The Local Malibu July 2019 - Sheriff Villanueva

NEWSSTAND EDITION

// JUly 2019 //

LIFE AFTER WOOLSEY SHERIFF VILLANUEVA’S MESSAGE TO MALIBU:

“IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, PREPARE TO FAIL”

FIREWIRE: COULD YOU BE SICK FROM

YOUR SOIL?

NEWSSTAND // JUly 2019

Founder, Editor in Chief, Executive Creative director Creative Director Jim Jordan

CECE S. WOODS Co-Founder STEVE WOODS

publisher ADDISON ALTENDORF

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING Cece Woods Paul Taublieb

Rogue Writer BEN MARCUS

Executive Publisher

Contributors LESTER TOBIAS SAM HALL KAPLAN ERIK COOPER JAMES HALL ELISABETH JOHNSON ANNEMARIE STEIN

Production assistant Dax BLINN

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EDITOR’S // N O T E S

By wearing multiple hats as an activist, editor in chief, and investigative reporter, it has allowed me to meet many interesting people, from all over the world, and establish important relationships that benefit our community.

One of those important relationships is with the new Sheriff of L.A. County, Alex Villanueva who accomplished the impossible by defeating the incumbent Jim McDonnell with an impressive grass roots campaign last year.

I met Sheriff Villanueva through friend and colleague, Dr. Ronda Hampton, who introduced me to the Sheriff Villanueva last summer. Dr. Hampton was heavily involved in Sheriff Villanueva’s campaign and informed him of my in-depth reporting and exposure of the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings cover-up that was gaining national and global attention.

Although Malibu is a small demographic in terms of votes, Villanueva recognized the opportunity to become engaged with the larger audience (and voter block) who were engaged in the shootings.

Shortly before the arrest of Anthony Rauda, who From left, Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department Acting Captain Chuck Becerra, Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Editor in Chief Cece Woods, members of the Sheriff’s is currently charged with the murder of Tristan Beaudette and the shootings dating back to staff, and Mayor Jefferson Wagner.

2016, Villanueva made a visit to Malibu Creek State Park for a press conference, to address concerned residents and reporters about Sheriff McDonnell’s shootings and the “dog and pony shows” preceeding Rauda’s arrest, meant to manipulate voters during the campaign for Sheriff.

Despite the smoke and mirrors, McDonnell lost the race conceded and Villanueva pulled off the impossible win.

I was invited to the swearing in ceremoney of the new Sheriff last December to hear his dedication to servicing the citizens. “You are here to serve the community, not the political powers that be” Villanueva said. And that, he has. Every request we have made to have the Sheriff present to address community concerns, he has followed through, front and center. That includes even before he sworn in and making the long trip out to Maliu from his home in La Habra Heights to check on troops during the Woolsey Fire. He did that at our request, for concerned community members.

Sheriff Villanueva has proven his commitment to Malibu is not fleeting. We can rest a little easier knowing our voices will be heard, and requests and concerns taken seriously. Rest a little easier Malibu, we are in good hands under Villanueva’s guidance as fire season approaches.

COVER PHOTO of Sheriff villanueva

by JIM JORDAN Superstar photographer Jim Jordan shot The Local Malibu cover of Sheriff Villanueva at the Malibu Pier just days after the Sheriff appeared at the Malibu Town Hall at Duke’s Malibu.

Follow Jim Jordan on instagram: @jimjordanphotography jimjordanphotography.com

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SHERIFF VILLANUEVA’S MESSAGE TO MALIBU:

“IF YOU fail to prepare,

PREPARE TO FAIL”

By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief

As the first official fire season fast approaches, and after hard lessons learned during the Woolsey Fire, many Malibuites have a better understanding of the importance of emergency preparedness.

Unfortunately, City officials haven’t shown residents any evidence of being better prepared for fire season, regardless of the backlash from the community after City officials completely abandoned the residents during the Woolsey Fire.

The City’s one attempt to placate citizens was to add a third member to the Public Safety Department. The new Malibu Fire Safety Lisasion, Jerry Vandermuelen, was welcomed to the community May 13th. While Vandermuelen has some impressive credentials, 35 years of fire service experience with the Kern County and Ventura County Fire Departments, unfortunately, the wheels of bureacracy continue to turn. The City of Malibu being embarrassingly unprepared during the disaster, and the community remains skeptical at best - especially since the Public Safety Manager Susan Duenas, and her assisant, Public Safety Specialist Stephanie Berger, were completely M.I.A. during Woolsey. They offered no guidance or information to assist residents during this critical time.

However, the one relationship that has drastically improved is Malibu’s connection with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

With new Sheriff Alex Villanueva in charge, we can have faith that the issues under his pervue will be managed efficientally.

Villanueva was aware of the mistakes made by LASD during Woolsey, which at the time was under the control of former Sheriff Jim McDonnell.

Villanueva was sworn in December 3rd, 2018, after a nail-biter Sherriff’s race During mandatory evacuations, while votes were still being counted in the Sheriff’s election, Villanueva made the trip at 11 p.m. to Malibu from from his home in LaHabra Heights, to check on troops stationed at Zuma Beach.

Incidentally, McDonnell did not make the trip out to Malibu during the disaster.

As Villanueva took the lead in the Sheriff race last November, while he was not yet sworn-in as Sheriff of L.A. County, he still took it upon himself the trip from his La Habra Heights home to Malibu, to talk with troops stationed at Zuma Beach.

Villanueva’s dedication to our community, and being prepared for the next for the next disaster is unparalled to any other Sheriff before him. On May 22nd, Sheriff Villanueva made his third visit to Malibu (at our publication’s request all three times), for a town hall to address resident concerns and talk about disaster preparedness.

The Sheriff was very clear about the protocol of residents with health conditions, and that those in need of special care, prompting them to follow evacuation orders so they can receive the proper medical services should they need it.

For those of you who are planning to stay being the barricades in the next disaster, the Sheriff delivered cautionary advice we should take very seriously given the lack of disaster response the communityreceived during the Woolsey Fire: “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”

Wise words as we enter Malibu’s most dangerous season of the year.

LEFT: The Malibu Times covered the first Town Hall after the Woolsey Fire, December 7th, hosted by The Local Malibu. However, they not disclosing to their readers the Sheriff’s appearance was NOT at the request of City officials.

Incidentally, all three appearances the Sheriffmade in Malibu to address community members has been at the request of our publication. The City of Malibu has not scheduled one event since the Woolsey Fire that included Sheriff Villanueva who was sworn in December 3rd, 2018.

Q & A WITH SHERIFF VILLANUEVA AND Malibu public safety commissioner andy cohen As a 24 year resident of Malibu, and as a new member of the Malibu Public Safety Commission, I am concerned with many of the safety issues that are now facing Malibu. Previous Sheriffs have never visited Malibu during a disaster, and we are very appreciative of the multiple visits Sheriff Villanueva made during, and after, the Woolsey Fire. Although Malibu only has 13,000 residents, over 15 million people visit Malibu annually to visit our beaches, hike our trails, shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants. Sheriff Villanueva has a hard road ahead in charge of the largest Sheriff’s department in the country, and the cultural changes he is instilling in the department. The deputies that I have spoken to are all on board with the changes Sheriff Villanueva has made. The Lost Hills Acting Captain Beccera, and Malibu Public Safety Liasion, Jennifer Seetoo, have made an amazing difference in just the first few months of the year. Their care and interaction with Malibu residents, an enhanced summer traffic safety program, homeless outreach are just some of the positive effects of their efforts. Recently,I asked Sheriff Villanueva a few additonal questions about other issues concerning Malibu residents. ,AC: It seems like recently there has been an upswing in gang activity in Malibu with tagging and two major MS 13 arrests in the area due to the great work of your deputies. In the past years it seems like gang activity in Malibu was kept to a minimum with gang members not even attempting anything in Malibu because they knew there were only a few ways out of Malibu and they did not have a chance to commit a crime and get out. What has changed, and what can we do to improve the situation?

AV: We have seen gang activity rise over the past few years, as prison realignment (AB109) and Prop 47 have been enacted and changed our laws. Certain crimes that were felonies were changed to misdemeanors, and drug laws were weakened.

These gangs have become more brazen in their activities and areas where they look for opportunities to commit crime.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will continue to be proactive in our patrolling of the City of Malibu and all the cities we serve. We will also work with our Operation Safe Streets bureau to track gang activity.

AC: We know the homeless problem is a county wide problem. Your task force tells me that 80% of the homeless really wants a shelter over their heads and a job but it seems like with only eight deputies on your team out of 10,000 deputies progress is severely limited. Are there any plans to increase that task force?

AV: We are working to secure more funding from the Board of Supervisors and hope to increase the team in the near future.

AC: In Malibu particularly, the problem has really escalated in the past 12 months with many cars and trucks and motorhomes lining PCH every night, and causing resident to be harassed and inundated with various issues related to this problem. I know that in the past there were signs preventing parking on PCH After midnight and your deputies always kept PCH clear and safe.

It seems like if we could get this signs replaced it would solve many problems. Any insight on how to get that done? It seems like a Coastal Commission issue and public access to our beaches, but after midnight it becomes a public safety issue rather than a beach access issue AV: The City of Malibu would need to create stricter municipal codes for these issues, so the LASD could enforce these codes.

AC: One problem which continues to get the public upset is the issue of how residents were treated by deputies. During the fire, with a complete lockdown situation that prevented residents and food and medical supplies and fuel for their generators, as well as keeping out doctors and nurses and the staff at our Malibu Urgent Care. I understand that people need to be more prepared the next time if they choose to stay and protect their homes. However, the markets were closed, the gas stations were closed, and recognizing that many roads had dangerous situations with power poles and wires along the road, there were also places that were fine and still a total lockdown. It did not seem practical. Can you tell me how, without endangering public safety, we can make the next emergency a little more flexible for residents, CERT team members who were not allowed in, etc.?

We would need to work in partnership with LA County Fire Department and create a model to make this happen. Utilizing what worked and did not work during the Woolsey Fires.

Cary Elwes and Sheriff Alex Villanueva

STRANGER THINGS : LIFE ITIMATES ART Malibu local, actor Cary Elwes who stars in the Netflix show “Stranger Things”, premiering July 4th, took time out to meet L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, recently. Life imitates art as Sheriff Villanueva, is similar to Cary’s co-star Sheriff Hopper, the “good guy” sheriff (played by David Harbour). Elwes is also a longtime friend of Malibu mayor Jefferson Wagner, who’s dedication to the community is in starck contrast to Elwes’s character, Mayor Larry Kline, the typical, “slick politician”. Looking forward to seeing Elwes tackle this outside-the-box role for the former Princess Bride star!

Cary Elwes and Malibu mayor Jefferson Wagner

FIREWIRE LIFE ATER WOOLSEY: DO YOU KNOW WHAT’s IN YOUR

BACKYARD?

By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief

Since the Woolsey Fire devastated parts of Malibu and surrounding communities more than six months ago, questions remain today concerning the risk of nuclear contaminants and other toxins affecting our schools, our neighborhoods and our beaches. Government officials conducted an initial assessment and issued public reports suggesting everything is fine. But new evidence and a new look at those reports contradict those official findings, warranting independent studies and a deeper examination to help determine what’s really in our back yard.

By now, most have learned that ground zero of the Woolsey Fire was sourced to the Santa Susana Field Research Laboratory (SSFL) located in Simi Valley. The site is comprised of 2,850 acres near the Ventura / Los Angeles county border and was once home to a nuclear facility and rocket engine test site before suffering a partial meltdown in 1959.

Radioactive and other chemicals have reportedly been released from the site over the years. Our state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) published a carefully-worded joint report several weeks after the Woolsey Fire, confirming fire had burned through a portion of the SSFL and claiming, in part, that air sample testing results indicated “all the measurements and analyses indicate that no radiation or hazardous materials associated with contamination of SSFL were released by the fire.” That report, initially published on the DTSC website, is no longer published on the website.

Victim and first responder accounts of the Woolsey Fire reported thick black clouds of smoke blanketing the canyons, hills and beaches west of the SSFL. Many evacuees choked on smoke while fleeing our community.

Satellites recorded billowing smoke blowing westward from Simi Valley toward Malibu, Channel Islands National Park and beyond.

Wildfire smoke alone has been determined to be toxic to our health. Contaminants from structure fires, those structures being our homes and commercial buildings, include toxic chemicals and materials such as pesticides, mercury, asbestos and other pollutants. But of equal or greater concern to the health of our own and future generations are the risks we face from nuclear contaminants polluting our air, our soil, and our water.

The Woolsey Fire, November 9th, 2018

In January, an investigator we worked with for this story, collected samples to help determine what, if anything, remains in our soils after the Woolsey Fire. Expected results included char, soot and ash, all common elements of wildland fires. Char alone is known to be carcinogenic and therefore toxic to our health. But what else would be found within our beach sands and sediment throughout the greater Malibu area?

Three dozen mason jars, a box of powder-free latex gloves, a large bottle of hand sanitizer and a black Sharpie were used to collect samples. A map of the greater Malibu region was obtained and various points of interests — popular beaches, local schools, public parks — were selected for sampling collection.

For each collection, a new and previously unopened mason jar would be used with hands protected by a dab of hand sanitizer and latex gloves. To avoid cross-contamination of any samples, repeated hand sanitization and a new pair of gloves were used at each collection point.

Photographs and videos of each collection were produced to help identify the whereabouts of any concerns identified.

Each jar was assigned a number, then placed in a box in the trunk of the investigator’s car before being shipped across the country to a secure location for examination.

After all, who would want this stuff in their house? A private laboratory was identified where each of the samples could be tested for any hazardous or toxic contaminants, including, among others, nuclear particulate matter.

The results? Each jar confirmed the presence of char, soot, ash, and… nuclear particulate matter. The samples will now be shipped to a new laboratory for an official study to be performed and results released to the public.

Questions involving the results of this study have been submitted to California’s DTSC and EPA for further reporting. The Local Malibu will continue to cover this story and share the responses we receive from state and federal officials in future reports.

Should your property be tested? Absolutely. Especially if your property was in the devastation zone or close to it.

The level of contamination has not truly been determined yet, but it does brig up a very important issue that needs to be addressed by property owners in the area. Testing and remediation of the soil must be a part of the plan post Woolsey, whether you are a burn-out victim or not.

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FIREWIRE

disqualified

By ERIC COOPER

law firm prohibited from represENting victims of the woolsey Victims

Victims of the Woolsey Fire can no longer rely upon the law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP for legal representation of damages suffered from the Woolsey Fire. The November 8th blaze devastated millions of dollars in properties and impacted every Malibu resident. Origination of the fire was sourced to the Santa Susana Field Research Laboratory in Simi Valley and, though official reports have still not yet confirmed, the cause is believed to be due the negligence of SoCal Edison’s electric service equipment.

Shortly after the smoke cleared, victims of the Woolsey Fire filed their insurance claims and began looking for legal representation to help them recover from their staggering losses. Malibu resident Kenneth R. Chiate, whose home reportedly survived the catastrophe, attended informational meetings hosted by a local newspaper and its recovery team, shared legal advice with attendees and suggested that he and his law firm, Quinn Emanuel, were not planning to represent any victims of the Woolsey Fire since Chiate and his firm had defended utility companies in lawsuits stemming from earlier wildfire events.

In a motion to disqualify Quinn Emanuel filed in early May, SoCal Edison argued Chiate had participated in a December 2017 meeting and learned material confidential information about SoCal Edison and their strategy to defend claims filed by victims of the 2017 Thomas Fire. SoCal’s motion implicated Chiate as a participant in strategy discussions and defense arguments during post-meeting follow-up calls, and though SoCal Edison did not hire Chiate or Quinn Emanuel as defense counsel, the confidential information disclosed to Chiate and his firm created substantial concerns for SoCal Edison’s defense of Woolsey Fire claims.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William F. Highberger agreed, issuing an order Thursday disqualifying Quinn Emanuel from representing Woolsey Fire victims after finding SoCal Edision had made a “persuasive showing” of concern.

Shortly after lawsuits began filling the clerk’s desk at the courthouse, the court sought to coordinate all lawsuits to avoid clogging the court system with numerous lawsuits heard and tried in various courtrooms before various judges at various times and with various outcomes. The coordination of all related Woolsey Fire lawsuits reduced the logjam through the court system and the varying possibilities of win-some / lose-some outcomes in the trials of numerous cases. Once coordinated, attorneys representing Woolsey Fire victims have appeared before Judge Highberger in numerous pretrial matters — the most significant, the matter of Chiate’s and Quinn Emanuel’s conflicts of interest representing Woolsey Fire victims after having “abruptly switched sides,” as alleged by SoCal Edison. Judge Highberger agreed.

In objection to SoCal Edison’s motion, Quinn Emanuel argued the firm should not be disqualified because its meeting with the utility lasted less than one hour and nothing confidential was disclosed. Quinn Emanuel also claimed SoCal Edison waited too long to seek disqualification, and that the firm had already partnered with Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack and had worked on the Woolsey Fire case for five months. In his order, Judge Highberger found Quinn Emanuel’s witnesses opposing disqualification of the firm to be unpersuasive.

Following disqualification of Quinn Emanuel from representation of Woolsey Fire victims, the question now remains whether the firm’s partner, Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack, will also be disqualified. If confidential information may have been shared, as the court suspected, from SoCal Edison to Ken Chiate and staff at Quinn Emanuel, such confidential information was also likely shared from Chiate and his Quinn Emanuel team to key lawyers and staff at Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack. The likelihood of SoCal Edison pursuing such disqualification seems inevitable.

Continue to follow our FireWire coverage of up to the minute news and information to help Woolsey Fire victims recover from this tragic event.

For more FireWire stories and information, go to thelocalmalibu.com

EDITORS NOTE: Attorney Greg Waters of Engstom, Lipscomb & Lack contacted The Local Malibu demanding a retraction, at which time we declined, and will stand by our reporting. Waters did not respond to, or submit a response to our request.

DIGITAL//REACH

LIFESTYLE STRANGE FAMILY VINEYARDS: LOCAL WineMAKER opens Malibu tasting room Strange Family Vineyards opened their flagship tasting room in the Malibu Lumber Yard on June 21st. featuringt their high quality, organic wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and more.

The Local Malibu sat down with the Strange Family to discuss the unique qualities of their winemaking and what we can expect at the new tasting room.

The Local: Tell us about about Strange Family Vineyards.

Winemaker Brian Strange

SFV: We are a family owned, small boutique winery in Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara county, with high quality organic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, using sustainable farming practices and specializing in the finest sparkling wine made in the traditional champagne method.

The Local: What type of wines do you make?

SVF: We have seven varietals. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Blanc, RosĂŠ, Brut, Blanc de Noir and Blanc de Blanc.

The Local: What’s special about Strange Family Wines?

SFV: Besides our high ratings from wine bloggers and critics alike, we started with extraordinary terroir, considered to be the best for Pinot Noir grapes. We are an environmentally conscious family and our farming techniques embody that. We have award winning wine makers.

For the Sparkling Wine we keep it on the lees for three years as it is done in the best Champagne houses in France. Every step from the farming to the bottle, our goal is to make the finest quality wine.

The Local: Where can we try Strange Family wines? Is it available online?

SFV: You can try our wine at our pop-up tasting room at Malibu Lumber Yard during the summer, or schedule a trip to the Vineyard in Santa Barbara County.

All of our wines can be purchased online at strangefamilyvineyards.com and at a variety of restaurants through out Los Angeles.

The Local: Malibu is a unique choice to open a tasting room given your vineyard is in Paso Robles. Why here?

SFV: We are a local Malibu family and wanted share our wines with neighbors, friends and family. It was the perfect spot to open our tasting room.

Strange Family Vineyards Tasting Rooom 3939 Cross Creek Rd. D100 strangefamilyvineyards.com

94 points chardonnay by wine enthusiast

90 points PINOT NOIR by wine enthusiast

“Producing white wine from pinot noir is a great idea. this 2015 is an unqualified success! - Robert parker

TASTING ROOM NOW OPEN malibu lumber yard 3939 Cross Creek Rd Ste D100, Malibu, CA 90265 strangefamilyvineyards.com

LIFESTYLE

STRANGEr THINGS HAVE HAPPENED TO CARY ELWES Longtime Malibu local, Cary Elwes, kicked off Fourth of July as the newest cast member of the 80’s inspired horror show, “Stranger Things”.

Elwes takes on the role of the ultimate slick politician, Mayor Kline in the show’s third season.

90265 Magazine, shot Elwes for the cover feature in anticipation of the show’s big bang release on Independance Day. Elwes, a resident of Malibu for over two decades, met wife Lisa Marie at the Malibu Chili Cook Off in the early 90’s. Elwes and his wife enjoyed the rural coastal charm of of the community which has allowed them to raise daughter Dominique at a slower, more enjoyable pace as opposed to the fast-paced Hollywood lifestyle.

The former Princess Bride star is enjoying the resurgence of 80s icons and multitude of projects in the works including a new series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

More on Cary and his enchanted life in the new issue of 90265 Magazine releasing July 15th.

ABOVE: Cary Elwes on the cover of 90265 Magazine. Photo by: Jim Jordan. RIGHT: Elwes as Mayor Kline on Stranger Things.

Photo courtesy of Nextflix.

ABOVE: Cary Elwes and wife Lisa Marie at the Stranger Things premiere party.

HAIR ENVY HITS MALIBU

L’Oreal Ambassador and one of the most influential and sought-after hairstylists across the globe, Jonathan Colombini is now available by appointment at Malibu’s Cie Salon.

Jonathan is bringing his expertise and cutting-edge techniques, to give you that perfectly coiffed, lived-in haircut, along with his coloring and master color correction specialist Andrew Kyle This dynamic duo is now setting the pace for serious #hairenvy in Malibu.

Tousled waves are all the rave and summer hair needs special care. This is master hair styling at it’s best.

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MALIBU HAIR ENVY

Summer Hair? DO CARE! Malibu hair masters are in the house.

Dynnamic celberity stylist Jonathan Colombini has landed in Malibu. Along with styling partner Andrew Kyle, this dynamic duo is re-shaping the way Malibu women take care of their hair.

Jonathan, a globe-trotting, in-demand stylist with an A list portfolio is now available by appointment at Malibu’s Cie Salon for all services. His unique skills have earned him the top spot as Ambassador and consulting Hairstylist and Colorist for L’Oreal Paris.

Jonathan’s expertise and attention to detail is evident as a highly skilled hair extensions specialist, which include premium quality, luxurious, sew in wefts. His patented process completely undetectable to the eye and Jonathan’s exceptional blending techiniques work with your own hair, to create the most natural feel and look.

Andrew Kyle’s multi-dimensional color technique is now Malibu’s go-to for the youthful, natural, signature sun-kissed Malibu blonde. Whether it’s color correction techniques for blonde, brunette, red-head, Andrew instinctually creates the most natural, vibrant, multi-dimensional color process for you.

I seriously have never loved my hair as much as I do now, in my 50s, which is quite a feat! The combo of these two multi-talented hair professionals have restored my mane to its youthful volume and color not seen in decades. Now I can truly say “50 is the new 30”, and say it with confidence! -Cece Woods, Editor in Chief

BLOWN AWAY (literally!)Post extensions, cut and blow-dry with the master Jonathan Colombini. Color by the amazing Andrew Kyle.

Q1

2019 2019

2019

Q1

REPORT

MALIBU

RD

7.4% 7.4% 3.1% 3.1% 3.0% 3.0% 42 42

Malibu Market Matrix (Single Family) Malibu Market Matrix (Single Family)

REPORT

Quarterly of Malibu/ Malibu Beach Survey Residential Sales Malibu Beach Residential Sales Malibu Market Matrix (Single Family) Q1–2019 %∆ (qtr)

Q1–2019 Average %∆ (qtr ) Q4–2018 %∆ (yr) Sales Price Q1–2019 %∆ (qtr) Q4–2018 %∆ (yr)

DASHBOARD

Average Sales Price $2,888,152 Average -8.3% -14.3% Price$3,148,574 per Sq Ft Average Sales Price $2,888,152 -8.3% $3,148,574 -14.3% Average Price per Sq Ft $941 Median -8.2% -7.4% Sales Price$1,025 Average Price per Sq Ft $941 -8.2% $1,025 -7.4% Median Sales Price $2,689,000 Number 0.5% $2,675,000 9.8% of Sales (Closed) year-over-year Median Sales Price $2,689,000 0.5% $2,675,000 9.8% Number of Sales (Closed) 23 Days-8.0% 25 List -53.1% on Market (From Last Date) Number of Sales (Closed) 23 -8.0% 25 -53.1% Discount (From133 Last List Price) Days on Market (From Last List Date) 78 Listing -41.4% -35.0% Days on Market (From Last List Date) 78 -41.4% 133 -35.0% Listing Discount (From Last List Price) 2.7% Listing Inventory (Active) 8.2% Listing Discount (From Last List Price) 2.7% 8.2% of Supply Listing Inventory (Active) 127 Months 6.7% 119 -13.0% Listing Inventory 127 6.7% 119 -13.0% Average Price(Active) per Sq Ft Square Feet 14.3 (Closed) 86.5% Months of Supply 16.6 Average 16.1% Months of Supply 16.6 16.1% 14.3 86.5% Average Square Feet (Closed) 3,069 -0.1% 3,072 -7.5% Average Square Feet (Closed) 3,069 -7.5% MALIBU SINGLE-0.1% FAMILY 3,072

SINGLE FAMILY

PRICES

SALESSALES MEDIAN SALES PRICE PRICE MEDIAN Closed Sales MEDIAN SALES PRICE $4,000,000 $4,000,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE

7.4% 53.1% 13.0% 42

MALIBU/ MALIBU BEACH SALES

MALIBU/ MALIBU/ MALIBU BEACH SALES MALIBU Quarterly BEACH Survey of SALES Malibu/

MEDIAN SALES PRICE MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY $4,000,000 MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY

Q1–2018 $2,888,152 Q1–2018 $3,371,704 $941 $3,371,704 $1,016 $2,689,000 $1,016 $2,450,000 23 $2,450,000 49 78 49 2.7% 120 120 127 6.1% 6.1% 16.6 146 146 3,069 8.9 8.9 3,319 3,319

Quarterly Survey of Malibu/ Malibu Beach Residential Sales

Q4–2018 %∆ (yr)

Q1–2018

Malibu Mark

$3,148,574 MALIBU

-14.3%

$3,371,704

$1,025

-7.4%

$1,016

$2,675,000

9.8%

$2,450,000

-8.0% year-over-year 25 -41.4% 133

-53.1%

49

-35.0%

120

Days on Mar

6.1%

Listing Disco

-8.3% -8.2% 0.5%

DASHBOARD SINGLE FAMILY 8.2%

7.4% SALES NUMBER53.1% OF SALES INVENTORY 13.0% MARKETING TIME Q1-2019 42

6.7%

-13.0%

146

16.1% Average Price 14.3per Sq86.5% Ft -0.1% 3,072 -7.5%

3,319

PRICES

119

Closed Sales MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY NUMBER SALES NUMBER OFOFSALES NUMBER OF SALES 100 100 NUMBER OF SALES Total Inventory

8.9

100

Average Sale

Average Pric

Median Sales

Number of S

Listing Invent

MEDIAN Months of SA Su

Average Squ $4,000,000

$3,200,000

MEDIAN SA

$2,400,000 $4,000,000

$1,600,000 $3,200,000

$800,000 100 $2,400,000 80 80 80 100 $0 The Elliman Report • Quarterly$1,600,000 Survey 80 $2,400,000 60 60 60 80 days Days on Market $800,000 60 $1,600,000 40 40 40 60 MEDIAN $0 SA MEDIAN SA days CONDO 40 Malibu Bea $800,000 20 20 MEDIAN SA $4,000,000 20 40 (Single Family) MALIBU BEACH $1,500,000 Malibu Mark days Average Sale $4,000,000 $800,000 20 $3,200,000 PRICES 0 $0of 0 13 eportdays Quarterly Survey Survey of Malibu/Malibu Malibu/Malibu Beach12Residential Residential Sales$015 09 16 10 17 11 181219 020 Average Sale $800,000 $1,200,000 $0 14 15 16 per 17 18 19 eport •• Quarterly Beach Sales Average Pric Average Price Sq Ft 09 10 11 13 14 MEDIAN SA 09 10 11 12 13 MEDIAN 14 15 PRICE 16 17 18 19 $3,200,000 MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY $2,400,000 SALES NUMBER OF SALES Average Pric Median Sale $0 0 $900,000 $1,500,000 09 10 11 12 13 14 Market 15 16 17 18 Q1–2019 19 0 $0 Median Sales Number of S $2,400,000 %∆ (qtrSALES ) year-over-year Q4–2018 %∆ (yr) Q1–2018 $1,600,000 $4,000,000 100 SINGLE 11 MALIBU 12 13 Malibu 14FAMILY 15 Matrix 16(Condo)17NUMBER 18 OF 19SALES MEDIAN SALES09 PRICE 10 Number of S $600,000 MALIBU SINGLE FAMILY Days on Mar $1,200,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES Average Sales Price $1,054,833 -9.6% $1,166,375 -2.7% $1,084,586 Sales FAMILY MALIBU SINGLE SINGLE FAMILY SINGLE MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES MALIBU FAMILY $1,600,000 MALIBU CONDO Closed Average Price per Sq Ft NUMBER OF SALES MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES $800,000 Malibu Market Matrix (Condo) Q1–2019 %∆ ( qtr ) Q4–2018 %∆ ( yr ) Q1–2018 Days on Mar MALIBU CONDO $3,200,000 80 $4,000,000 100 Listing Disco PRICE(Condo) NUMBER OFSALES SALES MALIBU Average CONDO MEDIAN SALESMarket PRICE NUMBER $300,000 Price Sq Ft $760 10.6% $687 21.8% $624 Malibu Market Matrix Q1–2019 %∆ (qtr ) per Q4–2018 %∆ (yr) OF Q1–2018 $900,000 $4,000,000 100 Malibu Beach Matrix Malibu Beach Market Matrix Listing Disco Average Sales Price $1,054,833 -9.6% $1,166,375 -2.7% $1,084,586 $4,000,000 100 $800,000 Q1–2019 %∆ ( qtr)) Q4–2018 Q4–2018 %∆ ( yr) ) Q1–2018 Q1–2018 Listing Inven $4,000,000 100 Q1–2019 %∆ ( qtr %∆ ( yr 40 $1,500,000 (Single Family) MALIBU CONDO $0 (Single Family) MEDIAN SALESPrice PRICE NUMBER OF$848,000 SALES PRICES Median Sales Price -22.2%INVENTORY $1,090,000 -28.7% $1,190,000 Average Sales $1,054,833 -9.6% $1,166,375 -2.7% $1,084,586 40 $1,500,000 $2,400,000 60 $3,200,000 80 40 $1,500,000 Listing Invent MALIBU CONDO Months of $0 S $600,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES Average Price per Sq Ft $760 10.6% $687 21.8% $624 Average Price per Sq Ft Average Sales Price $6,962,000 5.4% $6,602,441 -33.7% $10,505,667 $3,200,000 80 Total Inventory Average Sales Price $6,962,000 5.4% $6,602,441 -33.7% $10,505,667 $0 Number of Sales (Closed) 9 12.5% 8 -50.0% 18 $3,200,000 80 Average Price per Sq Ft $760 $1,200,000 10.6% $687 21.8% $624 Months ofSqu Su $3,200,000 80 32 Average 40 $1,500,000 Closed Sales Median Sales $848,000 -22.2% $1,090,000 -28.7% $1,190,000 $1,600,000 $1,200,000 32 $300,000 40 $2,400,000 60 $1,200,000 32 Price Price per Sq Sq Ft Ft $2,922 Days 45.5% $2,008 -11.9% $3,317 40 $1,500,000 Average Price per $2,922 45.5% $2,008 -11.9% $3,317 Average Squ on Market$1,090,000 (From Last List Date) $1,190,000 94 67.9% 56 80.8% 52 Median Sales Price $848,000 -22.2% -28.7% $2,400,000 6018 $2,400,000 60 Number of Sales (Closed) 9 $900,000 12.5% $4,900,000 8 -50.0% $4,750,000 $2,400,000 60 SALES 24 MARKETING TIME Median Sales Price $5,487,500 12.0% 15.5% $1,200,000 32 MEDIAN $0 SA Sales Price $5,487,5009 Listing 12.0% $4,900,000 Discount (From Last Price) $4,750,000 4.3% 1.6% 3.2% Number of Sales (Closed) 12.5% 8 List15.5% -50.0% $800,000 20 2418 $900,000 $1,600,000 40 24 $900,000 $1,200,000 32 Closed Days onSales Market days Days on of Market (From Last List Date) 94 67.9% 56 -58.3% 80.8% 52 MEDIAN SA $1,600,000 40 of Sales (Closed) 10 -41.2% 17 -58.3% 24 MEDIAN SA Number Sales (Closed) 10 -41.2% 17 24 $1,500,000 Listing Inventory (Active) 27 3.8% 26 22.7% 22 $1,600,000 40 $1,600,000 Days on Market (From Last List Date) 94 $600,000 67.9% 56 80.8% 40 16 2452 $900,000 Listing Discount (From Last List Price) 4.3% 1.6% 3.2% Total Inventory $600,000 16 $0 0 $800,000 20 $1,5000,000 $600,000 16 Days on Market (From Last List Date) 130 -50.6% 263 -25.3% 174 24 $900,000 Market (From 130 Months -50.6% 263 of Supply 9.0 3.7 $1,500,000 09 1.6% 10 -25.3% 11 12 174 14-8.2% 15 16 9.8 17143.2%18 19 Listing Discount (From Last Last List List Date) Price) 4.3% 3.2% $1,200,000 INVENTORY $800,000 2013 Single Family $800,000 20 8 Listing Inventory (Active) 27 $300,000 3.8% 26 22.7% 22 $800,000 20 $600,000 Discount (From Last List Price) 4.5% 5.9% 17.2% 16 Listing Discount (From Last List Price) 4.5% 5.9% 17.2% Total Inventory Average Square Feet (Closed) 1,388 -18.3% 1,698 -20.1% 1,738 $1,2000,000 $300,000 8 Listing Inventory (Active) 27 3.8% 26 22.7% 22 $300,000 $1,200,000 8 MEDIAN SA $600,000 0163.7 • Number of sales remained sharply $900,000 Months of $0 Supply 9.0 -8.2%15 9.8 143.2% 09 11 12 13 14 16 40 Inventory (Active) 10 56 40.0% 40 17 -9.7%18 19 0 62 $0 0 Listing Inventory (Active) 56 40.0% -9.7% 62 below year-ago levels $0 0 $0 Months of Supply 9.0 -8.2% 9.8 143.2% 3.7 $9,000,000 $0 $300,000 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1219 19 0 8 13 $1,5000,000 $900,000 10 17 11 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 09 16 16 17 18 Average Square Feet (Closed) -18.3% 1,698 -20.1% 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 1,738 Days on Market days 1,388 $600,000 $0 07.8 CONDO $300,000 $0 08 of Supply 16.8 136.6% 7.1 115.4% Months Supply 16.8 136.6% 115.4% 7.8 TIME MALIBU •MARKETING Price trend indicators showed mixed 09 (Closed) 10 11 12 13 MEDIAN 14 15 PRICE 167.1 17 18 19 19 1,738 Averageof Square Feet 1,388 -18.3% 1,698 -20.1% SALES NUMBER OF SALES 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 $6,000,000 $1,2000,000 Days on Market days $600,000 results as inventory declined $0 Feet Square Feet (Closed) (Closed) 2,383 -27.5% 3,288 -24.8% -24.8% 3,167 0 $300,000 Average Square 2,383 -27.5% 3,288 3,167 09 10 11 12 13 $1,500,000 14 15 16 17 18 19 0 $0 days 40 $3,000,000 $9,000,000 MALIBU CONDO 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 $300,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES days Single Family

1.8% 1.8% RD 0.0% 0.0% 2.7% 2.7% 1.9% 42 42 8.3% 9.7% 44 rply rply

mixed mixed

days

ed to ed to half ll by ll by half ty ty to ame ame to

7.9% 3.3% 5.4% 8 days

mixed mixed rate rate

ze ze

as as sales sales

ty ty

INVENTORY

$4,000,000 $3,200,000 $3,200,000 $4,000,000 Total Inventory $3,200,000 $2,400,000 $2,400,000 $3,200,000 $2,400,000 $1,600,000 $1,600,000 $2,400,000 Days on Market $1,600,000 $800,000 $800,000 $1,600,000

MARKETING TIME

$3,200,000

21.8% DASHBOARD

CONDO

PRICES SALES

INVENTORY

MARKETING TIME

21.8% 50.0% 22.7% 42

MALIBU CONDO MEDIAN SALES MALIBU CONDO CONDO MALIBU MEDIAN SALES PRICE PRICE $1,200,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE • Number of sales remained sharply $1,500,000 MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY PRICE $1,500,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE below year-ago levels $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $1,5000,000 $900,000 MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY $1,200,000 MEDIAN PRICE showed $1,5000,000 $1,5000,000 • Price SALES trend indicators mixed BEACH SINGLE FAMILY MALIBU $1,200,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE $1,200,000 $1,200,000 $1,2000,000 $600,000

50.0% 11.9% 22.7% 58.3% 42 9.7% 44

Condo

NUMBER OFSALES SALES SINGLE FAMILY CONDO NUMBER SALES NUMBER OFOF MALIBU BEACH NUMBER OF SALES • Price trend indicators continued to 32 40 show mixed results as sales fell by half NUMBEROFOFSALES SALES 40 NUMBER 40 40 35 PRICES 24 • Average Marketing time 32 NUMBER OF SALES Price perand Sq negotiability Ft 35 35 32 expanded as more inventory came to NUMBER OF SALES 32 32 28 16

77.9% SALES 133.3% INVENTORY 15.4% MARKETING TIMENUMBER OF SALES 8

results as inventory declined market $1,5000,000 35 24 $900,000 $1,2000,000 $1,2000,000 28 28 $1,5000,000 35 24 $900,000 24 $900,000 24 $900,000 $9,000,000 $300,000 821 Condo Closed Sales $1,2000,000 28 $600,000 16 $9,000,000 $9,000,000 21 21 $1,2000,000 28 $600,000 16 $600,000 16 16 $6,000,000 • $600,000 Price trend indicators continued to PREPARED BY MILLER SAMUEL REAL ESTATE $0 014 $9,000,000 $300,000 821 09 10 11 12 13 14 Appraisal 15 and Consulting 16 17 18 19 Services show mixed results as sales fell by half $6,000,000 $6,000,000 $9,000,000 14 14 $300,000 8 21 $300,000 $300,000 88 $3,000,000 7 Total Inventory $6,000,000 •$3,000,000 Marketing time and negotiability $0 014 $3,000,000 $6,000,000 7 7 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 $0 014industry standard for providing the state of the residential The Douglas$0Elliman Report series is recognized as 0the expanded more inventory came 12 to $0 $0 as 0 09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 0 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 09 10 11 12 13 real estate 14 market.

15 The 16 10includes 17 11an18 18 19 $3,000,000 report extensive suite to help readers objectively identify and 09 16 12 15 16 17 18 measure 19 7 13of tools14 market $3,000,000 MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY $0 0 $0 MEDIAN SALES PRICE 70 Dayscomprehensive on Market days trends, provide historical to18 current analysis of the results.

09 12 16 17 19 09Report10 10 11 12as the 13 13market14 14 15 16 thecontext 17 18 19information and provide The Douglas$0Elliman series is11 recognized industry standard15 for providing state of the residential 0 $1,5000,000 The Douglas Elliman series is 11 recognized industry standard for providing state of the 35 real estate market.

The report10 includes an extensive suite13 of tools to help readers objectively identify and measure $0 09Report 12as the 14 15 16 the17 18 residential 19 0 Report Methodology: Miller Inc. MALIBU FAMILY real estate market.

The report10 includes suite13of SINGLE toolsand to help readers objectively identify and measure MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES 09 Samuel 11antoextensive 12BEACH 14 15 comprehensive 16 17 18 19 Single Family market trends, provide historical context current information provide analysis of the results.

MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY PREPARED

BY MILLER SAMUEL REAL ESTATE context MALIBU BEACH CONDO NUMBER OF SALES MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY $1,2000,000 MALIBU BEACH SINGLE FAMILY MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OFmixed SALES 28 market trends, provide historical to current information and provide comprehensive analysis ofOF theSALES results.

MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER PRICE NUMBER OF SALES • Price trend indicators showed Appraisal and Consulting Services $1,5000,000 Malibu Beach Market Matrix (Condo) 35 Q1–2019 %∆ ( qtr ) %∆ ( yr Beach Market Matrix (Condo)MALIBU Q1–2019 %∆ ( qtr) Q4–2018 Q4–2018 %∆ ( yr) ) Q1–2018 Q1–2018 BEACH CONDO results as sales fell at a faster rate MALIBU BEACH CONDO MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER PRICE NUMBEROFOFSALES SALES $1,5000,000 35 25 $3,500,000 $1,5000,000 $9,000,000 $1,5000,000 35 35 inventory Average Sales $1,618,707 -5.0% $1,703,750 61.3% $1,003,333 Sales Price Price $1,618,707 -5.0% $1,703,750 61.3% Beach $1,003,333 The First Quarter of 2019 Elliman Report For Malibu/Malibu Sales have drawn to a close.than This report is recognized as the industry21 MALIBU BEACH CONDO $1,2000,000 MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES 28 25 $3,500,000 25 offers a glimpse $3,500,000 MALIBU BEACH CONDO • The decline average sales size $1,2000,000 Average Price per Sq $1,537 6.0% 77.9% $864 20 $2,800,000 standard for providing the state of the$1,450 residential real estate market.

The report at the currentinmarket trends and provides MEDIAN SALES NUMBER OF SALES 28 Price perPRICE Sq Ft Ft $1,537 6.0% $1,450 77.9% $864 $1,2000,000 $6,000,000 28 $1,2000,000 28 14 a skewed priceand trends higher as 25 $3,500,000 $9,000,000 historical context to current information and analysis.

The following are my thoughts on the report’s findings how you can be affected.

Median Sales Price $1,220,000 -17.1% $1,472,500 28.4% $950,000 21 Sales Price $1,220,000 -17.1% $1,472,500 28.4% $950,000 20 $2,800,000 20 $2,800,000 time tightened 25 $3,500,000 $9,000,000 15 $9,000,000 21a moment for thosemarketing $3,000,000 $9,000,000 21 However, before I$2,100,000 give you my thoughts on 6the market, I would like to take that lost their homes in the Woolsey Fire.

7 My 21 Number of Sales (Closed) 7 16.7% 133.3% 33 of Sales (Closed) 7 16.7% 6 133.3% 20 $2,800,000 $6,000,000 Condo 14 $2,100,000 prayers continue today, and my heart goes out to the community and people impacted.

I love Malibu and the residents here.

15 $2,100,000 15 20 $2,800,000 10 $6,000,000 Days on Market 79 -15.1% 93 11.3% 71 $6,000,000 14 Market (From (From Last Last List List Date) Date) 79 $1,400,000 -15.1% 93 11.3% 71 $6,000,000 14 • Price trend indicators surged as sales $0 0 14 #MALIBUSTRONG $2,100,000 15 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 $3,000,000 expanded Listing Discount (From Last List Price) 9.1% 1.8% 0.5% $1,400,000 7 10 Discount (From Last List Price) 9.1% 1.8% 0.5% $1,400,000 10 $2,100,000 15 $700,000 5 $3,000,000 7 $3,000,000 77 • Marketing time and negotiability Listing Inventory -8.3% 12 13 MALIBU11 Inventory (Active) (Active) 11 -8.3% 12 -15.4% -15.4% 13 $1,400,000 10 $0 $700,000 510 05 $700,000 $1,400,000 The sales price Family has taken hit13.0 Woolseyexpanded Fire. The number of closed sales dropped $0 15 Single16 0 Months of Supply 4.7 -21.7% 6.0 -63.8% of$0 Supply09 4.7 -21.7% 6.010 Homes -63.8% 13.0 0 13 of the 10 11 12median 13 14for Malibu 17 18 12a19 0because $0 0 09 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 $700,000 5 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 by 53.1%, with 49 in Q1 2018 to 23 in Q1 2019.

This drove down the average price per sq ft by -7.4% and reducing inventory by -13% year09 (Closed) 10 11 12 1,053 13 MEDIAN 14 SALES 15 PRICE 16 17 18 19 BEACH CONDO Average Square Feet -10.4% 1,175 -9.3% 1,161 NUMBER OF SALES Square Feet (Closed) 1,053 -10.4% 1,175 -9.3%MALIBU 1,161 $700,000 $0 050 $0 over-year.

Condo market analysis is where I see a mix of numbers.

18 closed transaction in Q1 of 2018 compared to only 9 in 2019.

Down 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 25 $3,500,000 $0 0 50%, Although,18the median 09 10 11 12 but the 13price per 14sq ft is up 15by 21.8% 16in 2019.17 19 0 sales price is down by -28.7%. $0 BEACH CONDO 11 MALIBU 12 13 14 15 16 17NUMBER 18 OF19 MEDIAN SALES 09 PRICE 10 SALES 20 $2,800,000 MALIBU BEACH BEACH CONDO MALIBU CONDO MEDIAN SALES PRICE NUMBER OF SALES

MEDIAN SALES PRICE PRICE

MALIBUBEACH BEACH CONDO MALIBU

NUMBER NUMBEROFOFSALES SALES

$0 $6,000,000 $0 $0

$3,000,000

TheMEDIAN Douglas$0 SAE Malibu real estateBea mar MEDIAN SA MEDIAN SA $1,5000,000 market trends, Average Sale $3,500,000 $1,5000,000 Average Pric

$1,2000,000 Median Sale $2,800,000 $1,2000,000 MEDIAN SA $9,000,000 Number of S $2,100,000 $3,500,000 $9,000,000 Days on Mar $6,000,000

Listing Disco $1,400,000 $2,800,000 $6,000,000 $3,000,000 Listing Inven $2,100,000 $700,000 $3,000,000 Months of $0 S $1,400,000 Average Squ $0 $0

$700,000

MEDIAN $0 SA MEDIAN SA $3,500,000

$3,500,000 $2,800,000

$2,800,000 $2,100,000

$2,100,000 $1,400,000

$1,400,000 $700,000

$700,000 $0

$0

25 Single Family Home closed transactions dropped by 58.3%, with $3,500,000 In Malibu Beach, we again see some mixed numbers year-over-year for Q1. $2,100,000 25 25 $3,500,000 Miller Samuel Real 15 Estate For more information Douglas Elliman $3,500,000 24 in Q1 2018 to 10 in Q1 2019. This also dropped average price per sq25 ft by -11.9% andReal inventory Condo market analysis jmiller@millersamuel.c & Consultants Estatedipped to -9.7%.Appraisers 20 $2,800,000 21 West 38th Street 150 S. El Camino Drive 575 MADISON AVENUE, NY, N 10 beach side was not$1,400,000 affected and has huge numbers year-over-year. Closed up 133% from 3 to 7 year-over-year.

The10018 average 20transactions areBeverly $2,800,000 20 THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEV New York, NY Hills, CA 90212 20 $2,800,000 INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED Realtor© 212.768.8100 310.595.3888 ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPER sq ft was up 77.9% and the median sales price rose by 28.4%. $2,100,000 15 OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL E millersamuel.com 5 elliman.com $700,000 15 $2,100,000 15 $2,100,000 15 M: 310.401.0901 $1,400,000 10 The market is always correct$0 for someone. It is my job to see if it is correct10 for you. The market is only as strong as the buyer is willing to pay.

James.Weekley@elliman.com $1,400,000 10 0 $1,400,000 09 to buy10 14 15 16 17 18 19 The rates are currently low so I am ready or sell for11you. 12 1013 $700,000 5 JamesWeekley.com $700,000 5 55 $700,000 DRE# 01996821 It is not about me, it is about you! $0 0 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 00 $0 0 $0 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 09CA 90212. 310.595.3888 10 11DOUGLAS ELLIMAN 12 REAL ESTATE. 13ALL MATERIAL14 15 IS INTENDED 16FOR INFORMATION 17 PURPOSES18 19 THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES 150 EL CAMINO DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, © 2019 PRESENTED HEREIN ONLY. WHILE,

JAMES WEEKLEY

OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK SHOOTINGS

SECOND LASD Officer involved in Suit Against Department Claiming Retaliation Two officers from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department filed claims recently against LASD for “retaliation” related to their actions in the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case.

Lt. Jim Royal, whose claim made headlines last month, says the actions of the department are directly associated with his requests made to a high ranking officer to warn the public about a series of shootings in and around the area of Malibu Creek State Park in early 2017.

Sargeant Tui Wright, the former head of Malibu Search Rescue Team at Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department, was the second officer to file a claim against LASD for “retaliation” associated with the the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case, naming former Sheriff Jim McDonnell in his complaint.

Both complaints were received by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Claims Office on Thursday, June 6th.

Royal’s claims against LASD were circulated by local and national news media, in a seemingly high powered PR move which also primes him to be a star witness in the $90 million dollar lawsuit filed by Tristan Beaudette’s widow, Erica Wu against LASD and the state.

The night Beaudette was discovered murdered, The Local Malibu posted a warning on our Facebook page that a Tesla was shot in the hood 4 days before Beaudette was found dead, at approximately the same time as the murder, just outside the Malibu Creek State Park, The next day, victims of previous shootings told their harrowing stories on our Facebook thread, and the cover-up by law enforcement and State Parks was exposed.

Upon reviewing the documents filed by the officers, and conferring with sources inside law enforcement, it is clear the claims made by Royal and Wright are more of a result of a power play, and the militaristic rank and file gone rogue at LASD, rather than retaliation for their attempts to warn the public of the shootings that spanned over a two year time period.

Royal and Sgt. Wright are collateral damage resulting from the $90 million suit, and the targets in a macho pissing contest which largely has to do with the corruption throughout the department under former Sheriff Jim McDonell.

In fact, last May, shortly before Beaudette’s murder, McDonnell sent out this inner department memo warning LASD staff not to release sensitve information. McDonnell was in heavy campaign mode, and wanted to make sure nothing stood in the way of his political wheels being greased.

LEFT: Inner department memo distributed at LASD headquarters May 28th, 2018.

Lt. Royal maintained his rank and overtime benefits throughout the shootings, and after his interactions with Chief Benedict where he requested to release information about the shootings and was subsequently “shut down” by Benedict.

Incidentally, Chief Benedict, who has since taken early retirement, attended the “Public Safety Meeting” regarding the shootings, hosted by Senator Henry Stern, regarding the shootings on August 19th, 2018. Benedict sat in the front row, in plain clothes, overseeing Lt. Royal and making sure he stayed on script as he fielded questions from the press and concerned community members.

Lt. Royal did in fact stay on script, and continued to do so right until his attorney filed the claim against the department, six months after being demoted, tranferred, and the subject of internal affairs investigations. Sources tell us Royal is also the subject of a second investigation involving his actions during the Woolsey Fire.

“What we did was not as bad as what they did.”

A little over a month after Wu filed the lawsuit triggering the Internal Affairs investigations of Sgt. Wright and Lt Royal, Wright sent out an email to his “troops” at Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department announcing that he, and Lt. Royal were under investigation. His email explained the process was “administrative only and not criminal”.

After the Internal Investigations and transfers were leaked, I communicated with one of the officers involved who stated the Internal Investigations specifically involved the day Rauda was arrested, and went on to say “What we did was not as bad as what they did.” referring to the actions of Detectives at LASD Headquarters.

He refused to go into further detail in light of the ongoing investigation.

However, according to Wright’s claim, he “uncovered important evidence against Rauda” and was retaliated against for disclosing that information. Similarly, Royal claims he is being retaliated for “conducting his own investigation” in the shootings, which his lawyer patently denies.

These claims further substantiate the back stabbing behavior at LASD, exposing even more aspects of the dark side of law enforcement which has been a problem for decades. Under former Sheriff McDonnell, and his enabling of this corrosive environment, it created the lowest morale in the history of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

With lawsuits pending, the knives continue to fly at LASD headquarters - especially in the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings case. It seems at least two of those knives landed in the backs of Lt.Royal and Sgt. Wright.

The Local Malibu’s exposure of the law enforcement cover-up and in-depth reporting of the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings has led to global exposure for our reporting in the last year, including this feature in GQ magazine which we contributed to and made a healthy cameo in.

MALIBU SPIRIT 26 ft. TINY HOME

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Hand crafted with love right here in Malibu.

The Malibu Spirit is built on a 26 ft. trailer bed, and features a full view, glass garage door, and aluminum frame windows.

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For more information contact Dana Schweiger at dana@schweigeroffice.com

CITY

WHILE WOOLSEY FIRe vICTIMS STRUGGLE TO GET REBUILD PERMITS

City Gives Concessions to Developers Causing Planning Commissioner to Call Out Corruption at City Hall

By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief

While burn-out victims are tangled in red tape going through the permit process at City Hall, who has issued little more than 5 permits to date to Woolsey Fire victims. It seems City staff doesn’t seem to be struggling with facilitating the needs of developers even though the outside firm hired to process plans for fire victims is three months behind according to residents involved.

Developer Steve Soboroff was allowed to occupy, and open, Whole Foods in the Park without meeting the conditions of the Coastal Development Permit, violating the community’s right to review and appeal the Temporary Use Permit Soboroff’s Project applied for. The TUP was for their grand opening event, none of which should have been allowed to take place according to Malibu Municipal Code.

But you know, it’s all in who you know at City Hall.

The “back door” seems to be open for developers, but if you’re a Woolsey Fire victim, get to the back of the line. Thankfully one appointed City official is speaking out.

On June 17th, Planning Commissioner Steve Uhring sent shock waves through City Hall when he went on record at the Planning Commission meeting to call out the blatant “textbook definition of corruption” and favoritism displayed by City staff and assistant City Attorney Trevor Rusin for the intentional mishandling of the permit.

Request for TUP permit was filed by the Whole Foods in the Park Project, and on June 6th, City staff approved the TUP, completely ignoring the Malibu City Municipal code requirement that the permit be issued 24 days before the event to allow for notice and appeals.

Developer Steve Soboroff was also given a certificate of occupancy without completing the conditions required by his conditional development permit.

Uhring, using his right as a (longtime) resident, appealed the permit at 8:45 a.m. on the 7th, the morning after the permit was issued. It was illegally denied that same day by Assistant City Attorney Rusin who called Uhring at 4:35 p.m.

Uhring received the “reasons” for denial from assistant City Attorney Rusin in writing, the subsequent Friday – after the event.

Uhring’s speech at the Planning Commission meeting blasted City staff and the city attorney’s actions with Rusin responding by cautioning Uhring, on record, not to divulge the contents of the email Rusin sent to Uhring (with the reasons for the rejection of his appeal) citing “attorney-client privilege”.

Uhring answered:

“You are not my attorney, and I am not your client. If you were, I would have fired you for sending me this”.

Uhring went though the email sent to him by the assistant City Attorney Rusin detailing (in black) each bogus “reason” for the rejection of the illegally denied appeal:

Uhring continued with his speech: “City staff wanted to do a favor for a developer so they ignored Malibu Municipal Code and issued a temporary use permit 2 days before the event, when it’s supposed to be 24 (days).

Then they (City staff), went to the Assistant City Attorney and had him concoct a series of lies to try and either cover it up or justify it.

CITY “That, in my opinion, is the textbook definition of corruption”.

Uhring continues “You (City staff) ignored the rules, and then had your City Attorney lie about it, now they gave a developer a gift, at the same time screwed over residents.

They took away our right to receive proper noticing for the permit, the residents right to appeal the permit. They took away our right to receive honest answers from individuals in this building, who are supposed to representing us (the community) – and it’s not the first time.

So why do we have people in this building including the City attorney who lie to us? Because no one is holding them accountable.

If we don’t make an effort to to change that, the lies and corruption will continue.”

In 2015, the Whole Foods in the Park Project was the first development project the community was able to vote on after slow growth and preservation activists were successful in passing Measure R, designed to limit chain stores and over-development in Malibu.

The biggest issues for the community with this particular project was the bogus traffic study performed by the City, with intent of covering the true impact of the project on the Civic Center area. The City’s Environmental Impact Report stated that “traffic hadn’t increased in 25 years” and “ the area wouldn’t be further impacted by the project” which is located directly in front of a residential community with small, single lane streets and inadequate parking.

After reviewing all the pros and cons regarding this project, and the benefits to this community, voters decided 6040 against the Whole Foods in the Park project.

Developer Steve Soboroff (and LAPD Police Comissioner) went to court and successfully lobbied, winning his right in a court system filled with his cronies, against the will of the voters who went to ballot. Soboroff successfully overturned Measure R with the judge ruling it was “unconstitutional” and that Measure R gave more power to residents over developers.

Slow growth and preservation activists went back to the drawing board again, tried to establish a Retail Formula Ordinance based on the same ordinances passed in other rural coastal communities such as Carmel, that have been successfully remained in effect.

On February 26, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 431 to regulate formula retail establishments citywide. The second reading of the Ordinance occurred on March 12, 2018. The Ordinance, a weaker version of Measure R, went into effect on June 1, 2018. “The ordinance only applies to shopping centers more than 10,000 square feet.

New tenants will need a Planning Clearance” per the City of Malibu website.

The City has not provided the Planning Commission with any evidence the Whole Foods in the Park Project has met any of the conditions of the Coastal Development Permit and allowed them to open anyway.

Many compromises and concessions have been made in the Whole Foods in the Park Project while Woolsey burnout victims fight tooth and nail to obtain permits to rebuild, renovate and/or occupy burnt-out structure.

While residents enjoy the new grocery store in town, you must remember this project comes at the cost of this community’s right to due process and further supports the corrupt dealings at City Hall.

If you can sleep at night knowing that, then enjoy the fresh fish section and $8 asparagus water..

MALIBU TIMES AWARDED LEGAL NOTICES CONTRACT

AT HIGHER RATE DESPITE NO INTEREST LOAN STILL OUSTANDING ACCORDING TO CITY RECORDS. The Malibu Times (not surprisingly) did not cover Uhring’s speech and the uncovering of blatant corruption by City Staff and the city attorney. Instead, they are supporting the city’s corrupt behavior in favor of securing the legal notices contract which was transferred back to the The Malibu Times at recommendation of the City Manager at the June 24th, City Council meeting. In fact, the City plans to spend more money to transfer the legal notices contract back to The Malibu Times, who continues to push the city’s agenda and bidding.

The City is also attempting to favor their relationship with publisher Arnold and Karen York and The Malibu Times as they not only hand him the legal notices contract costing taxpayers more money, they continue to ignore an interest free loan (now a lien) against York’s property that continues to go unpaid.

City manager Reva Feldman has gone on record to discuss the City’s losses after the Woolsey Fire complained yet the City has made no efforts to collect on this outstanding loan.

Planning commissioner Uhring inquired about the outstanding loan of $29,000 dating back to 2011.

City Manager Feldman did not respond to Uhring’s questions regarding the current status of the loan.

More information regarding York’s outstaning loan and City documents on thelocalmalibu.com

RECALL

BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS ROCK CITY HALL Recall INITIATIVE Center of Controversy

By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief AND DR. AMORA RACHELLE, J.D., Ph.D, M.D.R., ONE PEACE AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER

Complaints of alleged bribery allegations involving City Manager Reva Feldman and council member Skylar Peak are now in the hands of government officials after emails were received by our publication shortly after the Letter of Intent to Recall was served on council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen at a February City Council meeting.

The alleged bribe(s), along with other alleged illegal activities by City officials, severely compromised voters rights to the recall process and violated California State elections codes.

On February 11, 2019, at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the Letter of Intent to Recall Council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen was served upon each of them, individually, for refusing to follow through on campaign promises to clean house at City Hall and conduct themselves in a legal and ethical manner as a council member.

The lack of leadership by the City to provide a comprehensive evacuation plan during the Woolsey Fire was criminal, as was the act of denying critical emergency relief to residents who stayed behind. Additionally, city hall was abandoned for 3 weeks and leaving residents without vital emergency information during the fire.

City officials continued to abuse their power by using resources for their own advantage, while refusing the same resources to residents, and was documented in the L.A. Times article regarding L.A. City Fire’s after action report.

Complaints of alleged bribery allegations involving City Manager Reva Feldman and council member Skylar Peak are now in the hands of government officials after emails were received by our publication shortly after the Letter of Intent to Recall was served on council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen at a February City Council meeting.

The alleged bribe(s), along with other alleged illegal activities by City officials, severely compromised voters rights to the recall process and violated California State elections codes.

On February 11, 2019, at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the Letter of Intent to Recall Council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen was served upon each of them, individually, for refusing to follow through on campaign promises to clean house at City Hall and conduct themselves in a legal and ethical manner as a council member.

The lack of leadership by the City to provide a comprehensive evacuation plan during the Woolsey Fire was criminal, as was the act of denying critical emergency relief to residents who stayed behind. Additionally, city hall was abandoned for 3 weeks and leaving residents without vital emergency information during the fire.

City officials continued to abuse their power by using resources for their own advantage, while refusing the same resources to residents, and was documented in the L.A. Times article regarding L.A. City Fire’s after action report.

Voters were left with no option other than to initiate the recall process as the deteriorated relationship between the community and the City hit its peak after the disaster. There were no options left, and no resolution in sight.

The final recall petitions were approved by the city on March 22, and March 25th, 2019, after the City was threatened with a lawsuit for obstructing justice for their delay tactics.

ALLEGED BRIBERY/PAYMENT FOR VOTING ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL

RECALL On February 16th, as one of the organizers, I received an email from a proponent who signed the Letter of Intent asking to remove his name from the recall after “long talks with Skylar and Reva�, who in turn promised to officially support the proponent’s project (they previously rejected before the recall process began), in exchange for withdrawing his name and support from the recall.

Below are the first emails obtained by The Local Malibu only days after serving Council members Peak and Mullen.

On March 26th, over a month later, I communicated with the proponent to see if progress was made with his project. (Photos 2-4)

PREVIOUS PAGE (BOTTOM) and LEFT: Email conversations with a proponent who was bribed by council member Peak and City Manager Feldman to push through his project in exchange for withdrawinf from the recall efforts against Peak and Mullen.

The project, costing $2.2 million dollars in public and private funding, was immediately calendared on the City agenda after the agreement was made by both parties, and has moved forward with support of the City, at the request of council member Skylar Peak.

And now the alleged potential misappropriation of funds of tax payer dollars could impact much needed city improvements, and/or even emergency resources needed in a future disaster.

Shortly after the first 5-0 vote supporting the project went on record, council member Rick Mullen enlisted his personal resources to assist in furthering the project. In other words, the two council members currently being recalled, and the City Manager, were all three allegedly actively engaged in pushing forward a bribe directly with the intention of undermining with the recall election.

The Local Malibu is awaiting comment from law enforcement agencies regarding an update on the complaints filed by the proponents as well as a comment from the City Attorney regarding the bribery allegations.

For more up to date information please visit our website. thelocalmalibu.com

RECALL INTEGRITY OF INTEGRITY DIVISION AT D.A. OFFICE IN QUESTION

By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief AND DR. AMORA RACHELLE, J.D., Ph.D, M.D.R., ONE PEACE AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER Shortly after the Letter of Intent to Recall was served upon City Council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen, recall organizers became aware of serious illegal conduct by City Officials.

Representatives of the recall initiative collected supporting evidence, and subsequently filed criminal complaints with multiple law enforcement agencies including the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office where they were directed to D.A. Alan Yochelson, the head of the Public Integrity Divison.

From the on-set, the communication between recall representatives and D.A. Yochelson produced unsettling, and biased reactions. Signs of partisan behavior which was almost as troubling as the criminal complaints recall representatives were filing.

Yochelson’s demeanor with organizers showed he wasn’t especially interested in any transgressions committed by city officials, as if they were somehow immune to prosecution (he was however interested in the extortion of a burn victim by a City inspector).

Already aware of the recall efforts in Malibu, Yochelson went to unusual lengths to deter recall representatives from filing a formal complaint, without knowing the evidence representatives were in possession of, boldly stated the complaints “won’t help you get a leg up on the recall”. Complaints were filed in good faith, and Yochelson’s biased and inapproriate comments lead to contacting Lacey directly.

As if it wasn’t disturbing enough to discover how city officials corrupted the recall process, D.A. Yochelson also added salt to the proverbial political wound by adding an anecdote regarding how another city also went through the recall process, and that he felt it was a “good thing” the efforts were not successful. The recall he spoke of was brought in bad faith and unlike the recall of council members Peak and Mullen, which was filed due to negligent conduct and abuse of power.

The statements made by Yochelson were unsolicited and the exact opposite reaction expected from the Public Integrit Division given D.A. Lacey is currently campaigning for re-election in 2020.

In the cover letter to D.A. Lacey sent by representatives of the recall, Lacey was informed of the bias displayed by Yochelson and reminded of the high profile raids on Mayor Jefferson Wagner’s homes and business last year, just days after voting against the renewal of City Manager Reva Feldman’s contract for a second time.

The raids were a complete waste of resources, and executed only to politically harass Wagner. The actions of the D.A.’s office have been traced back to City Manager Reva Feldman, who has close ties to Antonio Villaraigosa.

Villaraigoasa, as we have learned, also has close ties to DA Lacey and supported her last campaign.

Wagner was the sole vote against the renewal of Feldman’s contract in 2017, despite the personal efforts made by Antonio Villaraigosa to keep his “niece” employed at City Hall.

Villaraigosa personally reached out to each newly elected council members (Peak, Mullen and Wagner) after the 2016 election.

In the D.A. complaint against Wagner last year, filed “anonymously”, claims were made regarding Wagener’s “residency”.

Wagner owned a home 400 ft outside of the City limits where he serves on City Council, as well as a family property in the Civic Center, which qualified him to run for City Council in 2016.

Wagner, a Malibu icon, has also owned a business inside the City limits for over 4 decades and served a previous term on Council without issue.

ABOVE: Cover letter sent to District Attorney Jackie Lacey along with complaints filed by proponents and residents. Additional evidence is being collected and sent to multiple law enforcement agencies.

It wasn’t until Wagner was re-elected and the uncovering of inconsistencies and corruption involving Feldman that he became the target of political harassment.

.

More than 13 months later, there is still no resolution to the “anonymous” complaint filed against Wagner, and the political harassment continues with the D.A. dangling the complaint over Wagner’s head. This is in spite of a new law that went into effect last year regarding residence requirements when running for office, and incidentally the residence in question, Wagner’s home in Latigo Canyon, was destroyed in the Woolsey Fire.

RECALL The recent communication with the D.A.’s office is demonstrating the allegations to have standing, and Malibu voters expect D.A. Lacey’s office to bring justice to the community.

Recall organizers will continue to collect additional evidence supporting the complaints filed with mutliple law enforcement agencies, including the attorney general, who oversees the D.A.’s office, as well as seek legal remedies against the City of Malibu for the corruption of the recall and voters right to due process. *Any information to add to this complaint or want to include a statement, please contact recall organizers at dramora@me.com

LEFT: The Local Malibu broke the story of the D.A. Raid on Wagner’s home May 31, 2018. RIGHT: Feldman’s close ties to Antonio Villaraigosa in a “family”photo at an event.

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RECALL

WOOLSEY AFTERMATH:

HIPPA Law Violations Among Concerns Associated By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief RACHELLE, with Voter Intimidation in RECALL Efforts ONE PEACE ANDAMORA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER AND

There is no question the lack of leadership by City officials during the Woolsey Fire was instrumental in the initiation of recall efforts by community activists to unseat City council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen.

The complete disregard for the safety of residents, put in jeopardy multiple times during the disaster, including a failed evacuation plan and refusal to provide critical disaster relief, were among the monumental failures by City leaders before, during, and after the Woolsey Fire.

On November 9th, the poorly executed evacuation resulted in a traffic jam on PCH, with cars crawling at a snail’s pace, put many lives at risk as the Woolsey Fire barreled toward the coast. The fire at approximately 14 miles long, with wind gusts that hit up to 70 plus miles per hour, raged over the canyons toward PCH.

A member of LACOFD (stationed at Bluffs Park during the mandatory evacuations) was flabbergasted by the sequence of events that led to the 5 1/2 hour gridlock as panicked residents fled the fire zone.

With complete amazement, he said “we’re lucky we didn’t have another Paradise on our hands”.

While residents were in a state of shock and desperate for information, there was absolutely no communication from the City.

Complete silence.

No information was dispersed by officials to guide residents during this critical time.

Once community members realized they were abandoned by the City, our publication who was boots on the ground reporting during the fire, along with residents, strategized and organized vital, up to the minute updates, and facilitated disaster assistance (as members of the press free to cross barricades with our press credentials) to those in need, in the days and weeks in the aftermath of the fire.

Meanwhile, City leaders continued to deny emergency relief, including food, water medicine, and basic survival necessities. There was a complete breakdown in leadership control, resulting in City Hall closing for 3 weeks.

Furthermore, city officials abused their power by using resources for their own advantage, refusing to give help to residents, and interfering with disaster relief.

Council member Peak went on local news stations to caution residents not to access Malibu by boats with disaster supplies, at which time the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department stopped relief boats in the ocean just off shore at multiple locations.

The new Sheriff of L.A. County, Alex Villanueva, who was sworn in after the fire spoke at a recent The Local Malibu received over a million hits, all organic, across all Town Hall on May 22nd. When the Sheriff was asked by a resident about the incidents in the of our platforms during the fire. water involving LASD if the same protocol would in place during the next disaster, the Sheriff “That should have never happened, and it won’t be answered:

happen again”.- Sheriff Villanueva

Shortly after the Woolsey Fire, a petition was created by residents demanding the removal of the City Manager Reva Feldman and Public Safety Manager Susan Duenas. The petition, signed by more than 4000 residents and supporters was presented to City officials, along with public comment at multiple council meetings. Additionally, Council was inundated with emails from enraged community members supporting the dismissal of City Manager Feldman.

Council members Peak and Mullen ignored the appeals made by residents to replace Feldman, who runs City Hall dictator-style, doing whatever she wants, with absolutely no oversight from City Council.

With no options left and no resolution in sight, voters initiated the recall process as the deteriorated relationship between the community and the City, hit its peak after the disaster.

Voter Intimidation and Harassment by City officials… including a family member!

On February 11th, 2019 council members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen were served with the Letter of Intent to Recall.

Unwilling to accept the will of the voters who signed the Letter of Intent to Recall, council member Rick Mullen, immediately after being served, personally took it upon himself to make unsolicited visits to the proponents’ residences, some as late as 10 p.m. Mullen questioned most proponents in an intimidating manner, regarding why they signed the Letter of Intent to Recall.

Additionally, Mullen’s wife, a dental hygienist, used the patient database at her employer’s dental office, violating HIPPA laws and breaking patient confidentiality. Mullen’s wife contacted proponents she did not know personally, in order to question and intimidate them.

One of the proponents reported these actions to recall organizers and quoted Mullen’s wife as saying: “Do you have any idea what you signed?”

Mullen and his wife, displayed such disturbing, inappropriate, and aggressive behavior demanding to know why proponents were recalling Council member Mullen, that it pushed some victims to take additional precautions against future interaction in the future.

RECALL RIGHT: Declaration of one of the proponents regarding voter intimidation by council member Rick Mullen.

Council member Peak also displayed similar conduct when he approached a resident who was vocal online regarding the firefighters lack of reponse during the Woolsey Fire. Peak approached him at a well known Malibu venue and said “Firefighters are really mad and I better watch out.”

This behavior from a public official is absolutely unacceptable, and it isn’t the first time we have heard reports of intimidation and inappropriate behavior from Peak.

These acts of voter intimidation are illegal and caused fear, uneasiness. and in some cases, panic in the proponents of the recall efforts.

State elections codes states the following: “Every person who makes use of or threatens to make use of any force, violence, or tactic of coercion or intimidation, to induce or compel any other person to vote or refrain from voting at any election …is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment pursuant to Section 1170(h) of the Penal Code for 16 months or two or three years. (§ 18540(a)” Many burn-out victims of the Woolsey Fire expressed desire to sign the recall petition, however, were afraid of their permits being denied, and/or their businesses being impacted, as well as other possible revenge by the city council members and specifically city manager Feldman.

As if Woolsey burn-out victims aren’t suffering enough, those who expressed their frustration and spoke out on social media were subject of intimidation from City Manager Feldman. The City heavily monitored chatter on all platforms post Woolsey, noting residents who were critical of the City and their performance during the disaster.

One resident reported to recall organizers that City Manager Feldman told him directly, “If you go against us, we will make it harder for you.”

A whistle blower inside the City also reported “Feldman manipulates the order and the granting of permit applications subjectively, based on who she likes and dislikes.” and residents are aware of, and intimidated by this process, all of which interfered with recall efforts.

Declarations from the victims who experienced this intimidation, and who were brave enough to speak up, are now in the hands of law enforcement agencies.

The Hollywood Reporter mentioned The Local, and our roll in the Recall (highlighted in yellow), in the article “A Chance to Start Over”: How Malibu Has Embraced “Optimism” After Devastating Fire” June 19th issue. The article is also available online.

SCHOOLS

MEASURE M

Parents to SMMUD: “Show me the (Bond) Money!

By CECE WOODS, Editor in chief AND AMORA RACHELLE, ONE PEACE AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER

SIX MONTHS POST MEASURE M FUNDING: Where is the $195 Million Bond Malibu Residents and School Families Were Convinced to Vote Yes On & District Should Fiscally Account for Our Decreasing Enrollment Due to Their Negligent Decision Making?

Not to long ago, Board Member Craig Foster, Mayor Pro-Tem Member Karen Farrer, and Superintendent Ben Drati spoke at each of the Malibu schools and managed to get the $195 Million Dollar Bond to pass with 5382 votes supporting Measure M and 2194 against it in November of 2019. Just six months after the bond passed, there are already discussions that the bond might not be enough to finish Malibu High and Malibu Middle School. You have to ask yourself where is the money going when programs are being folded, the district can’t seem to replace the MHS and MMS Athletic Director Chris Neier with a trained athletic director that actually wants to do right by our youth, and athletes are forced to workout in a petrie dish at the high school. Why is there not enough money in Malibu to hire the best teachers on our property tax dollars? How is $195 Million not enough to upgrade our schools to 21 Century campuses and learning environments?

Mayor pro-tem Farrer used important education issues in her political platform to gain the trust and votes of residence in her 2018 campaign for city council. As a prior PTA board member for several years, Farrer has intimate knowledge of the needs of the school, especially at the high school because her youngest child recently graduated.

To date, mayor pro-temFarrer has not made any progress on educational issues. In fact, construction began when she was on the board more than 5 years ago, and there has not been much change since, other than millions of dollars literally disappearing. It was under Farrer’s watch that the first bond was passed that was supposed to come to Malibu High School to rebuild our school, but that money somehow was diverted to Santa Monica High School, to build a multi million dollar state of the art gym, while Malibu High School students workout in a health hazard zone, swim in an over chlorinated pool due to a dysfunctional filter system, and recently allowed Chris Neier, The Athletic Director that parents and students have complained about for years, to fold a thriving football program, among other neglectful acts that cause harm to our youth.

Why does this matter?

Students are leaving MHS to go to other schools to play sports. Parents are choosing other middle schools instead of sending their students to a construction zone. Elementary school families are considering alternatives because of the ongoing failed promises, school crisis and overall poor climate in schools, including lack of programs, poor staffing, refusal to implement innovative philosophies such as restorative justice and effective bullying initiatives to managing the ongoing conflicts between peers, parents, and staff.

Less students lead to less funding. Less funding leads to less finances available to fund our programs and teachers. As a result, families and youth are suffering from long drives, decreased social groups, increased costs associated with education and extra curricular activities, and possibly decreased future opportunities as a result of our Malibu High school dropped about 100 spots in the ranking of high schools across California.

Mayor Pro-Tem Karen Farrer’s campaign pushed her influence with the school district.

Farrer is aware of the decline and the issues at school. She did not support the division of MHS and MMS, stating at a PTA board meeting in 2017 that “ parents should get over it and it is not a big deal that 10 years olds share bathrooms and halls with 18 year olds.” She lashed out at any PTA board member that did not agree with her. She hand picked future PTA board members to ensure her personal agenda was met. All along, she knew the bond money did not come to MHS and did not do anything about it. Then she convinced us to pass another bond, along with Craig Foster in 2018 and all the promises of a better educational future are being broken and schools compromised yet again. Programs are being shut down from the preschool level to high school level.

Numbers are decreasing and construction is not moving forward as promised.

FOLDED PROGRAMS WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MERGER CraigFoster said “merging Juan Cabrillo and Pt. Dume Elementary School will lead to more money available for programs for our kids, because there will be one campus and more students.” However just this week,

SCHOOLS Superintendent Ben Drati of Santa Monica Malibu School District informed parents that “There will not be a TK program at the Pt. Dume Campus,” now called Malibu Elementary School. Although there were 11 families registered for TK next year at Pt. Dume, Dr. Drati decided to only offer TK at Webster. Further, Zoe’s program was also cut, an after school program offered to students.

Claiming falsely that TK opened at Juan Cabrillo the same year as the Seaside Preschool did, Dr. Drati said in an email that it was part of “Malibu Pathway learning to provide these programs in the same location.” Dr. Drati failed to acknowledge that special education classrooms existed for years at Pt. Dume, prior to transferring this program to Juan Cabrillo in 2017 and now Webster for 2019-2020 school year. Why would Webster be the only elementary school with these programs when Malibu Elementary School is a separate elementary school serving the Westside of Malibu. Parents, including Kim Ford are enraged by this news. They misled her, gave her false information about a TK program available at Malibu Elementary for 2019-2020 school year and Dr. Drati failed to respond to her email questioning his decision.

Maybe worse is the forced name change of the school by the district. Not only did families have to contend with the name change drama all year, both school staff and families reached out to district stating they did “not want to change the name of the school and it should remain Pt. Dume Marine Science School and adopt the dolphin of Juan Cabrillo”. “ We are not a new school” said PTA board members and Pt. Dume resident Shamra Strange said, “ the name should not be changed and certainly not to Ballard, which has nothing to do with our schools. There is already a Ballard Elementary School in Ballard, California, why would the district even propose this as a possible name.”

The response by the district was vengeful. The district stated, “ you have to change the name and you cannot use Pt. Dume, Juan Cabrillo, or Marine Science in the name.” Drati and Foster told families to envision increased funding for Marine Science at our merged school. As soon as the bond passed, the name change was demanded by the district. A year of wasted time on discussions and online ballots about the name. Craig Foster had no impact despite all the complaints received by families, students and PTA and the voice of the entire education community went on deaf ears.

Another failure by the district and staff was the decision to fire the entire football staff at Malibu High, despite almost going to final round at CIF. 6 and 4, two years in a row, made Chris Neier upset because Former Principal Dave Jackson was the one to hire Terry Shorten. As a result, dedicated football players have transferred schools and the football program has been transferred to 8 man. How does a school not offer a football program, where band and cheerleaders come out to play Friday night and locals come out to connect and have fun? Craig Foster said at a recent council meeting, “ who needs football, we are a surf town.” Any education board member who says that must have been told to communicate that to the parents, to support the poor decision of the district, because what other explanation can be made for that ignorant comment by a teacher and board member. Strategically placed in the LA Times, Issac Burgess supported the decision of Chris Neier, MHS athletic director. They blamed the fires for decreased players which was a false statement. Football players left MHS because of Neier who destroyed the thriving football program and was unwilling to provide appropriate coaching staff and training similar to the level these players were receiving under Coach Terry Shorten. The district promoted surfing instead of acknowledging the failures of Neier. Dr. Amora Rachelle warned Drati, Burgess, and Dave Jackson in October of 2018, informing them of the actions of Neier and requested relief to prevent the destruction of the football program. THE DISTRICT DID NOTHING, which leads to the conclusion that perhaps it was intentional and strategic.

POOR STAFFING CAUSING HARM TO OUR YOUTH Chris Neier has had chronic complaints filed against him for years by MHS and MMS parents. Neier asked the district to transfer in 2016, however when he did not get the offer he was looking for, he remained at MHS and began to destruct the athletic programs. Parents are desperately waiting for district action to remove Neier for his misconduct!

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), as the governing body of high school athletics,section 200 discusses eligibility for inter scholastic athletic competition. Instead of applying the rules, Chris Neier avoids his work by failing to acknowledge students that earn a 3.5 gpa or higher during their sport season. He also fails to give students a probation and instead forces them to sit out of their sport season if their gpa does not meet minimum requirements. Neier fails to meet the CIF code rules all around. His actions effect students high school career by either failing to recognize their accomplishments and or denying them the ability to engage in sports for an entire season because of his willful neglect.

Rachel Spivak, MHS Athletic Booster Club President, Tami Gordon, MHS parent, and Dr. Amora Rachelle, professional advocate and parent at MHS and MES, have all communicated to Neier, administration and the district for his removal and replacement for a more appropriate athletic director. Parents and students are requesting a replacement with someone who actually cares and is vested in student athletic experience, sports, and in creating a positive experience for youth at MMS and MHS. Other important complaints communicated to Neier, is Neier’s unwillingness to attend booster club meetings that discuss the various sports teams and needs of athletes, fails to hire coaches for respective sports, does not do anything to provide training and experience to MMS students so that they explore sports early on and begin to prepare for MHS team sports, refuses to work with the city to increase programs, financial well being and sport programs for the Malibu community at large. Neier does not show up to games, has no report with athletes, and further undermines the programs if he does not like the coaches, the folded football program is a perfect example of this. After the fires and because of his neglect to protect the baseball/softball field, parents and youth were told “ just drive to Santa Monica and use the field to practice there at 8pm. If you don’t like that solution find another field,” said SMMUSD. Currently Neier is coaching jv baseball, which he should not be. Instead of hiring experienced and trained coaches, Neier fills in spots with whoever he can get, which is neglect by the district. The failure of the district to provide athletic programs to our youth by trained coaches denies students of their school career to experience, explore, and build skills in sports, that they may or may not love and continue to engage in throughout life. Neier’s refusal to grow programs, properly train athletes, refusal to appropriate funds to necessary repairs and improvements of sports fields calls for his immediate removal from MHS. Recently the district did take action against Principal Shellie Nye by refusing to renew her contract. This was a positive decision and Patrick Miller will be returning to MHS as Principal for the Fall of 2019. However, this change does not improve the root issues Malibu schools are suffering from. A recent review of Superintendent Drati led to a vote on the renewal of his contract. Oscar De La Torre voted no, while Craig Foster, the One Malibu Voice on the board voted yes!

How is that possible? Who is Foster working for?

SCHOOLS Foster was not a supporter of many staff members in Malibu. Many have been asked to retire early during the merger of the elementary schools. At the same time, great staff also left at this juncture. For years, many families have complained about the actions of Michelle Bernadou, secretary at Pt. Dume Marine Science School. Complaints included missing funds paid to the school for programs, inappropriate conduct with parents, inability to follow district rules when registering kids, and even corrupting the permitting process by handpicking who got intradistrict and interdistrict transfers. She was also addressed for releasing confidential information about families to third parties, however that did not change her conduct. Bernadou’s misappropriation of schools funds also includes paying Lisa Hall more then $10,000 for a school yearbook, which local families are willing to do for free. She also only gives school events requiring food to her daughter’s catering business, instead of allowing parents to open up the opportunity to local businesses, thereby funneling money to her family and friends. The PTA reported this conduct to the district and to DeeDee Cooper.

Finally, after many grievances, Bernadou was removed from Pt. Dume, now Malibu Elementary School, and will not be returning in the Fall of 2019. The district placed her with Isaac Burgess, as an assistant. Concerning to many parents is her access to any bond money appropriations. The district should just have fired her!

Part of the root issue is the need for the district to find places for staff that do not deserve to remain a staff member.

These policies must be addressed because instead of firing individuals, they move them around. Recently, the district sent Pt Dume a teacher, Kim Griffin that had prior complaints with abusive conduct towards kids and was removed from another school. Why would the district send Malibu a teacher with that prior history? Why have they not fired her yet?

While the district keeps teachers and staff on payroll like Griffin and Bernadou, who they should cut, the district folded Zoe’s after school program for our kids and have refused thus far to hire Zoe Langley, a qualified and wonderful asset to kids. Parent and site council member Tara Buren has reached out to both Drati and Pam Kazee at the district with no response from either of them. “I am Very disappointed in SMMUSD continual lack of transparency. We are dealing with children and teaching, therefore SMMUSD should have more integrity. Malibu is a very thoughtful & empathic community but we will SPEAK up when things are being done incorrectly. PCBs, the Special Ed student separation from JC to Webster & MES instead of moving all students to MES and closing of Zoe Langley’s program is not about the children. I am frustrated by SMMUSD bureaucracy and them doing whatever and they want irrespective of the community.”

THE DETERIORATING CAMPUS DESPITE BOND MONEY In all the years of construction at MHS, there is finally only ONE building that might be ready for Fall. Promised to MHS, the district decided to give it to MMS students and staff instead. The sudden change of plans caused an uproar with teachers in May of 2019. The entire lot should have been demolished long ago and by now we would have had a new school completed and less money would have been spent.

The bond money was supposed to provide repair money to the schools. However, the district continues to tell parents and students that there is no money for programs, no money for repairs, no money for new equipment.

SCHOOLS

MALIBU IS STRONGER THAN EVER.

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