STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Huma Ahmed, City Clerk
Subject: Planning Commission Interview Panel Update
Attachments: Applications (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 Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The panel interviewed 4 (four) applicants, though five eligible applications had been received.
DISCUSSION
The following candidate(s) are recommended for City Council consideration:
• Mr. Jason Grant
Midterm Appointment – Seated Immediately
Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028
Seat: Former Commissioner Myra Demeter
• Mr. Joshua Greer
Term: July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2029
Seat: Outgoing Commissioner Gary Ross
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 three months shorter. His appointment will align with the established July rotation cycle outlined in the Commissioners’ Handbook. Mr. Grant is being recommended for the seat formerly held by Commissioner Myra Demeter, whose term concluded on June 30, 2026.
Additionally, the panel recommended Joshua Greer for outgoing Commissioner Gary Ross’ seat when his term concludes on June 30, 2027.
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
The City Council Policy Handbook recommends a minimum of five applications for two positions; the appointments are at the City Council’s discretion. Upon the conclusion of their initial terms, both candidates will be eligible for a four-year appointment.
The Planning Commission interviews were noticed and posted in accordance with Brown Act requirements. Interviews and deliberations were conducted in an open, public forum at City Hall.
Both candidates have successfully completed the City’s required background check.
Commission meetings are held onsite at City Hall. Except for certain temporary exceptions, commissioners are expected to attend meetings in person.
Approved candidates are required to attend all commission meetings leading up to their formal seating.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
RECOMMENDATION
The interview panel recommends that the City Council appoint both Mr. Jason Grant and Mr. Joshua Greer to the Planning Commission. Due to the midterm appointment for Mr.
Grant, a formal report has also been included for adoption on Consent at the September 22, 2026 City Council Formal Meeting.
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