Councilman Skylar Peak Says He's Focused on Work At City Hall

Malibu City Councilman Skylar Peak said he is focusing on his work at the city following a decision by prosecutors not to seek charges stemming from an alleged altercation with security guards at the Point Dume Village this summer.

The investigation was cited as the main reason members of the Malibu City Council voted to forgo Peak as the next mayor pro tem even though he was the top vote getter in April's election.

Instead, several voted to give Joan House the position temporarily until the investigation was over.

Peak said the position of mayor pro tem is not something he is focused on right now.

“I haven’t been thinking about it. I’ve been focused on stuff I need to do with the city,” Peak said after Monday's council meeting.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office opted not to file charges against Peak, citing insufficient evidence, according to reports.

Councilwoman Laura Zahn Rosenthal said she is comfortable with the status quo on the council at this time.

“I tried to take in the totality of everything and I think things have been going pretty well the way they are right now. I look forward to Skylar’s increased involvement in the city in committees and projects. I think things have been going along pretty well,” Rosenthal said.

The investigation began on July 11 following allegations that Peak, wearing a Speedo swimsuit, threatened security guards at the Point Dume Village with part of a pair of scissors.

Peak, who said afterwards he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was checked into a county hospital and underwent a psychological evaluation.  

At Mondays City Council meeting, councilmembers did not address the option of appointing Peak as mayor pro tem.

However, Malibu resident Alessandra DiClario, who said she has been ill and could not make it to earlier meetings, chastised the council for blocking Peak’s attempt to become the next mayor pro tem.

“I think you all should be ashamed. That’s the only word I could come up with,” DiClario said during public comments. “Ashamed of how you treated him and you put him under stress. He got the most votes. The community voted for him and he’s given to the community all of his life. You should be proud of him.”

She asked that the council put an item on the agenda for the next meeting making Peak the mayor pro tem.

Rosenthal asked DiClario not to judge the situation.

“You condemn us for what we didn’t do or what we did do. You don’t really know what went on and how people talk to Skylar both before and after this and how we did try to come to an understanding. Please try not to judge us without knowing all the information on what we tried to do on situations like that,” Rosenthal said.