Malibu council hears businesses, residents press for PCH access, debris cleanup and rebuild relief

Malibu City Council meeting attendees pressed elected officials on March 24 for faster recovery steps following recent fires, focusing on reopening Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to visitors at limited hours, accelerating debris and septic cleanup and providing financial relief for local businesses.

Lede: Dozens of business owners and residents told council members the town’s economy is battered by partial PCH closures and limited access — delivering anecdotes of 50–80% revenue drops and landlords pressing for new long‑term leases. Speakers urged weekend access for PCH, commercial lease relief, emergency grants and clearer information about FEMA and Army Corps removal programs.

Nut graf: City staff and recovery partners confirmed deadlines and available services but emphasized limits: the Army Corps is clearing selected parcels, debris removal opt‑in/out deadlines were set for March 31, and FEMA registration is also time‑sensitive. Staff said the rebuild center is handling planning intake and that technical issues such as required road widening and septic access remain obstacles to some rebuilds.

What speakers told the council: Business leaders said pedestrian and vehicle traffic is down sharply where PCH remains closed; owners of restaurants, retail and service businesses described layoffs, landlord pressure and uncollected deliveries. Several suggested opening PCH to general traffic limited hours on weekends or allowing professional delivery services and shuttle solutions; others asked the city to work with county and state partners for fast grants and temporary parking/shuttle programs.

Staff and recovery updates: The city manager reported rebuild‑center metrics: 123 site verifications, 11 plan submittals with 4 approved, and around 640 parcels under consideration for debris removal (384 opted in, 94 opted out, remainder nonresponsive). Staff reminded residents that the Army Corps is working through parcels (roughly 229 parcels in sequence) and that the deadline to register for debris removal or to opt out is March 31. FEMA registration was described as a hard deadline; staff noted FEMA’s maximum individual assistance is approximately $43,000 but eligibility depends on insurance and documented loss. The Small Business Administration offers disaster loans and the city pointed residents to nearby Disaster Recovery Center locations.

Health, environment and debris issues: Residents and marine‑science trained speakers raised concern about marine debris washing into the ocean; one longtime dive business owner urged immediate ocean cleanups and stronger coordination with state and federal partners. Councilmembers asked staff about pumping and capping septic systems and about legal and funding tools to remove and remediate collapsed septic systems on beachfront parcels; staff said the city is exploring options including using local authority, seeking state help and applying for federal cost‑share but must weigh funding, indemnity and logistics.

Council response and next steps: Council members expressed sympathy and said they were pursuing multiple tracks: (a) continuing outreach to the county and Caltrans about limited reopening of PCH for access and deliveries; (b) exploring grants/eviction moratoriums for commercial tenants with Supervisor Horvath’s office; (c) returning to council with options to use city funds or FEMA reimbursement for targeted septic/debris work if feasible; and (d) holding regular fire‑recovery workshops to set priorities. Council scheduled additional special workshops and asked staff to bring back a debris/septic cleanup proposal and a planning/fee relief item for a future meeting.

Ending: Council members told speakers they would keep pursuing short‑term measures such as shuttle options, advertising that Malibu businesses remain open and pressing partners to open PCH when safe. Several residents and business owners said they will continue to urge faster recovery and legal clarity on access and compensation.