Sgt. Soderlund provides storm update; city hopes to host Public Safety Expo near the Malibu Library 

California Highway Patrol Sgt. Lopez attended the Public Safety Commission meeting last week and provided an update on the PCH enforcement since the City Council approved the long-term contract in January.

According to the city’s website, CHP officers issued 88 citations from Jan. 23-28. Most violations were for speeding.

Lopez said they have seen a decrease in speeders. 

“More proactively and in view, speeds have come down,” Lopez said. “We’ve actually started at the beginning of the year; even though the contract just started, we had our unincorporated areas in the north and south that we have already been patrolling, our officers have already noticed a slight decrease in the amount of speeders.”

The CHP specializes in highway safety and traffic enforcement. The contract includes a dedicated three-officer traffic enforcement taskforce to patrol PCH in city limits. The CHP officers will be dedicated to traffic enforcement in Malibu only. The two-year contract is not to exceed $2 million. Despite PCH being under Caltrans jurisdiction, the city remains committed to doing everything possible within its jurisdictional ability to make PCH safer. 

Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the city’s, the sheriff’s, and CHP’s efforts in making PCH safer and hope CHP can do more, such as impounding vehicles.

“We’re kind of big in enforcement now, and in the penalty phase, and I think that the sheriffs are on board with impounding vehicles … I’d like to see CHP do that, I understand that we don’t make the call, but I just wanted to communicate that with you, there is a level of expectation in this community that we’re doing,” Commissioner Josh Spiegel said. 

“The Highway Patrol, the way our impound system works is that we don’t have our own tow company, nor [do we] have our own tow lot, every tow company that works for the highway patrol is subcontracted by us, so they have their own rules,” Lopez said. “If it’s an arrestable offense such as reckless driving, so if they’re racing, our officers will decently impound the car, straight speeding it’s a very fine line between liability on the department side and our policy. If they’re doing over 100 [mph], it’s reckless driving, the car is more likely going to be impounded, but if they’re doing 70 or 80 in a 55, they’re going to get an expensive speeding ticket, but they’re not going to lose their car as a result.” 

Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided a report on the recent traffic and safety enforcement in Malibu as well as a storm update. 

Soderlund mentioned the mudslide that occurred near Corral Canyon.

“Caltrans was quick to set up cones and come out and scrape the mud off,” Soderlund said. “The next area was Paradise Cove, they lost about 15 parking spots, and the lower parking lot next to the pier that fell into the ocean.”

The rain storm lasted nearly a week and caused various canyon closures, such as Malibu Canyon on Feb. 4 and Topanga Canyon on Feb. 5, as they were experiencing rock and mudslides. Cross Creek near Whole Foods also experienced some flooding on Sunday, Feb. 4. The water was cleared out the following day. 

Soderlund acknowledged Deputy Frank Espinoza after saving a worker clearing out brush in Sierra Retreat in Malibu Creek. 

“The deputies had to rescue him; they were able to get him a rope and throw it out to him; he was hanging on for dear life out in the middle of the creek there; they were able to rescue him and pull him back to shore,” Soderlund said. 

“Topanga got hit hard, Topanga Creek overflowed the banks and onto Topanga Canyon, and they had two feet of mud and water, and about half a dozen cars got swept; fortunately, no one got hurt,” Soderlund said. 

Commissioners thanked Public Works and Caltrans for their efforts during the storm.

Chief Traffic Operations District 7 Abdi Saghafi also attended the meeting and said he was happy to see Sherrif’s and CHP work together and enforce speed.

“Of all the cities that I’ve worked with, Malibu has always been forthcoming with helping us with improvements on PCH; they go after money from Metro or their own funds,” Saghafi said. “There have been bumps in the road, but because we are dealing with so many moving parts, I’ve always said PCH is a commuter route, it’s a tourist attraction, and it’s Malibu’s main street. Not many highways have those three characteristics all in one, so to meet the needs of all these categories, is a challenge. You got the commuters who want to get from A to B, regardless of what’s in between, you got the tourists, and you have the folks who live here and who have to deal with all this, with the speeding and everything else that goes on here.”

Public Safety Director Susan Dueñas said they are preparing for the next Public Safety Expo in June and are hoping to host it near the Malibu Library.

The next Public Safety Commission meeting is scheduled for March 6, in-person at Malibu City Hall Multipurpose Room.

Applicant waited 12 years for approval to rebuild after home destroyed in 1993 fire

A Malibu homeowner has won approval from the California Coastal Commission to rebuild a Big Rock area home that had previously been destroyed by fire. The CCC voted in favor of the applicant Feb. 7 after hearing comments from the attorney representing the applicant and an attorney representing residents opposed.

CCC staffer Deanna Christensen explained the project, which includes a garage, detached cabana, and new onsite wastewater treatment system, was approved by the city. The site on Inland Lane is in the Big Rock landslide area on a bluff abutting Pacific Coast Highway. 

Christensen indicated a dewatering program is in place to maintain groundwater levels. The original home was destroyed in the 1993 Old Topanga Fire. Seven neighbors appealed the project, contending the structure partly embedded underground would decrease stability of the landslide, not minimize risk to life and property, and that a variance to the factor of safety standard of the LCP should not have been granted by the City of Malibu. The appeals also raised concerns about the size and visual impact of the house.

The city’s geotechnical staff concluded there would be minimal risk with the home’s deep pile construction assuring stability within the LCP hazard policy and the commission’s geologist concurred adding the structure’s stability would not adversely impact stability of neighboring structures.

The CCC staffer explained the approved project includes water lines with flexible couplings, gas lines with swing joints, electrical cables with coil loops to protect against breakage, and utility lines in shallow channels for easier repair and inspection. Christensen stated, “The very small increase in subsurface water input would not cause any important threshold relative to groundwater level and slope stability to be exceeded.” The appellants also argued the home’s increased size is larger than adjacent homes therefore blocking ocean views, but private views from neighboring properties are not protected under the city’s LCP.

Attorney Jackson McNeill, representing some Big Rock neighbors asked the commission to consider “the project’s serious geotechnical deficiencies.” He called the city’s geotechnical analysis “woefully lacking. As the Coastal Commission’s staff report notes, the city’s geologist did not perform a seismic slope stability analysis as required by the LIP.” McNeill claimed the last geotechnical investigation was completed in 2011. He requested more time for geological study and commented the home would be over twice the size of the home it replaces. “The largest house in the surrounding landslide area,” McNeill said adding, “This sets a dangerous precedent. Courts have held that variances should be granted rarely. We are talking about a variance from the factor of safety to create the largest house in the neighborhood, on top of a bluff, and on top of an active landslide, all based upon outdated onsite geotechnical investigations that our geologist believes are faulty and incomplete.”

Malibu Township Council President Jo Drummond appealed to the commission, “Developments with septic systems caused the first landslide in Big Rock which is why this is the first hearing you’ve heard for a project here because no new construction has ever been allowed since then.” 

Drummond stated the city’s approval of the project was not unanimous at a 2-2 split by the Planning Commission and 3-2 vote by the City Council. She claimed there is water ponding on the lot. 

“It’s so dangerous,” neighbor Sabrina Zaretti said. “For public safety please postpone the hearing for necessary geotechnical reports. The proposed build is super unsafe due to so many factors, water seepage, erosion, landslides that are currently happening now in the little rainfall we’ve had. Big Rock is known to have mudslides. It’s going to be a monstrosity of a house. It’s going to be dangerous for people on PCH.”

One last caller named Rosemary chimed in, saying as a 40-year Big Rock resident she has seen numerous landslides. She questioned a proposed seepage pit on the lot. “The whole thing doesn’t make sense,” she said.

The applicant’s representative, Fred Gaines, told the commission the project is consistent and in compliance with Malibu’s certified Local Coastal Program.

The commission unanimously approved the project with Commissioner Dayna Bochco noting the applicant endured 12 years in the process.

The commission also addressed another Malibu issue when it approved changes in the city’s wireless ordinance over the objections of Planning Commissioner Kraig Hill.

Parents share their concerns about not receiving updates on the assessment since it was initiated in 2022 

To start off the Malibu City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Soderlund provided a brief report on the recent crime, enforcement, rainstorm, and the 4.5-magnitude earthquake that occured on Friday, Feb. 9. The temblor was centered 12 kilometers northwest of Malibu per the (USGS) United States Geological Survey. The quake was felt in Malibu, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, and surrounding areas. No reports of damage or injuries so far.

Soderlind said they did a critical facility check and said there were no damages or injuries reported. 

Soderlund thanked the City Council for the recent purchase of six LiDAR (light detection and ranging) speed guns to assist the LA County Sheriff’s Department in its traffic safety enforcement activities on PCH and canyon roads in city limits. 

Soderlund also reminded the community of the recent approval of a long-term two-year contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) on Jan. 22. The contract includes three-officer traffic enforcement task force dedicated to patrol Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) within city limits. The financial commitment is not to exceed $2 million. 

For crime, Soderlund said there were 35 part one crimes. Compared to last January 2022, with 44 part one crimes, it was a 20.5 percent drop. 

Soderlund said there were two residential burglaries in January, both in the Malibu West area. He said he will be meeting with Malibu West HOA on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. about burglaries, things to look for, and how to keep your home safe.

For council updates, Mayor Steve Uhring said the Adamson House will be offering a tour on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 9 a.m. Join California State Parks and Nature Nexus Institute for a free, two-hour guided tour of Malibu Lagoon State Beach and the Historic Adamson House. The event is free with RSVP. To RSVP, email AH.Specialtours@parks.ca.gov. Comfortable shoes, layers for the weather, binoculars, and sun protection are recommended. Paid parking is available at Malibu Lagoon State Beach or Surfrider Beach Parking Lot.

Uhring asked staff where they are with the hiring of consultants to help reduce projects and applications. While the Planning Department continues to struggle with the backlog, the city hired additional consultants to help with applications. However, Uhring said he had not received an update on the progress since that initial meeting.

“We are where we are, I’d just like to see a little more focus that says if we are going to do something let’s manage the project and if something goes out, let’s talk about it,” Uhring said.

Councilmember Marianne Riggins asked if there was any progress in those backlogs, and Planning Director Richard Mollica said the projects on backlog are in progress of being determined to move forward or being returned to the applicant to withdraw or re-submit their application.

Public Safety Director Susan Duenas presented the School Safety Assessment. On Oct. 24, 2022, the City Council authorized the mayor to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Guidepost Solutions LLC for a Comprehensive School Safety Assessment. The assessment began in December 2022, and a draft report was provided to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) in August 2023 for review. The report also includes 11 recommendations for improved policies and procedures to improve physical security.

On April 2023, SMMUSD and the City of Malibu are partnering to conduct a survey as part of the Comprehensive Safety and Security Assessment for public schools in Malibu schools. In response to a series of tragic school shootings in 2022, the City Council established a School Safety Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Bruce Silverstein and Councilmember Paul Grisanti, which started working on the School Safety Assessment in partnership with SMMUSD and the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. 

A few months after the survey was initiated, Kevin Keegan, president of the Malibu High School Parent Teacher Association and the Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association said, “In our opinion, complacency is dangerous and the perception that school safety is not being prioritized is unsettling.”

Keegan noted that although the PTSA had been assured by the City of Malibu and the Santa Monica Malibu School District that it would be provided with a summary of a recently funded private study assessing school safety in Malibu schools before school commenced, to date, the summary still has not been provided. 

In December 2023, staff met with SMMUSD representatives to finalize the report and discuss progress and next steps. Out of the total recommendations, 205 are related to school facilities, and the school district representatives informed staff that they have already created work orders to implement 140 of the recommendations. In addition, school district representatives said they planned to meet with each school community individually to discuss the recommendations and implementation progress specific to each school site.

Malibu parents spoke and shared their concerns that they have not received an update on the report and hope the council will work on getting more security on their campuses. 

“We never got a pilot program, we got a report,” Parent Jake Lingo said. “It does not anywhere in the report address armed security on Malibu school campuses, we’ve waited almost two years to address this. If you go back and watch those hearings, 50 percent of the conversation was around armed security, if you read those surveys contained in the school safety report, at least 20 parents discussed armed security on campus and yet the report does not even discuss it.”

Parent Jo Drummond mentioned a recent play she saw at Malibu Middle School and said she felt unsafe without having any security at night. 

“After school, during the plays and musicals, swim, everything everything after school needs to be protected, not just during school hours,” Drummond said. “I think that needs to be a priority on their list, just making sure people can’t come in during a show. I don’t I really want armed guards inside the school, [but] I think anything outside the perimeter, not harming our children in any way, not putting our kids in any risk is good.”

After a discussion, the council motioned to bring back the school safety assessment. Motion passed.

The council approved the Exterior Elevated Elements (E3) Ordinance. 

Assistant City Manager Joseph Toney presented the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Second Quarter Financial Report and Mid-Year Budget Amendments. The council received and filed the report. 

Deputy City Manager Alexa Brown presented the Agreement for Community Outreach and Education Related to City-Owned Vacant Lots. 

Initial funding for these services was included in the Adopted FY 2023- 24 Budget in Public Works Engineering, Professional Services, Account 100-3008-5100. The account has a budget of $75,000 for this project. Additional appropriation is required for the full scope of services identified in the RFP. A request was reviewed and approved by the Administrative and Finance Subcommittee during a special meeting on Jan. 17 to allocate General Fund Undesignated Reserve funds in the amount of $55,000, to supplement the total agreement at a not-to exceed amount of $130,000 for FY 2023-24. As of Dec. 31, 2023, the General Fund Undesignated Reserve is projected at $67.9 million for the year ending June 30. This item supports the Master Plan for City-Owned Vacant Lots priority identified in the Adopted FY 2023-24 Strategic Priority Project List. The council approved the item.

The council reviewed the proposed options for the return/relocation of the Malibu Farmers Market. The market will return to the county property this Sunday, Feb. 17.

The next City Council meeting is on Feb. 26 at the City Hall Council Chambers.