STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Nancy Hunt-Coffey, City Manager
Subject: Finalize Commission Priorities for FY 2025-26
Attachments: 1. Commission priorities for discussion
INTRODUCTION
At the study session on May 6, 2025, the City Council discussed and provided direction on the City Council priorities for 2025-26. The Council began a conversation of setting priorities for the different City Commissions but ran out of time to discuss them fully.
DISCUSSION
Based on prior City Council direction, changes are being proposed to the priority setting process for the City commissions, particularly those that do not have workplans that are predetermined. An example of a commission with a predetermined work plan would be the Planning Commission where a substantial portion of the work involves hearing and responding to land use matters and applications. Some of the commissions that do not have substantially predetermined work have grown accustomed to establishing some of their own priorities. Over time, some of these priorities have grown in complexity and cost and are sometimes duplicative of Council priorities, Mayor initiatives or existing City programs. Some examples:
• One of the current commission priorities is to establish a centrally located kiosk(s) to celebrate the City’s history, events, programs, etc. While the details of this project have not been fully fleshed out, the proposed kiosk will likely require staffing and resources or will require support via commercial advertising, a path which the Council may not support. Before a lot of staff time is dedicated toward research and project development, it would be helpful for the City Council to provide feedback and direction on projects such as this. • Two commissions are currently discussing new awards or recognition programs in addition to the already existing commission awards programs, such as Embrace Civility, Golden Shield, etc. In this case, the Council may want to determine if new awards programs are merited, and whether awards programs should continue to occur at the commission level.
• This next fiscal year, the City will hold both Festival Beverly Hills (proposed by a commission), which started as a multicultural celebration of Nowruz and a UNITY Nowruz celebration (which is a Council priority and a Mayor initiative). While
planning is underway for both programs, in the next fiscal year should staff plan to combine these programs?
• There are proposals to have two community picnics on different days in July, one on July 4th as part of a Council priority/Mayor initiative and one proposed by a commission.
These programs require staff time, funds and resources to carry out, and as previously noted, the City is facing sizeable budget deficits in upcoming years.
As a result of these factors, the City Council previously discussed having a more formal process for establishing commission priorities that align more closely with the City Council priorities. The process would involve bringing proposed commission priorities to the City Council at the same time as the Council priorities are discussed. The City Council would provide general direction and feedback on these commission priorities.
Once this direction is received, the City Council liaisons would meet with their respective commissions (Chair/Vice Chair) in June/July to hone and finalize the priorities. The commissions would then proceed to work with staff on the priorities and the liaisons would then hold check in meetings in December/January with the Chair and Vice Chair to discuss progress and provide any further direction/feedback.
Finally, as occurs with City programs or budget enhancements that are proposed by staff, the City Manager requests the opportunity to provide a formal recommendation to the City Council on proposed commission priorities recognizing, of course, that the City Council has the ultimate decision-making authority.
On May 6, 2025 the Council began the discussion of the Commission priorities in the context of the City Council priority setting discussion; however, due to time constraints, the City Council requested that the item be brought back to the May 20, 2025 meeting for further discussion.
As was conveyed in the May 6th report, the Priority Setting Ad Hoc (Mayor Nazarian and Councilmember Corman) previously reviewed the use of a grid structure to lay out each commissions’ priorities. The grid includes the title of the priority and a description of the item. The ad hoc concurred that a “City Manager Recommendation” should be included with each commission priority as well as a list of any additional priorities that the City Manager recommends for each commission to undertake. The ad hoc did not discuss the individual priorities of each commission.
The ad hoc recommended that for this City Council discussion, the priorities for each commission be listed using the proposed grid structure, and that where applicable, the priorities should be tied back to the City Council priorities.
Staff has proceeded to take the current commission priorities and overlaid them into the grid structure as recommended by the ad hoc. The City Council is asked to review these priorities and City Manager recommendations and provide any feedback or direction on them. Once this process is complete, staff will work to begin scheduling the Council/commission liaison meetings in June/July to further hone the priorities and provide any necessary direction.
It should be noted that two priorities that were previously listed under the Public Works Commission have been removed. They are:
Prepare for opening of Metro
stations (City Council work
plan WP1.1.1)
Complete Beverly Hills
Police Department (BHPD)
Public Safety Center at La
Cienega Metro Station.
Proceed. Note that this
project requires a budget
enhancement.
Implement new technologies
to support public safety (City
Council work plan WP1.2.3)
Continue to expand number
of closed-circuit television
(CCTV) cameras and
automated license plate
readers (ALPRs).
Proceed.
These priorities have not traditionally fallen under the Public Works Commission purview, so they have been removed.
FISCAL IMPACT
Some of the commission priorities have little fiscal impact or may already be fully funded in the operating or capital improvement budget. In other cases, the draft priorities have not been developed fully enough to determine the fiscal impact. Once the City Council finalizes the commission priorities, staff will research them to determine if there are significant fiscal impacts, and report back to the City Council, as needed.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction on commission priorities and provide any feedback or direction on them.
Nancy Hunt-Coffey
City Manager
Approved By
Attachment 1
1 DRAFT Recreation and Parks Work Plan Items
Project Description City Manager
Recommendation
Review design, approve and
complete renovation and
replacement of play
equipment at La Cienega
playground. (City Council
work plan WP4.3.1)
The La Cienega Park
Playground Restoration is a
City Council priority that
remains on the work plan until
completion.
Proceed
Large Park Signage & Rules
including Park Safety
This item aims to update
signage and rules to enhance
visibility and ensure they
reflect current standards. The
updates will focus on park
safety, removing outdated rules
and replacing them with
relevant, up-to-date
information.
Proceed
Pickleball Pilot Program The Commission's focus will
be to conclude the Pickleball
Pilot Program and finalize the
permanent installation of
designated courts, pending
approval from the City
Council.
Proceed. Note that this
project requires a budget
enhancement.
Digital Signage The Commission proposes
implementing digital signage at
parks to display important
information, including
upcoming events, reporting
instructions, and other relevant
updates.
Recommend making more
extensive use of existing
digital signage in the
community centers and
reevaluate for fy 26-27.
July Parks Make Life Better The Commission proposes
hosting additional events
alongside the staff-led July
"Parks Make Life Better"
month. For example, they
envision adding a community
picnic or expanding teenfocused activities to further
engage the community during
this month-long initiative.
Focus on July 4
th
community picnic.
Reevaluate need for
additional programming as
part of WP4.2.2
2 CM recommended additional priorities
Work with staff to develop new Farmers’ Market programming Work with staff to develop rebranding of Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market Work with staff to expand Library programs and collaboration with BHUSD 3 DRAFT Human Relations Commission Work Plan Items
Project Description
City Manager
Recommendation
Kindness Week
Kindness Week is recognized
annually in February. Human
Services staff, with
involvement from the
Commission Ad Hoc, plan a
week of programming to
promote kindness in our
community.
Wait for commission to
combine and reconsider.
Critical Conversations (1)
This event typically features a
speaker series that promotes
the representation and
participation of different
groups of individuals,
including people of different
ages, races and ethnicities,
abilities and disabilities,
genders, religions, cultures, and
sexual orientations.
Pause program. Evaluate as
part of WP4.2.2. During fy
25-26 carry out similar
Never Again is Now
Mayoral initiative under
WP2.1.3.
BH Reads (2)
Community read and author
discussion in conjunction with
BHHS AP and Honors English
program.
Do 1 BH Reads this
calendar year (BHHS book
has already been
announced). Evaluate
program as part of WP4.2.2.
Day of Wellness
Created in 2023, this event was
a joint collaboration between
Human Relations Commission
and Health & Safety
Commission to bring various
wellness providers to the
community at Roxbury Park.
Proceed for fy 25-26.
Evaluate program as part of
WP4.2.2
CM recommended additional priorities
Focus on integration with Health and Safety Commission
4 DRAFT Health and Safety Commission Work Plan Items
Currently the Health and Safety Commission does not have formal priorities except for Day of Wellness.
Project Description
City Manager
Recommendation
Day of Wellness
Created in 2023, this event was
a joint collaboration between
Human Relations Commission
and Health & Safety
Commission to bring various
wellness providers to the
community at Roxbury Park.
Proceed for fy 25-26.
Evaluate program as part of
WP4.2.2
CM recommended additional priorities
Focus on integration with Health and Safety Commission
5 DRAFT Arts and Culture Commission Work Plan Items
Project Description City Manager
Recommendation
Fine Art
Acquisition
The acquisition,
installation, and
dedication of Judy
Chicago’s Trinity.
Return and dedication
of Yayoi Kusama’s
Hymn of Life: Tulips,
restoration work and
return of Carol Bove,
IO.
Proceed. Recommend this
be the focus of the
commission’s work until
completion.
Festival Beverly
Hills
Community Arts and Culture
festival which includes stage
performances and diverse
cultural workshops.
Proceed for fy 25-26.
Evaluate program as part of
WP4.2.2. Consider
combining with
Unity/Nowruz celebration in
March.
Artwalk
Monthly docent led walking
tours highlighting Beverly
Hills’ world class Fine and
Public Art collection
Proceed.
Visitor Kiosk/Art Portal
Centrally located kiosk(s)
to celebrate the City’s
history, current arts and
culture opportunities,
programs, events.
Portal/informational
website to promote
connections between local
artists, venues, engagement
opportunities within the
City.
Not recommended to
proceed. Utilize new City
website and update Explore
Beverly Hills app as needed.
Budget/staffing
implications.
Comprehensive partnership
with the Wallis (Idea:
Movies at the Wallis)
A comprehensive
partnership with the Wallis
– one of the jewels in our
city’s crown. One idea:
Movies at the Wallis. We
are after all, a movie town
where so many of the
Not recommended to
proceed. Budget/staffing
implications. Existing movie
program at Greystone
Theater.
6 writers, directors,
producers, actors,
composers, and studio
executives lived and
comprise a significant part
of our history.
CM recommended additional priorities
Work with staff to develop criteria for selection of performers at Concerts on Canon Consider proposed developer owned art, as needed
Validate developer owned art collection for location, condition, etc.
Propose Fine Art for acquisition once outstanding pieces have been installed Produce ongoing arts education around the City’s collection including developer owned artwork
7 Cultural Heritage Commission
Project Description City Manager
Recommendation
Golden Shield
Cultural Recognition
Program
(existing/ongoing)
Golden Shield plaques are
embedded in the sidewalk to
recognize important buildings and
businesses in Beverly Hills history.
Golden Shields are selected and
recommended by the commission
and approved by the City Council.
Funding for this program is included
in the department budget for FY 24-
25 and is proposed for FY 25-26.
Proceed. Continue existing
program with budgeted
funds.
Historic Landmark
Plaque Program
(existing/ongoing)
Owners of previously landmarked
properties may request a historic
landmark plaque to mount on the
façade of their building. While
typically owner-initiated, the
commission occasionally reaches
out to property owners to solicit
interest in requesting a plaque.
Property owners are responsible for
the cost of producing and mounting
the plaque and there is no cost to the
City aside from minimal use of staff
resources.
Proceed. Continue existing
program at no cost to the
City.
Historic Preservation
Awards Program and
Reception (proposed)
The commission has developed a
proposed Historic Preservation
Awards program to recognize
people and places that made a
significant contribution to
preserving the history of Beverly
Hills. Award recipients would be
nominated by the public and the
commission and selected by the
commission. Awards would be
given out at an annual reception.
Awards are proposed to be given in
four categories, including the “Phil
Savenick Award for Historic
Awareness and Education.” The
Proceed with
implementation of new
program for Fiscal Year 25-
26 using a portion of the
funds appropriated for the
Golden Shield program.
8 commission has recommended
funding the program using a portion
of the Golden Shield program
budget by reducing the number of
Golden Shields awarded each year.
No additional funding is requested.
9 Public Works Commission
Project Description City Manager
Recommendation
Expand public-facing eGov
offerings (City Council work
plan WP2.2.5)
Launch customer-facing
water consumption
application that is
integrated with online
payment system.
Proceed.
Upgrade and expand
customer-facing applications
(City Council work plan
WP2.2.2)
Upgrade customer relations
management (CRM) and
call-center software
offerings to support
AskBH and departments
with customer service
operations.
Proceed.
Maintain Public Facilities and
Infrastructure (City Council
work plan WP5.1.13)
Street resurfacing
associated with Metro
projects, including
Wilshire Blvd. and
residential areas affected
by dewatering wells and/or
haul route violations.
Proceed.
Continue to Manage the
Character of the Community
in light of State mandates
(City Council work plan
WP6.3.2)
Conduct long range
planning discussions
regarding the future
character of the City, to
include the review of the
results the Urban Forest
Master Plan.
Proceed.
Ensure Financial Stability and
Economic Viability
(New item, added as City
Council work plan WP3.1.9)
Conduct a residential and
commercial solid waste
rate study to fund the Solid
Waste Utility.
Proceed.
Reduce Carbon Emissions
(City Council work plan
WP7.2.1)
Expand level 2 EV
chargers in City parking
structures.
Proceed.
Reduce Carbon Emissions
(City Council work plan
WP7.2.2)
Implement Climate Action
and Adaptation Plan
(CAAP).
Proceed.
10 Reduce Carbon Emissions
(City Council work plan
WP7.2.3)
Ensure compliance with
the Advanced Clean Fleets
Rule.
Proceed.
Increase Water Resilience
(City Council work plan
WP7.3.1)
Implement Cabrillo pump
station and forebay project
to enhance and increase
emergency pumping
capacity and redundancy.
Proceed.
Increase Water Resilience
(City Council work plan
WP7.3.2)
Implement citywide
automated water meter
multi-year replacement
project.
Proceed.
11 Traffic and Parking Commission
Project Description City Manager
Recommendation
Increase Pedestrian Safety
(City Council work plan
WP1.3.1)
Study additional safety
measures on certain streets.
Proceed.
Ensure Financial Stability
and Economic Viability (City
Council work plan WP3.1.5)
Conduct off street and on
street parking rate study for
City parking structures and
meters.
Proceed.
Develop New Facilities (City
Council work plan WP5.2.2)
Evaluate implementation of
streetscape enhancements per
Connect BH on Wilshire and
La Cienega Blvds., including
new or enhanced crosswalks,
and transit shelters
Proceed.
Increase Mobility Options
and Improvements (City
Council work plan WP7.1.1)
Pilot ongoing on-demand
transit service (e.g. turnkey
transit services, VIA,
Waymo, etc.) Ensure that
offerings by autonomous
vehicle providers are
considered.
Proceed. Note: have funding
for 18 month pilot, not for
permanent program.
Increase Mobility Options
and Improvements (City
Council work plan WP7.1.2)
Evaluate implementation of
Complete Streets Plan. Some
new projects include
crosswalks at the six-way
intersection, Le Doux and
Wilshire, and on Coldwater
as well as safety measures,
such as a High intensity
Activated crossWalK HAWK
at Wetherly/Almont and
Gregory/Robertson. In
addition, mid-block crossings
at La Cienega Park on La
Cienega and on La Cienega
north of Wilshire being
considered between Wilshire
and Clifton.
Proceed.
12 Reduce Carbon Emissions
(City Council work plan
WP7.2.1)
Expand level 2 EV chargers
in City parking structures.
Proceed.