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Rainbow signals hope for a Malibu recovery

Barbara Burke
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Rainbow signals hope for a Malibu recovery

Amid challenges and declines in local business, Malibuites try to keep the faith and surge forward 

Driving on the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Malibu is quite overwhelming. Fire-besieged metal and concrete skeletons serve as sentinels keeping watch over what little remains of once happy homes that are heavily encumbered with fire debris, ashes, and toxic substances, many with the burned-out remains of homeowners’ vehicles still parked where those fleeing the Palisades Fire were forced to leave them. Hauntingly beautiful, they evince how harrowing the Palisades Fire was. 

A sizable mudslide near Big Rock boasts a waterfall even as its debris is pushed back onto a shoulder of PCH, allowing for some minimal traffic flow. Suddenly, as if it were generated by divine inspiration, a colorful rainbow appears over the ocean, providing a backdrop of positivity and hope for the fire-scarred terrain, as if to say, “Malibu will rebuild and it will be even better!”

Malibu’s indomitable community spirit

Despite being immersed in the uncertainty about how and when we can all rebuild our town, the transportation obstacles one faces when coming to Malibu from West Los Angeles, and incessant meetings concerning fire rebuilds and insurance coverage, residents are surging forward, resolved to rebuild, and inevitably, to redefine Malibu. 

We all know that neither the larger world nor Malibu is made up of only unicorns and fun emojis and that the community is facing an arduous years-long reconstruction process.  However, many also know that one secret to enduring the frustratingly lengthy reconstruction process and summoning the necessary patience to do so lies in resolving to set an intention and to construct one’s frame of mind by infusing it with optimism and hope. 

And so, in that spirit of positivity, if one carefully observes the goings-on in Malibu one can still see some happiness, not the least of which are the joyful mother-son and father-daughter dances this past weekend at Malibu Pacific Church — doesn’t the vision of a little boy looking adoringly at his mother as they celebrate a special occasion and a daddy gently leading his little girl through dance steps provide some hope and happiness to all?

Mother Nature leads the way 

“It’s so beautiful and green as I drive through Malibu Canyon!” said Barbara Bruderlin, the CEO of Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce.  

“This is the second Monarch butterfly I’ve seen this week!” local horticulturist and landscape designer, Aaron Landsworth excitedly posted on social media. “I found the butterfly ovipositing [laying eggs] in my garden.”

As usual, eternally wise Mother Nature is leading the way. Spring is springing and soon, avid flower fans will be hiking the Santa Monica Mountains looking for fragrant blooms and those who chase waterfalls will be checking out their favorite crevices seeking a moment with the lovely, flowing fragran essences of rushing water.

However, any optimism we manage to muster as we launch rebuilding must be tempered by wisdom and planning. Local scientists admonish us humans to not get in Mother Nature’s way, advising that we plant indigenous species when we rebuild and that we all do what we can to heal our beaches and marine ecosystems as expeditiously as possible. Simply stated, we will be more successful if we immerse positivity into our rebuilding pragmatism all the while checking in with ourselves and one another to ensure that all are healthy mentally, that all are included in the rebuilding process, and that all are heard and feel seen. 

2025 Rainnbow over Malibu Barbara Burke 3
2025 Rainnbow over Malibu Barbara Burke 1

A rainbow emerges in Malibu behind scenes of the damage left behind by the Palisades Fire. Photos by Barbara Burke

Malibu Council moves forward with fire recovery planning reforms

Hayley Mattson
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Malibu Council moves forward with fire recovery planning reforms

Zoning changes and building height adjustments debated to accelerate rebuilding while balancing long-term goals

Last week, Malibu’s City Council held extended continuation meetings to discuss crucial updates to the city’s planning regulations in response to the recent fires. These lengthy sessions, lasting several hours, focused on refining building codes and zoning laws, particularly in relation to fire rebuilds. The meetings also aimed to capitalize on a specialopportunity created by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s suspension of certain Coastal Commission regulations in fire-impacted areas. This suspension allowed Malibu to expedite the rebuilding process in ways that would not have been feasible under normal conditions.

A significant focal point of this discussion was the potential for new building height allowances along Malibu’soceanfront, particularly in areas like La Costa Beach, where homes destroyed by the fires could be rebuilt taller than current height restrictions permit. The issue of height was not the only contentious subject; another central question revolved around the speed at which these changes should be implemented. Should the city expedite these adjustments to take full advantage of the governor’s order, or should it proceed with more caution and deliberation, ensuring that long-term goals are balanced with immediate needs?

Councilmember Bruce Silverstein voiced strong concerns about rushing to approve the changes, emphasizing that the governor’s executive order — temporarily removing the Coastal Commission from the permitting process — might render the need for quick approvals unnecessary. He argued that the order gave the city ample time to make adjustments without feeling pressured to adopt wholesale changes that might not align with the city’s broader vision for rebuilding.

“I don’t understand what the rush to get to Coastal is,” Silverstein remarked during the meeting. “Because the governor’s order has wiped out Coastal. We have some minimal things we probably need to do under the municipal code, to get you all functioning under the governor’s order so that the city is in line with the state. All the other stuff we’re doing is for Woolsey, Franklin, Broad, and the future.”

Silverstein’s skepticism about the speed of the process was in contrast to the views of Councilmember Marianne Riggins, who believed that it was essential for the city to make rapid changes. Riggins pointed out that while the Palisades Fire was the largest of the recent fires, there were other fire victims, particularly those affected by the Franklin and Broad fires, who could also benefit from the proposed changes to zoning rules.

“Even though the Palisades Fire is the largest, the Franklin Fire happened a month before, and these local coastal program changes are for their benefit,” Riggins noted. “Not to mention, we have Woolsey Fire rebuilds that are being held up and could benefit from streamlining so we can get those people back in their homes.”

The tension between urgency and caution set the tone for much of the debate that followed. City officials and council members tried to reconcile their differing perspectives, as they balanced immediate needs for fire victims with the longer-term vision for Malibu’s urban development.

Height restrictions and FEMA guidelines

One of the most contentious issues discussed during the meeting was the height of replacement homes along PacificCoast Highway. FEMA flood maps dictate that beachfront homes must meet new baseline floor elevations, sometimes requiring homes to be elevated by up to 8 feet. This increase in height could push homes above the current 28-foot height limit for oceanfront properties, which has the potential to block or obstruct views for residents living inland, especially for those along PCH.

Former Councilmember Paul Grisanti raised concerns about the accuracy of FEMA’s flood zone studies, particularly criticizing the wave uprush study, which he argued relied on flawed assumptions and could lead to elevated homes that were unnecessarily high. While Grisanti’s concerns were taken seriously, city staff emphasized that Malibu is required to comply with FEMA’s guidelines, which could result in the construction of taller homes and the loss of scenic views along PCH. The council was forced to address this issue head-on, as balancing safety and environmental regulations with maintaining Malibu’s aesthetic appeal has always been a delicate task.

City planner Tyler Eaton proposed a potential compromise to help minimize the impact on neighboring properties. Eaton suggested that elevation increases could be accommodated but recommended that homebuilders first increase the floor area laterally — i.e., by expanding outward — before pursuing vertical growth. The goal of this approach was to allow homes to meet FEMA’s flood zone requirements without unnecessarily blocking views or disrupting the character of the community.

Riggins also suggested another solution: allowing replacement homes to be built on top of the FEMA-required platforms and to expand by up to 10% in total size. However, she proposed that this increase should be allowed only if the previous home had already exceeded the 28-foot height limit. This recommendation aimed to maintain a degree ofconsistency in the height of replacement homes, especially in areas where homes had already violated the original zoning regulations.

Removing temporary housing

Another significant topic discussed was the removal of temporary housing structures — specifically mobile homes — that had been placed on lots where homes were destroyed by the fires. These temporary units had been allowed by the city as part of the recovery process, but some of them had remained in place for years, well beyond their intended use.As a result, the City Council grew frustrated with the ongoing presence of these structures and discussed implementing stricter timelines and enforceable penalties to ensure their removal.

One council member referred to the continued presence of these temporary housing units as “shenanigans,” underscoring the growing frustration with the lack of progress on rebuilding. The council resolved to adopt measures that would impose clear timelines for the removal of temporary housing, with penalties for noncompliance, aiming to encourage residents to rebuild their homes and return to permanent housing as soon as possible.

Auxiliary dwelling units

A final issue that garnered attention was a proposed amendment to the city’s regulations regarding auxiliary dwelling units (ADUs). These are small, secondary units that can be built on single-family lots, and the city had previously imposed a ban on such units in certain areas, including those with only one access route to Pacific Coast Highway. The council debated whether to lift this ban, particularly in areas like Big Rock, where there is a growing demand for ADUs as a way to provide additional housing.

Councilmember Steve Uhring expressed opposition to the idea, citing concerns about safety and access in the event of an emergency. Uhring’s concerns were rooted in the fact that homes in these areas often had limited access to the highway, which could complicate evacuation efforts during fires or other emergencies. After a lengthy discussion, the council ultimately voted to maintain the existing restrictions on ADUs in these areas.

Progress toward a solution

As the city continues to navigate these complex issues, a major development came with the announcement that the City Council would vote on the proposed changes to its zoning and planning rules during a special meeting scheduled for March 13. This meeting will be a critical step in finalizing the changes that are intended to streamline the rebuilding process for fire victims and facilitate future development.

Once the council has voted on the proposed changes, they will be sent to the California Coastal Commission for approval. The commission will consider the new rules during its meeting scheduled for April 9-11. This process represents the most significant update to the city’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) in over two decades, and its approval will be crucial to the city’s recovery efforts and future development plans.

Skatepark approval and staff recognition

Amidst the intense deliberations on fire recovery and rebuilding, the council also took time to approve a long-awaited project: the Malibu Skatepark. This project, which had been in the works since 2019, was finally given the green light during the City Council meeting. The skatepark will be located on the Crummer/Case property adjacent to Malibu Bluffs Park and is expected to provide a much-needed recreational space for Malibu’s youth. The park’s design will feature a permanent 12,500-square-foot facility that will offer a variety of amenities for skateboarders and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Additionally, the City Council took time to recognize the contributions of two key members of its Planning Department: Renika Brooks and Tyler Eaton. Both have played instrumental roles in shaping the city’s planning policies and responses to the recent fires. Renika, who was recently promoted to principal planner, has been involved in various key projects, including the recovery efforts following the Woolsey, Franklin, and Palisades fires. Eaton, who was promoted to principal planner in 2024, has worked on the city’s housing element certification and fire rebuild code amendments. Both were praised for their leadership and dedication to Malibu’s planning needs.

As Malibu moves forward with these proposed changes to its building codes and coastal regulations, the City Council faces the challenge of balancing fire recovery with the long-term sustainability and livability of the city. While the changes are expected to provide immediate relief to fire victims, the broader impacts on the city’s growth and development will take years to fully unfold. Whether these changes will help Malibu build back better — or whether they could potentially lead to increased development that may alter the character of the city — remains to be seen.

Burt’s Eye View: Boring

Burt Ross
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Burt’s Eye View: Boring

By Burt Ross

Let’s be honest—is there anybody more boring than a grandparent who shoves photos of his new grandchild in your face and who then proceeds to tell you ad infinitum and ad nauseam about what that child did the other day, as if a newborn does anything other than suck, poop and sleep.

Burts Grandson

I would never be such a boring grandparent. By the way, please take note of a photo of Henry David, aka HD, when he was roughly two weeks old. He sure is a cutie.


He is truly an exceptional baby, a rare breed indeed. Whereas all babies poop or eat quite regularly, HD has acquired a skill which, if not unique, is quite unusual. I trust you are finding this unbelievably interesting. HD can eat and poop at the same time. Yes, you heard it here first. It’s A little like being ambidextrous. The more I think about it, the more I feel strongly that this accomplishment should be considered for Ripley’s “Believe it or Not.”

The young lad looks straight into my eyes, and although he mumbles and gurgles, I can tell you unequivocally that he is saying, “love you Grandpa.” What a precocious baby!

If anything else of an unusual nature develops, I promise I will share it with you because I understand how much you want to hear about my grandson.

Local teens take initiative to raise funds for MHS programs

Judy Abel
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Local teens take initiative to raise funds for MHS programs

Thrift Local at the Community Closet raises money and provides fire-affected teens with clothing and support

Two Malibu High School siblings helped raise more than $2,400 for MHS programs, all while helping local teenagers affected by the Palisades Fire. 

Rylan and Levi Borress took initiative leading a festive event just for teens last Friday called Thrift Local. The siblings invited area teens to the fun shopping party hosted at the Community Closet where they were able to replenish their clothing and belongings lost in the fire. In the spirit of community, those teens who lost their homes were invited free of charge. Others paid just $20 admission and could shop for curated thrift items and new clothing donated by local favorites Aviator Nation, Nati Boutique, Submarine Swimwear, and Les Tout Petits. Gifts were also provided by Sonny Angels, Gorjana Jewelry, Brandy Melville, and Amazon.

A DJ set the tone with dance music while more than 80 kids munched on Irv’s burgers and shakes and Sweet Bu candy bags provided courtesy of donors Monette de Botton and Tara Mercurio for a party atmosphere. Young shoppers filled their bags with clothing and items including rock and roll posters and T-shirts donated by Perryscope Productions and Sir Paul McCartney.

One 15-year-old at the event who helped his family save a home in the Franklin Fire using garden hoses unfortunatelywasn’t able to help his own family save their home in the Palisades Fire. The teenager lost everything and so did most of his friends, especially in the Palisades. While enduring the loss of his childhood home, he also mourns the loss of the Palisades where he and his friends would hang out most Fridays after school. He sadly reminisced piling into a car with Malibu friends and then driving to hang out in the village with Palisades pals, which can no longer happen since the Palisades was decimated in the fire, his friends are also displaced, and the drive out of Malibu is nearly impossible now on Pacific Coast Highway. 

Even at his young age and already a veteran of fighting one fire, the boy, who asked not to be named, tried his best to help fight the Palisades Fire. 

“We were tracking the Sunset Fire and then we got notification about the Palisades Fire and we thought, ‘Oh, they have to get this fast, otherwise it could be bad,’” he said. “Once it jumped Palisades Drive, I had a feeling it was just going tokeep spreading and spreading. I was listening to radios for hours, talking to people who were in the Palisades for hours. I was like, ‘I don’t think they’re going to be able to stop this.’ When I heard the radio say, ‘all aircrafts have to ground,’ that’swhen I knew this was going to just wipe through everything.” The teen said he knew his house was gone when he stopped getting notifications from WiFi-connected sensors.

Rylan Borress, 17, who co-led the event with her brother Levi, didn’t lose her home, but wanted to help her fellowclassmates affected by the fires. As the co-captain of the MHS girls’ tennis team, she and other organizers were able to getfunds raised matched by the Malibu Racquet Club. Half the funds will go to the MHS tennis team and the rest will go to the MHS ceramics studio where Levi and other students can be creative, which is helpful to a lot of students who have endured so much loss in the last six years in Malibu with two major fires, mudslides, power outages, missed school days, online learning and displacement. “Just seeing people smile and super happy is great, people who have lost their homes get gift cards and just seeing everyone so lit up, it’s making me really happy,” Rylan said. “And to know that I’m also contributing to a team that I’m on … they’re a really great group of girls and they deserve to have everything for tennis.” 

Rylan knows at least seven friends who lost their homes, but said her brother knows many, many more who lived in Big Rock and the Palisades.

“I just think it’s great that people can experience some good things while having such hard times and going through this whole fire and just being able to do something fun with their friends and also receiving things that they lost,” she said.”And it’s just a great event. I’m really happy we’re doing something good.”

Malibu residents confront SCE officials at town hall

Judy Abel
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Malibu residents confront SCE officials at town hall

SCE announces plans to underground wires, raising many concerns

After years of fruitless urging from Malibu residents that seemingly fell on deaf ears at the time, Southern California Edison has announced plans to finally underground wires in several Malibu areas. But the first community town hall last week to outline the process quickly turned into a grievance hour for angry residents who’ve endured tremendous loss to confront SCE with complaints and concerns.

SCE Executive V.P. of Corporate Affairs Caroline Choi first remarked, “It is heart-wrenching to see the devastation that has occurred in the community and our hearts really are with all of you who are going through this difficult time.” Choi and her colleagues then outlined SCE’s plans to underground 80 miles of power lines in the area in an effort to reduce the risk of wildfires. Work is underway seven days a week on Pacific Coast Highway and in some Malibu canyons.

Undergrounding at private properties, however, will require easements, which is a big concern according to speakers at the town hall who spoke of disruptions at their properties, worries over maintenance, and other impacts. SCE is offering $500 compensation. SCE also needs 100% participation for the project to move forward and stated non-responsiveproperty owners will delay construction, but some property owners complained that with mail disruption post-fire, they have not received notices. 

Other issues voiced were undergrounding yet still keeping poles used by telecom companies above ground and thendigging trenches later to underground telecom. That didn’t make sense to many, including Terry Davis, who commented it would be more efficient to underground all the companies’ wires at once. “They could come in and be part of a onetrench,” said Davis, who then confronted SCE about “the lack of communication. We’ve had someone working with our community as a liaison who basically had no information. When I specifically asked for information to work with SCE from our community so we could work together (on securing easements), SCE was basically noncommunicative and said they couldn’t give any of that information to me.

“I understand you wanting to do this work right now when the damage is out there. But take a little bit more time. Let us work with you putting pressure on the telecoms. We want those damn holes down. It happened to have been a telecom line that kept the fire department from going up Big Rock and the cost of that was about 170 homes.”

Scott Dittrich questioned, “Most of our big fires come from somewhere else? Palisades didn’t start in Malibu. Woolsey, it started across the 101. Do you have plans to underground the circuits that most endanger us?”

Jefferson Wagner informed the town hall that the community of Topanga has a one-trench-only ordinance for all utilities and asked if that can happen in Malibu.

A moving plea about Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) was made by a local nurse who works with area seniors “who are disabled, can’t get out of their house, or are in bed, they don’t feel safe. They live in fear.” She spoke of the frustration trying to reach SCE by phone and getting accurate information about qualifying for a medical baseline program SCE offers to people reliant on medical equipment. “If we can set the precedent here, we can trickle around to other communities because in the Paradise Fire, the Palisades Fire, and the Eaton Fire, the majority, 90% of those people that died, their average age was 75 to 80. They had no means out,” she said.

Then Hans Laetz tore into SCE asking, “How can we expect a company with such a p**s-poor record of maintaining its overhead wires to maintain its underground wires any better?” He then informed the town hall, “Southern California Edison, a division of Edison International, your parent company, earned $1.06 billion last quarter in three months. We hear from you that you’re not going to be able to put the power lines in all of Malibu underground until a GRC (general rate case) goes through. You’ve glossed over the point in which case you are asking the entire Edison rate-paying base to pay increased power rates to underground power lines in high fire areas such as Malibu others. How are you going to do that? Why are you inferring that these power lines are going to be undergrounded when you’re asking Compton to pay Malibu’s undergrounding costs?” 

Laetz continued, “Every time you do a PSPS you’re required to file an after-action report with the California Public Utilities Commission … Edison has blacked out Malibu multiple times this fall, and I read those reports like a hawk. You file the same boiler plate thing every time and you gloss over facts.”

Laetz charged the reports as being inaccurate concerning the number of customers affected and wind speeds being too low to require a PSPS. “You are filing misleading after action reports with the state,” he said.

Choi responded “We believe they are accurate post-event reports,” and “We only de-energize with actual weather conditions. I don’t think we are disingenuous about our post-event reports and we are working to improve our PSPS performance.”

Readers can view the meeting here.

Opinion: Riding the 134 Bus, Seeing Malibu from a different seat

The Malibu Times
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Opinion: Riding the 134 Bus, Seeing Malibu from a different seat

By Haylynn Conrad, Columnist 

On Thursday, March 20 from 11 to 1, I did something that feels almost subversive in LA County: I rode the 134 bus from Malibu to Santa Monica. If I’m going to tell Malibu residents to “take the bus,” I figured I should do it myself — so I’m not a hypocrite — plus, I love a good adventure.

I know what you’re thinking: Public transit in LA? Inconvenient. Unclean. Unreliable. Unsafe. Uncomfortable. I had the same assumptions.

I grew up riding New York City’s subways — dirty, crowded, unpredictable, but essential. It was just what we did. Public transit gave me freedom and independence. As a teen, I navigated trains and buses all over the city — the Q train into Manhattan, the B49 through Brooklyn, and the LIRR out to Long Island.

It also taught me life skills — situational awareness, timing, instincts I still carry. I knew which tunnels went dark, when to clutch my bag tighter, how to scan reflections in the windows, how to move cars if the energy felt off. Odd skills, but useful ones — and ones I doubt my kids have.

There’s something about public transportation — when it works — that offers a different kind of freedom. You’re free to think, read, observe. I imagine myself tearing through one of those 15-pound City Council binders, uninterrupted.

But California — especially Malibu — is different. Even when the system exists, we don’t use it. Maybe it’s cultural. Maybe it’s because we love our cars — the control, comfort, privacy. Windows up, music on, the world held at a safe distance. I love my car, too.

That morning, I wasn’t alone — I had the “Three Amigas” with me. Honestly, it felt safer with backup.

The day started beautifully — crisp air, bright sun. But as I waited at the Malibu Library stop, second thoughts crept in. A man — pacing, shouting, wild-eyed — approached. And just like that, the safety concern was real. Would I get on the bus with him? No.

Luckily, my friends arrived. The mood lifted, and eventually, the bus did show — late, of course. That’s the unreliable part. Fumbling with our phones for schedules, I missed the old paper timetables that felt so official.

Finally, we boarded. The fare? $1.75 — the cheapest thing in Malibu. The bus was clean enough. The wild man didn’t get on, and I felt relieved.

From the bus, I saw the burn scar of the Palisades Fire — 311 beachfront properties destroyed. You don’t see it driving because you’re focused on the road. But on the bus, the scale hits you. Charred steel, concrete shells, scorched earth. The Pacific glimmered on one side; ash and rubble on the other. PCH looked like a war zone — dump trucks, hazmat tents, crews working nonstop.

It was sobering.

Public transit gives you that gift — of really seeing your city. The good, the bad, the broken.

We made it to Santa Monica, grabbed coffee, and then faced the same question: When’s the next bus home? No signs. No real-time app. No schedule posted. Eventually, a bus appeared.

The whole trip left me thinking: Malibu — and PCH — is at a crossroads. We have a rare chance to rebuild smarter, safer, better. And that applies to our transportation system, too.

The Pros and Cons of Public Transit — and What’s Fixable:

PROS — Built into the system, no matter what:

  • A rare opportunity for productivity, reflection, or rest
  • Environmental benefits — fewer cars, less traffic, cleaner air
  • Expands access — jobs, healthcare, schools
  • Saves money — gas, parking, maintenance
  • A different view — you see your city and community in a new way

CONS — But every one of these is fixable:

  • Unpredictable schedules and unreliable service
  • Lack of signage, real-time information, and user-friendly tools
  • Safety concerns — real and perceived, Especially moments when mental health crises play out in public spaces. It’s complicated and deeply human — but for riders, especially women or parents, it can feel unsafe. In the 90s in NYC, you were packed in — here, there’s space, so there’s nowhere to hide.
  • Cultural resistance — we love our cars, our independence.

None of these are permanent. They’re design flaws, policy failures — fixable with leadership, funding, and care.

Because sometimes real freedom isn’t being stuck in traffic — it’s letting go of the wheel and seeing the world roll by. And sometimes, the best way to really see Malibu is from the bus.

Would I do it again? Yes — in a heartbeat. But next time, I’d plan better.

Haylynn Conrad is a current Malibu City Councilmember. 

Future Shock: Part Two, Kevin Keegan and The Malibu App

Benjamin Marcus
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Future Shock: Part Two, Kevin Keegan and The Malibu App

Kevin Keegan is uniquely qualified to comment on applying 21st-century technology to the inner and outer workings of the City of Malibu. As stated in Part One: “Keegan has about two decades of experience as a management and technology consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, Oracle, and other organizations and universities. In Malibu, Keegan was recently appointed to the Public Works Commission, serves as president of the Malibu PTSA, leads the Malibu Schools Safety and AI Study committees, and was co-chair of the ‘Yes on Measure MM’ campaign.”

In Part Two, Keegan discusses the possibilities of using 21st-century tech and AI to make Malibu both visitor and citizen-serving.

At the City Council meeting for March 10 you had interesting things to say about creating a Malibu app which would consolidate all the various information channels around Malibu and put them all in one easy-to-use application. Is that correct?

The statement I made during the City Council regular meeting on March 10 was, “Malibu resident Bryan Fogel…

…sorry, Bryan Fogel? The guy who won the Best Documentary Oscar for “Icarus”?

…that’s him, and I said, “Bryan made an impassioned public comment in February suggesting we launch a PCH Access App to replace the paper-based system being used today. This app could save a lot of time and money for the community,” and my question to the council was, “Is the city or county pursuing Bryan Fogel’s PCH Access App idea?” (Note that Kraig Hill believes he may have proposed the idea before Bryan.) The Godfather of PCH Safety, Michel Shane, agrees this is a great idea. I have not received a reply.

Well, I have seen the massive binders of information the City Council people have to absorb for every meeting.They’re overloaded.

Which is a principal reason I want to help them.  Today, a cursory review of my iPhone’s App Store shows Malibu-related apps for wellness services, clubs, and a car, but no civic app.

And 10,000 apps for yoga and real estate. And surf lessons!

Surfers appreciate apps. To simplify the arguments for the PCH Access App, the app solution would give residents more access, more convenience, and more local control, and because city officials have publicly stated that PCH access will be limited for “a long time …” 

Col. Sawser predicted a May 31 opening. Just in time for summer! I think there should be a ribbon-cutting and parade.

… a PCH Access App will save the city time and money (easy to quantify = less employee time, less stakeholder coordination, fewer meetings, and no paperwork).  Therefore, Bryan and Kraig’s proposal is not just smart and forward-thinking, it’s the prudent solution to benefit Malibu’s busy residents.

There’s a lot of information zinging around the ether — especially when disaster strikes: NextDoor, Facebook, Instagram, X, County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, City of Malibu. A lot of mixed signals and incorrect info. The City of Malibu APP could collect, collate, verify, and present all that information in one place.

Exactly!  The City of Malibu App you envision is excellent. As some residents have shared with you, the app’s success would rely on the requirements or how we define the problems or issues the app addresses or supports, as they relate to our unique rural community and the city’s vision and mission. From there we’d define features, categories, services, etc.

I just downloaded the Discover LA app and it’s pretty good. At the front it divides up into four categories: DO EAT STAY EVENTS. But that app is more for visitors, while the Malibu app would be more for citizens? Both? Maybe it would divide up at the beginning between CITIZEN and VISITOR?

During the Palisades Fire, many Malibu residents sought a central source of emergency information and reached for an app; for example, we downloaded the crowdsourced Watch Duty, the 911-connected app Pulse Point, and the community evacuation app Genasys.

Yes, other cities have apps. Many are travel or tourist-related, and that could be a recommendation to the Pali-Bu Chamber of Commerce (again, post-emergency). LA, NYC, San Fran, Boston, Philly, etc. all have 311 apps. Malibu has an emergency alert system, but no app. Platforms like SeeClickFix, Accela, and EverBridge may be options the city could assess.

Malibu could have fun generating ideas for a Malibu app, maybe engage our younger community members. While we await completion of debris removal and give the Malibu Rebuild Center time to generate momentum, the city could propose a contest: Ask residents and citizens to share their app ideas and proposals. Reserve time during a City Council meeting later this year for the selected winners to present. Tap our local tech titans to be judges and advise on a final version.

But you also mentioned using AI to speed up the planning and permitting bureaucracies of Malibu. That’s an idea whose time has come and gone and come again because if the Planning Department was constipated after Woolsey, imagine it now with more than half of eastern Malibu — and some of central — reduced to smoke and ash.

Good news is the planning team, led by Tyler Eaton, appears open to this idea. The opportunity is for me to use my experience and education to help our community. 

What energizes me is taking all the emerging trends in the digital and technology realms and ‘riding those waves’ for success in Malibu.  We know that everyone loves a comeback story, and we can harness our Malibu-Strong-energy in a strategic, smart, forward-thinking way, in addition to focusing on taking advantage of the emergency ordinances and process streamlining.

Your Kasparov chess example is a good one. IBM’s Watson Jeopardy champions (2011) or Google DeepMind’sAlphaGo (2016) are interesting “Man vs. AI” examples, but better examples today (in my opinion) are “Human + AI” examples like the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn’s performance in 2021 of Beethoven’s 10th Symphony (yes, you read that correctly), a piece completed by “Beethoven X: The AI Project.”

I’m all about Ludwig van. I’m a Beethoven guy. Me and Little Alex from “A Clockwork Orange.” I like his 21st piano sonata — Waldstein — scary. That’s Beethoven, created by an AI program. Oy. What kind of universe is this?

Those are meaningful personal examples, but what about at a city level?

According to a Forbes and Deloitte survey of 250 cities globally, the 10 most effective AI use cases for cities address:traffic management, public safety, energy management, customer service, predictive maintenance, waste management, decision-making and analysis, urban planning, cybersecurity, and fraud detection.  

Do you believe Malibu could use help and support with cost-saving and efficiency-building solutions to address any of those issues?

Obviously, any AI-related solutions and benefits cannot be implemented overnight, but the opportunity for a new city manager is to establish the city’s technology foundation that includes, for example, beginning to use AI solutions like GenAI, ensuring the responsible use of AI, and encouraging preliminary implementation and testing of AI across city sectors.

The EPIC-LA electronic permitting and inspections portal has been recommended by several Malibu-based design professionals. The L.A. County and Fire Department use that portal. Targeting 2025 as the year to transition to EPIC-LA seems like a technology-enhancement opportunity for the City of Malibu.

What’s happening with the new city manager? It’s like choosing a new pope or something. When is that going to happen and do you have any favorite candidates?

Maybe I can be appointed to our city’s conclave? I have sat through most of the post-Palisades Fire city-led meetings since January and I can count on one hand the number of times “technology” or “AI” have been mentioned in all the discussions about changes and solutions. 

What I am advocating for is to encourage technology solutions and ideas that can begin to be implemented during the Palisades Fire Rebuild to save time and money. At a basic level, that starts by asking architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, developers, and others, what AI or other efficiency solutions are they using to help residents rebuild? 

If AI can beat Kasparov and compose Beethoven symphonies, what isn’t possible?

Beautifully stated. A core problem for our community is speed, and it’s not just in Malibu. On the one hand, residents want to move fast — both collectively (clear the beachfront, for example) and individually (rebuild my home in “12-to-15 months”) — and on the other hand the processes are complicated — both collectively (rebuilding utility infrastructure or advocating for insurance reform) and individually (the many documents, reviews, checks, etc.). The result is A LOT of pressure on our systems.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Brian Sawser mentioned during a Malibu neighborhood task force meeting last weekend that he has teams that are incentivized for speed and that they are leveraging AI solutions. Some Malibu residents are enamored by Col. Sawser.  The City of Malibu could embed a staff member (part-time) in the colonel’steam with instructions to offer local support, ensure lessons learned are being applied to all neighborhoods, and capture best practices to be incorporated into the city’s future standard operating practices.

If that sort of thing is going to happen, it should happen here. Malibu has money, it’s sophisticated, game to try anything.

The point is encouraging an environment in Malibu where the innovations are being considered seriously and applied appropriately, especially when efficiencies can be gained, and time and money can be saved.

From working at the newsstand and hanging at Zinque I have met a lot of people who are in shock after losing everything, and then the future shock of undergoing a permitting and building process they know is going to be excruciating?

And maybe not worth it, so they’re gonna move to Las Vegas or some other drastic measure. Orange County!

Is there any way modern technology can take out some of the excruciation?

Absolutely. According to the National League of Cities, “AI could influence local housing policy…through streamlining administrative processes.” This can be done incrementally, meaning Malibu could pilot test programs as the Malibu Rebuilds process unfolds. Start with EPIC-LA, form an AI task force, launch a PCH Access App, start a City App contest, embed with Col. Sawser’s team, announce a plan to open the Malibu Technology Library, and adopt a technology mindset — those easy steps would help us establish Malibu’s technology foundation.

Okay Beethoven’s AI-finished unfinished 10th just finished. Twenty minutes of Ludwig VAI. Sheesh. How about Kevin Keegan for city manager? You’re at all the meetings anyway.

Malibu is a magical place. I would be honored to serve our cherished city.

Malibu Restaurant Directory – Malibu Strong

The Malibu Times
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Malibu Restaurant Directory – Malibu Strong

In the wake of the Palisades Fire, Malibu’s local restaurants are ready to welcome the community and beyond. Now more than ever, supporting these beloved eateries helps keep the heart of Malibu thriving.

Whether you’re craving fresh seafood by the coast, a casual café experience, or an upscale dining night out, there’s no better time to eat local and show your support. Check out our directory of open restaurants and help keep Malibu strong—one meal at a time!

Malibu Restaurants & Cafés

Coffee Shops & Cafés

Casual Dining & Local Favorites

Fine Dining & Upscale Restaurants

Bars & Breweries

Updated March 2025

West Home Back on the Market

Judy Abel
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West Home Back on the Market

The architectural home gutted by Kanye West, who now goes by “Ye,” is on the market again following the recent Palisades and Franklin wildfires. The 4,000 square-foot modernist masterpiece designed by award-winning architect Tadao Ando was sold at a huge loss by the rapper to crowdfunding entrepreneur Steven Belmont last September, who paid $21 million.

After spending, investor-raised funds to restore framing, plumbing, electrical systems, and install a roof, Belmont is listing the Malibu Road home for $39 million before the interior renovation is complete. If a buyer is not found and work continues on restoration, Belmont, who served three years after a 2014 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, says the price tag after a complete renovation could jump as high as $65 million. The entrepreneur says he hopes to sell the property before then to allow the buyer the opportunity to make aesthetic choices for the interior. 

The architect, Ando,  also designed Beyonce and Jay-Z’s $190 million Malibu mansion known as “Big Ando.” The Malibu Road property is known as “Little Ando.”

West Home photo credit Realtor.com
West Home Realtor.com

Homicide Detectives investigate death of Malibu Actress Cindyana Santangelo

Judy Abel
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Homicide Detectives investigate death of Malibu Actress Cindyana Santangelo

Homicide detectives have confirmed an ongoing investigation into the death of mother and actress Cindyana Santangelo. The 58-year-old was found unresponsive on March 24, and transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. 

Authorities say it is standard procedure to open an investigation when the cause of death is unknown. Autopsy results are pending, and while unconfirmed reports suggest Santangelo may have recently undergone cosmetic procedures, no official cause has been established.

Santangelo was best known for her role as Sierra Madre in the 1980s sitcom Married… with Children and appeared in multiple music videos. Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell once described her as the “Latin Marilyn Monroe.” Beyond entertainment, Santangelo was dedicated to philanthropy, running an all-women’s sober living facility andsupporting various charitable causes.

Authorities have not released further details as the investigation continues.

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