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Building in the Bu – The Supervisor Speaks with No Real Answers…

Our resident pitbull with building and planning (even more so after the Woolsey Fire!), Architect Lester Tobias, navigates us through Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s Town Hall Meetings which, in a nutshell was too much of not enough. See the first installment here…

December 14th, 2018

Here is the Supervisor’s response to my letter:

Lester, I get that you’re frustrated and angry but there was plenty of info on everything not all in the general session. Most folks went to the individual tables in the other room to discuss their particular lost home. Debris removal. Rebuilding. Fire was there and on the stage. Planning answered several questions on the code requirements and how we would work through code requirements w each homeowner. Water could be a problem no doubt.

Finally no one is foisting anything on you. There’s a no cost choice or anything else you want to do re debris if approved for health and safety. Fema sets the deadlines for their benefits. Insurance is used up to what the costs are not your max. Hard to pay attention to the details while streaming.

And here is my response to the Supervisor:
Dear Supervisor Kuehl,

Thank you for your response. Here’s mine:

1. There is a difference between information and answers. We are WAY past the information stage. I want answers, and there were no answers delivered last night.

2. The table thing is nice, and I have used the tables at the DAC at the Malibu Courthouse. I have a hard time believing than anyone got anything of substance at the tables at Gillette Ranch. But you are right. I wasn’t there. So your point is taken.

3. Fire may have been there and on the stage, but Orsby was not, and like I said, he is the guy whose talk is scaring people.

4. Whatever planning said last night, that was the county, not Malibu. Sunday will be an entirely different beast and you need to be aware of that.

5. We agree on water and as our Supervisor we will look to you for solutions.

6. If you think that this demo conundrum is not a foist you have not read the documents, nor are you in our shoes. It is incredible to see so many smart, successful people completely stymied by this “out of the gate” aspect of rebuilding.

7. Regarding the insurance pay out for debris removal, I re-watched the video. The exact quote from the guy who answered that question was, “Anything that the insurance would be paying you for debris removal, they will take the entire amount.” What did you hear? Or was your statement above just wrong? Or was the guy on stage wrong? I think he is right and you are wrong because he also said that if their cost goes over they don’t charge you any additional fees, and most people are going to be under insured for this part of the work. Do the math…

8. It’s actually easier to pay attention to the live stream than to be there in person. I watch most city council meetings and planning commission meetings from my laptop in the comfort of my home. Which burned down. Because no firefighters came to Cavalleri Road.

I will be there on Sunday.

Look for me.

I’ll be the frustrated, angry guy.

Easy to pick out.

Sincerely,

Lester Tobias

The Current Report Editor in Chief Cece Woods started The Local Malibu, an activism based platform in 2014. The publication was instrumental in the success of pro-preservation ballot measures and seating five top vote-getters in the Malibu City Council elections.

During the summer of 2018, Woods exposed the two-year law enforcement cover-up in the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings, and a few short months later provided the most comprehensive local news coverage during the Woolsey Fire attracting over one million hits across her social media platforms.

Since 2020, Woods was the only journalist reporting on the on-going public corruption involving former L.A. Metro CEO Phil Washington. Woods worked with Political Corruption expert Adam Loew, DC Watchdog organizations and leaders in the Capitol exposing Washington which ultimately led to the withdrawal of his nomination to head the FAA.

Woods also founded Malibu based 90265 Magazine and Cali Mag devoted to the authentic southern California lifestyle.

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