A city council member accuses another member of doing the bidding of a local activist.
By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor
City Councilmember Ken Kearsley, at Monday’s meeting, gave a stern warning about the possible political future of Malibu, and the next day accused a fellow council member of working with activist Ozzie Silna regarding a decision on a proposed commercial project.
Kearlsey’s comments came during a 3-2 council vote in favor of postponing the hearing on the proposed La Paz shopping center in the Civic Center area from later this month to May.
Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Conley Ulich and Councilmember Andy Stern wanted the postponement on the project (which is actually two proposals, one for a 132,000 square-foot proposal with land dedicated to the city for a City Hall and the other at 99,000 square feet with no city benefit) because if the larger version were supported on March 24, city law would require an additional meeting for final approval.
And there is no meeting scheduled before Election Day, when at least two new people would be voted onto the council.
But Kearsley said the real reason behind the delay request was because those not wanting the project to be approved believe the result would be better to their liking without Kearsley and Mayor Jeff Jennings (who will also be termed-out) on the council.
“I know what’s going on,” he said. “I want to send a message to Ozzie [Silna] and his toadies. Be careful of what you wish for, guys, because that same council might not do your bidding.”
Kearsley said on Tuesday he believed Stern’s concern was legitimate because he was not an ally of Silna’s, but he said Conley Ulich and Silna “talk.”
“They’re gambling that the next council will include people who vote against City Halls, and ball parks and everything else,” he said.
Conley Ulich said on Tuesday she was just trying “to do the right thing.” She declined to comment on Kearsley’s theory.
Silna said on Tuesday, “I have no problem with Kearsley’s comments. But I’m really surprised that he would make a presumption that I’ve got this power to decide what would happen.”
Kearsley said Silna’s statement was “absolutely laughable.”
“He had no connection to try to stop La Paz?” Kearsley asked rhetorically. “Maybe Ozzie and four other people would believe this. But I don’t think anybody else would.”
Jennings and Councilmember Sharon Barovsky said at Monday’s meeting they also believed delaying the La Paz hearing was “political,” although they were less specific on what they meant than Kearsley was. Barovsky also voted alongside Stern and Conley Ulich, although she said the postponement was not necessary.
Several consultants and an attorney working on the La Paz project pleaded with the council not to delay the hearing for a project that had an application turned into City Hall more than two years ago.
“We’ve definitely gone the extra mile,” said planning consultant Don Schmitz. “We’ve put in our time. We’d like to have our hearing on the 24th.”
Schmitz added that the council could vote on the project March 24, and if the larger project were approved, the council could hold a special meeting five days later for final approval, prior to Election Day. City Attorney Christi Hogin confirmed this would be legal.
Recently, the La Paz project became a heated issue at a Planning Commission meeting when officials from the county Public Works Department said it was a fire risk because there would not be a sufficient water supply. An attorney for the project said at Monday’s meeting she had been meeting with a county public works official, and they were close to a compromise.
Wheels in motion for COPs
Also on Monday, the council approved setting the wheels in motion for the city to issue $12.5 million in certificates of participation, which are similar to bonds, to fund the construction of Legacy Park and Trancas Canyon Park. The COPs would be funded through the rent money the city receives from the three structures on Legacy Park. The city’s finance head Reva Feldman and a bond consultant said the city was in good enough financial shape to do this. However the information provided is tentative, and Feldman said the city staff would come back with very specific numbers before any COP issuance would be approved.
The COPs could not be issued until after the two park projects have received City Council approval, which could happen this summer. Also, the money generated could be used for other capital projects if it were determined the city needed less money to fund the construction of those parks.
Also at the meeting, the council voted to bag two-hour parking signs for 10 spaces outside of Malibu High School while local residents, school officials and city officials met to find a solution for parking issues there. Additionally, the council voted to continue with a process toward making the Malibu Library separate from the county system, but while continuing to negotiate with the county about remaining in the system.