Malibu officials report rebuild‑center opening, urge FEMA/state coordination as recovery accelerates

City officials reported progress on multiple wildfire recovery fronts at the March 10 Malibu City Council meeting and urged continued coordination with state and federal agencies as residents begin rebuilding.

Acting City Manager Joe Toney told the council the Malibu Rebuild Center opened earlier that day and saw more than 20 appointments. The center is intended to give applicants a single place to meet city staff about permits and the rebuild process; staff also outlined a rebuild‑center open house scheduled for Wednesday, March 19 from 5 to 7 p.m.

“The rebuild center opened today to much fanfare. We actually had 20 plus appointments today on the first day,” Toney said. Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown and other staff said the center will collect application data and provide a coordination point for building plan checks, planning questions and other permit steps.

Council members asked staff for regular updates from the center. “I’d like to know on a weekly basis when we get these meetings, how many people came in … what neighborhoods did they come in from? How many people came in for permits above a like‑for‑like and what neighborhoods they came in from,” Council member Ewing said, pressing staff to provide more granular data so the council can monitor rebuild pace and identify potential policy changes.

Staff said they will track applicants and provide council updates at future meetings, though…