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Malibu council asks school district for 90-day extension after dispute over commercial rates
Summary
The Malibu City Council unanimously requested a 90‑day extension of its master facilities agreement with the Santa Monica‑Malibu Unified School District so the city can review the district’s shift to commercial rates and gather more breakdowns of anticipated costs.
The Malibu City Council on Jan. 27 voted to ask the Santa Monica‑Malibu Unified School District for a 90‑day extension to the cities’ master facilities agreement so existing programs can continue at current rates while the city studies a proposed move to the district’s commercial rate structure.
The request stems from a staff report saying the district is seeking a multi‑year extension under a tiered commercial rate schedule that staff would otherwise implement through 2027. Council members said they need detailed line‑item information – hourly pool time, field use hours and related incremental costs – before accepting what some called a dramatic rise in charges.
Why it matters: Many city programs and youth activities use district facilities, and council members said Malibu residents already finance district bonds and should not be asked to pay higher rates without clearer justification. Council members warned the new commercial rate could add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the city budget over time if not limited to actual incremental costs.
City staff described the draft agreement as a tiered commercial schedule. Council member Mary Anne Giovan criticized the district’s approach and sought parity with what other civic users pay. “Under no circumstances should the city of Malibu pay more than the city of Santa Monica or other civic organizations for use of district facilities,” Giovan said during debate.
Several council members urged staff to seek more detail from the district and to involve the Parks and Recreation Commission in reviewing the numbers before the city signs a multi‑year deal. Council discussion repeatedly focused on whether the city should pay only incremental costs (extra electricity, staffing and similar charges) rather than a full commercial rental rate.
Formal action: Councilmember (name not specified on the record) moved, and the council seconded, a request that the city ask the district for a 90‑day extension to continue using district facilities at current rates and return the item to council within that time. The motion passed unanimously (5–0).
What’s next: City staff will request the 90‑day extension from the district and return with a cost breakdown and presentation — either to the Parks and Recreation Commission or to council — so elected officials can decide whether to accept the district’s proposed commercial‑rate template or negotiate incremental‑cost terms.
