AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Sara Scrimshaw, Venue Supervisor – Historic Site
Subject: REQUEST TO WAIVE $7,302 IN USE AND FACILITY RENTAL FEES
FOR PALISADES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL TO HOLD THEIR
SENIOR CLASS BREAKFAST ON OCTOBER 3, 2026 AT
GREYSTONE MANSION AND GARDENS IN LIGHT OF THE IMPACT
OF THE JANUARY 2025 PALISADES WILDFIRES
Attachments: None
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council review and approve a request from the Associated Student Body (ASB) and parents of Palisades Charter High School (PCHS)’s 2027 Senior Class to waive use and facility rental fees, in the amount of $7,302, associated with hosting their annual Senior Class Breakfast on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Greystone Mansion and Gardens, in light of the damage and displacement caused by the January 2025 Palisades wildfire.
INTRODUCTION
During the January 2025 wildfire events in Southern California, PCHS was extensively damaged. With much of the school facility destroyed or heavily damaged, the graduating Classes of 2025 and 2026 received permission from the City Council to hold their senior breakfast events at the Greystone Mansion and Gardens (“Greystone”). After a prolonged period of disruption, with classes taking place at an alternate location in Santa Monica, PCHS students returned to campus early in 2026.
In light of the fact that the members of the Class of 2027 were enrolled at PCHS during the wildfire events of January 2025, and were part of the student body whose high school experience was negatively impacted by the fires, the PCHS Associated Student Body (ASB) is requesting permission for the Class of 2027 to also hold their Senior Breakfast at Greystone in October, so they can enjoy the special experience that was extended to the Classes of 2025 and 2026.
This year’s request does not include a fee waiver request for the Class of 2028’s Senior Class Breakfast. However, it is likely that the Class of 2028 will make a similar waiver Meeting Date: September 1, 2026
request next year, given that the Class of 2028 will be the last class of students that were enrolled at PCHS when the wildfire events occurred.
DISCUSSION
The Community Services Department was contacted by the ASB’s 2027 Senior Class President, inquiring if the City of Beverly Hills would again allow PCHS to hold its Senior Class Breakfast, a milestone event for students, at Greystone, and waive the applicable use and facility rental fees.
ASB proposes to hold this event at Greystone on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, plus set-up and breakdown. PCHS would provide all necessary furniture, including tables and chairs, for this event, as well as any decorative items, food and beverages, and catering supplies. A total of 350 people are expected to participate in the event, including approximately 250 - 300 PCHS Seniors, along with parents and teachers serving food and beverages provided by approved food vendors. This event would take place during Greystone’s normal operating hours and would not have a significant impact on City staffing. The courtyards would be closed to members of the public during this private event. As parking is limited at Greystone, attendees would be encouraged to carpool to limit the impact on the park patrons.
With approval from the City Council, the 2025 and 2026 graduating classes held their Senior Class Breakfasts at Greystone in March 2025 and November 2025, respectively.
The City Council approved waivers of Greystone use and facility rental fees for both prior Senior Class Breakfasts. The ASB leadership and teacher liaisons have confirmed that details for this event will be the same as in previous years.
FISCAL IMPACT
Expenses necessary to support the event are estimated at $7,302. PCHS is requesting the City Council waive the entire $7,302 fee. This total includes the security deposit, and all rental fees for the duration of the event, including set-up and breakdown time. In addition, the total includes staff costs for two Park Rangers to assist with the influx of patrons on the park grounds, and to oversee set up and breakdown by the vendors.
Category Fees
External Event Fees $2,966
External Event Strike/Prep Time $1,870
Park Ranger Fees (2 Park Rangers) $966
Refundable Surety Deposit $1,500
Total $7,302
Jamie Bumia
Director of Community Services
Approved By