AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: August 19, 2025
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Stephanie Harris, Director of Community Services
Joana Torres, Community Services Manager
Subject: APPROVAL OF A FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 APPROPRIATION TOTALING $64,344 FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE
REINSTALLATION, SECURITY, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TEMPORARY FLAG DISPLAY
Attachments: None
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a General Fund appropriation of $64,344 for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the reinstallation of the temporary art display of 1,400 international flags and memorial street signage to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
INTRODUCTION
After the events of October 7, 2023, the City Council took immediate action to recognize those who were murdered and kidnapped. Displays such as a shabbat table and the temporary flag display were installed at City Hall and 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 January 24, 2024, with a dedication held on January 25, 2024. The flags were reinstalled in March and April 2024, and again from September 30 to October 14, 2024.
The City hosted the Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in December 2024 and City Council authorized the flags to be installed for the duration of the summit, reinstallation of the temporary flag display and memorial street signage was from December 11, 2024 through December 13, 2024.
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Meeting Date: August 19, 2025
DISCUSSION
City Council will discuss the recommendation to approve the installation of the flags and memorial street signs during the Study Session on August 19, 2024. The installation is proposed to be installed from September 29 to October 10, 2025, honoring the anniversary of the attack. If the Council decides to reinstall the flag display in future years, the flags will have to be replaced in their entirety due to weathering from constant exposure to the elements. The wooden dowels and chosen materials of the flags were designed for a singular temporary installation and have been used past their initial life expectancy and only necessary replacements have been made to continue the display as needed each time.
The cost associated with the reinstallation, security, and maintenance of the flag display is approximately $64,344, which includes a $5,000 contingency for replacement flags and poles, as necessary.
The security costs account for two security officers 24 hours based on past practice and recommendations from the Beverly Hills Police Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
The funding being requested provides for the installation and removal of flags from September 29 to October 10, 2025, as well as the replacement of faded and damaged flags and weathered wooden dowels. Additionally, the funding will cover the cost associated with two security officers 24 hours a day for the duration of the flag display at the recommendation of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
On June 17, 2025, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital and Operating Budgets, which indicated potential financial challenges on the horizon, including forecasted deficits within the next five years. The forecasted General Fund operating surplus of $1.9 million was projected before one-time public benefit contributions of $10.0 million. The chart below displays the adjusted forecasted General Fund results for Fiscal Year 2025-26 incorporating both approved and proposed midyear appropriations.
Item Amount Account
Flags $19,400 00106710-731220
Security $39,944 00102301-731230-PATRL
Contingency $5,000 00106710-731220
Total $64,344
Meeting Date: August 19, 2025
$ 1.94
Less Approved and Proposed Mid-Year Appropriations (0.24) $ 1.71
Date Agenda Item Council Mid-Year
Appropriations
7/15/2025 Fully Burdened Cost to Add Program Operations Specialist in the Fire Department $ 0.09 8/5/2025 Appropriation to Fund Police Management Association MOU 0.08 8/19/2025 Flag Display and Related Security (pending approval) 0.06 $ 0.24
NOTE: Immaterial differences may exist due to rounding.
General Fund Summary (in millions)
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Projected Surplus before One-Time Public Benefit Contributions [1] Net Impact on General Fund Unassigned Reserves or Additional Use of One-Time Public Benefit Contributions
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year General Fund Appropriations Approved by Council [1] Excludes $10.0 million in anticipated one-time public benefit contributions to be considered for earmark towards Committed Fund Balance.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a General Fund appropriation of $64,344 for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the reinstallation of the temporary art display of 1,400 international flags and memorial street signage to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Jeff Muir,
Director of Finance
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved by Approved By