AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: February 4, 2026
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Gregory Barton, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Subject: HEALTH AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REVISED
ELECTION CIVILITY STATEMENT
Attachments: 1. City Council Agenda Report - Human Relations Commission Revised Election Civility Statement – August 6, 2024
2. Election Civility Statement (Current)
3. Election Civility Statement (Final Draft)
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council adopt the updated Election Civility Statement as recommended by the Health and Human Relations Commission. The only change is to use the name of the newly consolidated commission – Health and Human Relations Commission.
INTRODUCTION
At the December 9, 2025, City Council formal meeting, the City Council adopted the ordinance entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS AMENDING
THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE TO CONSOLIDATE THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY COMMISISON WITH THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION TO CREATE THE HEALTH AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION.” This ordinance amended the Beverly Hills Municipal Code; therefore, this item presented is to adhere to this ordinance and implement the new commission name.
DISCUSSION
The current civility initiative started in December 2007 when the then Human Relations Commission (HRC) appointed an ad hoc committee to explore ways to foster civility in our community. By late 2009, the process of drafting an Election Civility Statement had begun. On March 2, 2010, the full City Council approved and adopted the final draft of the Statement.
Meeting Date: February 4, 2026
At the December 2023 HRC meeting, it was proposed that additional language be added regarding social media and technology commonly used in political elections. At the January 2024 HRC meeting, the updated Statement was approved as presented and was recommended review and consideration by City Council Liaisons. On March 27, 2024, City Council Liaisons, then-Vice Mayor Lester Friedman, and Councilmember Lili Bosse, approved the updated Election Civility Statement to be brought before the full City Council. On August 6, 2024, the City Council adopted the changes (Attachment 1).
On December 9, 2025, the City Council adopted a resolution to consolidate the Health and Safety Commission and the Human Relations Commission. The current Election Civility Statement includes the name of sunset commission – Human Relations Commission (Attachment 2).
It was encouraged to bring this item before City Council for approval prior to the national election. The Health and Human Relations Commission recommends the City Council approve to update the Election Civility Statement to incorporate the name of the newly consolidated commission – Health and Human Relations Commission (Attachment 3).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
Gregory Barton,
Fire Chief
Approved By
Attachment 1
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: August 6, 2024
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Joana Torres, Community Services Manager
Stephanie Harris, Director of Community Services
Subject: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REVISED ELECTION CIVILITY
STATEMENT
Attachments: 1. City Council Staff Report - Human Relations Commission Election Civility Statement for the Community – March 2, 2010
2. Election Civility Statement (Current)
3. Election Civility Statement (Final Draft)
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the City Council adopt the updated Election Civility Statement as recommended by the Human Relations Commission. The updated Election Civility Statement will incorporate the use of social media and technology that are more commonly used today in political elections.
INTRODUCTION
At the October 2023 Human Relations Commission meeting, then Chair Freeman requested to add to the November agenda, a discussion on updating the Election Civility Statement. The then Chair noted that social media was not a political tool when this statement was created and adopted in 2010 like it is today, and the statement should be updated to reflect that.
DISCUSSION
The Human Relations Commission’s current civility initiative started in December 2007 when the Human Relations Commission appointed an ad hoc committee to explore ways to foster civility in our community. By late 2009, the Human Relations Commission had begun the process of drafting an election civility statement, starting with the formation of an ad hoc committee. The Human Relations Commission Liaisons worked to draft the Election Civility Statement for the Beverly Hills community which was then approved and adopted by the full City Council on March 2, 2010. The City Council staff report for that meeting is attached to this report.
Meeting Date: August 6, 2024
At the November 2023 Commission meeting it was agreed for this item to be part of the Commission’s Civility Ad Hoc which included then Vice Chair Margo and Commissioner Kaiserman. At the December 2023 meeting, then-Chair Freeman proposed additional language to be added to the existing Election Civility Statement and created a temporary ad hoc consisting of herself and then Vice Chair Margo to work out the details of the additional language and return to the full Commission with a final draft to review and consider.
The current ad hoc made up of Chair Margo and Commissioner Freeman recommended the draft statement be presented to the full Commission for review at the January 18, 2024 meeting. The Commission approved the statement as presented and recommend review and consideration by City Council Liaisons. On March 27,2024 City Council Liaisons, then-Vice Mayor Lester Friedman and Councilmember Lili Bosse approved the adoption of the updated Election Civility Statement to be brought before the full City Council. It was encouraged to bring this item before City Council for approval prior to the national election.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
Stephanie Harris,
Director of Community Services
Approved By
Attachment 2
The Human Relations Commission
of the City of Beverly Hills strives to promote
positive human relations in all aspects of community life. We recognize the significant role of digital media and all online platforms in shaping public discourse. We encourage all community members to engage in online discussion with respect and empathy, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
We believe that the examination of diverse candidates and challenging issues can be conducted with great civility, without resorting to personal attacks or the spread of misinformation.
While our schools may provide civics education in the classroom, we citizens are obligated to provide our young people with a real-life model of positive civic behavior that we teach by example. We emphasize the importance of honesty and integrity in all aspects of civic engagement. Honesty builds trust, and integrity ensures that our community's values are upheld. Together let us exemplify the values of transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct to inspire the next generation of civic leaders.
We hope that every member of this community will join us as we take a stand in support of an environment where respect and responsible actions prevail in all elections and in every aspect of our community life.
Adopted by City Council August 6, 2024
Attachment 3
ELECTION CIVILITY STATEMENT
(Adopted by City Council on August 6, 2024)
The Health and Human RelationsCommission of the City of Beverly Hills strives to promote positive human relations in all aspects of community life. We recognize the significantrole of digital media and all online platforms in shaping public discourse. We encourage all community members to engage in online discussion with respect and empathy, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
We believe that the examination of diverse candidates and challenging issues can be conducted with great civility, withoutresorting to personal attacks or the spread of misinformation.
While our schools may provide civics education in the classroom, we citizens are obligated to provide our young people with a real-life model of positive civic behavior that we teach by example. We emphasize the importance of honesty and integrity in all aspects of civic engagement. Honesty builds trust, and integrity ensures that our community's values are upheld. Together let us exemplify the values of transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct to inspire the next generation of civic leaders.
We hope that every member of this community will join us as we take a stand in support of an environment where respect and responsible actions prevail in all elections and in every aspect of our community life.