Local contractors presented their proposal for reducing the impact of construction projects to a receptive City Council Monday. The plan, drawn up with city staff, was adopted unanimously by the council.
It includes a new “Good Neighbor Policy” that calls on contractors to limit noise and debris at construction sites, and to keep neighbors informed of the scope and duration of a project. Signs will also be posted at construction sites alerting residents of a hot-line number that they can call with complaints.
The Malibu Contractors Association prepared the policy with the Department of Building and Safety after a group of residents requested the council to impose a Saturday construction ban. But rather than enact a ban, the council asked the association to draft its own self-policing method to limit the impacts of construction activities.
The association also agreed to a cutback in the permitted hours of construction on Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, construction is permitted six days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At Monday’s meeting, association members said they will be vigilant in enforcing the new Good Neighbor rules, so the issue of a Saturday construction ban does not resurface.
Scott Halley said he will personally visit job sites to educate contractors who are playing their radios too loud or not keeping a site clean.
“We’re going to say, ‘Hey dude, you’re going to wreck it for everybody,’ ” he said.
In other matters, the council approved a franchise agreement with Metricom, Inc. to install radio transmitters for high-speed Internet services.
The shoebox-sized transmitters will sit atop approximately 140 telephone and utility poles, and will power the system for Malibu subscribers, providing a wireless alternative to telephone modems that require telephone connections.
Metricom plans to have the system up and running by the end of the year. Basic service for subscribers will cost $29.95 a month.
The council also appointed the following members to the Malibu Economic Plan Advisory Committee. Each council member was permitted to name three appointments.
Councilman Harry Barovsky chose John Wall, Jannis Swerman and Mary Lou Blackwood;
Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Van Horn chose Sam Kaplan, John Musante and Ozzie Silna ;
Councilwoman Joan House chose Rich Davis and Bill Niles, third member to be determined;
Councilman Tom Hasse chose Sherman Baylin and Grant Adamson, third member to be determined; and
Mayor Walt Keller chose Marshall Thompson, Tom Lubisich and Sandra Stafford.