Newest Members of City Council

The newcomers have focused priorities, including addressing PCH’s hazards, developing city-owned land for recreational opportunities for residents and getting California Highway Patrol to monitor traffic in Malibu.

✎ written by Barbara Burke

husband raised a daughter, who attended Malibu schools. She served as a City employee for 17 years in the planning and building safety departments and is very familiar with Malibu’s zoning code, local coastal plan and lengthy process of rebuilding homes after wildfire devastation.

“One of my passions is helping people get back home and rebuild,” She said. “Unfortunately, it is very difficult to rebuild and many people have chosen not to embark on that path.” Her priorities also focus on school separation ~ she serves on the District’s Facilities Advisory Committee which advises the district concerning projects for Malibu Schools.

Stewart was appointed to the Malibu Public Safety Commission in 2019. Like Riggins, neither he nor anyone in his family has held public office. He ran for city council because he thinks there is a desperate need to return to a culture of civility in city government and to reduce pervasive divisiveness.

“Everybody in the City needs a fresh start - no one wants a hostile, non-productive city,” He said, adding, the City’s hiring challenges should acknowledge compensation isn’t the only important thing as employees need to be comfortable, secure and able to pursue professional development.

He added, “We need a kinder, safer Malibu. It all starts with being kinder and we’ll work on being safer.”

Further, Stewart says, his broad banking and management careers have armed him with the necessary skills for leading people, managing an organization through difficult times and always trying to reach consensus.

“One of the most important things that people miss is to have early intervention during problem solving.” He said.

Riggins agrees, noting “Doug and I intend to create a foundation in the City that is more based on cooperation and finding middle ground to reach consensus.”

When asked about his goals for his first 100 days in office, Stewart said, “Water is the most critical issue we face long term and there is a lack of water recycling that we need to address.”

Stewart is highly critical of the City council’s notoriously marathon meetings, finding them antithetical to accomplishing necessary tasks and serving the public. “Let’s start meetings earlier to handle administrative matters and then, at 10:30, let’s adjourn and reconvene later in the same week.” He proposed.

Stewart and Riggins advocate having a sheriff’s substation manned in Malibu.

“We need local management and less commuting time for law enforcement serving Malibu,” Stewart said. “Further, I strongly advocate that we prevail upon the decision makers in Sacramento to rescind the State Vehicle Code §§ 2.400.6-2.400.7, prohibiting California Highway Patrol from patrolling in Malibu - the law makes no sense.”

Riggins heartily agrees, “When we register our vehicles, Malibuites and our 15 million annual visitors are taxed like everyone to fund CHP. It seems unbalanced that we are not provided that safety service.”

Mindful that the PCH is a treacherous thoroughfare, Stewart notes, “No one ever speeds up when they see a black and white patrol car. We need more heavy law enforcement presence and to lower the PCH’s speed limits in Malibu.” Riggins noted, “No one should die simply because they are trying to get from one place to another.” She added, “Malibu has a big parking issue and the council needs to talk with - and listen to - traffic experts to reach a solution.”

Turning to other priority issues, Stewart said, “The expansions and actions by Mountains Restoration Conservation Authority (MRCA) are also hot on my list, given the agency’s recent acquisition of parcels in

Malibu Canyon and Carbon Mesa and its proposal for camping on Malibu Bluffs. We have enough camping opportunities.”

Stewart strongly advocates adding City employees to vigorously enforce short term rental rules. He notes, “You can’t have a party house going on a Saturday night and have compliance officers show up the next Monday or Tuesday.”

Finally, both he and Riggins aim to have city-owned vacant land developed for recreational opportunities for citizens. “We need to develop a plan for building what the citizens want, including sports venues and perhaps a community pool.” Stewart said.

“My intention is to work for the citizens of Malibu,” Riggins said. “It’s my home and I want to make sure we have both recreational and cultural events.”