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Malibu authorizes consultants and readies $14.6M HMGP-supported rebuild work
Summary
Council approved contracting authority for 18 consulting teams to support rebuild-center services and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program work tied to the Palisades and Franklin fire rebuilds; staff said the agreements came from a competitive RFQ (30 proposals) and are needed to comply with grant requirements and accelerate permits.
The Malibu City Council authorized the mayor to execute professional services agreements with 18 consultant teams on Nov. 24 to support the city'run rebuild center and grant-funded recovery work following the Palisades and Franklin fires.
Staff told the council the agreements resulted from a competitive request for qualifications that attracted 30 proposals. The scope covers geotechnical engineers, coastal and environmental consultants, plan-check and permitting support, and other technical services designed to speed rebuild permitting, provide technical assistance at the rebuild center, and meet the requirements of the city'submitted Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application (HMGP).
Staff said the city submitted an HMGP application on Sept. 15 for approximately $14.6 million to fund undergrounding and related resilience projects; the selected consultant teams were required as part of that application and will help prepare deliverables for grant compliance and implementation. City staff emphasized these contracts formalize previously engaged emergency services that had been operating under emergency authority earlier in the year and that the competitive procurement was required for grant eligibility.
The agreements include firms focused on geotechnical services, environmental health and coastal analyses, plan checking and construction-phase support. Staff and several rebuild-center users praised the new teams and cited recent positive experiences with the rebuild center, including more accessible permitting and practical support for homeowners navigating technical and regulatory hurdles.
Council members thanked staff for accelerating rebuild support and voted to authorize the agreements and allow the city manager or designee to amend agreements if necessary to comply with Federal or State reimbursement requirements.
Next steps: staff will execute the agreements, continue coordination with FEMA and Cal OES on the HMGP application review, and deploy consultant services at the rebuild center and in the field as applications proceed through planning and building review.
