Council raises city manager purchasing authority, adopts strategic plan and directs fee‑waiver policy changes

On Nov. 10 the council approved several administrative measures intended to speed operations and clarify policy.

Purchasing authority: Staff proposed updating the municipal purchasing thresholds to reflect inflation and comparable cities. The ordinance increases the city manager’s purchasing authority from $25,000 to $60,000 and raises the small‑purchase threshold from $5,000 to $10,000; staff said the 1991 thresholds equate to the new amounts when adjusted for inflation. The council adopted Ordinance No. 529 as read aloud by staff.

Strategic plan: Staff presented a draft three‑year strategic plan that frames priorities including support for community rebuilding and long‑term recovery, public safety and wildfire resilience, infrastructure modernization (water tanks, coastal resilience, telecommunications and microgrids), workplace culture and digital modernization, and community services. Councilmembers supported adoption with a friendly amendment to clarify that the listed goals are not presented in strict priority order; staff will integrate the plan into workflows and supply quarterly progress reports.

Fee waiver policy: Staff proposed replacing 2018 fee‑waiver guidelines with a formal policy that would standardize eligibility, require written applications on a quarterly cycle and improve transparency. Council directed staff to return a refined policy that lets the city manager authorize routine waivers within a modest threshold while reserving council review for larger or new recurring events. As guidance, council suggested a city‑manager delegation for waivers up to $10,000 (for eligible events meeting policy criteria) and a higher threshold (suggested up to $75,000 for previously approved recurring community events) that would not require repeated council votes. Council asked staff to bring a final draft ordinance/policy to a future consent calendar.

Tree lot and community events: Council approved a fee waiver for the Malibu Education Foundation’s holiday tree lot and noted the city’s existing holiday‑tree recycling program; staff encouraged partnerships to maximize proceeds for local schools.

Why it matters: The package of administrative measures is intended to speed procurement, clarify recurring event approvals and give the council a strategic roadmap for recovery and resilience work while preserving oversight on larger financial decisions.