Council backs plan for volunteer rebuild ambassador; directs staff to draft program with Abe Roy

City council members and numerous residents urged an immediate mechanism to speed rebuilds at the April 28 meeting. Residents described stalled rebuild permits, water/fire-flow bottlenecks, and the staffing limits confronting city planning and building staff. A broad cross-section of speakers — from Big Rock, Carbon Mesa and beachfront neighborhoods — recommended creating a rebuild liaison or ambassador to help homeowners navigate permitting, collect recurring issues, and coordinate with city staff.

Abe Roy, a Malibu builder and community volunteer who led several neighborhood rebuild task forces, was nominated repeatedly by speakers during public comment as a volunteer who could serve as an ambassador. Council members discussed possible reporting lines and limits (emphasizing persuasion and coordination rather than directing staff) and asked staff to draft a proposed resolution. The council directed staff to prepare the program language in coordination with Abe Roy and return a draft resolution for the May 12 council meeting; the body requested a three-month review and explicit parameters for staff access and time commitments.

The proposed ambassador role is written as a facilitator: acting as a central point of contact for rebuild applicants, compiling recurring bottlenecks for staff attention, coordinating with neighborhood liaisons and subject-matter experts, and helping applicants understand the city’s technical and permitting requirements. Council members emphasized that the ambassador would not have authority to direct staff but would be authorized to access information and request agenda consideration through the city manager, with regular reporting back to council.