In a special meeting marked by public outrage and heartfelt testimony from fire victims, the City Council advances significant policy changes
In an extensive four-hour special meeting on Oct. 15, the Malibu City Council addressed the ongoing fire rebuild crisis head-on, approving sweeping policy changes to expedite home reconstructions while fielding blistering public criticism over perceived delays and dysfunction.
The session, marked by emotional pleas from fire victims, heated debates, and a recusal by two council members to voteon an agenda item, highlighted the city’s urgent push to restore normalcy seven years after the Woolsey Fire and nine months after the devastating Palisades Fire. With Councilmember Haylynn Conrad participating remotely via teleconference, the meeting drew a full chamber of in-person attendees and dozens of Zoom participants. Mayor Marianne Riggins called the session to order at 6 p.m.
The evening began with heated public comments regarding the closed-session item, immediately creating a tense atmosphere. Jo Drummond, a local homeowner and vocal advocate for rebuilding who lost her own home, criticized the city’s bureaucracy, asserting that no qualified candidates are willing to take the city manager position, except for Glenn Becerra, a Simi Valley veteran with 20 years of experience. “Malibu isn’t being managed; it’s being manipulated,” Drummond declared, accusing the council of silencing residents and wasting millions on consultants like Cotton Shires, who billed $85,000 in July alone for “more tests and studies.” Drummond spotlighted stark rebuild statistics: Only 40% of Woolsey Fire homes have been rebuilt after seven years, and less than 2% of Palisades Fire homes have permits — compared to 42% in Los Angeles.
She praised former Rebuild Ambassador Abe Roy for pushing science-based solutions, only to be “punished” by City Hall. Becerra’s connections to Southern California Edison, Drummond argued, could end Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and accelerate power line undergrounding, bolstering Malibu’s resilience.
The comments underscored a broader frustration: Families displaced by fires are still waiting, with public dollars funneled to consultants rather than direct aid. After a brief closed session with no reportable action, the council reconvened at 6:30 p.m. for the regular agenda, approving it unanimously after minor amendments, including adjourning a future meeting in memory of Barry Haldeman.
The consent calendar passed, with Councilmember Doug Stewart recusing himself from Item 5 due to a potential conflict involving his property. A key highlight was Item 6: Authorizing abatement for two remaining uncleaned properties post-Palisades Fire. Community Development Director Yolanda Bundy clarified that costs would be fully recouped from owners via court proceedings, partnering with Los Angeles County. “The city will not pay a dime,” she assured. Councilmember Steve Uhring questioned recouping enforcement costs, receiving confirmation that all expenses — from court fees to cleanup — would be reimbursed. The full calendar, totaling routine approvals, carried 4-0 (Stewart abstaining on one item).
The meeting’s centerpiece was Bundy’s comprehensive 20-minute presentation on fire rebuild progress, addressing six community-requested actions from recent feedback. Visibly emotional — wiping away tears while discussing Las Flores families’ struggles — Bundy detailed transformative changes implemented since September:
- Administrative Streamlining: Reduced steps by 50%, eliminating redundant uploads and authorizations. A one-step portal now handles planning and building reviews.
- In-House Expertise: Ten city staff and 35 in-person consultants at the Rebuild Center, with 10-day plan check reviews and automated progress emails at five- and three-day checkpoints.
- Dedicated Case Managers: Starting Monday, emergency managers (experienced in Maui, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz fires) assigned per homeowner post-planning approval for advocacy and status updates.
- Regional Collaboration: Sharing L.A. County resources like educational videos on architect selection and permitting checklists.
- Templates and Waivers: New architectural templates to cut corrections; geotechnical reports waived for flat-pad homes if data supports; MEP permits optional under 5,000 sq. ft.
- Single Correction Cycle: Consolidating feedback into one package, aiming for no third reviews.
Bundy unveiled updated dashboards: 333 total building permits issued (including repairs); seven planning approvals; 21 under review, with five expected imminently. Compared to L.A. County’s 663 damaged properties and seven approvals, Malibu is “neck-and-neck” despite 320 beachfront complexities. For Woolsey, 45% of 465 destroyed homes have certificates of occupancy; 81% of parcels are in process or complete — up from last year’s outreach efforts. Bundy committed to weekly Fridays at the Rebuild Center for mentoring, praising the Zone Captains (community liaisons) and design professionals.
“We’re not just rebuilding homes; we’re giving hope,” she said, choking up. Council praise was effusive. Uhring called it “participatory management done perfectly.” Stewart urged against burnout, “The city owes you gratitude every day.” Riggins highlighted misconceptions, noting L.A.’s 762 “permits” include minor repairs — not apples-to-apples with Malibu’s 333. Councilmember Bruce Silverstein credited Roy with influencing many of the initiatives currently being implemented. While noting that not all of them stemmed directly from Roy, Silverstein said the majority were ideas the two had previously discussed. He also read a portion of a complimentary letter — promising to share more at the upcoming regular meeting — from an architect managing 11 rebuild projects, nine of them in Malibu. The architect praised the city’s progress, writing, “You’re doing far better than places outside of Malibu.”
Silverstein went on to dispel the so-called “Santa Rosa myth,” explaining that the city’s rapid rebuilds occurred in flat areas, while projects in hilly terrain have progressed at a pace comparable to Malibu’s.
Item 3B finalized rebuild policies, adopting the last of 10 clarifications from March ordinances. The focus: Wave action reports for beachfront structures. Assistant Community Development Director Tyler Eaton presented: Structures follow FEMA base flood elevation +1 foot; no additional city sea level rise requirements. On-site wastewater/seawalls follow coastal engineer designs, submitted via report or stamped letter.
Public comments were heated. Arno Lerner, speaking for 216 petition signers, demanded Mayor Riggins resign. “You’re the wrong person … Step down with grace,” he said. Kevin Keegan urged liberalizing codes per Silverstein’s July op-ed. Remote speaker Danny shamed the council: “Embarrassed as a resident … Work harder.” Darren Aaron opposed mandatory wave studies for 20 Big Rock properties: “Waive on a case-by-case basis — don’t delay us $15,000.” After debate, the council refined language: “Design” over “engineered”; “either…or” for submissions; no city additions beyond federal/state law.
Motion carried 4-1, with Conrad voting no. “Hallelujah — all policies done,” Riggins exclaimed. Silverstein assured, “No retribution — full stop.”
The council approved three special grants totaling $415,000:
- Malibu Education Foundation (MEF): $315,000 (50/50 installments) for academic enrichment amid fire disruptions. MEF raised $200,000 independently; district covers middle school athletics ($100,000). Speakers Kevin Keegan and Karen Hardin hailed it as a unification pillar. Motion passed unanimously.
- Community Brigade: $100,000 to equip/train volunteers who saved lives/property in Palisades/Franklin fires. Ongoing need; multi-city effort. Motion passed unanimously, with Riggins stressing safety.
- Mission Nirvana: $0 — lacked nonprofit documentation.
Friends of Malibu Urgent Care: $100,000 denied 3-0 (Conrad recused; significant donations). Silverstein: “Opaque — urgent care must open books.” Can reapply in spring. Post-grants, Riggins and Beering urged school-community synergy: Shared pools/stages. “Two-way street,” Riggins said. Silverstein agendized pool discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m., marking another step forward in Malibu’s rebuilding journey — streamlined processes, finalized policies, and renewed support from key partners. Still, with 19% of Woolsey Fire parcels yet to begin rebuilding and fewer than 2% in the Palisades area, time remains a critical factor.