STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Huma Ahmed, City Clerk
Subject: Planning Commission Interview Panel Update
Attachments: Application (Redacted)
INTRODUCTION
The Planning Commission Interview Panel, composed of Councilmember Lester J.
Friedman, Councilmember Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD, Planning Commission Chair Lou Milkowski, and Vice Chair Gary Ross, met on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The panel interviewed 5 (five) applicants for one vacancy on the Planning Commission.
DISCUSSION
The following candidate is recommended for City Council consideration:
• Mr. Jason Grant
Midterm Appointment (will be seated immediately)
Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
Per the Commissioners’ Handbook (page 30), “The start and end dates of an appointment will fall on either a January or July schedule.” With City Council approval, Mr. Grant will be seated immediately; however, his initial two-year term will be approximately two months shorter. His appointment will align with the established July rotation cycle outlined in the Commissioners’ Handbook. Upon conclusion of his initial term, Mr. Grant will be eligible for a four-year appointment.
He has also successfully completed the City’s required background check. Mr. Jason Grant is recommended to fill the vacancy of former Commissioner Myra Demeter, whose term ended on June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
The interview panel recommends that the City Council appoint Mr. Jason Grant to the Planning Commission. Due to the midterm appointments, a formal report has been included for adoption on Consent at the September 1, 2026, City Council Formal Meeting. Commission meetings are held onsite at City Hall. Except for certain temporary exceptions, commissioners are expected to attend meetings in person.
All the candidates are thanked for their thoughtful and compelling answers to the questions posed by the interview panel. The City of Beverly Hills is fortunate to have an extraordinary applicant pool, and the applicants are encouraged to re-apply for upcoming vacancies. Applicants who have not participated in Team Beverly Hills are urged to apply and complete the resident-based education program.
Huma Ahmed,
City Clerk
Approved By
Attachment 1