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Malibu council backs library set-aside priorities and directs work on a longer-range library plan; budgets additional security
Summary
Council approved carrying forward prior set-aside allocations for community programs, directed staff to pursue a feasibility and needs assessment for a larger library/community center, and added budget capacity for up to three security guards (two to be hired immediately) to improve safety at the Malibu library.
The Malibu City Council voted to carry forward several previously approved library set-aside items into the FY 2026–27 budget and directed staff and the library subcommittee to pursue a broader feasibility study and long-range plan for a reimagined, larger library and community facility.
Staff presented a list of carry‑over items (the Community Brigade, Boys & Girls Club program and Malibu Film Society proposals), new requests including a micro-forest educational demonstration proposed by Samo Fund, and a county discussion starter for a 4,000-square-foot detached library with an illustrative $13 million estimate. Council and the public focused heavily on safety and on getting the money working to support rebuilding and community resiliency programs.
Public commenters urged activating the two budgeted security-guard positions and asked the council to consider more guards and patrol coverage for the library grounds and adjacent county-owned parking areas, which residents described as suffering from illegal camping and sanitation issues. Council directed staff to include funding capacity for three security guards in the proposed FY2026–27 priorities, with a directive to hire two guards immediately and retain budget capacity for a third if required. The council also agreed that library-related programs (for example, a monthly "caffeinated verse" poetry series) could be funded from the library set-aside rather than the city general fund when the programming clearly aligns with library services.
Council asked the library subcommittee and city staff to work with county library staff on a needs assessment and feasibility RFP that would evaluate options for a long-range, potentially "world-class" library or library/community center on the existing site or an alternative site, including a design, cost and funding strategy. Several council members and public speakers urged using the existing fund balance (reported in staff materials as roughly $24–25 million) as equity to plan a larger facility, and to design programming that supports resiliency and youth education (home-hardening, wildfire science) during recovery.
What happens next: Staff will carry the three approved community proposals forward for FY 2026–27, add the new priorities for discussion with the county library, and prepare an RFP for a library needs assessment and feasibility study that incorporates the parks-and-recreation master plan and community lands planning as appropriate. Staff will also pursue immediate hiring for two security guard positions and budget for a third guard if needed.
Vote and logistics: Council approved the motion to continue funding the prior proposals, include the specified priorities, and direct staff to pursue a feasibility study and security staffing; the motion passed on voice vote. Staff noted that county approvals and reimbursements apply to many set-aside expenditures and that program reimbursements will follow the county—s processes.
