Yolanda Bundy and Mayor Steve Uhring, City of Malibu
Yolanda Bundy, Environmental Sustainability Department Director/Building Official, City of Malibu
Rebuilding after the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed 670 structures in the City of Malibu was challenging, to say the least. Eager to reconstruct their homes, the city faced a deluge of building permit requests and struggled to issue 30 permits per month. Seeking someone experienced for the task, the city enlisted the help of Yolanda Bundy to aid in rebuilding the community.
“Ms. Bundy successfully led the City of Ventura’s rebuild efforts by developing a fast-track building permit approval process to assist homeowners for over 524 structures destroyed by the 2017 Thomas Fire (Ventura County),” said Tracey Rossine, Environmental Programs Manager for the City of Malibu.
The number of permits issued for Woolsey Fire rebuild projects increased by nearly 86%, with an average of approximately 63 permits issued per month. In four separate months, over 100 permits were issued for Woolsey Fire rebuild projects.
As the recovery efforts from the fire wind down, Bundy has left her mark in many other ways as the City’s Environmental Sustainability Department Director/Building Official. Rossine explains that Bundy’s position requires her to frequently assist other departments to ensure that all public inquiries are addressed and tasks are completed promptly. She also mentions that Bundy has been a great asset to the City’s wastewater division.
“Familiarity with coastal development, onsite wastewater treatment systems, permitting processes, and code enforcement and inspection aspects is also crucial,” Rossine said.
Bundy is credited for being the driving force in the success of the City’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Operating Permit Program. Bundy’s expertise in environmental health practices has played a crucial role in developing and implementing effective guidelines to ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems in Malibu.
One of the program’s initiatives led to an Operating Permit tracking module in the City of Malibu’s database to track onsite wastewater treatment systems.
“Through meticulous planning and collaboration with IT experts, Yolanda ensured that the module was user-friendly and accessible for both City staff and residents,” Rossine said.
Bundy also played a crucial role in implementing a recycled water ordinance. Her extensive expertise in environmental health and dedication to promoting eco-friendly practices ensured that the ordinance complied with all relevant regulations while being tailored to the needs of Malibu.
Bundy also manages the “One Call to City Hall” hotline for reporting non-life threatening emergencies that may require an immediate response, such as sewer spills, wastewater spills, and pipe breaks, including water mains and gas lines.
Bundy has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil and structural engineering, respectively, from California State University, Northridge. She began her career as a Plan Check Engineer, gaining expertise in building safety and regulations.
“My career is characterized by technical expertise, leadership skills, and a deep commitment to public service, establishing myself as a respected figure in environmental sustainability and building safety,” she said.
Bundy says that in her position at the City, she oversees a wide range of activities, including the implementation of the City’s Wastewater Management program.
“This position allows me to integrate my engineering background with my passion for environmental sustainability, focusing on developing and enforcing regulations that ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems,”
She said that her journey into the wastewater industry has been a natural progression of her career in engineering and public service, driven by a commitment to protecting public health and the environment.
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