Six candidates up for three council seats

The six candidates running for a seat on the Malibu City Council made their final appeal for votes Wednesday night at a forum hosted by the Malibu Association of Realtors at Malibu Pacific Church.

In opening statements, with Bruce Silverstein going first, the incumbent looking to serve another four-year term touted his nearly four decades as an attorney. “There hasn’t been a lawyer other than me on the city council for the past decade. Just about every city in Southern California has at least one…and it’s critical that there be lawyers on the city council,” adding “you need to be able to know what questions to ask of the city attorney.”

 
Incumbent Paul Grisanti, a resident of 46 years has been a member of the Board of Realtors “for a lot of that time” and president of the organization. Grisanti served on the Public Works Commission for 19 years before his election to city council. Grisanti mentioned his recent work on school separation.
 
Dr. Channing Frykman, a ten-year resident, mentioned her years working as a pediatrician, serving on boards, and “working with agencies and collaborating.”
 
Write-in candidate Andy Lyon is seeking his third attempt at a seat. The 61-year-old has lived his entire life in Malibu. Lyon said, “I love Malibu…I want to get things done for the kids here… My grandfather was the original agent for the colony in the late 30s… the Marblehead land company. I probably I’ve sold houses my grandfather sold 70 years before. I jumped into the race because I needed to support Bruce and Steve in getting majority back.”
 
Incumbent Steve Uhring, a 30-year resident, touted his four years on the Planning Commission before being elected to council and running a Fortune 500 company in learning management skills. “They taught me how to get things done.” Uhring’s Malibu activism started 25 years ago fighting a development agreement that would have allowed a 185,000-square foot shopping center on what is now Legacy Park. “We took that issue to the vote of the residents. They voted against that…we went out and raised a half a million dollars to help the city by Legacy Park.”

Uhring said his main reason for running is to fight speeding on Pacific Coast Highway
and to streamline the permit process for household necessities such as a water heater.

“I’m hoping the experience I’ve gained in my prior jobs I can use here on the city council. I think I can make a difference,” Uhring said.
 
17-year resident Haylynn Conrad is raising two teenagers here. “I have been passionate about public service, volunteering in the community.” Conrad mentioned her seven-year volunteer position for AYSO and that she opened a school on Las Flores. “I know that people think that I might not have the experience because I haven’t served or you don’t know who I am.”

Conrad then went on to explain that after buying three houses in Malibu, she came to understand the permitting process “was frustrating.” She added, “I am pretty passionate about hoping to bring civility back to the civics here….I’m not very proud of the way it’s been going… there’s so many issues that I think I’d be really good at because I’m a collaborative person and a team player.”
 
After opening remarks, the moderator tossed softball questions to the candidates.

One topic was recreation.

Grisanti said he supports more ball fields and a skatepark. Lyon rebutted, “I’m gonna try and control myself on the skatepark…for you to say that you had something to do with pushing this forward is just a complete lie. We had last year a plan that was approved in the planning commission meeting and then Scott Gillen (the developer) stood up and said he was going to sue. And then what happened is that Marianne (Riggins) and Paul acquiesced at every single demand that he made to changing the skate park, which is now delayed over a year. He delayed us before that. He knew what the plan was, so for you to say that you had some form of pushing this thing forward is just straight out a lie…We never heard what he (Gillen) was basing his suit on… It’s not rocket science to build a skate park for kids.”

Frykman, who said she supports health and safety said, “What everybody’s answering here is how do we bring our community together and do things that are healthy and safe and uplifting.”

“Talk about a softball question,” Uhring said. “At the last city council meeting, five of us voted to approve ballfields on Heathercliff. We’ve also tried to move the skateparkforward. That’s the easy part, talking about it easy… Talk is cheap, making it happen is what we have to do, and the city has not been good at that. We’ve recommended a project manager, we hire somebody new, they’ll help monitor this process as it goes through, but I’ll tell you, if you want to get it done, you’re going have to keep the pressure on us because we don’t do stuff very well…It’s not what the city is good at. If we push, we’ll get some stuff done that if we don’t, the stuff will all fall apart.”

Conrad’s take started with the snack shack.

“Years and years go by and nothing gets done, like a snack shack. I mean, we had one in Coney Island. So, if they can do it there, I’m sure we could do it here. I grew up skateboarding. I wasn’t involved in City Hall, and that’s a big reason why I’m running is I think I can help get things done. I like to nudge. I’m called “the nudger.” On what will happen to Malibu’s open lands, Conrad stated, “I want to be a part of those decisions” adding the usage of cutting-edge technology. “We could be visionaries.”

On ballfields Silverstein said, “We don’t need to study more, we just need to put them there, we don’t need bleachers, we don’t need restrooms, we just need fields. The other stuff will come once we get that done.”

State agency holds sixth public workshop for PCH plan at Malibu City Hall

Caltrans held its sixth public workshop for the Pacific Coast Highway Master Plan Feasibility Study on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at City Hall, and presented updates on design alternatives and safety recommendations based on the community’s input.

“The purposes and objectives of our Caltrans feasibility study were to analyze existing conditions on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, identify projects to reduce the number and severity of crashes and to plan safer travel options for pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Ryan Snyder, a representative of the Caltrans District 7 Division of Transportation Planning Office’s Multimodal System Planning Department during the presentation at Malibu City Hall. “By our measure, a 22-mile portion of PCH is within Malibu city limits and we aim to improve the character of the highway so it fits better into the community, preserves and enhances emergency vehicle access and provides safe evacuation routes.”

Snyder reported that the agency had stakeholder meetings with local residents, city staff, the California Highway Patrol, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Malibu Labor Exchange, representatives of the administration, staff, faculty, and student body at Pepperdine University, the California Coastal Commission, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Streets for All and Streets for Everyone. 

Snyder explained that Caltrans sent surveys out to residents and others and the agency received 1,225 responses, with only 160 of the respondents indicating they were affiliated with Malibu. 

“Because PCH in Malibu is a state highway, voices from the outside must be heard,” Snyder said. “Of the 160 respondents indicating an affiliation of some kind with Malibu, 68 percent indicated that they were recreational visitors, 9 percent stated they were local employees, 2 percent were local business owners and another 7 percent stated they were otherwise affiliated with Malibu.”

“In the surveys, the option of making no changes to the highway came in dead last,” he stated. “Some respondents only wanted parking on one side of the highway — the beach side. Others preferred that we adopt a National Park-like option, with some parts of Malibu being cordoned off and people being dropped off and picked up in a central area and being transported on buses or shuttles to beaches.”

The 8 to 80 principle: A new California law mandates bike lanes throughout all of Malibu on PCH 

“Governor Newsom has signed SB 689, making it easier for local governments to amend their Local Coastal Programs, which are required coastal planning documents approved by the Coastal Commission, when adding bike lanes, dedicated transit lanes or pedestrian walkways to projects,” Snyder said.  

Reviewing other survey results, he informed that protected bike lanes were heavily favored over striped bike lanes and one-way bike lanes that would be protected on both sides were slightly favored over two-way protected bike lanes.

Complete Streets on Caltrans Corridors, SB 960, is now the law, Snyder emphasized, explaining that Caltrans now has a mandate to update California’s state highways and roads to serve all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians, when it does maintenance projects. The Complete Streets law includes requiring Caltrans to improve its use of State Highway Operation and Protection Program funds to build bikeways, sidewalks and bus boarding islands.  

“SB 960 mandates that we create bike lanes for the entire length of PCH in Malibu.” He said. “In what is often referredto as the 8 to 80 principle, we must adhere to the concept that bike lanes should be safe for any users between the ages of 8 and 80.  We propose that we build buffered/colored and/or protected bike lanes on Las Flores on the mountain sideas well as between Las Flores Road and the Malibu Pier area and between the Pier area and the western city limits.”

Survey results indicate respondents favor a landscaped median

“A landscaped median was very strongly favored for the central part of Malibu, parking on one side of PCH and parking on both sides were about equally favored and parking on the beach side was favored over parking on the mountain side,” Snyder recounted, displaying several renderings of how such construction would change the look of Malibu and how the various improvements and alterations to the existing highway could result in lane reductions or deletions. 

“Tree canopies provide shade and beautify a thorough fare and they also are a traffic calming measure,” he added. “We are considering having such trees from Las Flores Road to the Malibu Pier.”

Slowing down traffic between Las Flores and Malibu Pier and throughout PCH in Malibu 

Discussing “the key tools in Caltrans’ toolbox,” Snyder addressed the use of roundabouts, which he stated were very effective in reducing bad accidents, according to traffic studies.

“The research is solid that roundabouts can reduce both the number of crashes and the severity of crashes,” he said, adding that the candidate intersections for roundabouts in Malibu included Webb Way, the confluence of Bonsall Drive and Westward Beach Road, Broad Beach Road, El Matador, La Piedra and El Pescador beaches, and Decker Road. 

“Building new sidewalks that are ADA-complaint is mandated by SB 960 and sidewalks are desperately needed from Las Flores Road to Carbon Canyon Road, an area where there are virtually no sidewalks and we need to do some spot improvements on sidewalks west of Carbon Canyon Road as well,” Snyder added. “The use of angled parking would also help increase safety from Cross Creek Road to Webb Way on the beach side and we are also recommending the building of ADA-compliant crosswalks near the bus stops and adding sidewalks where we propose to have angled parking for beach access.” 

Caltrans, Snyder noted, “wants to eliminate the situation where people are parking along the busy highway on the land side and have to walk across the highway to gain access to the beach as well as situations where people who park on the ocean side do not have the use of sidewalks.” 

Accordingly, he indicated, Caltrans is exploring the possibility of having staggered parking from Puerco Canyon to Latigo Beach, at Winding Way, near Paradise Cove and west of Trancas Canyon Road. “We also are considering reverse-in angled parking near El Matador, La Piedra, El Pescador and Nicholas Beaches,” he said. 

Proposed new or improved signalized pedestrian crosswalks

Snyder discussed areas where pedestrian crosswalks are needed, most notably at the Rambla Vista bus stop, Carbon Beach East access, and Carbon Beach West access areas and bus stops, areas that he opined should be upgraded from the existing pedestrian beacons.  

“Currently, the city is working on improving pedestrian crossings at the Moonshadows bus stop, at the La Costa Beach Access point, at Corral Beach, and at the Sara Wan trailhead,” he explained. 

Gateways

“Gateways to a city welcome locals and visitors to a city and slow down drivers,” Snyder stated, displaying a rendering with a high arch structure stating “Malibu” above the thoroughfare. “The various options for such gateways in Malibu are at the Rambla Vista, Serra Road and a Webb Way Roundabout.” 

In some municipalities, the design and construction of such gateways have been funded through private-public partnerships after design contests have been conducted, he noted.

Lane configuration adjustments

Many of the proposals Snyder detailed would necessitate narrowing or eliminating lanes of traffic and center turn lanes. Snyder noted that Caltrans will investigate grading slopes adjacent to homes for better access from the south City of Malibu limit to Las Flores Rd.

“We also are exploring inserting rubber curbing into the median for emergency vehicles from Rambla Vista Road to Serra Road and on to Cross Creek Road and even further on to Webb Way and as far as to Paradise Cove, Trancas Canyon Road and the state beaches further west and possibly all the way to the North City limit,” he said.

Global Improvements

Finally, Snyder addressed planned global improvements throughout Malibu’s segment of the PCH, stating that Caltrans proposes to upgrade all multi-lane pedestrian crossings of PCH to user-activated pedestrian signals wherever there are four or more lanes, to move advance stop lines back to between 6 and 8 feet from the crosswalks, to add bus shelters, maps, schedules and good access to all bus stops, and to add pedestrian signal crossings at all bus stops wherever there are four or more lanes.

Possible vehicle-to-everything V2X Applications

In what proved to be a very lengthy meeting, attendees’ interest level palpably piqued when Snyder and Rob DuBoux, public works director for the City of Malibu, began to discuss new available technology that can be deployed to address the need to increase safety on the PCH. 

“The technology exists for motorists to have a transponder in a vehicle that will notify them if they are speeding,” Snyder explained. 

“Our new safety adoption system is a very complicated, programmed system that has innovations that can synchronize all signals on PCH from Topanga to John Tyler and if motorists speed, they will encounter red lights further along the highway,” DuBoux said. “Whereas, if they are going the speed limit. they will more likely encounter all green lights.”

The technology also exists to have cameras that communicate in real time with the Sheriff’s Department, to allow for authorities to warn drivers with transponders about safety hazards in real time, and for emergency vehicles to communicate to drivers that they are approaching and drivers need to yield the right of way, Snyder and DuBoux explained. 

“In the future, there will be technology available for authorities to communicate with drivers when they are speeding,” Snyder said.  

The timing of all the projects — a phased plan 

Quite predictably, discussion turned to how long it would take to implement each of the myriad of planned and considered safety improvements for PCH in Malibu.

“Short-term projects that will take between a few months up to five years include striping, signing, and adding rubber curbing, and we will possibly construct a temporary roundabout at some point along Pacific Coast Highway,” Snyder said. “Medium-term projects, most notably constructing more permanent structures in the highest priority area between Las Flores to the Malibu Pier, will most likely take between approximately six to 10 years, while long-term projects consisting of fully-constructed roundabouts and other concrete features, may take between 11 to 20 years and those timelines are all dependent on funding.”

What wasn’t considered in the Caltrans feasibility study

All of the projects discussed in the presentation addressed possible alterations and improvements to PCH within the currently paved highway. There was no discussion of any government — state, county or local — exercising the right of condemnation. Indeed, Snyder noted that to assess whether condemnation could be exercised in any area, the agency would have to conduct a right-of-way audit throughout the PCH in Malibu.

Further, as attendee Hans Laetz informed, neither Caltrans nor the city seemed to have considered any possibility for relinquishment by Caltrans of the PCH corridor in Malibu to the City of Malibu. Relinquishment, a process that other municipalities in California have accomplished, involves Caltrans relinquishing a roadway back to a city or town, thereby empowering a local government to address local roadway challenges and transportation needs. 

Finally, Snyder and Dan Kopulsky, Caltrans District 7 multimodal system planning implementation manager, noted that a city-wide benefit assessment district could be formed by Malibu residents and improvements to PCH could be fundedthrough a bonding process if locals desired to tax themselves.

What’s Next

A follow up meeting is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7 at City Hall wherein Caltrans will present its draft final study regarding improvements along PCH in Malibu.

For more information

Readers can visit Caltrans’ interactive website at https://engage.dot.ca.gov/07-pchmpfesibilitystudy.com. For more information about the study or to provide comments to Caltrans, readers can contact: 07-pchmpfs@publicinput.com.

City Council votes to move ahead with county petition for separation after Santa Monica misses an important deadline 

It was just two months ago, after a breakdown in negotiations between the City of Malibu and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District over separating into two districts, when the attorney representing SMMUSD, David Soldanisaid, “we pushed through” and “we’re back at the table.” Soldani made those comments to frustrated Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) members who grilled the two sides on why there was no finalization of agreements.

In August, Soldani asked LACOE to give the SMMUSD Board until November. Malibu’s attorney in the process commented about the “lack of urgency” the district was placing on the process. Now that Santa Monica has failed to approve the separation agreement recommended by their school separation subcommittee within the deadlines they established, the City of Malibu is once again moving forward with its school separation petition originally filed in 2017 with LACOE. The city is submitting a new feasibility study that no longer includes several financial concessions previously offered by Malibu in an effort to work collaboratively with SMMUSD.

A press release from Malibu stated, “Malibu’s alternative feasibility incorporates much of the financial and operational groundwork developed over the last several years, upholding the guiding principles that (1) the formation of an independent MUSD is in the best interest of all students; and (2) both MUSD and SMUSD will receive sufficient funding to provide a similar level of service that existed before separation.”

It looks now though that Santa Monica negotiators are questioning their city’s projected property tax revenues and are waiting for the latest numbers to be released by the county. However, the Malibu statement suggested both parties willbe fiscally solvent at the time of separation. 

There has been speculation by some critics of Santa Monica claiming delay tactics on its part right before an election for new board members Nov. 5. Two years ago, right before the last election, SMMUSD Board Member Jon Kean wrote a letter to the editor of the The Malibu Times criticizing the paper’s coverage of the separation process. In the letter, Kean wrote that the revenue sharing formula “is fully expressed in the agreement and ‘is completed.’” He also asserted that the terms of the operational transfer agreement and joint powers agreement were not “stumbling blocks but technical mechanisms.” Kean also stated the term sheet “put forth an equitable financial model for both sides.” Finally, Kean urged Malibu residents “just accept victory.” 

When asked for a statement, Kean replied: “While we had hoped to complete this process by the end of October, and we are very close to accomplishing that, it is far more important that we get things right. We are continuing this process and path toward creating an independent Malibu Unified School District. This means we must allow for ample time in order to hear the concerns and incorporate valid suggestions from our 1,500 employees who provide education and services for our students, address the comments of 8,500 students and their families, including historically marginalized subgroups and students with special needs, and provide in-depth details of the legal and practical ramifications to both communities of this historic process. SMMUSD will not place artificial obstacles or random dates as deterrents in finalizing these agreements in a rigorous manner. What some might see as a short delay, others will see as due diligence, proper governance, and a thorough attention to details. We are at the doorstep of completing this arduous process, which was once thought to be impossible. The district will continue to place the needs of all students as our timeline.”

Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS) President Wade Major spoke last week at a SMMUSD board meeting expressing his disappointment in the postponement of ratification of the unification agreements that were agendized. 

“You [SM negotiators] focused on a litany of superfluous minutiae, none substantial enough to tank the agreements or justify delay,” Major said. “You negotiated an extraordinary set of agreements which have set statewide precedent … Any retreat from that achievement undermines this district and hurts children … It is, however, public record that all three subcommittee members oppose the reelection to City Council of your former colleague Oscar de la Torre in favor of another former colleague — Barry Snell — who also happens to sit on the County Committee. 

“By insisting on pushing ratification beyond Election Day and tying it to concerns over future city funding, you’vemade it look as though you’re holding the process hostage in hopes of swaying Santa Monica voters to elect a man tasked with approving it at the county level. A man who previously and publicly sought to quash Malibu’s unification petition without deliberation.

“The optics cannot be walked back. You have put Barry Snell in the unenviable position of having no choice but to recuse himself from any future votes or discussion related to unification or trustee districts.”

Malibu’s only representative on the SMMUSD board, Stacy Rouse, recognized the frustration, adding, “This is not where we had all envisioned or hoped we would be at this point. Nevertheless, from my vantage point, I see that boththe district and the city continue to be committed to finding a way to separate. While each have stated they are proceeding alone, each are currently and actively working toward the reality of that eventual separation.

“As it stands today they have unfortunately diverged timelines. But this is not an end to the process itself or even an end to eventuality that they may both work together again in this endeavor,” Rouse continued. “The issue is no longer what to do — separation is publicly agreed to be best for both communities. The issue is no longer the big picture of how. There is a viable revenue sharing agreement, operations agreement, and joint powers agreement that both entities have said publicly are at 95 percent or more completed. 

“The issue is the smaller how of these last few steps to get from 95 percent to 100 percent. The present disagreements, concerns, and challenges between the two entities are important, but solvable. These can be more easily overcome than the concerns and issues that have already been achieved by their joint work together. In this stage where it is possible they may go to the committee separately, their proposals are still based on the guiding principles, already developed agreements, and tested mathematical formulas that contain provisions and contingencies for the ever-present unknown.Best case scenario for both entities, both communities and, most importantly, all the kids in the entire district, remains that the district and the city go together before the community and the county to present a shared plan. Absent that joint possibility, each entity going together unilaterally but on shared past work, is still a path forward the goal both entities share – to have a whole and viable SMUSD and an MUSD.”

The County Committee will consider Malibu’s petition at two upcoming public hearings:

• Friday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m. at SMMUSD District Office Board Room, 1717 4th St., Santa Monica

• Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m. at Malibu High School, 30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu

Hundreds of racers of all abilities celebrate movement while raising money for Malibu Education Foundation

Under perfect weather conditions for a foot race, more than 1,300 participants kicked off the inaugural Malibu Moves Half-Marathon and 5K sponsored by IPS and presented by UCLA Health Sunday at Zuma Beach.

Movement, giving back, and celebrating community were the pillars of the event that raised more than $25,000 benefitting the Malibu Education Foundation (MEF). Other runners raised more than $10,000 for individual charities dear to them.

Erica Segel, founder and race director of Malibu Moves, commented on the positive energy of the crowd.

“It’s people that make an event special,” she said. “The participants to the volunteers, sponsors, and vendors, they’re the best.”

Volunteer Andrew Mendez drove 90 minutes from Azusa to hand out water with his running club. Participant and volunteer Rosa Tweatt was a “party pacer” who picked up trash and supported runners along the scenic course on Pacific Coast Highway. 

“We’re just kind of encouraging the last people and provide environmental support and endurance,” Segel explained.“Nothing is left behind because we take pride in returning our venue better than how we received it.”

Sunday’s celebratory 13.1 mile and 5K runs inspired movement and fitness but also honored the achievements of top finishers. Diego Pastrano of Santa Clarita finished the half marathon in 1:15:30. The top female finisher, Aria Blumm, came in at 1:28:18. In the 5K, Gordon Vaught placed first in the men’s category at 17:01 and Rebecca Durant was the women’s winner at 18:34. And in the spirit of perseverance and determination, the Resilient Hero Award went to Ali Chin who although finished last was the embodiment of inclusivity that defines Malibu Moves. 

Moments after crossing the finish line first, Pastrano commented, “The course was pretty intense. I mean, nothing as I expected, but definitely I enjoyed it.” 

Twins Jacquelyn and Kelly Castellon, 23, of Oxnard, each raised more than $500 for MEF. “We spend a lot of time in Malibu, so we felt it was a good way to do our first running event.”

On Saturday, 60 kids participated in the 1K Kids run that took place at the same start and finish line. 

“It was incredible,” said Segel. “The kids are the ones reminding us what this is all about, that pure sense of fun and sports, but also camaraderie. I would see them cheer one another on as they cross the finish line. I saw them hugging one another. It’s really empowering for the kids.” 

Aaron T. Jones of International Protective Service became a title sponsor after learning about Malibu Moves from Segel.

“She’s such a visionary and just really understands Malibu and what this community is all about … and giving back to the community and making the world a better place,” Jones said.

Sean McArthur of Reseda was impressed. 

“This is like the most beautiful race I’ve ever done,” McArthur said. “The ocean, and then the sun came up andeverything is gorgeous.”

Many Malibu dignitaries participated in the 5K, including Mayor Doug Stewart, Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. The event also welcomed Pepperdine University President Jim Gash and First Lady Joline Gash. Their university’s Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program earned the Biggest Team Award, with over 150 students participating. 

“We designed this program to help build resilience and one of the ways we do that is physical movement and in community,” Joline Gash said. “Moving together doesn’t matter how fast we go. It just matters that we’re doing it together as a community.” 

Many other college campuses are using this curriculum to help combat challenges including with mental health issues.

“On behalf of the Pepperdine community, how grateful we are for all of you walking this journey over the last year with us as we lost our poor angels,” President Gash said. “We would not have been able to get through this without your support and encouragement. God bless you all.”

A lively post-race festival featured music, food trucks, and a Charity Beer Garden hosted by Malibu Brewing Company, with all proceeds benefiting MEF.

Fundraising efforts were recognized for their significant impact. Jamin Kerner, husband of MEF board member Maggie Castle, was honored as the third-place fundraiser. Bianca Torrence, representing the David Torrence Legacy Foundation, earned second place for her dedication to promoting clean sports and inspiring young athletes in memory of the late Olympian David Torrence, and the top fundraiser award went to John George, whose contributions made a meaningful difference for MEF’s programs.

“This weekend was a dream come true and a beautiful reminder of how movement and community go hand in hand,” said Segel. “We are so grateful to every participant, donor, and volunteer who helped make this event a success. Together, we’ve made a meaningful difference for our public schools and students.” 

City Council considers input from the community and two city commissions regarding use of city-owned parcels

Subscribing to the principle that one should invest in land because they’re not making any more of it, in 2016 and 2018, the City of Malibu wisely purchased five parcels of property totaling 60 acres. The parcels are referred to as the Trancas lot, consisting of 29.67 acres, the Heathercliff lot, consisting of 19 acres, the Triangle lot, consisting of 1.1 acres, the La Paz lot, consisting of 2.3 acres, and the 9.29-acre property used for the Chili Cook-off, a parcel that some in the community refer to so as the Ioki lot so as to honor that property’s prior owners, the only Malibu residents of Japanese descent who were forced into internment by the United States in World War II. 

In February, the city engaged Tripepi Smith, a marketing and public affairs consulting firm, to conduct a comprehensive outreach effort to identify the community’s priorities for potential uses of the communal lands. Between April and June, Tripepi Smith held community meetings seeking residents’ input about whether to build on the parcels and, if so, what to build and where to build. Approximately 1,200 people, including residents and some who are frequently in Malibu working and visiting, responded to surveys seeking the same information.

From August to late September, based on initial input from the community, the city sought more specific feedback concerning the most frequent suggestions made during the prior stages of the community engagement effort. Tripepi Smith and city leaders also sought feedback concerning the use of communal lands from the city’s Arts and Culture Commission and its Parks and Recreation Commission on Oct. 22.

Based upon input received from all of its outreach efforts, the city identified the most frequent land use suggestions. On Oct. 24, the City Council held a special meeting to receive and address Tripipi Smith’s outreach and engagement report, which details the various suggestions received by the public and to consider the recommendations of the commissions. 

“Open space that possibly includes pathways and trails or a community garden and grass fields designed for sports were the most requested land uses.” Yolanda Bundy, the environmental sustainability director and building official reported.

Other suggested uses included building a community pool or splash pad, a community center that could house a senior center, a youth center, a visitor center and/or a library, sports courts/fields (for basketball, pickleball, tennis, baseball, softball and football), a dog park, an indoor theater of sufficient size for the Malibu Film Society to show films, an art center, an outdoor amphitheater, a sculpture garden, housing for those working in Malibu or for seniors, and commercial uses such as parking.

Although the parcels “may require additional steps such as seismic evaluation, biological and geological assessments and zoning changes, the uses identified as the categories set forth by the community and the commissions are feasible,” according to Bundy. 

Fireball Tim Lawrence, chair of the the Arts and Culture Commission,  stated that the commission recommended that uses of the communal lands focusing on the arts be centralized in the three parcels nearest to the City of Malibu’s offices, to wit, the Triangle, Ioki/Chili Cook Off, and La Paz lots, while the sports-focused usages be located at Heathercliff or Trancas. 

E. Barry Haldeman, co-chair of the Arts and Culture Commission, focused on the need for a theater capable of showing first-run films.

“Malibu is an artistic town full of artists and musicians,” Haldeman said. “However, we don’t currently show it. Malibu should have a movie theater with sufficient size that meets the criteria that the major studios insist upon so that those watching our films do not have to drive over the hill.”

If Malibu built a 500-seat auditorium, Haldeman noted, it could also be utilized as an art gallery and a place for having art classes.

Speaking for the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chair Dane Skophammer stated, “There is a critical need for both pool and field sports spaces and for a community gym that could perhaps accommodate a library as well.” 

Skophammer elaborated, “Citizens should not have to drive to the valley to enjoy critical sports infrastructure! Not having adequate field space fractures our community in many ways — approximately one-half of the better athletes in Malibu drive to the valley to access better facilities while those who remain in Malibu are left with inferior facilities.”  

Skophammer advocated that Malibu build an athletic and community facility emulating the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village, which has a large gymnasium, indoor warm water and lap lane pools, a game room, and ample field space. He noted that the organization offers a host of aquatics programs, as well as fitness, health, and wellness programs for citizens from their cradle to their elderly years.

“Yarrow serves the community very well and we here in Malibu should do so as well.” He said. “Our aging population needs to have low impact physical exertion opportunities and our youth need better fields to play on.”

Also representing the Parks and Recreation Commission, Malibu native Suzanne Guldimann agreed, stating, “Our community should be committed to providing multi-generational services.” Guldimann suggested that the City Council explore using the approximately $22 million in the library set-aside account to help build a library that includes features such as those in the Octavio Lab, a makerspace at the Los Angeles Public Library’s central library. 

The city should sensibly prioritize starting the capitalization process to build those facilities that the majority of the citywants, such as open spaces, Guldimann added.

Building in place

Several of those speaking during the public comment period suggested that the City Council explore building some of the citizen-desired amenities in Malibu buildings that are already constructed, such as Malibu Lumber Yard and the space where Malibu Coastal Veterinary operates, the lot where Supercare is located, and the state-owned empty structure next to the Malibu Library that used to house the county courthouse.

“Tripepi was assigned the wrong task,” Hans Laetz opined. “We should also look at the built environment.” Elaborating, Laetz suggested that  “the mausoleum that is the courthouse” could be torn down, and the city could possibly put a lovely arts center where Supercare is located.

Environmental advocate Patt Healy agreed, asserting, “Open spaces should be preserved and we could revise built environments.” Concurring, Bill Sampson opined that the city “should fill up the buildings we already have.”

Bryan Gordon, president of Pacific Equity Investment Corporation, the developer of 122,324-square-foot retail and office campus known as Cross Creek Ranch, noted that his team is available to assist the city with whatever it decides to construct on the La Paz parcel.

“Pacific Equity has already paid to install all of the gas, water and electric utilities for the La Paz Parcel and has agreed to provide one-half of the parking spaces needed by those who use that parcel.” Gordon said. “We’ve already completed an environmental impact review pursuant to CEQA as well as a preliminary study regarding the feasibility of having a movie theater or other theater there, a structure that would have to be enclosed by glass to attenuate sound.”

Gordon added, “We stand ready, willing and able to assist the city with regard to the La Paz parcel.”

Noting that approximately 40 years ago, prior to Malibu incorporating as a city, residents sought to have soccer fields, basketball courts, and a baseball diamond, Norm Haney stated, “Those pressing goals are still there and we should protect our most important resources — the children. Further, we should also consider building housing for employees of the City of Malibu.” 

Deborah Frankel advocated for the city planting native habitat using regenerative agricultural practices. “In doing so, Malibu could be an exemplary city,” she stated. 

Agreeing, Georgia Goldfarb — emphasizing that she was speaking as a private citizen, not in her capacity as a commissioner on the Parks and Recreation Commission — discussed the need to eliminate invasive plants on Malibu’s public lands and how allowing indigenous plants to grow is critical for the environment.

Former City Councilperson Skylar Peak stated, “There is a need in our community for active recreational spaces, including pools and our constituents are placing our trust in the city council.”

Next Steps: For more information concerning the city council’s decisions regarding the communal lands at its Oct. 28 meeting, refer to page A1 in this edition of The Malibu Times.