START CELEBRATING
AT OUR PLACE!
M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXVIII • NO. XXIV
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
Some Malibu Sun shines on Soleil at Longboard Championship businesses still not in compliance of Dark Sky, but getting there Malibu gas stations, shopping centers, and residences are asked to adjust lighting By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Businesses and residents are still adjusting to compliance of the city’s Dark Sky Ordinance (DSO) regulations. Adopted in 2018, the DSO regulates outdoor lighting through the addition of comprehensive, citywide outdoor lighting standards. The DSO’s objectives are to reduce light pollution in an effort to protect wildlife, habitats, quality of life from light pollution, and Malibu’s rural coastal village character. The lighting changes are designed to implement the goals of the general plan to protect and promote public health, safety, welfare, quality of life, and the ability to view the night sky. The precise details are contained in the Malibu-Municipal Code Chapter 17.41. Other cities throughout California have adopted such regulations that include standards for the illumination of driveways, patios and sports courts; timers and motion sensors; color and intensity; and other specificities. Malibu-specific details of the ordinance are available at malibucity. org/705/dark-sky-ordinance. According to the city, some of Malibu’s requirements include fully shielded outdoor light fixtures with a maximum temperature of 3000 Kelvin and additional lighting requirements based on zoning. At the Sept. 25 City Council meeting, Malibu City Manager Steve McClary provided an update stating three area gas stations have been issued permits, but added, “we’re waiting for the completion CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
Malibu High School alumnus Jesse Billauer has been through three traumatic experiences that shaped who he is today. “The first one happened in October of 1995, when I was driving to school to this school, Malibu High School, I was driving past Pepperdine, and I was on my way to go surfing before school,” Billauer recalled. “I was going through this intersection, right by Pepperdine, and there was a car that made a turn,
Ann Ravel claims conflict of interest with two commissioners, says it’s not a ‘personal attack’ By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Malibu’s Soleil Errico is carried to the winner’s podium by coaches and family members after winning her third world title at the World Surf League’s Women’s Longboard Championship competition at First Point Beach. Photos Courtesy of the World Surf League
Malibu surfer Soleil Errico rides the waves to her third world title, solidifying her legacy at iconic First Point By BARBARA BURKE Special to the Malibu Times
Malibu’s professional longboard surfer Soleil Errico, 22, and other competitive surfers, their families, friends, and fans waited ... and waited ... and waited for the World Surf League’s Women’s Longboard Championship competition to begin at Malibu’s iconic First Point Beach. Because of the vicissitudes of the tides, a 10-day window was slated as the period during which the competition could be held. First,
there was too little surf. So, Oct. 3-6 were not selected to hold the competition. Then, to make the situation more complicated, Surfrider was so entrenched in a blanket of fog on Oct. 7 and 8 that the competition still could not be held. Early in the morning of Oct. 9, the fog hung coyly over mid-Malibu, threatening another delay. However, soon, the sun emerged, the fog disappeared, and it was game on. Down at the beach, they gathered, as surfing fans do, hanging out, visiting with one another, and always, always looking at the ocean, sizing up the swell, and looking for the waves to break. It was easy to spot Errico’s fans — they were a veritable sea of excited supporters sporting light blue T-shirts proclaiming, “Soleil All the
Malibu High School alumnus inspires students Jesse Billauer was involved in a surfing accident when he was 17 years old, but he doesn’t let it stop him from leading a full life
Law professor, former FPPC chair files complaint against Planning Commission
The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating a complaint alleging violations by Malibu officials of the State’s Political Reform Act (PRA). The FPPC has formally contacted City Manager Steve McClary, City Attorney Trevor Rusin, Councilmembers Paul Grisanti and Marianne Riggins, and Planning Commissioners Skylar Peak and Dennis Smith with notice it will investigate allegations of conflicts of interest by Peak and Smith of voting on matters in which they have a reasonably foreseeable material financial benefit. Stated in the complaint: “These Planning Commissioners were contractors CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
INSIDE
this week
Malibu pro surfer Soleil Errico shows off her trophy after winning the World Surf League’s Women’s Longboard Championship competition at First Point Beach.
Way — Bring it Home!” Professional many other surfing professionals. Out on the water, the competing surfers joined with members of the community. Surf legend Allen Sarlo surfers waited patiently for their was there, cheering her on as were CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
Little League, AYSO members express concern with insufficient field space at Malibu Bluffs Park City Council addresses Ann M. Ravel’s letter over alleged Planning Commission conflicts of interest By SAMANTHA BRAVO Of The Malibu Times
Malibu Little League and Malibu AYSO representatives attended the City Council meeting on Monday night to express concerns about field space at Malibu Bluffs Park Malibu High School boys and girls water polo coach Mike Mulligan (left) and Jesse Billauer between organizations that occupy pose together after the program. Mulligan said he was a lifeguard when Billauer attended the field. MHS in the 1990s. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT MLL Vice President Jake and they didn’t see me, so they hit my up laying on PCH. All my dreams Lingo attended the meeting to driver side door, my car spun around, flashed in front my eyes.” speak on behalf of the league to and it flipped over a few times. I get All Billauer could think of was, express his concerns with field ejected out of the window, I ended CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
space at the park. “The city has limited space at Bluffs Park, we all know this, and it has be a primary gathering place for Malibu Little League and AYSO for decades. We work together along with the city to make sure that the fields are cared for, utilized in the matter to which they are contracted and that they are shared accordingly,” Lingo said. “There are times that other groups use the fields and we always try to make accommodations to enjoy Bluffs Park, but we should not be expected to do so at the detriment of our leagues.” Lingo asked the city to continue to honor community-based sports CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
Celebrating life and all its glory together |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . .A3 • Geoffrey’s employee killed in a one-vehicle collision that closed Malibu Canyon Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . .A4 • Events Business . . . . . . . . . . . A6 • Local retailers strategize as they prepare for holiday seasonal sales Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . .B1 • Homes For Dogs welcomes Malibu community People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Beast mode Community . . . . . . . . . .B3 • Mending Kids hosts 5th Annual ‘Hike 2 Mend’ Legal Notices . . . . . . . . .B4 Business & Directory . . . B7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B7 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . B10 • Waves blanking of Saint Mary’s is ‘very Pepperdiney’