Accident shuts down PCH at Zuma
An accident on northbound Pacific Coast Highway near Zuma Beach took place Tuesday late afternoon, according to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department. The department reported to the city of Malibu that the accident was serious, and caused northbound traffic to be diverted up Morningview Drive to Guernsey. Traffic was diverted until at least 8 p.m.
Sheriff’s officials could not tell The Malibu Times anything else other than that the victim, or victims, suffered major injuries. The deputy who answered the phone Tuesday said he did not know how many cars were involved or how many victims there were.
SM City Council/SMMUSD conflict continues
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education President Kathy Wisnicki said last week that she expected the issue to be over by the end of the week, but it still has not been determined whether, or how, the Santa Monica City Council can meet with former SMMUSD Chief Financial Officer Winston Braham.
Wisnicki said this week that the Board of Education discussed the matter with an attorney during the closed-session portion of Thursday’s meeting, the second consecutive meeting that the topic was on the table. She said the SMMUSD attorney has also been meeting with Braham’s lawyer.
The Malibu Times has been unable to contact Braham, or find out where he works now, if at all. Wisnicki said she did not know that information either, and added that the SMMUSD attorney also is unaware what Braham’s status is.
A clause in Braham’s resignation agreement that states he cannot speak with any third party about the district’s financial situation has aroused suspicion among Santa Monica City Council members, with some threatening to possibly reject the city’s staff recommendation to increase the annual municipal contribution to the district from $6.5 million to $7.2 million. The City Council is expected to vote on that increase later this month.
Braham resigned shortly after refusing to endorse the proposed 5 percent raise for district teachers, which put him in opposition with Superintendent Dianne Talarico. Braham never publicly stated if he quit because of this disagreement.
Second gas station applies for alcohol license
The Shell gas station located at the corner of Cross Creek Road and Pacific Coast Highway has applied to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a license to sell beer and wine. This makes it the second gas station to apply for an alcohol license in the past six weeks, with the Spirit station next to Duke’s Malibu also requesting one in March.
In addition to getting a license from the state, a business wanting to sell alcohol needs a conditional-use permit from the city. The Planning Commission votes on conditional-use permits, and a commission decision can be appealed to the City Council.
Library taskforce meets
The Malibu Library Taskforce will hold its next meeting this Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Malibu Library. Included on the agenda will be a draft report on the pros and cons of the city of Malibu breaking away from the county system, and turning its library into a city entity.
Water leak causes PCH inconvenience
A portion of Pacific Coast Highway had to be closed and some residents were left without water Monday because of a water leak on a six-inch water main.
One lane of the eastbound portion of Pacific Coast Highway from the 28200 block to the 27800 block had to be closed from 10 a.m. until the evening. The fire hydrants and residential water was also shut off from the 27400 to 27860 blocks of the highway while the main was repaired.
New acting company in town
The Malibu Stage Co. announced this week the formation of a repertory company to be housed at the theater.
The repertory company will be made up of Malibu resident actors, writers, producers and directors. As in most repertory companies, the members will pay a monthly fee for their membership and the funds will be used to help produce plays that are cast from within the company.
On Monday, there will be an “actor’s town meeting” at the theater, located at 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, at 8 p.m. Those interested in participating should come to the meeting, which will be hosted by Rick Johnson.
Those who cannot come to the meeting should call 310.457.1196.
-Jonathan Friedman