIVIL UNREST

City staff have been coordinating with the Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station since the protests and civil unrest broke out last Saturday, May 30. The City Manager requested additional Deputies to be staged in Malibu over the past week to respond to any incident that may occur. The City sent out emergency information about the countywide curfews that were in effect in Malibu to the community via emergency alerts, social media, the website, Nextdoor, press releases, the phone hotline, the City TV channel, videos and radio public service announcements. While there have been some small peaceful demonstrations in Malibu, no civil unrest incidents have been reported in the City. The City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated and the City continues to monitor the situation together with the Sheriff’s Department and will put out emergency alerts and public safety information as needed.

LA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH PHASED REOPENING: RESTAURANTS AND HAIR SALONS

On Friday, May 29, the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer released a new Health Officer Order, allowing for the reopening of restaurants, hair salons and barbershops with very specific distancing and infection prevention measures in place. Specific protocols are available on the Los Angeles County Public Health website under “Reopening Protocols.”

PROHIBITION ON PESTICIDES AND RODENTICIDES - LOCAL COASTAL PLAN AMENDMENT (LCPA)

On December 9, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 19-54, as amended, determining Local Coastal Program Amendment No. 14-001 is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and amending the Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan to modify Policy 3.18 in Chapter 3 pertaining to a citywide prohibition of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides or any toxic chemical substance which has the potential to significantly degrade biological resources (citywide); and directed staff to include a condition of approval for every City-issued Coastal Development Permit for new development, unless a basis cannot be formed for its inclusion, imposing a prohibition on use of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides or any toxic chemical substance which has the potential to significantly degrade biological resources as follows: The eradication of invasive plant species or habitat restoration shall consider first the use of non-chemical methods for prevention and management such as physical, mechanical, cultural, and biological controls. Herbicides may be selected only after all other non-chemical methods have been exhausted. Herbicides shall be restricted to the least toxic product and method, and to the maximum extent feasible, shall be biodegradable, derived from natural sources, and used for a limited time.

The LCPA was submitted to the California Coastal Commission on December 26, 2019. Since the Council adopted the LCPA, the Planning Commission has been including the pesticide ban condition on all applications it has considered. The CCC requested some additional information after the initial submittal by the City. A delay in providing this information to the CCC was an administrative oversight by City staff due to staff turnover in the Planning Department. The City Manager and the Planning Director apologize for this oversight and want to ensure the community that the delay in responding to the CCC was not intentional. The additional information as requested by the CCC has now been submitted. On Friday, June 5, the City also requested that the CCC process the LCPA as a de minimis amendment and to expedite the application. More information can be found on the City website.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021

The City will conduct a public hearing for the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 on Monday, June 8 at 6:30 PM. The staff report is available on the City website. The budget hearing is a follow up to the budget workshop held on April 29 during which the Council provide direction to staff on the Proposed Budget and Annual Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

TEMPORARY SKATE PARK

California Skateparks delivered the skate equipment this week, and installation is underway. The installation work is expected to take two to three weeks to complete. Once complete, the Temporary Skate Park will open as soon as possible after the Los Angeles County Public Health Order regarding skate facilities is lifted. You can view photos of the Temporary Skate Park construction on the City’s Skate Park Webpage.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

In preparation for fire season or any other disaster, the City’s Public Safety staff completed an inventory of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) including ensuring that COVID-19 related regulations can be complied with during a future disaster. Needed equipment and supplies have been ordered to ensure the City’s EOC can operate efficiently and effectively. Public Safety staff are also working with the Malibu CERT Team to ensure that the City’s six emergency bins are fully stocked and ready.

CERT

The Malibu CERT Team has remained active during the pandemic and have provided more than 400 hours assisting with the COVID-19 related activities. The California For All Grant awarded to the City in 2019 has allowed for the purchase of weatherproof high visibility jackets to be used by the CERT team during future deployments. While the City normally offers three or four CERT classes per year, previously scheduled classes have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Public Safety staff, along with CERT Team members who serve as instructors, are reviewing alternatives for providing CERT Training in person.

HOME IGNITION ZONE ASSESSMENTS

As part of the City of Malibu’s ongoing efforts to promote community-wide wildfire preparedness, the City re-started its no-cost Home Ignition Zone Assessment Program to help residents harden their homes against flying embers, a major cause of homes catching fire during wildfires. There are simple and often inexpensive ways to make homes safer from wildfire, including modifying landscaping around the home, sealing eaves, and moving flammable materials away from structures.

To ensure the safety of everyone, the service is provided by a single staff member, using personal protective equipment (PPE) and maintaining physical distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect seniors and vulnerable groups. Fire Safety Liaison Jerry Vandermeulen, who provides the service, is a former Ventura County Fire Battalion Chief. He is certified in “Assessing Structure Ignition Potential from Wildfire” through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in identifying specific areas that wildfire embers can find receptive fuels in and around a home. He will inspect your home and make recommendations on how to make it more fire resistant. To schedule an appointment, visit the Fire Safety web page and click on “Book an Appointment” or contact Jerry Vandermeulen at 310-456-2489, ext. 387 or jvandermeulen@malibucity.org.

MALIBU OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM

City staff is working with CalOES and FEMA on an Advanced Assistance Grant to design, engineer and complete environmental review on the Warning Sirens project for Malibu. The goal is to have a shovel-ready project that would be eligible for future Hazard Mitigation Grant funding. The City Council previously allocated $100,000 of General Fund Grant money towards the project. The City hired a consultant to prepare a siren feasibility report that will be presented to Council for review.

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

The nomination period for the November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election will open on July 13 and close on August 7, or August 12 if the incumbent does not file. You can find more information and contact information for the City Clerk to make an appointment to pull nomination papers on the Elections page. Please contact the City Clerk at hglaser@malibucity.org to make an appointment to be issued nomination papers. The City Clerk’s office is functioning remotely and the City Clerk and the Deputy City Clerk are available to assist the community with any election related question.

DISTRICT ELECTIONS

On October 25, 2019, Milton C. Grimes of the Law Offices of Milton C. Grimes sent the City a letter that claims the City’s at-large system violates the California Voting Rights Act. The City held Public Hearings on February 10, February 24, and March 12, 2020, to receive input from the community. The Public Hearings scheduled for March 13 and April 2, 2020, were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 20, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order N-34-20, which, in part, suspended the timeframes for conducting the hearings required for changing from an at-large method of election to a district-based election as set forth in Elections Code Section 10010 until such time as neither state nor local public health officials recommend or impose social distancing measures.

PUBLIC RECORDS

The City receives many hundreds of public records requests each year. In an effort to simplify and enhance transparency and access to public records, the City of Malibu has launched a new public records request portal, NextRequest. The new online Records Request Portal, allows the City to streamline its processes. Members of the public can now more easily submit, track, and receive documents through online requests. Questions regarding this new portal can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at cityclerk@malibucity.org.

PASSPORT SERVICES

In order to keep staff and the community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is not accepting passport appointments at this time. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for the current international travel advisory.

MALIBU REBUILDS

Since the Woolsey Fire, the Planning Department has approved over 554 applications including 44 since the pandemic began. Based on those approvals, Building Safety has issued 102 permits for single family dwellings and issued 1 permit for a 12 unit multi-family apartment complex. As of Friday, June 5, 4 single-family homes have been completed.

MALIBU REBUILDS - DEADLINES

City Council approved several measures to assist fire victims with rebuilding. There are important timelines to pay attention to. Please contact the Fire Rebuild Team at ashah@malibucity.org or call 310-456-2489, ext. 385 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

• Fee Waivers - Fee waiver applications must be received by June 30, 2020; all required Planning Department applications for the project must be deemed complete by June 30, 2020; and all required building permit must be pulled by December 30, 2020. See FAQs for more information.
• Rebuilding non-conforming structures – To rebuild non-conforming homes and structures without having to bring the structure into compliance or seek variances, property owners must apply with the Planning Department by November 8, 2020. Extensions may be requested. Contact the Fire Rebuild team for details.

MALIBU REBUILDS – REBUILD CONSULTATIONS

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, visit the Rebuild Page, where you can view rebuild options and find all related forms and handouts.

BUILDING SAFETY ONLINE SERVICES

To help facilitate Building Safety reviews, Building Safety has transitioned to electronic plan check submittals, permits, and invoices. To start an electronic plan check submittal, please email the following information to mbpcsubmittal@malibucity.org:

• Project site legal address
• Planning Reference/Approval number
• Owner Information: name, LLC or trust, address, phone number, and email address
• Applicant: name, company name, phone number, and email address
• Payor: name, phone number, and email address
• Contractor’s Information (name, license number, company name, CSLB number, address, phone number, and email address).
• Description scope of work:
• Architectural;
• Structural (include if piles and/or grade beams are proposed);
• Civil (if applicable); Deferred submittal (identify if any);

Once the application has been processed, an invoice will be emailed to so the applicant can submit an online payment. After the payment is made, application(s) will be emailed with directions to upload all required documents. For more information on Building Safety updated services, please visit the Building Safety webpage.

RECYCLING

Solid waste haulers have returned to collecting trash and recycling separately for residential customers due to the lifting of certain physical distancing requirements imposed by the LA County Department of Public Health to slow the spread of COVID-19. With those changes, solid waste haulers will be stricter about non-recyclable items in recycling containers. To reduce contamination in the recycling stream, residents are reminded not to include plastic bags and film, food waste, and polystyrene foam in recycling carts.

CLEAN POWER ALLIANCE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) customers have access to new protections in coordination with SCE to assist those experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19 including CPA/SCE bill payment assistance, flexible payment plans, and easily sign up for reduced rates through the CARE/FERA programs. Customers can contact SCE at 800-655-4555, or visit SCE’s website to take advantage of these resources.

WATER CONSERVATION

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of enhanced water-saving device incentives as part of the City’s ongoing Malibu Smart program. Residents can call 310-554-6210, email water@malibusmart.org, or visit the Malibu Smar website for more information.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING IN CITY PARKS

To encourage safe park visitation practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the City of Malibu recently implemented additional physical distancing circles at Trancas Canyon Park. The circles at Trancas were added to the general use field this week, after seeing the success of similar circles at Malibu Bluffs Park. You can check them out by visiting the parks, or by visiting the Parks & Facilities web page. For future updates regarding COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 web page.

LEGACY PARK REHABILITATION PROJECT

Staff continues to move forward with the Legacy Park Rehabilitation Project. The multi-year project will monitor growing conditions throughout the park, which will then be used to develop a long-term native landscape management plan. Eighteen test plots were planted in late 2019, and have done significantly better than expected. Staff will install additional test gardens later this year, to help rehabilitate areas of the park where non-native species typically thrive.

CHARMLEE WILDERNESS PARK TRAIL REPAIR

Trail clearance and remediation work at Charmlee Wilderness Park began on Wednesday, June 3. The selected contractor, Managed Career Solutions (MCS), will complete the trail work in four phases, prioritizing main arteries and popular trails during Phases 1 and 2. After Phases 1 and 2 are completed, the City will reopen the park while MCS completes Phases 3 and 4 of the project. Updates regarding an expected reopening date will be posted on the City’s web page and social media outlets, when available.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT

In addition to accepting Woolsey Fire rebuild applications, time extension requests and appeals, the Planning Department is now accepting applications for Primary View Determinations (not within the Woolsey Fire affected area), wireless telecommunication facility (WCF), and solar applications. To submit an application, please email mplanning@malibucity.org. Forms are available on the City website. For a complete list of planning services, visit the Planning web page.

CODE ENFORCEMENT COVID-19 UPDATE

The Code Enforcement team continues to ensure compliance with City codes responding to complaints, conducting site visits, researching cases and working with the City Prosecutor’s office. Residents can contact Code Enforcement during business hours at 310-456-2489, ext. 484 and after hours at 310-456-2489, ext. 311 (answered by a live operator).

MAJOR ORDINANCES

Staff is working to bring two major ordinances, described below, to the Planning Commission as soon as possible. During the pandemic, City Council has directed that legislative items for which significant public participation is anticipated should not be calendared until in-person meetings can be held again in City Hall.

• Accessory Dwelling Units

Staff is finalizing an update of the September 2018 draft that incorporates Planning Commission comments, new state laws passed in October 2019 and updated guidance issued by the Coastal Commission in April 2020. ADUs (known in the City’s existing codes as second residential units) are currently allowed in the City, but must be consistent with the LCP. For more information, visit the project web page.

• Short-Term Rentals

Staff is finalizing a draft ordinance and LCP amendment for the Planning Commission’s consideration based on Council’s December 3, 2019 direction to closely follow the home-sharing ordinance implemented by the City of Santa Monica. The special meeting originally scheduled for this item on March 30 was cancelled due to the pandemic. For more information, visit the project web page. For complaints or concerns regarding short-term rentals, contact the STR Code Enforcement hotline via email at STR@malibucity.org or by phone at 310-456-2489, ext. 308.

PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN – PCH NEAR LAS TUNAS

On January 13, City Council approved Ordinance No. 460 to place parking restrictions along two segments of Pacific Coast Highway (the Las Tunas area) to help control the issue of long-term parking and to make more coastal access parking available. Permanent signs have been installed and the restrictions are now in effect. The CDP to allow the signs to be installed along Las Tunas was approved in March and is now final. In these areas, no parking is be allowed on the landward side of PCH from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM, and on the seaward side from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM.

PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN – CORRAL BEACH

Staff is preparing an update to Ordinance 460 to implement parking restrictions in the Corral Beach area. A City Council hearing is tentatively planned for July. A CDP would need to be processed prior to sign installation.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: ON-CALL CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, ON-CALL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES, ON-CALL LAND SURVEYING SERVICES

Public Works requested proposals from qualified firms by May 28, 2020 for the three separate On-Call Services, three-year contract, for Civil / Traffic / and Land Surveying. Interviews are being held via Zoom video conference during the week of June 5, 2020. City Council will consider selecting the firm receiving the contract in July, 2020.

CORRAL CANYON BRIDGE AND DRAINAGE REPAIRS (DISASTER REPAIR PROJECT)

The project included minor fence repairs surrounding the northeast side of the Corral Canyon Bridge. In addition, approximately ½ mile up, the project repaired a 24 inch CMP pipe that was failing due to joint displacement. These repairs were completed this past week.

GUARDRAIL REPLACEMENT PROJECT

The Guardrail Replacement Project consists of replacement of the damaged guardrails from the Woolsey Fire at various locations within the City. Construction is anticipated to be completed by end of July, 2020.

The project include work in the following locations:

• Encinal Canyon (between Avenida Del Mar to Avenida De La Encinal)
• Birdview Avenue (between Westward Beach Road to Bluewater Road)
• Wildlife Road (between Zumirez Drive to Selfridge Street)
• Latigo Canyon (between PCH to Ocean View Drive)
• Corral Canyon (PCH to Seabreeze Drive)

LOWER RAMBLA PACIFICA UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT

This utility undergrounding project is located in the lower Rambla Pacifica neighborhood. The City has received an estimate from SCE for the undergrounding portion of the work. Staff is currently reaching out to the other utilities to get their project cost estimates. Once all the project costs are generated, staff will inform the property owners the total estimated costs and provide the next step in the process.

TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

The City Tree Maintenance contractor completed the tree inventory for all trees located within the City’s rights-of-way. The tree inventory identifies the location, type, condition and recommended maintenance. A yearly maintenance plan is currently being generated from the tree inventory assessment. Staff is working with the tree maintenance contractor to schedule this year’s maintenance work which is expected to start mid-June. In the meantime, staff is finalizing noticing flyers to be distributed by the contractor prior to start of the tree maintenance work.

BUS SHELTER AT PCH AND HEATHERCLIFF

The existing bus shelter located on PCH and Heathercliff Road was damaged in an accident. Staff has ordered a replacement shelter and is expecting it to be delivered and installed in June 2020.

CHARMLEE WILDERNESS WOOD FENCE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

This project consists of replacing the wood fencing around the existing building at Charmlee Wilderness Park that was damaged in the Woolsey Fire. Construction bids were received on February 27, 2020. The low bidder was Dash Construction at $19,026. Contractor has completed the majority of the work and is working on clean-up items.

RFP FOR LANDSLIDE MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING (BIG ROCK, CALLE DE BARCO, AND MALIBU ROAD)

On March 9, the City issued a request for proposals for consultants to manage the landslide assessment districts in Big Rock, Calle Del Barco and Malibu Road neighborhoods. On April 16, the City received four proposals and conducted consultant interviews. The selection panel recommended Yeh and Associates as the most qualified consultant. Staff will be finalizing the agreement with Yeh and Associates and will bring the agreement at the June 22, 2020 City Council meeting for final approval.

ROUTINE STREET MAINTENANCE

City maintenance crews continue to monitor and maintain all City streets and canyon roads. This includes but is not limited to signs, striping, litter removal, pothole repairs, storm drain maintenance and various other repair work. Our annual weed abatement crews continue to work along the shoulder areas within the City’s public right-of-way along City streets. This past week, the Public Works Maintenance crews removed litter along and perform minor brush clearance on Pacific Coast Highway.

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE – INSTALLATION OF NEW WATER MAINLINE ALONG CIVIC CENTER WAY

This Santa Monica College-led project consists of upgrading the existing water main along Civic Center Way between Webb Way and the County Library. The project is for the upcoming Santa Monica College Project. Work will require shifting the travel lanes to the center median, however two lanes will remain open. The estimated completion date is June 12, 2020.

SCE- COATING OF METAL UTILITY POLES

SCE is coating 38 metal utility poles (two of which are located within the Malibu city limits) along Malibu Canyon for approximately 1.5 miles from the Malibu City limits and into the unincorporated LA County. Project is expected to be completed in early June 2020.

E-NOTIFICATIONS

The City maintains a robust e-notification system so the community can stay informed about all of 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.