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Malibu council approves emergency‑operations staffing agreement; FEMA reimbursements eyed
Summary
On consent the City Council approved a professional services agreement with IEM International to staff the emergency operations center and support recovery operations; staff said the work is reimbursable by FEMA, but several council members asked for a clearer scope of work.
The Malibu City Council on Jan. 27 approved a professional services agreement with IEM International to provide staffing for the city’s Emergency Operations Center and to help transition the city from immediate emergency response to a recovery and rebuild phase.
City staff said the contract’s costs are expected to be reimbursable by FEMA, and that the city will pay first and request federal reimbursement later. “Yes. It is reimbursable,” a staff presenter replied when council members asked whether FEMA would cover the expense.
Staff described the firm’s role as filling seats in the EOC structure — logistics, finance, planning and other sections — so exhausted city staff can be rotated and normal city operations can resume. The staff presenter said the contractor will “fill in some of those seats as we try to offset some of our staff that have been working around the clock.”
Several council members voiced concern that the agreement packet lacked a detailed scope of work. One council member noted that the materials attached to the agenda appeared to be the contractor’s brochure rather than a line‑by‑line scope of responsibilities. Staff said the contract did include a consultant scope and that the firm will work under EOC direction.
Formal action: The contract with IEM International was approved on the consent calendar by unanimous vote (5–0).
What this means: The agreement gives the city additional temporary staffing and expertise while the Emergency Operations Center remains active and as the city stands up a dedicated rebuild and recovery office. Council members asked staff to include clearer scopes and, in future presentations, to report on any grant‑pursuit work the contractor does beyond immediate EOC duties.
