The bolt to the finish line… the countdown is on…
With less than a week to go,
Then we can put another City Council election to bed just in time for the holiday rush.
Bring on the Pumpkin Lattes!
I must say, this election was pretty quiet compared to the last one.
Oh there was the usual sign stealing (and destroying) – but nothing like the last race. Downright mud slinging along with in-your face-threats to local business owners with the intent of bullying them into votes. But it was nothing quite like the vicious smear campaigns of seasons past.
This round of candidates were pretty civilized overall – but then again, we have a lot less characters to choose from.
The good news is, we have at least two very qualified and well rounded participants, Mikke Pierson and Jim Palmer.
Both candidates currently serving as Council appointed commissioners, Pierson is on Planning, and Palmer is on Public Works.
Public service on one of the City’s commissions is vital to understanding how the city functions, and should be participated in before a candidate makes the decision to run for Council, in my opinion.
Both Pierson and Palmer have extensive business experience, and are both successful entrepreneurs, making them less likely to rely on our City Manager or staff for guidance in many areas.
Unfortunately, current and past council members have looked to City Manager Feldman to make decisions leading us to the current disaster we have going on at City Hall.
Palmer’s extensive experience as a CPA is a must have on council.
Our budget has gone up over 20% in the last 4 years, and we have a top heavy admin staff with close a million dollars in salaries. Overall, we are heavily over paying for a steep decline in customer service and amenities promised to residents.
The bleeding has to stop.
Palmer is the perfect candidate to assist in the process of properly assessing spending, and making suggestions to current council members where to cut the fat. Both Palmer and Pierson actually know how to read spreadsheets without their eyes glazing over.
Palmer and Pierson are longtime residents, and truly understand community needs. They also have great relationships with the current council members Skylar Peak, Rick Mullen and Jefferson Wagner. This gives us hope for the cohesiveness we’ve been looking for on the dais for quite sometime now, and can reasonably achieve with LaMonte and Rosenthal termed out.
Lance Simmons is poised and has a rich political background, but lacks the community connection and activism experience. If Simmons chooses to get involved in more high profile community issues over the next two years, he might have a better chance in the next race.
Olivia Dahmavandi, the youngest of all the candidates, also needs more local activism experience before she can show where heart truly lies on the issues. Actions speak louder than words and Dahmavandi barely dipped her toe in during the most crucial ballot measures and preservation fights in this town. Then there is also the sticky situation of her, her husband, and her family members being developers, with Dahmavandi denying it, although there is verifiable proof. Either way, her development ties could pose a significant conflict of interest as a City Council member.
As for Karen Farrer, well we can’t say much about this candidate because chose not to answer our questions!
When people, or in this case political candidates, show you who they are.. believe them.
MALIBU CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS FOR MIKKE PIERSON
Name: Mikke Pierson
Birthdate: 1-3-60
Birthplace: Santa Barbara, CA
Education: BA Psychology, University of California at Santa Cruz
Occupation(s): Business coach. Previously a retailer for 30 years.
Years you have lived in Malibu: 58
What inspired you to run for Malibu City Council?
I’ve been involved with Malibu politics for over 7 years as Planning Commissioner and a Public Works Commissioner. During that time I have learned a great deal and I know what is working and what can be improved with our city and our local government. I was inspired to run after realizing that it was time for me to help guide Malibu forward instead of just interpreting our codes. I realized that I have the knowledge, the experience and the temperament to do this successfully. I teach leadership for a living and it is time for me to walk the walk.
Do you have any city government experience prior to this?
Yes. Please see above.
Do you have experience with Malibu city government prior to this?
Please see above.
If you were granted absolute power and could wave your magic wand and absolutely fix any one (or several) problem(s) in Malibu – what would that be and how would you do it?
At this time it would be to make the PCH safer and not so hugely disruptive of everyone’s lives. The highway is dangerous and is the main concern I hear from the citizens of Malibu. Making it safer won’t be easy, but I have the experience and relationships to immediately engage CalTrans and our sheriff’s to start making progress. While there are many things in Malibu we need to focus on, the PCH is the one that affects our lives on a daily basis. And there are actions we can take to make incremental improvements, which could save a lives every year.
What are the actions or sales or purchases or environmental project taken on by Malibu in the past 10 years that you strongly agreewith – and make you proud to live in Malibu?
Broad question, but I believe the recent purchase of nearly 30 acres has the potential to be great for the city into the future. Of course what is critical next is that we do a great job of addressing the citizens wants and needs in a fair, open and transparent way. This purchase might be our one time to really do a few things that help strengthen community in our city. From ball fields, to a community garden, to a senior or teen center, a skate park, to affordable housing and more, including park and open space, should all be part of an important city discussion. And importantly, the land purchase removes anyreason to develop Bluffs Park. I very much look forward to being a part of the discussion and the decisions we make for our future.
How should the City of Malibu approach the AirBnB situation? Be as detailed as you like
My experience on the Planning Commission has really showed me what so many already see, that Short Term Rentals need to be strongly controlled in our city. First of all, we cannot let corporations take over our neighborhoods. The right to do limited short term rentals should only be granted to primary homeowners at best, and even then they need to be strongly regulated. STR’s have gone on for decades in our city already, but in our modern world we need to regulate it so as not to allow our neighborhoods to be turned into motel or commercial zones. And regulation is needed for additional reasons; to make sure there is no impact on neighbors, to make sure someone is always available if there is a problem and to make sure there are safety plans in place in case of a natural disaster. I fear the day a large fire sweeps into Malibu and 300 short term rentals have no idea where to go or what to do. Important, at present I strongly believe our codes do not allow short term rentals. It seems very clear to me. So if we are going to allow them, we need to do it right.
How should the City of Malibu approach the traffic and speed problem? Be inventive and detailed.
The first action I want to do when elected is meet with the staff at CalTrans that oversees Malibu and get to know them and their process. It will be very important to get to know them and drive the PCH with them, especially as there was a recent change in management at CalTrans. The PCH Safety Study lists 130 improvements that are needed to improve safety on the PCH and we need to help CalTrans prioritize continuing to work on making those improvements. I also will work closely with the PCH Task Force to find ways to increase law enforcement presence in Malibu and on PCH. Supporting the Volunteers on Patrol is an essential part of this as it frees up the Sheriff’s from other duties. Right now the VOP’s only have two patrol cars and I believe they need four. The numbers support it. So working closely with CalTrans, the PCH Task Force and supporting our VOP’s will all make incremental improvements to a difficult problem. This is an issue where my experience with the city, as a Planning Commissioner, allows me to get to work immediately as I already know many of the people and processes involved to make effective change.
Do you think the Whole Foods retail complex on Cross Creek is a plus or a minus?
The Whole Foods shopping center is not my vision for the future of Malibu. I voted against it as a Planning Commissioner and at the polls. We have too much empty retail space already in the city. I would like the city to support the locally owned and local serving businesses we have already. When elected I want to register all of our local businesses so we can communicate with them, with the goal of helping them survive and thrive. In conjunction with the Malibu Chamber of Commerce I would like to establish programs to promote and support our local businesses. As a small business consultant, I have the skills and vision to get this done.
There is a great deal of very expensive dirt in the middle of Malibu that would be long gone if it were just about any other place in coastal southern California. Do you think that dirt should be left alone, or should it be developed? Developed how?
Are you talking about the Civic Center or Bluffs Park? Bluffs Park should be left alone. And if I had my way, the city would purchase more of the Civic Center and retire it from commercial development. I’d rather see parks and open space then more empty retail space, and I think the citizens of Malibu have shown they agree.
Where did you stand on the Malibu Lagoon Restoration and do you believe that restoration has been a success or a failure?
I’ve read all of the science on this and it is very complex. I used to play baseball there as a kid and even then we knew the fields were build on old tires and other debris, so I certainly don’t mind that being cleaned up. I do know one truth about the lagoon – it needs to breech from time to time. It was never intended to be a closed system. I think the recent die off of fish shows this. And looking at the historical pictures of the lagoon, it is clear that seasonal breeches are part of its natural cycle.
Are any of the current City Council members your mentor/fellow traveler politically?
I am friends with every current member of the City Council and as you know Laura Rosenthal appointed me and I am grateful to her for that and her mentoring. With that said, I feel that I follow my own path in that I naturally reach across all divides politically in Malibu. I don’t hold camp exclusively with anyone and I remind myself daily to make decisions in the best interests of the city, not anyone’s ideology. I believe in high level communication with everyone, whether or not I feel the same way they do. That is why my cell phone number has been listed publicly on the city’s website for the last seven years. I think that civil discourse is the hallmark of a successful democracy. 310-309-0038
Do you consider yourself generally conservative or liberal, politically?
I am generally liberal, with a strong financial and business background. I am proudly endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. I feel strongly about civil rights, women’s rights and the protecting the environment.
Where would you put the skateboard park, if you could put it anywhere?
I think the iconic spot would be on the land the city got in exchange for the houses being built at Bluffs Park. It would be world class. As the owner of a skate shop for almost 30 years, I can tell you it would be amazing! In reality I have a feeling the land the city just purchased at Point Dume will probably end up being the place it actually happens. And it must happen! It is long past time.
There has been a lot of sound and fury, rattle and hum that things are rotten in the city of Malibu: Some point to the firing of Brad Davis. Others point to the raid on Zuma Jay’s homes and business. Do you feel that Malibu city council government is corrupt and how do you propose to fix it?
I see and hear what others are saying, but truthfully I have no idea at this point. But the fact that people in the city feel this way is a problem. As an organizational expert I look forward helping the city function better and have the citizens of Malibu feel it is responding to their needs. That is why my slogan is “A City that works for You!”
What is your position on the phrase: “Don’t change MALIBU let Malibu change you!”
My response is, “Malibu is a unique land and marine environment and residential community whose citizens have historically evidenced a commitment to sacrifice urban and suburban conveniences in order to protect that environment and lifestyle, and to preserve unaltered natural resources and rural characteristics. The people of Malibu are a responsible custodian of the area’s natural resources for present and future generations.”
What will would do to ensure there is little change to this beach town.
Use of mission and vision statements as my guiding directive for all of my decisions. And if our codes don’t reflect our mission and vision statements, fix the codes!
What would role be as a leader in the environmental movement ER for the city of Malibu? For example. The current city council banned plastic straws and expanded existing bans on eps products etc. What forward-looking steps would you take?
There are a number of things I want to accomplish on City Council. First I want to help ban single use plastic water bottles from our city. We also need to ban rodenticides, glyphosate and pesticides containing neonicotinoids from our ecosystem. These poisons have no place in or near our city. I also want the city to study the possibility of using micro-grids especially up our canyons, instead of relying on the antiquated poles and power lines we have now. We all need to embrace the Clean Power Alliance and have clean and sustainable power delivered to our homes. I also support the Malibu Smart Water Conservation Program as conserving water needs to remain a priority in our city.
Do you think there should be a limit on TDSF (total developable square footage) placed on beachfront MALIBU property? Currently there is only one for non beachfront property.
YES! I have been saying this for years. There are glaring examples on why this just makes common sense.
Do you support the city’s plan to have an electric fleet by 2020?
Yes. We need to continue to embrace technologies that move us away from fossil fuels as fast as possible. If we can power them with solar power…all the better!
Do you support incentivizing the building permit process for non ocean front property if the project had a 15% plus reduced square footage? (And can you explain what that means??!?!?)
As a Planning Commissioner, I certainly can explain what this means. I like the idea of reducing the maximum TDSF in certain situations in the city. There are places where it feels too big as more and more development seems to want to maximize TDSF (TDSF = Total Development Square Footage, or the maximum amount of development you are allowed to do on a lot). I think my first idea is to streamline and fast-track the permit process for projects that don’t ask for discretionary requests. That is, they don’t push the development envelope. Your question is more about, is the envelope too big? And I believe in cases it is and that this wasn’t intended when we formed the city.
MALIBU CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS FORJIM PALMER
Name: Jim Palmer
Birthdate: December 4, 1945
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA.
Education:
Award in Accounting: UCLA
Bachelor of Arts: Antioch University
Master of Arts in Organizational Management,
Antioch University.
Occupation:
President, Palmer Management Associates, Inc.
A full service Accounting, Auditing, Organizational Management and Tax Preparation Company.
Years Lived in Malibu:
I have lived in Malibu over 50 years.
Inspiration to run for Malibu City Council:
“The City of Malibu needs more accountability and transparency with the residents.”
Growing up in Malibu, I have surfed all of Malibu’s waves. My children grew up here and went to the Malibu Schools. I am a Malibu Small Business Owner.
Now, I serve as Chair of the Malibu Public Works Commission and I have seen how the City is run and operates. My accounting and organizational management experience and leadership will serve the residents of Malibu to have more accountability and transparency in the City of Malibu Government.
Prior City Government Experience:
I was appointed to the Malibu Public Works Commission by Rick Mullen. Now, I serve as Chair of The Malibu Public Works Commission. I have gained valuable experience working with the Public and the Malibu Public Works Department staff moving Agenda items forward to the City Council. This experience working with the Malibu Public Works Commission has enabled to develop relationships with Caltrans, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department and California Highway Patrol which all play a major role in the safety of our city.
If granted a magic wand to fix any one problem in Malibu, What problem would that be and how would you fix it?
I would wave my magic wand over PCH and improve the safety of our major thoroughfare.
The three immediate steps I would take are:
First, I would insist that the City enforce the rules it already has in place. Daily traffic jams in front of Nobu and the Malibu Pier would be eliminated if they were required to follow the rules of their existing City of Malibu Conditional Use Operating Permits.
Second, I would add additional Sheriff Patrols on PCH. Speeding and reckless driving will not be deterred unless there is a visible enforcement presence on PCH.
Third, I will work with Caltrans, Los Angeles County Sheriff and the California Highway Patrol to reduce the PCH speed limit at some of our most dangerous intersections such as Big Rock and Trancas.
How should the City approach the Short Term Rental/Air B&B situation?
Shout Term rentals are one of the biggest problems in Malibu.
Short term rentals should be limited to “OWNER OCCUPIED PROPERTIES.”
All other properties such as apartments, condominiums, and investor owned residential properties should be prohibited for short term rental use, 30 days or less.
A new Malibu School District is something the whole community wants and supports. If Short Term Rentals are allowed to continue and decrease the availability of long term rental housing for families, there will not be any children to attend our schools.
How should the City approach the traffic and speed problem?
The City should work with Caltrans, Los Angeles County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol to increase enforcement of speeding and reckless driving with visible presence on PCH. The City should work with the above mentioned agencies to reduce the speed limit at some of our most dangerous intersections like Big Rock and Trancas.
Is the Whole Food Complex at Cross Creek a plus or minus?
The Whole Foods project went to a vote before the Malibu Residents. The Malibu Residents voted 60% against the project. I agree with them.
The Valuable Dirt purchased by the City. What do you think should be done with it?
First, the city needs to have public discussions on the best use and best management practices for land management. Malibu has the ability to provide sports facilities, cultural, community and educational centers for our residents. We can create world class, environmentally sensitive architecture designs for our future. Malibu can take the lead in sustainable building.
Malibu Lagoon:
The restoration was done to create a cleaner lagoon and it succeeded as long as the tidal flow was open. The results of the sand berm blocking the tidal flow created the current problems. We need to create a way for the ocean to merge with the lagoon and restore its natural habitat.
Current Malibu Council Members I mentor and follow?
Generally I agree with Rick Mullen, Skyler Peak and Jefferson Wagner. I like their votes to purchase commercial properties, to ban plastics, to preserve Bluffs Park and to pass the Dark Skies Ordinance.
Conservative or Liberal?
Fiscally Conservative
Socially Liberal
Skate Park?
Recently acquired parcels of land in the Civic Center and Heathercliff on Point Dume give us adequate room for a world class skate park complex.
Is The City of Malibu Council Government Corrupt?
Many Malibu residences have suggested to me that we need more transparency in our City Government, I agree.
In my accounting practice I have used tools like, “performance reviews” and “management compliance audits” to insure that we identify and stay focused on best management practices. Another tool I use is “continuing training and development” meetings. I believe we can use these same tools to deal with management and personnel issues in the City. This approach will allow the City to operate for the benefit all the residents of Malibu.
Position on “Don’t change Malibu let Malibu change you!”
I have many friends that have traveled all over the world.
No matter where they have traveled, they always say there is no place better than Malibu. I agree and I say the same thing when I return from traveling. There is no better place in the world than Malibu.
Malibu Changes You!
What would do to insure little change to this town?
I will follow the Malibu General Plan which says, “MALIBU WILL MAINTAIN ITS RURAL CHARACTER BY ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT AVOID SUBURBANIZATION AND COMMERICALIZATION OF ITS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.”
I will work with the residents and the City to continue to preserve open land by purchasing new land from commercial developers.
Leadership in the Environmental Movement?
Current opinions I would propose include:
Totally banning pesticides and rodenticides.
Programs that would include the installation of solar panels on all new Malibu construction.
Accelerate the implementation of the Malibu Dark Skies Ordinance.
Eliminating drainage and wastewater run off that pollutes our ocean.
Do you support the City’s plan to have an Electric Fleet by 2020?
Yes!
Support incentivizing the building permit process for non ocean front property if the project had a 15% plus reduced square footage?
More and more we are seeing larger houses like 7,000, 8,000, 9,000 square foot homes being built in Malibu neighborhoods that are principally made up of much smaller houses.
I am against mansionization if it disrupts neighborhoods and the size of very large houses must be reduced.
MALIBU CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS FOR LANCE SIMMENS
Name: Lance Simmens
Birthdate: August 27, 1953
Birthplace: Abington, PA
Education:
BS Pol. Sci. Georgia Southern University, MPA Temple University, completed doctoral courses in Public Administration George Washington University
Occupation(s):
Public Service, served two Presidents, two US Senators, two Governors, the US Senate Budget Committee, US Conference of Mayors, Screen Actors’ Guild
Years you have lived in Malibu: 3 years.
What inspired you to run for Malibu City Council?
I have been actively involved in community activities since I first moved here, serving as President of the Adamson House Foundation and the Malibu Democratic Club. This is my community and I feel the need to offer my considerable public policy and political skills to balance the need for environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
Do you have any city government experience prior to this?
During graduate school I spent three months as an intern with the City of Philadelphia. For six years I was Assistant Executive Director of the US Conference of Mayors, representing all cities over 30,000 population in the United States before Congress. I have developed groundbreaking policies and resolutions on urban economic policy and represented Mayors before Congress on legislation impacting our cities. As senior advisor to PA Governor Ed Rendell I was the principal advisor on intergovernmental affairs, interacting with over 2,500 municipalities and their elected representatives for 8 years.
Do you have experience with Malibu city government prior to this?
I have regularly attended City Council meetings over the past three years and spoken on numerous issues before Council.
If you were granted absolute power and could wave your magic wand and absolutely fix any one problem in Malibu – what would that be and how would you do it?
I think that the most pressing issue facing Malibu is the congestion on Pacific Coast Highway. This includes the issues of speed and safety. Part of my platform is to relieve congestion by prohibiting parking along PCH except for residents, locating parking space off the highway and instituting a shuttle service to provide public access to nonresidents to the beaches while removing the need to cross PCH. I am also proposing that we pursue arrangements with large buildings with underground parking that is unused on the weekends downtown for those visiting our beaches. Further, I propose engineering bike lanes along PCH, where practical, in order to keep distance between bicycles and automobiles and limiting bicycle groups to single file through the more congested sections of the highway. On the speed issue I would explore greater enforcement by law enforcement.
Can you name an action or sale or purchase or decision or environmental project taken on by Malibu in the past 10 years that you stronglydisagreewith, and why? How would you have done this differently?
Surely the City’s attempt to develop the bluffs stands out. Also the failure of the City to ban rodenticides city-wide is a decision I strongly disagree with.
What are the actions or sales or purchases or environmental project taken on by Malibu in the past 10 years that you strongly agreewith – and make you proud to live in Malibu?
Most recently city actions with respect to banning of straws makes me very proud to be a part of this community. In addition, the purchase of the land that has recently been consummated gives us an opportunity to determine the best sustainable uses of such land.
How should the City of Malibu approach the AirBnB situation? Be as detailed as you like:
Realizing the competing needs of some homeowners for additional income it is important that we develop accountability measures that protect those who live in proximity to these rentals from behavior that is detrimental to the character of the existing community, such as loud music, reckless automobile traffic, and littering, just to name a few potential consequences.
How should the City of Malibu approach the traffic and speed problem? Be inventive and detailed.
I have already addressed this in a previous question. I believe that we need to increase enforcement while alternative options are explored. One of those options may be the establishment of additional flashing signs along PCH to warn motorists to slow down. One option to explore also may be positioning a severely demolished vehicle in a prominent place, maybe the eastern entrance to the city, to draw attention to the deadly consequences of speeding, maybe with a plaque that draws on the old saw “Speed Kills.” I have seen this in numerous locations around the country and would want to investigate whether or not it has an impact on speeding.
Do you think the Whole Foods retail complex on Cross Creek is a plus or a minus?
I was opposed to the retail complex and spent many hours outside Ralph’s talking with residents and dispensing orange hats and shirts garnering public opinion. If in fact studies show that traffic congestion will be exacerbated by additional development it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to have embarked on this development. Once again, it highlights the need to have long-term planning and a blueprint for sustainable development of our community.
There is a great deal of very expensive dirt in the middle of Malibu that would be long gone if it were just about any other place in coastal southern California. Do you think that dirt should be left alone, or should it be developed? Developed how?
My environmental plank calls for a sustainable visioning process that involves all stakeholders in the city to come up with a set of measurable indicators covering economic, environmental, social policy, and in general quality of life indicators that should govern policy decisions on development as we move forward. I was tasked in 1993 to establish the first Federal Office of Sustainable Development in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and part of our mission was to be involved in visioning exercises in communities across the country, i.e. Seattle, Portland, Monterey Bay to name a few. These exercises were largely successful in helping to guide policy makers on what was ultimately in the best interests of the community. I proposed this to Malibu’s Sustainability Director and he is fully supportive of this effort.
Where did you stand on the Malibu Lagoon Restoration and do you believe that restoration has been a success or a failure?
I will leave the success or failure to academics and scientists but it appears to have provided an environmentally positive refuge for wildlife that inhabits it and this is an important and positive indicator of the health of the community in general. Therefore from my standpoint it appears to be successful. The recent fish kills present a perplexing problem, however, and it is going to be important to get to the heart of what is causing it.
Are any of the current City Council members your mentor/fellow traveler politically?
Jefferson Wagner and I have had an especially good relationship since I arrived here. One of my first actions shortly after I moved here was discussion of the potential impacts of El Nino on the deteriorating pilings on the pier. The project of funding the repairs was essentially stalled by bureaucratic inertia. I contacted Henry Stern, who was staffing Senator Fran Pavley, who had a strong position in the State Capitol, and together with Jefferson managed to unclog the logjam and expedite repairs of the pilings. Luckily we escaped El Nino.
Do you consider yourself generally conservative or liberal, politically?
Liberal.
Where would you put the skateboard park, if you could put it anywhere?
I know where I would not put it, and that is on the bluffs. We must protect the bluffs and use other properties that have recently been purchased for recreational facilities, ballparks and the skate park.
There has been a lot of sound and fury, rattle and hum that things are rotten in the city of Malibu: Some point to the firing of Brad Davis. Others point to the raid on Zuma Jay’s homes and business. Do you feel that Malibu city council government is corrupt and how do you propose to fix it?
In general there is a disturbing level of public anxiety with respect to a loss of confidence in our elected leadership and institutions at all levels of government. I have written books and innumerable articles about this. I have devoted my entire professional career to good government, that is government that helps advance a more equitable and just society. I believe government CAN work, sometimes it does not, but that does not mean that it cannot. I am beholden to no interests whatsoever and I can only guarantee that I will make the best decisions given the information at hand to advance the public interest, not special interests. Hence my campaign slogan: Principles Over Politics. I also spoke before City Council and expressed outrage at the appearance of political hanky-panky with respect to the raid on Jefferson’s home. I implored the City Council to investigate whether or not there was a political component to this incident.
What is your position on the phrase: “Don’t change MALIBU let Malibu change you!”
The two are not mutually exclusive, we can do both and benefit all concerns. There are certain things in Malibu that should change, greater opportunity for quality of life enhancements, being an exemplar of sustainable development, greater transparency in government and standing up for the betterment of the community are all things that can enhance our community. So we should be able to mutually benefit from change as long as the community at large is involved in plotting our long-term course.
What will would do to ensure there is little change to this beach town.
We need to maintain the essential character of our community. We need to ensure that any change results in positive enhancement of the community envisioned in our mission and value statements.
What would role be as a leader in the environmental movement ER for the city of Malibu? For example. The current city council banned plastic straws and expanded existing bans on eps products etc. What forward-looking steps would you take?
I believe that Malibu can be a shining beacon of environmental quality. We should make available to all residents information that apprises them of programs at the State and Federal level that can help them become energy self-sufficient. I have already requested from the the City Sustainability Director a list of programs that can be shared with residents to help them become environmentally sound. On City Council I will be a leader in exploring and proposing resolutions that promote 100 percent renewable energy as not just a goal but a reality.
Do you think there should be a limit on TDSF (total developable square footage) placed on beachfront MALIBU property? Currently there is only one for non beachfront property.
Yes.
Do you support the city’s plan to have an electric fleet by 2020?
Absolutely
Do you support incentivizing the building permit process for non ocean front property if the project had a 15% plus reduced square footage? (And can you explain what that means??!?!?)
Yes, it seems to me that it is a compromise to expedite the permit process in exchange for a reduction in square footage. I am inclined to oppose this in principle but once again the devil is always in the details.
MALIBU CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS FOR OLIVIA DAMAVANDI ARYEH
Name: Olivia Damavandi Aryeh
Birthdate:Feb. 21, 1985
Birthplace: St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, CA
Education: Master’s degree from Columbia University
Occupation(s):
I served as Assistant Editor and Staff Writer of The Malibu Times. After obtaining my Master’s degree, I served as the Media Information Officer for the City of Malibu. I now serve as President of the nonprofit Santa Monica Mountains Safe Trails Association, which I founded with a few neighbors to educate visitors and residents about safety, particularly fire safety, in our local mountains.
Years you have lived in Malibu: All my life.
What inspired you to run for Malibu City Council?
I was born and raised here, attended our local schools (MJC&S, Webster Elementary and Malibu High School), spent my career working to educate the public about Malibu’s most important affairs, and am now raising my family here. Malibu has given me everything I have. Now I want the opportunity to give back to my community.
It has always been my dream to raise my kids in Malibu. However, I am deeply concerned about several issues (which comprise my campaign platform) that are threatening residents’ quality of life and safety.
I’m anxious about what the future holds for Malibu, and instead of complaining about these issues, I want to apply my sound knowledge and experience to ameliorate them.
Do you have any city government experience prior to this?
Having been born and raised in Malibu, my experience with municipal government is Malibu-centric. (See below)
Do you have experience with Malibu city government prior to this?
As the head journalist and assistant editor for The Malibu Times, I covered all aspects of City government, including City Council, Commissions, and Council Sub-Committee meetings. Later, I came to know and understand the intricacies of municipal government by acting as the City’s Media Information Officer.
If you were granted absolute power and could wave your magic wand and absolutely fix any one problem in Malibu – what would that be and how would you do it?
I would wave the wand furiously over PCH!
Pacific Coast Highway used to be a nightmare during rush hour and beach days, now PCH is a nightmare 24/7. It’s time for people to stop saying we can’t do anything about it.
I will reprioritize our budget to hire extra law enforcement, and address the traffic dangers of bicyclists that engage in reckless conduct on the highway.
Since we (a town of 6,500 full time residents) host 15 million visitors per year, I will launch a social media-based campaign to reach millions of visitors who have no idea how dangerous our main thoroughfare really is.
And finally, I will work with Caltrans to bring state-of- the-art technology to track the flow of traffic and time the lights accordingly, especially at the Topanga Canyon intersection.
Can you name an action or sale or purchase or decision or environmental project taken on by Malibu in the past 10 years that you strongly disagree with, and why? How would you have done this differently?
More than 10 years ago, the City had an opportunity to settle a lawsuit that involved a project on the west end of Malibu. Briefly, a land owner said he was entitled to build 32 condo on his land. The City fought him. Finally, he offered to settle for building three (3) houses. The City said, “NO,” The owner went to court and the judge ruled that he was entitled to his 32 condos. Leaders should know when to hold them, and when to fold them.
What are the actions or sales or purchases or environmental project taken on by Malibu in the past 10 years that you strongly agree with – and make you proud to live in Malibu?
The purchase of the original Chili Cook-Off site. It not only stopped development of 20 acres for a planned shopping center, it also created a park that incorporates a stormwater treatment facility that captures all the polluted storm water in the Civic Center area, cleans it, and uses it to irrigate what is now known as Legacy Park.
How should the City of Malibu approach the AirBnB situation?
I believe the City should put strict restrictions on all short term rentals by creating an ordinance that holds owners responsible for tenants’ behavior:
- Owners must either live on the property or be immediately available to respond to complaints
- If owners do not respond within two hours, the Sheriff will be instructed to shut the facility down immediately
- After two failures to meet their responsibility, owners will be banned from providing short term rentals
How should the City of Malibu approach the traffic and speed problem? Be inventive and detailed.
I think the City of Malibu should reprioritize our budget to hire extra law enforcement, and encourage them to also ticket bicyclists who engage in reckless conduct on the highway.
Since we (a town of 6,500 full time residents) host 15 million visitors per year, I think the City should launch a social media-based campaign to reach millions of visitors who have no idea how dangerous our main thoroughfare really is.
The City must work with Caltrans to bring state-of- the-art technology to track the flow of traffic and time the lights accordingly, especially at the Topanga Canyon intersection.
I think the time is ripe for new ideas and for proof that we really can improve the safety on PCH.
Do you think the Whole Foods retail complex on Cross Creek is a plus or a minus?
Commercial development in Malibu is only a plus when it is community-serving. The Whole Foods retail complex can only be a plus if it includes resident-serving amenities. We don’t need more retails stores selling $100 t-shirts.
There is a great deal of very expensive dirt in the middle of Malibu that would be long gone if it were just about any other place in coastal southern California. Do you think that dirt should be left alone, or should it be developed? Developed how?
I would certainly oppose any commercial development on our newly acquired land. However, the community has expressed a need for more recreational and cultural arts amenities. I strongly believe that this is a decision that only the residents can make. That is why I would support public hearings . In the end, our residents should decide what they need, not the City Council.
Where did you stand on the Malibu Lagoon Restoration and do you believe that restoration has been a success or a failure?
I did not support the Malibu Lagoon Restoration because I felt the decision was rushed, and that there was not ample evidence to support it as the right choice.
Are any of the current City Council members your mentor/fellow travelers politically?
I have sought out the advice and council of several Council members, past and present. Lou LaMonte has been invaluable in advising me on legislation regarding the rehabs that threaten our residential neighborhoods. Rick Mullen has been a font of information regarding many matters, including the ongoing battle against the MRCA. Zuma Jay was kind enough to offer me many tips on the hazards of campaigning. Ken Kearsley has aided me in my efforts to prevent agencies like the MRCA from turning our neighborhoods into public gathering places.
Do you consider yourself generally conservative or liberal, politically?
I tend to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
Where would you put the skateboard park, if you could put it anywhere?
I would want to hold public hearing before I make a final decision. But I’m inclined to locate it as centrally as possible. One place that seems plausible is the triangle property on PCH and Stuart Ranch Road because it is far from homes which eliminates the possibility of noise and view problems.
There has been a lot of sound and fury, rattle and hum that things are rotten in the city of Malibu: Some point to the firing of Brad Davis. Others point to the raid on Zuma Jay’s homes and business. Do you feel that Malibu city council government is corrupt and how do you propose to fix it?
I saw no evidence of corruption when I was a City employee. However, if anyone offers credible evidence that such corruption exists, I would certainly demand an investigation.
What is your position on the phrase: “Don’t change MALIBU let Malibu change you!”
I agree with it.
What will you would do to ensure there is little change to this beach town?
Everything within my power under the law.
What would role be as a leader in the environmental movement ER for the city of Malibu? For example: The current city council banned plastic straws and expanded existing bans on eps products etc. What forward-looking steps would you take?
I would introduce an ordinance that requires all new buildings and major remodels to include solar panels on all south facing buildings, both residential and commercial. I would also study the possibility of requiring 50% of all landscaping be zero scape.
Do you think there should be a limit on TDSF (total developable square footage) placed on beachfront MALIBU property?
Currently there is only one for non beachfront property. It would depend on the limit. Beach lots are unique, as they are usually so much smaller than landside property.
Do you support the city’s plan to have an electric fleet by 2020?
Yes
Do you support incentivizing the building permit process for non ocean front property if the project had a 15% plus reduced square footage? (And can you explain what that means??!?!?)
I’m not sure what you mean by “incentivizing.” However, if you mean reducing the size of a house in return for a streamlined permitting process, then I’m all for reducing mansonization of a neighborhood. If you mean automatically granting a variance for a 15% reduction in house-size, then I doubt I would agree.
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