Malibu Councilman Declines Coastal Commission Nomination

Malibu Councilman John Sibert opted to withdraw his name from consideration for one of 12 voting seats on the California Coastal Commission.

"I did a great deal of soul-searching after hearing of my nomination and then had long discussions with my family. It was a difficult decision and the Coastal Commission is an important agency to Malibu," Sibert said over email Monday.

Sibert was recommended along with Rancho Palos Verdes Councilman Jim Knight and Azusa Mayor Pro Tem Angel Carrillo to represent the South Coast area. The seat will be filled by the California Senate Rules Committee.

Sibert said he was not prepared to take on the additional work load at this time.

"I do not like to take on task that I can't give full service to or that I am confident I can finish," Sibert said. "I will continue to try to work closely with the Commission through the Coastal Cities Issues Group of the League of California Cities."

The seat was recently vacated by Richard Bloom, formerly the mayor of Santa Monica. Bloom, who was appointed to the commission in 2009, was recently elected as the assemblymember for the 50th Assembly District.

The commission has 12 voting members and four nonvoting members. The voting members are appointed by the governor, the California Senate Rules Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly. Each represents one of six coastal regions specified in the Coastal Act.

Sibert was first elected to the Malibu City Council in 2008 and was re-elected in April.