Malibu City Manager Updates March 6, 2020

From the City of Malibu:

February 28, 2020

March 6, 2020

Upcoming

• Monday, March 9, 4:00 PM- Library Subcommittee Special Meeting- City Hall
• Monday March 9, 6:30 PM- City Council Regular Meeting- City Hall
• Monday March 9, 7:00 PM- Harry Barovsky Memorial Youth Commission Regular Meeting- City Hall
• Thursday March 12, 10:00 AM- City Manager’s Roundtable- City Hall
• Thursday March 12, 6:00 PM- Special City Council Meeting (Third Public Hearing for Districting)- City Hall
• Friday March 13, 6:00 PM- Special City Council Meeting (Third Public Hearing for Districting)- Malibu High School

DISTRICT-BASED ELECTIONS

On October 28, 2019, the City received a letter sent by Milton C. Grimes of the Law Offices of Milton C. Grimes, which claimed the City’s at-large system of voting violates the California Voting Rights Act. On January 12, 2020, the Council declared its intent to place a binding initiative on the November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election ballot for the public to choose whether the City should change from an at-large system of voting to a district-based system.

Several proposed voting district maps were uploaded to the City’s website on March 5, You can view the maps on the District Elections page under the Draft Maps tab

The City may ask voters to decide whether to change the way City Councilmembers are elected. Come learn about the pros and cons and comment on draft maps that could create new voter districts for City Council elections at the next Public Hearings:

• Thursday, March 12, 2020
• 6:00 PM
• Council Chambers – Lower Level
• 23825 Stuart Ranch Road
• Malibu, CA 90265

• Friday, March 13, 2020
• 6:00 PM
• Malibu High School Auditorium
• 30215 Morning View Drive
• Malibu, CA 90265

These meetings have the same agenda, but are being held in two different locations for the community’s convenience.

Visit www.malibucity.org/districtelections for additional information.

Coronavirus

At the City Council meeting on Monday, March 9, an official from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Department (LADPH) will give a presentation about the current status of the coronavirus in the County, including numbers of cases, severity, treatments and precautions for the public, and what actions public health officials are taking. City staff are participating in regular conference calls with LA County Department of Public Health to receive the latest updates on novel coronavirus spread and response in the US, reviewing emergency procedures and implementing hygiene protocols in City Hall.

Malibu will continue to follow the lead of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in implementing protocols for public spaces and in messaging to the community.

The public is urged to follow these hygiene and containment measures:

• Avoid / Stay away from sick people;
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol-based hand cleaner;
• Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Disinfect public counters, desks, common areas, phones, keyboards, etc.;
• Use disinfectant wipes identified for use against Influenza A&B and Coronaviruses;
• If you have symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) stay home and call a doctor;
• Remain home until you have spoken with your doctor or health provider and are cleared to return to work; and
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.

For updates and information about the coronavirus situation in the United States and in Los Angeles County, severity, treatments, precautions, and other important public health information in multiple languages, please visit the County’s Public Health website and the CDC website.

MALIBU REBUILDS - DEADLINES

The 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 acruz@malibucity.org or call 310-456-2489 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Like-for-like and like-for-like +10% fee waivers – City Council approved refunds and fee waivers.

MALIBU REBUILDS – REBUILD CONSULTATIONS

The Fire Rebuild team is available for complimentary one-on-one consultations about any fire rebuild project. Contact Aundrea Cruz at acruz@malibucity.org to set an appointment or drop by City Hall and a team member will meet with you as soon as possible. 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.

MALIBU REBUILDS – FIRE REBUILD STATISTICS

Visit the City’s Woolsey Fire rebuild statistics web portal to see the latest rebuilding progress.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT PUBLIC NOTICES

If you have been temporarily displaced by the Woolsey Fire and are having difficulties receiving Planning Department public notices, you may receive notices via email by sending your request to the Planning Department at kstecko@malibucity.org. Also, to receive messages regarding public meetings, sign up at malibucity.org/news.

FIRE RESISTANT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE – PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 9

On Monday, March 9, the City Council will re-consider the Fire-Resistant Landscape Ordinance to foster more fire-resistant landscapes. The amendments were previously considered by the City Council on January 13 and January 27, 2020. However, the Council directed staff to schedule a new hearing to consider new information. For more information, see the staff report.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS – PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 16

In September 2018, the Planning Commission considered LCP and Municipal Code amendments to address accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in accordance with State law. New state laws were passed in October 2019. Staff will present updated recommendations for the Commission’s consideration at the March 16, 2020 Planning Commission meeting. For more information, visit the project web page at malibucity.org/ADU.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS – PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 30

The Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 30 at 6:30 PM to consider an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals. This meeting is the result of direction given by the Council on December 3 where staff was directed to process a a Local Coastal Program Amendment and Zoning Text Amendment to regulate the short-term rental of residential property similar to the home-sharing ordinance implemented by the City of Santa Monica. For more information, visit the project web page at malibucity.org/STR.

PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN – 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 and the Malibu Pier area) to help control the issue of long-term parking and to make more coastal access parking available. In these areas, no parking would be allowed on the landward side of PCH from 12AM to 2AM, and on the seaward side from 2AM to 4AM. The rules will not go into effect until a coastal development permit (CDP) is approved for posting signs in each location, an outreach program is conducted, and the signs are installed. On March 2, the Planning Commission approved a CDP for the signs to be installed in Las Tunas. The appeal periods (approximately one month long) must expire before the outreach could begin and signs could be installed.

parking management plaN - MALIBU pier area PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 16

At its Monday, March 16 meeting, the Planning Commission will consider a CDP to implement Ordinance No. 460 in the Malibu Pier area. The staff report will be posted to the City’s website 10 days prior to the meeting. To receive an alert of the posting of the agenda and staff report for the March 16 meeting, sign-up for an e-notification by going to malibucity.org/news, and scroll down to Agenda Center/Planning Commission.

PARADISE COVE - ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT COMMENT PERIOD

The City of Malibu Planning Department has Issued Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Paradise Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade project. The project consists of an application for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the demolition of portions of a mobile home park wastewater treatment system, abandonment of a septic tank and installation of a new wastewater treatment system including a water recycling plant, electrical equipment on concrete pads, a new pipeline, construction of a new building housing sludge and disinfection equipment, and retaining walls. The project is required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Work for this project has been done without the benefit of permits. The City is currently processing the application filed by the property owners (The Kissel Company Inc. and Paradise Cove Land Company, LLC) to correct the permitting violation. The comment period on the environmental document is February 20 through March 20, 2020. Written comments can be submitted to lrudolph@malibucity.org and by mail to City of Malibu Planning Department Attn: Lilly Rudolph, Contract Planner, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, California 90265. A hard copy of the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration is available to view at the Planning Department public counter or on the City’s website. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on March 30 to consider the environmental document and associated CDP.

MALIBU JEWISH CENTER & SYNAGOGUE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT COMMENT PERIOD

The City of Malibu Planning Department has Issued Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue project. The proposed project consists of redevelopment of the site including a two-story, 16,410 square-foot classroom/administration building with two subterranean levels, one for 28 parking spaces and the second for storage, construct a new synagogue building with a 2,013 square-foot of above-ground floor area and a basement, redevelop the existing surface parking lot to improve internal circulation and parking, habitat restoration program for Puerco Canyon Creek to be integrated with ongoing fuel modification activities and remove two protected native trees (western sycamore trees). The complete project description is provided in the Initial Study. The City is currently processing a Coastal Development Permit and other entitlements for this application filed by the property owners. The comment period on the environmental document is from February 20, 2020 through March 20, 2020. Written comments are accepted via email to afernandez@malibucity.org and at City of Malibu Planning Department Attn: Adrian Fernandez, Principal Planner, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, California 90265. A hard copy of Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration may be viewed at Planning Department public counter or accessed on the City’s website. A public hearing date for the project has not been set yet.

LCP AMENDMENT FOR WESTWARD BEACH

On March 13, the California Coastal Commission will consider Executive Director’s determination that the City’s LCP amendment, that would facilitate the City’s Westward Beach Public Access Improvements project, is minor in nature and can be approved administratively. Unless the Commission objects to the Executive’s Director’s determination, the amendment will take effect automatically upon approval by the Commission. For more information, visit the California Coastal Commission’s website (see March 13, Item 9a). The Commission meeting is in Santa Cruz.

MRCA COASTAL ACCESSWAYS PUBLIC WORKS PLAN

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) is proposing a Malibu Coastal Access Public Works Plan (PWP) for public beach accessways in Malibu. The PWP includes 17 publicly-owned sites along the coast in the City. The City is currently processing Coastal Development Permits for several of these projects. To see additional project information, the environmental documents and the City’s comment letters, visit the project page.

POINT DUME HEADLANDS PROJECT

Trail rehabilitation at Point Dume State Beach (29300 Cliffside Drive) started on January 15, 2020 and is estimated to be completed by April 27, 2020. As the work will primarily be completed with hand tools, the City Manager has authorized extended work hours. The construction of the new accessway stairs will take place after trail rehabilitation. For more information, please contact the case planner, Richard Mollica, Assistant Planning Director, at rmollica@malibucity.org or 310-456-2489, ext. 346.

SCE ANNUAL VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

SCE has begun its annual vegetation inspection and maintenance program. SCE makes contact with all property owners before conducting any work. As in 2019, inspections and monitoring are being conducted by the City Arborist to ensure the City’s tree protection rules are followed. For questions, contact SCE’s contractor directly at Esteban Sanchez, 909-531-0616 or esanchez@mowbrays.com.

TOPANGA LAGOON RESTORATION PLAN

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains is spearheading an effort with State Parks and other agencies to restore the Topanga Lagoon. City staff attended the first in a series of public meetings which was held Saturday, February 29. Many more meetings for planning and public input, followed by environmental review and permitting, are planned. RCDSMM officials indicate no construction would begin before 2027 at the earliest. Visit the RCDSMM project website for more information and sign up for notifications to stay informed.

PARKING USE ZONING/LCP AMENDMENT – ZORACES MEETING

A meeting of the Council’s Zoning Ordinance and Code Enforcement Subcommittee (ZORACES) is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at 10am at City Hall. The Subcommittee will discuss a proposed amendment to the zoning code and Local Coastal Program to allow parking lots as a stand-alone use. Currently, parking lots are allowed in conjunction with another use but not as a stand-alone use. A staff report will be distributed prior to the meeting. To receive an alert of the posting of the agenda and staff report for the March 17 meeting, sign-up for an e-notification by going to malibucity.org/news, and scroll down to Agenda Center/City Council Subcommittee – Zoning Ordinance Revisions and Code Enforcement Subcommittee (ZORACES).

City Hall Art Exhibition – The Birds and the Bees

The Opening Reception for the next City Hall Art Exhibition, The Birds and the Bees, A Celebration of Spring in Malibu, will take place on Friday, March 20, at 6:30 pm at Malibu City Hall. The Cultural Arts Commission curated the exhibition, which includes 81 pieces of artwork across various mediums. The exhibition will run through May 2020, and more information is available on our website. For information on Cultural Arts Programs and Events throughout Malibu, please visit the Malibu Arts and Culture website.

Permanent Skate Park Design Agreement

The City Council approved an agreement with California Skateparks to design the Permanent Skate Park. Design meetings will begin in March, and dates and times for the meetings will be posted on the Skate Park page, when available.

METRO’S PROPOSED CHANGES TO MALIBU’S BUS SYSTEM

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is in the process of updating the County’s bus system including the 534 bus that currently serves Malibu. All of Metro’s proposed bus service changes are available for public review online. In Malibu, Metro is proposing to renumber the 534 line to 134, discontinue service to Cliffside Drive and Dume Drive due to underutilized service and modify the frequency of service. Metro will be conducting a meeting at Malibu City Hall on Monday, March 30, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM to gather feedback on the proposed changes from the Malibu community. Community members can also email comments on the proposed changes to nextgen@metro.net

Guardrail Replacement Project

The Guardrail Replacement Project consists of replacement of the damaged guardrails from the Woolsey Fire at various locations within the City. This project is estimated to be completed by May 2020.

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)

Caltrans Storm Drain Repairs on PCH

Caltrans will be performing storm drain repairs and debris removal in areas that were affected by the Woolsey Fire. Closures are weather permitting and subject to change. One lane of PCH will be open at all times.

Encinal Canyon Water System Improvements Project

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works contractor will be installing waterlines, valves, and other appurtenant work near the streets of Vista Del Preseas, Avenida De La Encinal, Encinal Canyon Road, Via Vienta, and Vista De Los Ondas. Construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents may experience minimal traffic impact and parking restrictions.

Legacy Park Bench Refurbishment Project

This project consists of refurbishing the 34 wooden benches in Legacy Park and on Civic Center Way. The contractor completed one of the benches and is working on the remaining. The project is estimated to be completed by May 2020.

Civic Center Way Improvement Project

At the February 10, 2020 City Council meeting, Council provided staff with direction on plan modifications to the Civic Center Way Improvement Project. Staff is incorporating the City Council modifications to the project plans and construction documents. Construction bids were received on March 5, 2020. The award of the construction contract is scheduled on April 13, 2020. Construction is estimated from May 2020 to October 2020. The City is also seeking qualified firms to provide construction management services for this project. These proposals are due March 19, 2020. An appeal of the project was filed with the CA Coastal Commission which could delay the start of this project.

Civic Center Way Storm Drain Repair Project

This project consists of repairing the existing 84-inch storm drain on Civic Center Way located just east of the Civic Center Water Treatment Facility. The City received bids for the project and the apparent low bidder the GMZ Engineering. The award of the construction contract is scheduled for City Council on March 9, 2020. Construction is estimated to begin mid March 2020 and take two to four weeks to complete. During construction, Civic Center Way will be closed.

Civic Center Water Treatment Facility Project – Phase 2

Phase 2 of the Civic Center Water Treatment Facility Project consists of expanding the treatment facility on Civic Center Way from 190,000 gallons per day to 350,000 gallons per day. This expansion is to include those properties identified in the Phase 2 prohibition zone, the condos on Civic Center Way, Malibu Colony and portions of Serra Retreat neighborhoodsThe project is currently in the preliminary design phase and the preliminary design report is anticipated to be completed by April 2020. The City has met with some of the neighborhoods individually to discuss the specifics of the project. An community meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2020. The City is currently seeking qualified firms to provide assistance with assessment district formation. These proposals are due March 26, 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.

FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 GENERAL FUND GRANTS

Non-profit organizations that benefit the Malibu community are invited to apply for the City’s General Fund Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Applications are accepted now through Tuesday, March 31, 2020 by 5:00 PM. The application form, application instructions and information about the program are available on the Grant page.

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.