While the City Council may believe I am being over-zealous in my request for a basic acknowledgement of the Malibu Coastal Land Conservancy (MCLC) and its treasurer, Ozzie Silna, for providing the leading contribution of $500,000 toward the acquisition of the Chili Cook-Off site, let me explain why I believe it is important.
Since 1998, the MCLC, through it supporters, has taken the lead on causes that have provided a significant benefit to all Malibu residents. In 1998 we presented a proposal to the City Council to acquire the Chili Cook-Off site to serve as a first step in cleaning up the pollution flowing into Malibu Creek and Surfrider Beach.
In 2002, MCLC supporters teamed with Richard Carrigan, chairman of the Malibu Planning Commission, to defeat the City Council’s plan that could have resulted in 185,000 square feet of commercial development on the Chili Cook-off site under Measure M. Our efforts were validated when a majority of Malibu voters rejected the City Council’s development plan.
In 2003, the MCLC secured state grants and raised matching funds to construct a bridge across Malibu Creek in Serra Retreat Canyon, and lay the foundation for the repopulation of steelhead trout in Malibu Creek. In 2005, MCLC helped to arrange for approximately $11 million in state grants that the City Council could have used to purchase the Chili Cook-off site. Unfortunately the City Council failed to file the needed paperwork, lost the grants and instead issued bonds committing Malibu to $17 million of debt. Their actions effectively closed out the opportunity to replace the Civic Center lumberyard that served Malibu for over 15 years.
The MCLC contributed $500,000 as a matching challenge to Malibu residents, ultimately helping the city raise $1 million toward the purchase of the Chili Cook-off site.
In 2006, the MCLC issued a $100,000 matching challenge to Malibu to raise funds to help us defeat the proposed LNG facility off the coast of Malibu. Separately, our members have contributed over $250,000 to the effort to defeat this LNG facility. All of these efforts were accomplished based upon the tenacity and generosity of our supporters. The MCLC supporters and Mr. Silna have earned and deserve an occasional thank you.
Steve Uhring, President
Malibu Coastal Land Conservancy