For the first time since they both decided to run for City Council, Sharon Barovsky and Robert Roy van de Hoek discussed city business face to face at a Malibu Township Council debate forum on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Malibu United Methodist Church’s annual Pie Festival took place down the street at the Country Mart, where Barovsky had a prior commitment to judge pies at the event.
But for one hour before the festival began, both candidates discussed issues affecting the City of Malibu.
As she thanked MTC for the invitation to the debate, Barovsky, an educator and writer who took her husband Harry Barovsky’s seat on the City Council after he died, apologized that she could not stay because of her prior commitment.
“I really had to keep that committment,” she said. “I probably shouldn’t say that, but I put those values above political values.”
Van de Hoek opened his debate stating: “I chose to run because my opponent was running unopposed and I wanted to give the city a choice.”
As he puts it, Van de Hoek is fairly new to Malibu. However, he feels qualified for the job on the council because he said with a background in science and as an educator, he can help to “guide the future of Malibu, protect its environment and protect the future of families.”
Van de Hoek, a Sierra Club member and activist, then spoke about the organic pies he brought to share, advocating that his pies were environmentally friendly as they are dairy free as well as organic.
But since Barovsky had a committment pertaining to pies down the street, she led the discussion back to city business.
“We are trying to build some bridges between ourselves and other agencies,” said Barovsky.
However, at the moment the city is thinking about bringing suit against the state upon the issue of Local Coastal Plan. Barovsky said, “Whatever legal process the city can pursue, we should.”
Barovsky said there are two issues, local control and cooperation, that concern her.
“I don’t think we should give up local control, regardless,” she said. “That does not mean, however, that we should not work with the Coastal Commission to try to come up with an LCP that we can live with.”
Barovsky said she understands Malibu is not an island.
“We have to interact,” she said.
Van de Hoek said he is familiar with the commission.
“It’s imperative for us to come up with a local plan,” he said. “We may have to streamline to protect the people who already live here.”
This can be done by allowing people to add to their homes and by putting restrictions on future development concurrently, he said.
“We have to be strict with future development,” he added.
“It’s important for us to think about other options for that open space,” said van de Hoek, who disapproves of the MBC agreement.
Barovsky also discussed Measure N. “It gives us the right to vote on any development agreement with MBC,” she said. “If I had to vote on the development agreement today, I would vote against it, but that’s simply because I don’t know what the constraints are.”
“Until we have the scientific evidence, it’s all rock n roll,” she said. An environmental impact report will provide constraints, she said.
Van de Hoek said the environmental impact report process needs to be fully comprehensive.
“We can’t just have a little about preservation as EIR’s often have,” he said. “They usually don’t focus on preservation.”
As she spoke about the wetland option for the Civic Center, Barovsky said she wants to keep that option open.
On Measure O, a bond advisory measure that would provide funds for the city to purchase open space, Barovsky said: “The train is coming down the track, there are projects in the planning right now that are awesome, so I hope no matter who you vote for, vote yes on O, because it’s a problem solver.”
Van de Hoek, who also supports O, said: “I think that we definitively have to find a place for seniors and children, to make sure that there are enough playing fields and ball fields for the children. But those solutions are going to come regardless of what we decide with the Civic Center area.
“I already know that some opportunities exist by using the local high school for that,” said van de Hoek, as he talked about an option for ball fields.
“I don’t believe in the condemnation of MBC,” he continued. “They have been here for a while and love the community. When the price is right, they will, I’m sure, come forward in a positive way and sell the property at a fair price to the public.”
Malibu’s infrastructural limits were discussed next.
Van de Hoek spoke about drinking water concerns.
“These concerns don’t get brought up, but they should,” he said.
“My background in geography allows me to be aware of land use issues.”
Barovsky went back to the master plan concept.
“We have to have a master plan, she said. “We cannot allow piecemeal development. Without advanced planning, I agree we’re dead in the water.”
The credibility of the Huffman Feasibility report drafted for the Civic Center Chili Cook-off parcel was on the table again as the two brought up the issue again.
Barovsky said the wetland would only eliminate 50 percent of nitrogen levels.
“It does not address pathogens and viruses,” she said.
However, “If the community wants a wetland in the Civic Center, then I support it if we can afford it,” she said.
Van de Hoek said the report is an excellent report.
“I suggested that the council print summaries of the report for the public so they can look at it and judge for themselves,” he said.
“No wetland takes out every last bit of pollutant,” he said. “But to have a 50 percent reduction of nitrogen, that is a good thing when combined with other efforts.”
Additionally, van de Hoek said money is not a concern if the City of Malibu works hard to lobby for the funds.
During her last few minutes at the podium, Barovsky discussed transportation solutions.
“I think people need a shuttle service, kids have no way to get home after activities, seniors also need the service because right now they depend on private vehicles and others to get places,” she said.
“I obviously would like to see some sort of Master Plan within the next two years,” she added.
Van de Hoek agreed that the city needs some sort of Master Plan.
In his closing statement, van de Hoek used an analogy about the bald eagle and how it would improve the quality of life in Malibu. He talked about the successful efforts to reintroduce the eagle to Catalina Island and now it was time to focus on cleaning up the environment of Malibu.