The 14th Malibu City Council convened for the first time on Monday, Dec. 12, following the swearing-in of three members who won seats at the Nov. 8 election earlier this year.
Rick Mullen, a retired Marine and current Malibu Fire Captain, earned 2,678 votes — the most of any candidate running in the fall race — and was sworn in first. Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, businessman and Malibu Pier concessionaire, earned a total of 2,556 votes. Skylar Peak, an electrician and incumbent on the council, took home 2,266 votes.
The three men were sworn in before an enthusiastic crowd at the City Council meeting, as outgoing Council Member John Sibert stepped down from the council dias for the final time.
Sibert, along with Council Member Joan House (who was in South America and could not attend Monday’s meeting) was termed out after serving just over eight years at the helm of the city.
Though Sibert and House were given a formal “thank you” and send-off at the Nov. 28 meeting, there were still many kind words said for Sibert.
“The moment has finally arrived, and this is your last meeting,” Council Member Laura Rosenthal said. “And I just wanted to say thank you, again, for everything you’ve taught me and everything you’ve done for our city and our whole community.”
Mullen was the first of the newly elected members to take the oath, which was conferred by Chumash Ceremonial Elder and Wishtoyo Foundation Executive Director Mati Waiya and his wife, Wishtoyo Foundation Cultural Resources & Education Director Luhui Isha.
Waiya thanked Mullen for taking the time to meet with and value the Chumash in the Malibu community.
“Thank you for giving us the honor to meet your family earlier today,” Waiya said. “To be around our sacred fire, to think of this responsibility to represent the public, the people the resources of this beautiful place we call Humaliwo, or Malibu.”
Mullen, who ran on a platform of honoring the city’s mission statement, was reminded to bear that in mind when making decisions as a council member.
“The choices we make are entrusted in you,” Waiya said. “Our ancestors that have lived here for 13,000 years — and now you raise your children here. It’s an honor to be here, to serve you in a way that we can bring together a human family, without divide, without cultural differences, but to support you and your family.”
In response, Mullen said he had immense respect for the Chumash community and its stewardship of Malibu.
“Malibu’s been a city for 25 years,” Mullen recounted. “European descendents like myself have lived in this area for 250 years. The Chumash have been here for 13,000 years. To put that in perspective, that’s 10,000 years before the time of the pharaohs.
“It’s important for me and for all of us to consider those who’ve been here for 13,000 years,” Mullen said.
Jefferson Wagner was sworn in by his daughter, Ava. Wagner took the oath while holding a small electric candle.
“I”m holding the candle for all of you that supported me in the campaign,” Wagner said, “and I hope I can shed light that you need to have beared for you in the future.”
Finally, Skylar Peak took the oath to begin his second term on council, sworn in by his fiancee Janet Friesen’s children Theo and Uma.
The three men ran as a slate, with a platform of environmentalism and “preserving Malibu.”
