House named Malibu mayor for fourth time, Peak mayor pro tem

Joan House was named Malibu mayor for the fourth time Wednesday, while Skylar Peak was appointed mayor pro tem by the council, a job his colleagues denied him nine months ago. 

House, who succeeded La Monte, was appointed in a 5-0 vote to a position she is no stranger to, having served as mayor three times when she was on the City Council from 1992-2004, before term limits were in place.

Peak was unanimously voted mayor pro tem, in contrast to  the last reorganization of the council in August, which was marred by outcry over a police investigation involving the 29-year-old council member.

“It feels great. It feels like I’m a new man,” Peak said with a grin after Wednesday’s 5-0 vote. 

“[Since the last reorganization] he’s done everything he’s supposed to do,” said Councilman Lou La Monte. “There’s no investigation going on anymore.”

Last August, Peak was under investigation for allegedly threatening a security guard at Point Dume Village shopping center, after which he admitted to suffering from bipolar disorder.

La Monte and Councilwoman Laura Rosenthal said at the time Peak should not serve as mayor pro tem while the investigation was ongoing. They added that he needed more experience as a councilmember and the council voted 3-2 to appoint House as mayor pro tem, with Peak and Councilman John Sibert casting votes against her appointment. The district attorney eventually declined to press charges against Peak.

“More time always helps,” Peak said Wednesday.

Peak also recently received two years probation after pleading no contest to a reckless driving charge stemming from a Christmas Day car crash in which he damaged Caltrans road delineators on Pacific Coast Highway.

Sibert, who nominated Peak for mayor pro tem and swore him in, said the past nine months had noticeably helped Peak develop his leadership capabilities. 

“He’s grown into this job,” Sibert said. “I think he’ll do fine.” 

Peak has high hopes as Malibu’s second-in-command.

“I’ll continue to dedicate time and energy to make Malibu the best city possible,” Peak said. 

House puts forward mayoral agenda

House outlined three major goals for her nine-month term: finding more space in Malibu for ballfields and recreational areas, cracking down on rehabilitation centers in Malibu that violate state and city policies, and conducting a study to determine every “safe and legal parking spot” on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

“Unfortunately whent it comes to PCH parking, the California Coastal Commission prioritizes visitor designation over and above public safety,” House said. “To me, this is unacceptable.”

Joan House’s grandson David swears in House as Malibu’s mayor on Wednesday night.