MINUTES
MALIBU CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
3:00 P.M.
MEETING CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 2:41 pm.
ROLL CALL
The following persons were recorded in attendance by the Recording Secretary:
PRESENT: Mayor Doug Stewart; Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Rigging; and Councilmembers Haylynn Conrad, Bruce Silverstein and Steve Uhring.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Stewart opened the floor to public comment.
Speakers: None.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
At 2:41 p.m., the Council recessed to Closed Session to discuss the following items listed on the Closed Session agenda:
Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation
l. Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9
Number of potential cases: (2)
Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation
1. Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) and/or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9
Number of Potential Cases: (1)
Personnel Matters pursuant to Government Code Section 54957:
1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Title: City Manager
2. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
3. Public Employee Appointment
Title: Interim City Manager
Malibu City Council
Minutes of February 27, 2025
Conference with Labor Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6:
1. City representative: Interim City Attorney Trevor Rusin Unrepresented employee: City Manager
REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stewart called the meeting to order at 3 : 16 pm.
ROLL CALL
The following persons were recorded in attendance by the Recording Secretary:
PRESENT: Mayor Doug Stewart; Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins; and Councilmembers Haylynn Conrad, Bruce Silverstein and Steve Uhring.
ALSO PRESENT: Trevor Rusin, Interim City Attorney; Joseph Torrey, Acting City Manager; Alexis Brown, Deputy City Manager; Kelsey Pettijohn, City Clerk; Yolanda Bundy, Environmental Sustainability Director; Maureen Tamuri, Interim Planning Director; Susan Duefias, Public Safety Director; Matt Myerhoff, Media Information Officer; Parker Davis, Media Technician; Jason Lawrence, Deputy City Clerk; Kate Manisco, Recreation Manager; Solishia Andico, Environmental Health Administrator; Julie Bauer, Supervising Permit Services Technician; Ryan Cerny, Supervising Building Inspector; Andre Ketchedjian, Senior Plan Check Engineer; Tracey Rossine, Environmental Programs Manager; Tyler Eaton, Principal Planner; Brandie Ayala, Senior Management Analyst; and Jorge Rubalcava, Senior Civil Engineer
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Scott Dittrich led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Rusin reported that the meeting convened at 2:40 p.m., after which time the City Council recessed to a Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.9, 54957, and 54957.6, with all Councilmembers present. He stated the Council discussed the items on the Closed Session agenda and took no reportable action. He stated the Council unanimously directed him to make the following statement: The City Manager has been on leave and the City has been working with the current City Manager on an agreement that would result in his separation from the City, which the City will bring back on the Consent Calendar at a future meeting. The City is exploring its options for the City Manager position and will report back to the public in the future. At this time, Joe Toney will continue to serve as the Acting City Manager.
REPORT ON POSTING OF AGENDA
Malibu City Council
Minutes of February 27, 2025
City Clerk Pettijohn reported that the agenda for the meeting was properly posted on February 26, 2025.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION Councilmember Uhring moved, and Mayor Pro Tem Riggins seconded a motion to approve the agenda, hearing Item No. l.A. concurrently with Item No. 2.C. The motion carried unanimously.
ITEM 2 NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Additional Public Workshops or Meetings for Local Coastal Plan Amendment and Municipal Code Amendment (LCPA/MMCA) Discussions Recommended Action: l) Direct staff on scheduling additional workshops or meetings prior to final approval of the Local Coastal Plan Amendment and the Municipal Code Amendment; and 2) Provide direction on the current format of the March 4, 2025, City Council meeting.
A.
Acting City Manager Toney presented the staff report.
The Council directed questions to staff.
Mayor Stewart opened the floor to public comment.
Speakers: Dean Wenner, Andrew Sheldon, Paula Logan, Jo Drummond (Peter Monge deferred time to Jo Drummond), and Brian Merrick Wade Maj or declined the opportunity to speak.
As there were no other speakers present, Mayor Stewart returned the matter to the table for discussion.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff
CGNSENSUS
By Consensus, the Council directed staff to notice a rebuild ordinance workshop, to last no longer than six hours, and the public hearing for the first reading of the ordinance on March 4, 2025.
B. Participation in the County of Los Angele Palisades Fire Debris Removal Program Recommended Action: 1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Los Angeles and the City of Malibu regarding the consolidated debris removal program for opt-in properties within the City in response to the Palisades Fire; and 2) Authorize the City Attorney Li or City Manager to make and enter into minor, non-material and typographical changes or amendments to the MOU if necessary to effectuate its purpose.
MOTION
Malibu City Council
Minutes of February 27, 2025
Acting City Manager Toney and Environmental Sustainability Director presented the staff report.
Mayor Stewart opened the floor to public comment.
Speakers: Dean Wenner, Scott Dittrich, Jo Drummond, and Ryan Embree As there were no other speakers present, Mayor Stewart retumed the matter to the table for discussion.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
Councilmember Silverstein moved to: l) authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Los Angeles and the City of Malibu regarding the consolidated debris removal program for opt—in properties within the City in response to the Palisades Fire; and 2) authorize the City Attorney or City Manager to make and enter into minor, non-material and typographical changes or amendments to the MOU if necessary to effectuate its purpose.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
RECESS
ITEM 1
ITEM 2
Mayor Pro Tem Riggins second the motion.
The Council discussed the motion and directed questions to staff.
At 4:38 p.m., Mayor Stewart recessed the meeting. The meeting resumed at 4:51 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
The motion carried unanimously.
CEREMONIAL/PRESENTATIONS
Malibu Rebuilds Process Overview
Item No. 1.A. and Item No. 2.C. were heard concurrently.
NEW BUSINESS (Continued)
Fire Rebuild Policy Discussion
Recommended Action: 1) Receive a report on the City’s post-fire recovery efforts, including proposals for public safety, environmental concerns, and community rebuilding initiatives; and 2) Provide direction to City Manager on key fire recovery items described in the agenda report.
MOTION
Malibu City Council
Minutes of February 27, 2025
Acting City Manager Toney presented the staff report.
Mayor Stewart opened the floor to public comment.
Speakers: Wade Major, Drew Leonard, Luis Tena, Abe Roy (Jimmy Petulla and Peter Monger deferred time to Abe Roy), Janet Fulk, Dean Wenner, Robert Macleod (Connor Macleod deferred time to Robert Macleod), Scott Dittrich, Norm Haynie, Lea Johnson, Reg Browne, Jefferson Wagner, Raymond Portela, Ryan Embree
Councilmember Conrad left the dais.
Speakers: Jo Drummond (Colin Drummond and Julie Masterson deferred time to Jo Drummond)
Councilmember Conrad returned to the dais.
Speakers: Nora Cohen, DNA Moore, and Lester Tobias
As there were no other speakers present, Mayor Stewart returned the matter to the table for discussion.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to bring back an item to considering waiving rebuild permit fees.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
Councilmember Silverstein moved, Mayor Stewart second a motion to direct the City Manager to purchase lunch for staff from local businesses and bring back an item for budget appropriation, if necessary. The motion carried unanimously.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to bring back an item on economic development to support local businesses during recovery.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to bring back an item to consider reducing noticing requirements and other permitting requirements for events and to support local businesses during recovery.
Malibu City Council
Minutes of February 27, 2025
By consensus, the Council directed staff to explore options for security in the fire burn area.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to bring back an item at a special meeting on sewer options and OWTS systems for fire rebuilds.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to schedule an insurance workshop and work with Councilmember Silverstein.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to bring back an item to consider requesting Los Angeles County to declare an eviction moratorium.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
Councilmember Conrad left the dais at 7:28 p.m.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
Councilmember Conrad returned to the dais at 7:50 p.m.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to reach out to local universities to determine if they can provide assistance with environmental testing.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the Council directed staff to schedule a special meeting to discuss the recovery center rebuild organization structure, including considering a Rebuild Czar or neighborhood liaison position.
The Council discussed the item and directed questions to staff.
CONSENSUS
Malibu City Council
Minutes of February 27, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:39 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Riggins moved, and Mayor Stewart seconded a motion to adj ourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Approved and adopted by the City Council of the
ity of Malibu on May 27, 2025.
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MARIA E RIGGINS,
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