AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: November 19, 2024
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Stephanie Harris, Director of Community Services
Subject: APPROVAL OF A FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 APPROPRIATION TOTALING $28,156 FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE
REINSTALLATION, SECURITY, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TEMPORARY ART DISPLAY OF 1,400 INTERNATIONAL FLAGS TO
HONOR THE VICTIMS OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2023 ATTACK ON
ISRAEL AND HOSTAGES WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED, WHEN
THE MAYORS SUMMIT AGAINST ANTISEMITISM IS HELD IN
BEVERLY HILLS IN DECEMBER
Attachments: None
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a General Fund appropriation of $28,156 for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the reinstallation of the temporary art display of 1,400 international flags to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and hostages who have been murdered. The temporary installation would be for the duration of the Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism taking place in Beverly Hills from December 11, 2024 through December 13, 2024.
INTRODUCTION
After the events of October 7, the City Council took immediate action to recognize those who were murdered and kidnapped. A shabbat table was placed at the front of City Hall with a place set for each of the hostages who are unable to celebrate shabbat with their family and friends. Flags were placed in Beverly Gardens Park to commemorate those who lost their lives on October 7 - one flag representing the nationality of each individual.
The flag display was initially installed on January 24, 2024 with a dedication held on January 25, 2024 and removal of the flags on February 26, 2024. The temporary art display was reinstalled on March 9 and removed on April 8 for maintenance, reinstalled again on April 12 and removed on May 8, 2024 prior to the Spring Art Show.
Following a robust discussion by the City Council and overwhelming support from the public, it was decided to reinstall the 1,400 flags for the anniversary of the October 7th Meeting Date: November 19, 2024
attack on Israel from September 30 to October 14, 2024. City Council also requested to install additional flags to memorialize the hostages murdered since the attack.
DISCUSSION
Council has requested to reinstall the temporary art display while the City is the host to Combat Antisemitism Movement’s national Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in December. The conference is set to take place from December 11 through 13, 2024.
The flags will be installed on Tuesday, December 10 and removed on Saturday, December 14. The cost associated with the reinstallation, security, and maintenance of the flag display is approximately, $28,156 which includes a 10% contingency for replacement flags and poles, if necessary.
It has been the recommendation of the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) to keep the increased level of security at two security officers 24 hours a day because the density of the flags lowers visibility in the area around the installation, which makes securing the area a challenge.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding being requested provides for the installation and removal of flags from December 10, 2024 to December 14, 2024 as well as the replacement of any damaged flags and weathered wooden dowels. Additionally, the funding will also provide two security officers 24-hours a day for the duration of the flag display at the recommendation of BHPD.
On June 18, 2024, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Capital and Operating Budgets, which indicated potential financial challenges on the horizon, including forecasted deficits within the next five years. The forecasted General Fund surplus for Fiscal Year 2024-25 is due to scheduled one-time public benefit contributions of $12.5 million less the utilization of $2.0 million toward the operating deficit. The chart below displays the adjusted forecasted General Fund results for Fiscal Year 2024-25, incorporating both approved and proposed mid-year appropriations.
Item Amount Account
Flags $13,500 00106710-731220
Security $12,096 00102301-731230-PATRL
10% Contingency $ 2,560 00106710-731220
Total $28,156
Meeting Date: November 19, 2024
$ (1,998,905)
Council-Approved Utilization of One-Time Public Benefit Contributions (6/18/24 Item G-2) 2,000,000 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Balanced Budget[1] $ 1,095
Less Approved and Proposed Mid-Year Appropriations as of 11/19/24 (409,014) $ (407,919)
Date Agenda Item Council Mid-Year
Appropriations
8/20/2024 Flag Reinstallation 74,708
11/19/2024 Approval of Salary Schedule and Associated Appropriation (pending) 306,150 11/19/2024 Flag Display Against Antisemitism (pending) 28,156 $ 409,014
General Fund Summary
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Mid-Year Appropriations Approved by Council Fiscal Year 2024-25 Projected Deficit before One-Time Public Benefit Contributions [1] Exlcudes $10.5 million in anticipated one-time public benefit contributions to be considered for earmark towards Committed Fund Balance.
Net Impact on General Fund Unassigned Reserves or Additional Use of One-Time Public Benefit Contributions
Jeff S. Muir
Director of Finance
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved By Approved By