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Discussion on Next Week’s City Council Meeting on Jan. 8

By
Samantha Bravo
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Discussion on Next Week’s City Council | Jan. 8

Ceremonial/Presentations: 

  1. Presentation on Southern California Edison Updates

Consent Calendar/Previously Discussed Items: 

  1. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinances Nos. 510 and 511.

Ordinances and Public Hearings

  • Code Amendment to Extend Deadlines for Nonconforming In-kind Disaster Rebuild Projects

Old Business:

  1. None.

New Business: 

  1. Road Race Agreement

New Business (Continued):

  1. Reorganization of City Council Agenda Format for Regular City Council Meetings (Continued from December 11, 2023).
  2. Malibu Schools Centralized Fundraising & Athletic Pathways.
  3. Malibu Farmer’s Market.

New Items: 

  1. Door Security Card Access Control System Upgrade and Expansion.
  2. Digital Multifunction Device Award
  3. Resolution Extending the Declaration of the Existence of a Local Emergency Regarding Conditions on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
  4. Resolution to Approve CALFIRE Grant Application
  5. Request for Letter of Support
  6. Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Record Xpress of California LLC, DBA Access
  7. Amendment No. 7 to Agreement with Turbo Data Systems
  8. Pacific Coast Highway Median Improvements Project
  9. Emergency Purchase of Lidar Speed Guns
  10. Investment Report for the Month Ending November 30, 2023
  11. Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc.

Council Items: 

  1. None.

To view the full City Council Agenda, visit malibucity.org/virtualmeetings.

Four vehicle collision on PCH and Big Rock; no major injuries reported

By
Samantha Bravo
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Four vehicle traffic collision on PCH and Big Rock. No major injures reported. Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s at the scene.

Traffic collision was cleared and all lanes of PCH opened at 9:25 p.m. 

Councilmember Silverstein calls for local emergency actions on PCH

By
Judy Abel
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Silverstein and Malibu Mayor Uhring back proposal to bypass state and other agencies for safety remedies 

Malibu City Councilmember Bruce Silverstein is urging city officials to add a report he wrote on reducing dangerous conditions on Pacific Coast Highway as an agenda item at the next council meeting Jan. 8. The report titled “A Proposal to Reduce the Danger of PCH in Malibu” offers multiple suggestions for city staff to explore traffic calming and safety measures under local authority and to implement actions as soon as possible.

Some of the suggestions include multiple electronic signs warning: “Danger Ahead,” “Proceed with Caution,” “Reduce Speed,” “Speed Checked by Radar,” and similar signage; additional decoy law enforcement along PCH; temporary stoplights; temporary and removable speed bumps; additional use of K rail; lane closures; and prohibiting U-turns. 

Silverstein indicated he wants to open the conversation publicly about what steps the city should take. 

“I want to force that conversation and hopefully come up with at least two, three, or four things the city council will agree on to have an actual impact rather than just words,” he said.

With Silverstein’s urging, the City Council adopted a declaration of local emergency, the first step in taking local control to address an emergency that doesn’t exist in the ordinary course of government. 

“I pushed the City Council to adopt that, but unfortunately I had wanted the initial declaration to set forth action items the city could undertake to start dealing with the emergency and the city council was only willing to adopt a declaration that is largely ceremonial,” the councilmember said. 

At subsequent council meetings Silverstein has advocated for “putting some muscle on the declaration and directing city staff to take action in making PCH safer.” He has so far been unable to get three votes agreeing, with only Mayor Steve Uhring backing the agenda item. 

In a letter to the community, Silverstein wrote: “As promised, Senator Ben Allen, Assembly member Jacqui Irwin and County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath have pressed Caltrans to take swift and effective action to make PCH in Malibu safe (or at least safer). Despite meaningful efforts by these elected state and county representatives, the help provided and proposed by Caltrans thus far has been largely cosmetic and is unlikely to have meaningful impact. To put it bluntly, Caltrans’ actions and proposals amount to little more than putting lipstick on a pig.”

Some of the objections raised to the City Council implementing its own safety measures under the local emergency declaration include the possibility they would be meaningless if the L.A. Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol will not enforce them, questioning the authority of Malibu to calm traffic on PCH without the authorization of Caltrans, or that it opens the city up to liability.

Silverstein, who is an attorney, doesn’t agree. He wrote: “The only way to find out for certain whether Malibu has the authority to make PCH safer without Caltrans’ approval is for Malibu to do so and let the chips fall where they may. If Caltrans should challenge Malibu’s authority to take such action, the California Courts will determine the extent of Malibu’s authority pursuant to the California Government Code. If Malibu should prevail in such litigation, we will have performed a great service to the community. If Malibu should lose such litigation, Malibu will have incurred attorneys’ fees defending its efforts to protect the community, but the risk of liability is remote because the California Government Code provides Malibu with immunity from liability for the discretionary actions it takes pursuant to the Local Emergency Declaration — even actions that would otherwise fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of Caltrans. 

“Moreover, without regard to the outcome of the litigation, we will have done our level best to protect the community, and the press will have a field day covering Caltrans’ interference with Malibu’s efforts to make PCH safe — which may, itself, be a reason for Caltrans refraining from challenging our actions. If so, Malibu will have succeeded in changing the currently unsafe dynamic without the feared resistance by Caltrans.” 

The father of one of the Pepperdine students killed on PCH in October supports Silverstein’s call for implementing safety measures quickly. 

Barry Stewart, father of victim Peyton Stewart, called the proposals in the agenda item request, “true corrective measures to make PCH Malibu safer.” 

Stewart added his own list of suggestions after consulting with “a number of traffic safety experts, LASD members, and Malibu residents.” Those suggestions include permanent medians or barriers, increasing speeding fines, speed cameras with automated ticketing, and reducing the speed limit to 35 mph in the four-mile stretch of PCH near the Oct. 17 accident site where a significant majority of accidents and deaths have occurred. According to Stewart, the four-mile drive at 35 mph takes only 90 seconds longer than the same drive at 45 mph.

In an email, Stewart wrote, “I believe these measures balance the legitimate need of law-abiding drivers to proceed efficiently, with the need to minimize traffic injuries and deaths. I suspect some of these measures may be implemented unilaterally by Malibu under the emergency measures provision. Some will require cooperation of Caltrans and the state legislature.”

The Malibu Times reached out to Councilmembers Marianne Riggins, Paul Grisanti and Doug Stewart. Riggins responded with a reminder of the CHP’s return to Malibu and indicated she is eager to work with other elected government officials. Grisanti and Stewart both indicated they would consider the details of any measures and “try to do what’s best for Malibu.” 

Stewart, however, added his concern over liability the city could face if it implements its own traffic safety measures bypassing Caltrans or any other governmental body.

“I’m hoping on Jan. 22, we can introduce, not trying to initiate things on our own, but to as quickly as possible update the 2015 PCH Safety Study to have a professional objective review and we can sit down with Caltrans and the county to fix the open items that haven’t been completed plus new identified items,” he said. “That to me is the right step.”

Calendar for the week of Jan 4

By
Samantha Bravo
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0
Free Christmas tree recycling is offered to residents from Dec. 27 through Jan. 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 23575 Civic Center Way (Chili Cook-off lot). Photo by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

WED, JAN. 10

MALIBU LIBRARY BOOK CLUB: GARY SHTEYNGART

Join the Malibu Library on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., for a discussion of Gary Shteyngart’s “Super Sad True Love Story.” The discussion is for adults. In an ungovernable futuristic America perched on the abyss of fiscal collapse, Lenny Abramov falls in love with Eunice Park. “Super Sad True Love Story” is a ridiculously witty and painfully prescient romance. This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request.

THURS, JAN. 11

PARK TALES

Park Tales is a fun and educational program for the entire family. Children and their caregivers will listen to stories narrated by a Malibu Library librarian, create an art activity, and enjoy a complimentary snack. On Thursday, Jan. 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. Register online at MalibuCity.org/RegisterBluffs. Park is located at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265. 

TUES, JAN. 16

SENIOR EXCURSION TO LACMA

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection of nearly 152,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe! Spend the afternoon exploring the museum and everything it has to offer. Participants have the option to enjoy lunch at The Counter Custom Burgers for an additional fee. The bus will pick up participants at Malibu Bluffs Park at 9:30 a.m. and will be dropped back off at Malibu Bluffs Park by 4:30 p.m. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring a water bottle, and snacks. Fee is $35.

WED, JAN. 17

PARTY HAT FAMILY STORYTIME

Join the Malibu Library for a family storytime reading of Simon Phillips’ “You Must Bring A Hat!,” followed by party hat decorating at the Malibu Library Meeting Room on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All materials will be provided. For children ages 5 – 12 with parent/caregiver. This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request. 

WED, JAN. 17 

MALIBU LIBRARY SPEAKER SERIES: THOMAS LEVENSON

Malibu Library Speaker Series presents author and MIT professor Thomas Levenson discussing his book “Money for Nothing: The Scientists, Fraudsters and Corrupt Politicians Who Reinvented Money, Panicked a Nation, and Made The World Rich.” This event takes place at Malibu Library. RSVPs are required. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party, including kids. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees. 

THURS, JAN. 18

MUSIC TOGETHER FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS AT THE MALIBU LIBRARY

Families will sing, move, and play child-friendly instruments together with early childhood music education specialist Cheryl Lev. For children ages 0-3 and their caregivers. This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request. On Thursday, Jan. 18, from 11 to 11:30 a.m.

THURS, JAN. 18

’21 MILES IN MALIBU’ COMPLIMENTARY FILM SCREENING AT SMC MALIBU CAMPUS

Presented by the Malibu Arts Commission MalibuCity.org/ArtTalks Shane Gang Pictures, in partnership with the Malibu Arts Commission and Santa Monica College-Malibu presents a screening of the film “21 Miles in Malibu” on Thursday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at the SMC-Malibu Campus, 23555 Civic Center Way, Malibu Room 202/Lecture Hall. The film is a hybrid of personal stories of loss, the history of a loved place, and a cautionary tale of government indifference and citizen activism. Following the complimentary screening, there will be a discussion with local leaders on Pacific Coast Highway safety. An RSVP is required (ages 16 and older) to attend the event. Register at MalibuCity.org/ArtTalks.

FRI, JAN. 19

CLASSICAL GUITAR CONCERT WITH PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY

The Pepperdine Guitar Department presents a concert featuring musicians studying with world-renowned classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening. A variety of works are presented in both solo and ensemble settings. On Friday, Jan. 19, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Malibu Library. For adults.

SAT, JAN. 20

CAFFEINATED VERSE, OPEN MIC, FEATURED READER ELENA KARINA BYRNE

Join Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall to hear readings of original pieces written by local poets and bring a poem of your own to read during the open mic. Caffeinated Verse includes a featured reader, followed by an open mic format. Join the poetry community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Malibu Library.

WED, JAN. 24

‘BAMBINO: AN OPERA FOR BABIES’ AT THE MALIBU LIBRARY

This groundbreaking opera was created by LA Opera to engage babies with beautiful and comforting sights and sounds. In BambinO’s world of soft pillows and gentle music, participation is encouraged! For ages 0 – 3 with parent or caregiver. The performance lasts about 40 minutes. This is a very interactive experience. Each baby must be accompanied by one adult within the performance space. This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request. On Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Malibu Library.

THURS, JAN. 25

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS

Join The Malibu Librarry on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. to learn and play the popular role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. Beginners and experts are welcome. For teens ages 13-17. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party, including kids. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees. This event is held in-person. LA County Public Health strongly encourages masks and physical distancing indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be available for customers upon request. Please see the Guidelines for Attendees during the registration process for more information.

FRI, JAN. 26

SMARTY PANTS STORYTIME

Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun. For ages 2-5 with their parent or caregiver on Friday, Jan. 26, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. This event is held in-person at the Malibu Library Meeting Room. Attendance is limited, and advance registration is required. Please register every individual in your party, including kids. This will be used to save your spots in the program. We cannot guarantee availability for any unregistered attendees.  

FRI, JAN. 26

MAKE YOUR OWN SELFIE STAMP WORKSHOP

Want to add a personalized touch to notecards, wrapping paper, or paper? Carve your own selfie stamp! Learn how to draw and transfer your image onto the block to create your own stamp with the Community Service Department on Friday, Jan. 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. No prior experience is required, just bring a photo of yourself on your phone and get ready to learn a new skill. All materials will be provided. A paying adult must accompany children under 12. Instructed by Fluidity by Mattie. The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 19.

SAT, JAN. 27

THE RIPPLE EFFECT: A GENERATIVE POETRY WORKSHOP

When things ripple, they emanate from a center and move outwards. Ripples are an unfolding interaction. In terms of poetry, poems “ripple out” from us and join the ripple of existing and yet-to-be-penned poems which creates a dialogue that continuously overlaps. Join us for a generative, poetry writing workshop where we will sit in the “ripple” of each other’s energies, read, and discuss poems to stimulate our imaginations, and write original poems from prompts provided in the workshop. This workshop is for everyone, regardless of ability level. Participants should bring a pen and a notepad! Led by Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall. Join the poetry community on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Michael Landon Community Center.

ONGOING

FARMERS MARKET

Shop for fresh fruits and veggies prepared food, and more at the weekly Malibu Farmers Market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Market at Legacy Park.

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING

Free Christmas tree recycling is offered to the community starting Dec. 27 through Jan. 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 23575 Civic Center Way (Chili Cook-Off lot). Collected trees will be recycled into mulch.

Please remove the following items from trees prior to recycling:

  • Water containers
  • Metal stands
  • Ornaments
  • Tinsel
  • Lights

For curbside recycling, cut the tree to fit in your green waste bin. Remove all decorations, especially metal.

LOSS SUPPORT GROUP AT MALIBU CITY HALL

This support group is designed to offer connection, community, and hope to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Share your experiences with others who have experienced a similar loss. Moderate by volunteer, Roxy DeCou. This complimentary program is on Dec. 20, Jan. 3 and 17; and Feb. 7 and 21, on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, contact the Malibu Senior Center at (310) 456-2489 ext. 357, or at malibuseniorcenter@malibucity.org.

RELAXING THROUGH COLORING

The art of coloring activates different areas of the brain, using logic, forming colors, and creativity. Join this free, unstructured program. Instructed by Judy Merrick. Complimentary program. Visit malibucity.org for dates and times. 

STRETCH AND STRENGTH

Participants will focus on increasing flexibility, balance, circulation, and muscle tone while learning to relax through breathing techniques. Bring yoga blocks and a mat. Instructed by Marsha Cooper. $5 per class. Visit malibucity.org for dates and times. 

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

Learn ways to help release tension and stress, balance energy in the body, and promote a sense of well-being. Leave each workshop with restored inner harmony and receive the healing benefits of community connection. Instructed by The Mindry, TheMindry.com. The first workshop is Yin Yoga and Group Meditation on Jan. 20 at 9:30 a.m. Ages 18 and over. Followed by a Restorative Soundback at 2:30 p.m. for ages 55 and over. The third workshop is Breathwork and Stress Management on Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. for ages 12 through 17. Pre-register at malibucity.org/register.

From the Right: The Border Crisis

By
dons
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By Don Schmitz 

How bad does the border crisis have to get? That query used to be posed in wonderment over the unfathomable delusion of the Biden administration before they admit to this catastrophe. The question now is how bad before irreparable harm is done to America. Hyperbole? Hardly. This year a record 2.5 million illegal migrants entered America, 750,000 just since October. The previous record was the year before at 2.2 million, topping the previous record of 1.72 million in 2021. Fifteen million illegal migrants live in the U.S. 

Tens of thousands (62,000 in October) are coming from Asia and Africa, posting videos of themselves celebrating in places like Times Square that “Dreams do come true.” The government releases them with a promise that they will show up to a deportation hearing, whereupon almost half fail to appear. Think on the tens of thousands of military-age males from China and the Middle East. Should Iran or China break into a shooting war with the U.S., it is plausible they have embedded cells of saboteurs that would wreak havoc. Taxpayers are forking out $182 billion annually to deal with illegal immigration. Cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver declared themselves sanctuary cities for illegal migrants, and so migrants came by the tens of thousands, often with bus and plane tickets purchased by NGOs using federal grants. Now, they don’t have the resources to care for their vets, poor families, and homeless. Mayor Eric Adams stated this crisis will “destroy” New York City, blasting President Biden for not subsidizing the 110,000 migrants that have arrived this year. He also called the Texas governor a “madman” for busing them to his sanctuary city. I guess he was OK with El Paso being destroyed, but not New York. Even deep blue New York voters have had enough, with 58 percent wanting the southern border closed. Leftist Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson pledged during his campaign, “Sanctuary means that everyone is welcome here,” and they “must work to expand our status as a sanctuary city.” 

Chicago now has 70,000 “migrants,” are converting schools into housing for them, and building tent cities costing tens of millions of dollars. Johnson now declares the entire country is at stake if Biden doesn’t solve this. Denver is reeling from the flood of illegal immigrants. California years ago declared itself a sanctuary state, making it illegal for law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. Tone-deaf Sacramento just passed a law, making California the first state qualifying all illegal migrants for the state health insurance program Medi-Cal. California has the highest taxes in the country, has a $68 billion deficit, yet Gov. Newsom has committed to expand Medi-Cal by more than $4 billion annually. Three million illegal migrants live in California, filling schools, roads, and hospitals, while millions of middle-class tax-paying Americans are leaving the state, fleeing high taxes and unaffordable housing. What is the tipping point?

Hours after being sworn in, President Biden’s first act was to sign an executive order relaxing the tough immigration policies of his predecessor, stopped construction of the border wall, reinstituted the DACA program, froze deportations, and stopped requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico to be processed. Immediately, caravans numbering tens of thousands marched the length of Mexico, as the welcome mat had been laid out, and they knew it. Leftist American activists spread the word and organized the caravans. You can’t fault the migrants when our federal, state, and municipal governments incentivize them, but that doesn’t change the fact that for America this is a disaster. The Biden state department, who for years cooed to Americans through their sycophants in the media that the border was secure, now admits there is “unprecedented irregular migration.” Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador just met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the crisis. Late to the party, the Biden administration wants Mexico to stop migrants on their Southern border (ironic, no?). 

President Obrador, who likes the $55 billion Mexico nationals in America send home every year, said no. He wants the U.S. to send more money to impoverished nations, a theme promoted by “migration czar” Kamala Harris in 2021. The U.S. with its $31 trillion debt simply can’t lift the poor around the world to a standard of living Americans have earned. 

According to the world bank, 700 million people globally live in extreme poverty, subsisting on $2.15 per day. We can’t pay to lift them out of poverty, and we can’t import them all here.

Finally, the left has stopped denying the border crisis, ostensibly forced into the admission by polling showing most Americans perceive this as an invasion and existential threat. However, while they are starting to say the right things, they continue to pass laws and policies which exacerbate the problem. Our national sovereignty is at stake, and we’d better get this fixed.

From the Left: The Border Crisis

By
lancesimmens
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Lance Simmens

By Lance Simmens

Continuing frustration over immigration at our southwest border is a complicated and critical issue and is now being intermeshed in policy legislation that includes funding for war efforts in Ukraine and Gaza. Finding a way to capture its significance is problematic; however, I would offer the following analysis entitled “Borderline Inanity,” which appeared in the Nov. 29, 2023, edition of The American Prospect by Robert Kuttner as an excellent recap from which to begin.

“The United States faces a genuine immigration crisis, procedural, political, and humanitarian. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s efforts to hold $106 billion in vital aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan hostage for a bipartisan deal on immigration restrictions has created a sense of urgency. But any such deal is politically unlikely. Worse, the deals under discussion would not solve the deeper problem.

“The current system, carrying out U.S. treaty obligations that the U.S. and other nations agreed to after the shame of the Holocaust, requires the U.S. to provisionally admit refugees with a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries, while their claims are adjudicated. Even Donald Trump was not able to overturn this basic requirement.

“The practical problem is that in recent years, the system has been overwhelmed by refugees fleeing violence in Central America. Neither the Border Patrol nor immigration judges can keep up with the massive flow.

“COVID restrictions on public-health grounds temporarily reduced the numbers, but since May 2022, 1.85 million migrants have been allowed to enter the U.S. to await court dates to determine whether they could remain as refugees. But the court system is so backlogged that 1.77 million were simply released into the U.S., presumably to return to court when their case is called.

“Most found their way to cities to seek jobs. Many are homeless. An estimated 200,000 are in New York City alone. This has created a first-class crisis for the nation’s big-city mayors, most of whom are Democrats, and an opportunity for Republicans to cynically embarrass both the Biden administration and mayors of liberal cities.

Currently, a bipartisan group of senators led by Chris Murphy (D-CT) and James Lankford (R-OK) are working on legislation that would narrow the ‘credible fear’ standard. But that doesn’t solve the problem of the large number of refugees temporarily paroled into the country pending adjudication of their cases.

“The Biden administration is caught between Senate Democrats up for re-election, many of whom want a much more restrictive immigration policy across the board, and those who support more liberal standards based on humanitarian concerns. A group of 11 Democratic senators led by California’s Alex Padilla has put out a statement decrying ‘harmful changes to our asylum system that will potentially deny lifesaving humanitarian protection for vulnerable people, including children, and fail to deliver any meaningful improvement to the situation at the border.’

“Even if the Senate should reach agreement, House Republicans would be unlikely to support it. Many are holding out for the more draconian provisions of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which would increase detentions and restrict legal immigration, in a fashion that Democrats would never accept.

“In all likelihood, the military aid bill will eventually pass. But the linkage to immigration restrictions is all but dead.

“The sensible formula of comprehensive immigration reform, combining a path to citizenship with better border measures and tougher sanctions against employers who hire people without proper documents, will await the return of genuine bipartisanship. It could be a long time coming.”

As I have mentioned in past articles, the current division in our nation’s political and governmental environment precludes the degree of comity, decorum, reason, and compromise that is so essential to democratic resolve on seemingly intractable issues such as immigration. Our system and governing infrastructure may not always find the best solution, rather it thrives on reaching consensus in solving long-term problems.

The border crisis is not lacking for proposed remedies, but stymied by the inability of hard-core political stubbornness from both the far-left and far-right and the inability of partisan actors to reach accommodation on not the perfect solution, but rather an acceptable compromise.

Our democratic system is an agglomeration of moderation and incrementalism; it is built for the long-term solvency and resolution of particularly difficult and tricky policies, and the current milieu we find ourselves in is conducive more to a kindergarten playground than a serious legislative policy debate.

Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, laments “The impasse on immigration between the two parties guarantees that we do nothing but waste time and resources. Both sides of the aisle cannot continue to hold out for their version of ideal reform. We’ve been doing that for over 30 years. Our inability to come together in a bipartisan way ensures that the challenge — and our inability to contend with it — continues to grow exponentially.” 

I could not have said it better myself. Shame on those who formulate partisan political roadblocks that are neither constructive nor practical. Our divided nation continues to wallow in gridlock, which fosters stagnation and misery. It feeds the narrative that our system is simply broken; meanwhile, we all suffer.

Waves athletes honored for classroom success

By
McKenzie Jackson
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Women’s soccer players Skylar Enge and Tori Waldeck, both seniors, were named to the WCC All-Academic first team. Nine of their teammates garnered honorable mention including redshirt freshmen Cadee Borg and Kyra Murphy, juniors Caroline Coleman and Kelsey Adams, seniors Julianna Duckett and CC Maloof, and sophomores Karina Gonzalez, Tatum Wynalda, and Erin Zeile. Photos by McKenzie Jackson.

11 Waves women’s soccer players earned West Coast Conference academic recognition  

Thirty-two Pepperdine Waves fall season student-athletes have been recognized for their prowess off the field of competition and in the classroom within the last two months. 

Eleven members of the Waves’ men’s and women’s cross country team were named to West Coast Conference All-Academic teams on Dec. 15. Two members of the Pepperdine men’s water polo squad received academic recognition from the conference on Dec. 14. Six Pepperdine women’s volleyball players received academic acclaim from the WCC on the same day. Two of the volleyballers received College Sports Communications (CSC) Academic All-District honors. 

On Dec. 7, 11 Waves women’s soccer players earned WCC academic recognition. Four of the teammates garnered CSC Academic classroom honors also. 

Student-athletes must have at least a 3.20 grade point average, be in their second year at their school, and be meaningful contributors to the team to be considered for WCC recognition. 

Seven men’s team cross country runners — graduate student Will Bullock, seniors Johnathan Flint and Nate Lannen, and sophomores Joshua Bergers, Spencer Mueller, Kai Newman, and Patrick Thomas — earned WCC honorable mention honors. Flint and Lannen are two-time WCC academic winners. 

Women’s soccer players Skylar Enge and Tori Waldeck, both seniors, were named to the WCC All-Academic first team. Nine of their teammates garnered honorable mention including redshirt freshmen Cadee Borg and Kyra Murphy, juniors Caroline Coleman and Kelsey Adams, seniors Julianna Duckett and CC Maloof, and sophomores Karina Gonzalez, Tatum Wynalda, and Erin Zeile. Photos by McKenzie Jackson.

Women’s team cross country athletes including senior Elle Sharder, sophomore Abby Winter, and juniors Megan LaCamera and Caroline Fleenor received WCC honorable mention.

Men’s water polo players Sandor Gal, a sophomore, and Nico Tierney, a senior, were WCC All-Academic honorable mentions. Both were ACWPC All-Academic honorees last season. Tierney was a GCC All-Academic selectee two years ago. 

Women’s volleyball players and graduate students Isabel Zelaya and Riley Patterson were named to the WCC All-Academic first team. Their teammates — senior Emma Ammerman, junior Grace Chillingworth, and sophomores Kenadie Patterson and Vanessa Polk —were honorable mention. 

Zelaya and Polk earned CSC Academic All-District first team acclaim on Dec. 12. To gain that recognition, student-athletes needed to have a minimum 3.5 GPA and played in 90 percent or started 66 percent of their team’s games this season. They had to be at least a sophomore athletically and academically. 

Polk and Zelaya will be on the ballot for Academic All-American honors. The results will be released on Jan. 9. 

Zelaya is now a three-time WCC All-Academic first teamer and a two-time CSC Academic All-District first teamer. She is a three-time WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll honoree with two gold honors and one silver honor. 

Patterson also won WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll status with a silver honor.

Women’s soccer players Skylar Enge and Tori Waldeck, both seniors, were named to the WCC All-Academic first team. Nine of their teammates garnered honorable mention, including redshirt freshmen Cadee Borg and Kyra Murphy, juniors Caroline Coleman and Kelsey Adams, seniors Julianna Duckett and CC Maloof, and sophomores Karina Gonzalez, Tatum Wynalda, and Erin Zeile. 

Enge, Maloof, Murphy, and Waldeck were named to the CSC Academic All-District first team. 

Enge received the honor in 2022 and is three-time WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “gold” recipient and Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete. Maloof is also a three-time WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roller with one bronze and two silver honors. She is also a three-time Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete.

Last season, Murphy was a Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete and WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “gold” recipient. Waldeck is a three-time Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete and is now a three-time WCC All-Academic awardee. She also earned three WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll honors with two silvers and one bronze. 

Pierce Brosnan accused of trespassing in a Yellowstone thermal area; due to appear in court

By
The Malibu Times
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Actor Pierce Brosnan, 70, a long-time resident of Malibu, is due to appear at the Yellowstone Justice Center in Mammoth, Wyoming court on January 23. U.S. National Park Service Rangers charged him with two petty offense citations alleging he “violated policies at Yellowstone National Park,” by walking into an out-of-bounds thermal area near the Mammoth Terraces in the northern part of the Park near the Wyoming-Montana border on November 1. 

Brosnan was visiting the park for leisure and was not shooting a movie at the time, according to the federal citations, which charge him with violating regulations prohibiting “foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails,” and for “violating closures and use limits,” according to the public docket of the U.S. District Court of Wyoming. 

Yellowstone’s hot springs consist of  more than 500 active geysers, steam vents and mud pots, geologic processes that have been ongoing for thousands of years. The national park’s website informs that Yellowstone has more than 10,000 thermal features, which can be as hot as 138 degrees celsius.

The website explains, “In thermal areas, the ground may be only a thin crust above boiling hot springs and there is no way to guess where a safe path is. . . . new hazards can bubble up overnight, and pools are acidic enough to burn through boots, so you must stay in designated walking areas.” Over the years, several tourists have been significantly burned by hot springs and, according to Yellowstone’s website, more than 20 fatalities have occurred after visitors entered or fell into the hot springs. 

Brosnan was cited for the alleged offenses on November 1 when he apparently wandered off the designated boardwalks designed to allow visitors a safe way to observe the geysers. The court will decide whether Brosnan will be criminally charged, which could expose him to up to six months in jail or to be obliged to pay fines.  The actor has not publicly commented on the situation.

Are you prepared for El Niño weather conditions this winter?

By
Judy Abel
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Strong waves washed nearly 5 feet of sand at Zuma Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

Unusually high surf has already pounded our neighbors to the north 

Pictures and video of the unusually high waves affecting Oxnard and points north last week point to what weather forecasters say will likely be an El Niño winter. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast a greater than 95 percent chance that El Niño conditions consisting of extended periods of high intensity rainfall, triggering heavy runoff, floods, mudslides, debris flow, and landslides both inland and along the coast, will appear through the 2023-2024 winter. Coastal Malibu residents who have lived through previous El Niño conditions know of the damage that can occur. Many longtime Malibu residents probably remember the 1998 rock slide on Pacific Coast Highway between Las Flores Canyon and Topanga that disrupted traffic for months.

A high surf advisory was issued by the National Weather Service Los Angeles for all LA County Beaches, including Zuma Beach in Malibu. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Strong waves washed nearly 5 feet of sand at Zuma Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Visitors take photos of the high tides at Westward Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
A surfer heads to Zuma Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31.
A high surf advisory was issued by the National Weather Service Los Angeles for all LA County Beaches, including Zuma Beach in Malibu. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Visitors take photos of the high tides at Westward Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

The California Coastal Commission is taking notice. In December, the commission heard a presentation on El Niño and potential consequences for the coast. The first speaker, Joe Street, stated the tropical Pacific weather condition appears to be strengthening and will to some degree influence weather and coastal conditions in California this winter. But he said El Nino gets a lot of attention even though it’s sometimes hard to get an accurate picture of its potential to cause harm. A winter prediction of El Niño alone is not a reliable bell weather for major winter storms, according to Street. 

“We’ve had several fizzles or El Nadas just in the last decade,” he commented on predicted El Niños that never materialized. The coastal commissioners still urged readiness as does the City of Malibu. 

The city has published a checklist for homeowners that will help preparedness and hopefully minimize any damage that could occur due to prolonged heavy rainfall that can make Malibu hillsides vulnerable to dangerous slope movement.

A high surf advisory was issued by the National Weather Service Los Angeles for all LA County Beaches, including Zuma Beach in Malibu. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

The checklist on the city website includes the following:

Inspect slopes: Visually inspect all sloped areas for signs of erosion gullying, surface cracks, and slumping. Inspect buildings, patios, retaining walls, and garden walls for signs of cracking or rotation, which may indicate slope movement has occurred. If signs of slope movement are observed, consider contacting a California-licensed geologist or geotechnical engineer for a site inspection. 

Inspect bare ground: Large bare areas may be sources for mudflows during rain. Consider covering or vegetating bare areas before storm season. Consider covering and securing mounds of loose soil or fill material.

Inspect drains and gutters: Visually inspect and remove debris from retaining wall drains, surface drains, culverts, and gutters before storm season. Storm water runoff should be directed into appropriate drainage control areas to avoid excessive soil saturation. 

Inspect structures: Visually inspect all structures, including seawalls, revetments, and bulkheads, for signs of distress, loss of material, obstructed drainage, or exposed reinforcing steel before storm season and after every rainstorm. If significant problems are observed, consider contacting a California-licensed engineer for maintenance suggestions. 

Inspect Roofs: Visually inspect roofs, or hire a roofing contractor, to check for loose tiles, holes or other signs of distress. 

To protect structures from water seepage free sandbags are available at the following local fire stations:

  • Fire Station #70: 3970 Carbon Canyon Road. 310-456-2513
  • Fire Station #71: 28722 W. Pacific Coast Highway. 310-457-2578
  • Fire Station #88: 23720 W. Malibu Road. 310-456-2812
  • Fire Station #99: 32550 Pacific Coast Highway. 310-457-3706.

The free sandbags are empty and must be filled yourself. Remember it is illegal to remove sand from beaches that is crucial for beach habitats. Please call fire stations for availability of sand and sandbags. Also note that plastic sandbags are prohibited in Malibu, except for use by emergency response agencies during emergency conditions.

Questions concerning slope stability, flooding, mudflows, or erosion can be directed to Malibu City Geology staff during public counter hours Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or email mbuilding@malibucity.org.

Strong waves washed nearly 5 feet of sand at Zuma Beach on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT

LASD, CHP hold joint operation to target speeding drivers on Pacific Coast Highway

By
Samantha Bravo
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On Dec. 27, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) and CHP West Valley conducted a joint special enforcement unit operation in Malibu, with a focus on speeders and other violations that leads to collisions on Pacific Coast Highway. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

Sheriff’s Office will request the city to acquire four lidar speed guns to record hazardous driving behaviors

Since the fatal Oct. 17 incident that took the lives of four Pepperdine students, the community has been advocating for public safety improvements on PCH and an increase in law enforcement. 

While the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs Department had expressed the challenges with the inadequate deputies, local, county, and state agencies have begun implementing and funding resources needed to enhance safety and avoid further tragedies. 

Starting Jan. 1, a three-officer California Highway Patrol task force was deployed to enforce traffic regulations and target speeding drivers.

On Dec. 22 and 27, CHP West Valley and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) conducted a joint special enforcement unit operation in Malibu, with a focus on speeders and other violations that lead to collisions on Pacific Coast Highway. 

On Dec. 27, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and CHP West Valley conducted a joint special enforcement unit operation in Malibu, with a focus on speeders and other violations that leads to collisions on Pacific Coast Highway. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

The Malibu Times was invited to go behind the scenes of the joint operation on Dec. 27 and was able to observe the collaborative effort of both agencies.

“This is the first time, I think, in 30 years that CHP has been out here, so were hoping to really create a good unity between the two of us so we can work together,” CHP West Valley PIO Officer Casey Ramstead said. “There’s a lot of residents who still remember CHP back in the day because we’ve always been focused on vehicles codes, violations, and keeping the roads safe, so we like to focus on the vehicle code and slow people down.”

The joint operation was held near Webb Way and PCH and officers were focusing their lidar guns on speeding drivers. The motor deputies issued 61 citations that morning, 52 of them for speeding. Other violations included red light violations, cellphone violations, and unlicensed drivers. 

According to the city’s website (malibucity.org), there have been no regular CHP patrols in Malibu since the city was incorporated in 1991. The City Council declared a local emergency to address PCH safety on Nov. 13. In the meantime, City Manager Steve McClary quickly approved the short-term contract to pay for patrols, costing the city $50,000, equating to 40 CHP officer shifts. The shifts were also allocated to be most effective.

“I’m sure sheriff’s will teach us a couple things and we’ll be able to teach them a couple things, and either way well work and make these roads a little bit safer for everyone,” Ramstead said. “We definitely want to focus on the areas that have been a little more dangerous in the past, more accidents, more fatality accidents, were going to focus on the areas. If there’s a trend we’re going to follow the trends, if people like to speed in certain sections, that’s the section we’re going to go to, to slow it down, if they go somewhere else, we’ll follow them. We’re going to be fluid in just however need to make sure we provide the most security so people can feel safer.”

Ramstead said they hope people will feel safer walking their dogs, riding their bikes, or pulling out of their driveway without worrying about a driver going 100 mph.

“We want them the people who want to treat it [PCH] as a race track to leave and the people that are going to adhere to the laws to and treat it with respect, they’re more than welcome,” Ramstead said. “With the CHP, we’re hoping that well be able to reduce that so they can feel safe on the road again.”

Ramstead said they will be working with LASD to see which areas need more concentration.

“I’m sure well get more information from them on where exactly they want more focus, but at the end of the day we’re going to try to be everywhere we can and let them know were not going to be in just one spot,” Ramstead said. “We want the officers to be all over the place, all the time; I want them to seem like they’re everywhere so hopefully the entire drive, I don’t want to get pulled over so I’m going to follow the rules and follow the laws and I think if we can get that thought into everyone’s head. I think that’s a success.”

LASD Sgt. James Arens said the LASD will request at the City Council meeting on Jan. 8, to acquire four lidar speed guns equipped with a digital video camera to record hazardous driving behaviors, costing $27,960.68. Acquisition of this equipment will support the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s increased traffic enforcement efforts within the city.

LASD will request at the City Council meeting on Jan. 8, to acquire four lidar speed guns (shown in photo) equipped with a digital video camera to record hazardous driving behaviors, costing $27,960.68. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

While $25,000 is the standard threshold for contracts that must be approved by the City Council, the city’s purchasing ordinance (Chapter 2.56) allows for greater flexibility when making purchases for supplies or services in response to a local emergency. 

Last month, California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin and other state officials visited Malibu to conduct an assessment of safety conditions on the highway. 

“The tour was a call to action to do everything that can be done to prevent future tragedies. The collaborative effort between local and state government officials is to avoid future fatalities, minimize injuries, and make PCH safe,” a city press release says. “Discussions included infrastructure enhancements, increased law enforcement presence, and educational initiatives to promote responsible driving. Next steps also include the city, California Highway Patrol (CHP) and LA County working together to expand future patrols, designating PCH as a Safety Corridor as soon as possible, and moving legislation forward to deploy speed cameras on PCH as soon as feasible.”

At the end of the operation, Ramstead said CHP officers were working with the deputies to get to know them, but to also share ideas, and become familiar with the highway and where they want their officers to focus a little more attention on.

Starting Jan. 1, a three-officer California Highway Patrol task force was deployed to enforce traffic regulations and target speeding drivers. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.

“This was exactly what it was supposed to be, which was to feel it out, get to know and understand before we hit the floor running on Jan. 1,” Ramstead said. 

The fatal incident that took the lives of four Pepperdine students was the breaking point for the entire community and urged the city and other agencies to increase safety on PCH.

“I always tell the people, your choices, where you put your passion, your energy, your vote, all those things matters a lot and this is where you need to rise up as a group and demand what you want for your community, if you want more enforcement, if you want officers, you need to tell the community, you need to force the people that represent your community that they hear you and I think at that point there was a breaking point,” Ramstead said. “We don’t have to write tickets, we don’t have to take reports, if everyone behaves and does what they’re supposed to, our jobs nice and simple, but if people are going to keep on treating it like their personal race track, we’re going to do what we can to make other people protected and keep the pedestrians, the residents and the visitors safe. We’re just here to try to bring back a little bit of sanity and hopefully get people safe again.”

Arens welcomed the new partnership.

“The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s station is looking forward to having a partnership with the California Highway Patrol,” Arens said. “We will work well together and do our best to stop the speeding issues and other violations that cause collisions. Our objective is to make PCH a safer road to travel on.” 

On Dec. 27, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and CHP West Valley conducted a joint special enforcement unit operation in Malibu, with a focus on speeders and other violations that leads to collisions on Pacific Coast Highway. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
On Dec. 27, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and CHP West Valley conducted a joint special enforcement unit operation in Malibu, with a focus on speeders and other violations that leads to collisions on Pacific Coast Highway. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT.
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