Resolution Extends the Declaration of the Existence of a Local Emergency Regarding Conditions on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)

On Monday night, the Malibu City Council approved a resolution extending the declaration of the existence of a local emergency related to the increase of reckless and illegal driving on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The City Council will continue to review and renew this action every 60 days.

The declaration directs staff to coordinate efforts with other governmental agencies to increase attention and create programs to reduce the risk and danger associated with PCH in Malibu.

The motion calls for the City Director of Emergency Services to address any and all impacts and conditions caused by the emergency and to obtain any and all aid and assistance from county and state agencies, including but not limited to aid and assistance pursuant to the California Disaster Assistance Act.

“Despite efforts of Senator Allen, Assemblymember Irwin, and Supervisor Horvath, nothing material has improved, and I don’t mean because they have not tried, they are trying but Caltrans is a stumbling block,” said Malibu Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “And unless they’ve only made cosmetic changes, they’re only agreeing to make cosmetic changes, this emergency is going to remain until real change occurs, and we’re going to need to continue to confirm this local emergency 60 days after 60 days after 60 days, for however long it takes to actually bring about real change because until something’s changed, nothing has changed.”

Last fall, Malibu City officials purchased four Lidar Speed Guns to combat the speeding on PCH, costing the city $27,960. Two more speed guns were then purchased bringing the total up to $41,941.01.

City Council Approves Two New Road Race Permits

Malibu City Council has awarded two new temporary use permits in Malibu, one for a running event, and the other for the triathlon. The permits went to Malibu Race Series LLC, the other to Zuma Foundation Inc., a non-profit.

In 2013, Malibu entered into a 10-year Agreement with Michael Epstein Sports Productions Inc. to host the Malibu Triathlon through November 1, 2023, according to documents from the city.

From 2017 to 2021, the Agreement transferred between two agencies, and from 2021 to 2023, Super League, an international race series, organized the triathlon.

In 2020, Super League acquired the intellectual property of the Malibu Triathlon, as well as the remaining three years of the Agreement to host the event, from Motiv Sports, who had acquired the event from Michael Epstein, who, at the time, was running the Malibu Triathlon as a for-profit enterprise.

In 2022, Malibu reviewed a proposal from Super League for a new five-year Agreement. The City Council then voted to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to review the permits and potential five-year extension with Super League.

Councilmembers Paul Grisanti and Marianne Riggins were appointed to head the Road Race Committee. In 2023, the city council approved opening a Road Race Request for Proposals.

The Council then received proposals from Epstein’s Zuma Foundation, Super League, Malibu Race Series LLC, and an unnamed organization. The Ad Hoc Committee has recommended that the two permits be awarded to Malibu Race Series LLC and the Zuma Foundation, citing the limitation of road closures, partnerships with local organizations, and beneficiaries of local non-profits.

The triathlon will run from September 14 – 15.

Photo by Comfortable Nomad from iStockphoto.com