GMDRP recovery update
The Greater Malibu Disaster Recovery Project, or GMDRP, Board of Directors met on Monday to review progress the group has made since the two recent fires. The board has appointed case workers, who are volunteer members of GMDRP, to those seeking financial assistance. Those seeking donations will have a single point of reference who will review their needs and progress. Since GMDRP, a 501c3 organization, makes donations to recipients after they already had their needs reviewed by insurance carriers, FEMA and other assistance agencies, a case worker will work with the potential recipient to make sure he or she has no critical needs unmet by those other agencies.
GMDRP is, by design, the disaster last responder with a purpose to assist unmet needs.
GMDRP officials emphasized the organization makes donations only to individuals. The board approved last month a donation to approximately 12 people in need following the October fire and before the November fire. A check in excess of $10,000 was delivered to the Malibu Presbyterian Church for final disbursal to those individuals. Although the check was payable to the church, all funds are designated for individual October fire survivors. As for last month’s fire survivors, the GMDRP Board will, after the case worker presents a survivor’s unmet needs, determine the aid to be donated.
All money donated to GMDRP will remain in Malibu. Officials say every dollar received this year will be earmarked directly for fire victims with no administrative expenses.
GMDRP can be contacted by telephone at 310.456.2489 ext. 301, by fax at 310.456.3356 or by e-mail at gmdrop@ci.malibu.ca.us.
Measure BB Committee to vote on unallocated funds
The school district’s Measure BB Committee, assigned to make recommendations on the 2006 voter-approved bond measure, voted 6-5 at its meeting on Monday night to make a recommendation at its Jan. 7 meeting to the Board of Education on the $38 million of bond money still undesignated. Those casting the dissenting votes said they wanted to wait until later next year for a variety of reasons, including until it was determined whether the $111 million already designated for projects might not be enough to cover that work.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District staff had recommended earlier this year that Malibu High School receive $27.5 million for projects. But at the recommendation of the BB Committee, that amount was reduced to $13.5 million. The justification for the reduction was the $14 million for a “middle school wing,” and middle school projects in Santa Monica had also been nixed. But many Malibu parents said this was unfair logic since Malibu High is an integrated high school and middle school campus.
A portion of the $38 million left undesignated could go to Malibu High. But there will be other schools, including elementary schools, in the running for that money.
It was also discussed at Monday’s meeting that an extra $14 million in bond money could be available if the district sells the bonds over six years rather than the originally proposed eight years because less money will be needed to be set aside to cover inflation and other overhead costs.
Election season begins
Potential City Council candidates can begin picking up nomination packets from the City Clerk’s Office on Monday. Office seekers must return to City Hall by Jan. 11 with signatures from 20 eligible Malibu voters to qualify for the April ballot.
So far only Malibu Chamber of Commerce President Ed Gillespie has confirmed he plans to run for council. Three seats are being contested, with Mayor Jeff Jennings and City Councilmember Ken Kearsley termed-out and not eligible to run. Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Conley Ulich can run for another term. If she decides not to seek a second term, the deadline to return qualification papers will be extended to Jan. 16
The nomination packets can be obtained at City Hall until the final day to return qualification papers, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 310.456.2489 ext. 228.
Warning issued against Metromint flavored water
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, has warned consumers not to drink Metromint brand flavored water because it may be contaminated with a bacterium called Bacillus cereus, a microorganism that may cause vomiting or diarrhea. San Francisco-based Soma Beverage Co. is voluntarily recalling all bottles of the product with a “Best Before” date prior to Dec. 21, 2008. The “Best Before” date is on the shoulder of the bottle.
There have been no confirmed illnesses in California associated with this product to date, according to the Department of Health. There is an illness complaint in Illinois that is possibly linked to consumption of the product.