Residents press Malibu council for faster rebuilds, streamlined geotech reviews and a permanent city manager

A large public‑comment period at the Oct. 27 Malibu City Council meeting focused on speeding the post‑fire rebuild process and getting residents back into homes.

Resident Megan Loric opened public comment by urging the council to hire a permanent city manager and to interview local candidate Glenn Becerra, saying interim leadership is insufficient during prolonged recovery: “Someone fully empowered to make long term decisions and guide Malibu through this challenge we face,” she said. Several other speakers backed calls for streamlined procedures, including proposals to liberalize building‑code approval for like‑for‑like rebuilds and to shorten geotechnical review requirements.

Multiple rebuild advocates, including homeowners and planning professionals, praised recent staff progress — and singled out the rebuild center and staff leadership — while urging institutional changes so expedited approvals continue as volume increases. Speakers proposed a 10‑day “express lane” for routine like‑for‑like rebuild permits, weekly or biweekly rebuild sessions to maintain momentum, and consolidation of departmental corrections to reduce repetitive plan‑check cycles.

Council members acknowledged staff improvements and said some council members are drafting resolutions to institutionalize recent reforms; staff said they have implemented interim changes and are meeting regularly with rebuild zone captains. Council discussion emphasized balancing urgency for residents with resource limits on staff time and legal limits on what the city can change (for example, state building codes).

The council directed staff to keep pursuing process improvements and to return with proposals, continuing a mix of staff‑driven and council‑initiated reforms intended to accelerate rebuild approvals without compromising safety.