Beverly Hills meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Beverly Hills committees weigh Rodeo Drive holiday lighting, tree replacement, AI website funding

This week, several Beverly Hills city committees met to discuss proposals ranging from a $667,575 Rodeo Drive holiday lighting celebration to replacing pine trees on Coldwater Canyon Drive and funding a new tourism website. All items were discussion-only; no votes or decisions were listed on the agendas, and minutes have not yet been published.

Rodeo Drive holiday lighting proposal

The City Council Liaison/Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee reviewed a plan for the 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, scheduled for Thursday, November 19, from 5–8 p.m. The proposal includes a budget request of $667,575, with a total event cost of $682,575 and $15,000 in assumed sponsorships. Street closures are planned from Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. to Nov. 20 at 6 a.m. on Rodeo Drive, Dayton Way, and Brighton Way. The city would waive approximately $70,000 in fees.

The plan also includes a new talent search, “Rodeo Drive Has Talent,” with online applications from Sept. 14 to Oct. 12, 2026. Optional add-ons include a fireworks finale ($31,000), an additional wine garden ($14,750), and headline talent either the Womack Sisters ($50,000) or Skyler Astin ($45,000). The committee provided feedback and recommendations; no approval was recorded.

Coldwater Canyon tree replacement

The Public Works Commission Liaison Committee considered a staff recommendation to adopt a Street Tree Master Plan for Coldwater Canyon Drive, which would use Chinese Pistache trees to fill vacant sites and replace Canary Island Pines as they are lost. A ballot of property owners showed 21 of 37 positive responses (57%) chose Chinese Pistache; 12 chose Holly Oak, and 4 chose Sky Climber Oak. Approximately 50 vacant tree sites exist on the drive, with a cost of about $2,000 per tree, or $100,000 total. The Canary Island Pines are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and are considered unsustainable. The committee took public comment; no decision was listed.

CVB seeks $147,523 for new website

The CVB Marketing Liaison Committee reviewed the Conference and Visitors Bureau’s fiscal year 2025/26 financial wrap-up and two funding requests. The bureau wants a new AI-powered website for LoveBeverlyHills.com, estimated at $250,000–$325,000. It would use $102,476.74 in unused CVB funds and request $147,523.26 in additional city tourism funding, for a total request of $250,000. The committee also discussed support for street pole banners on Wilshire Boulevard for the CAIS Investment Summit, Oct. 1–15, 2026. The wrap-up showed $102,476.74 in total unused funds, and the committee discussed using unencumbered TOT funds ($877,230 available) for the website project.

Other committee discussions

• **Litigation Committee (Aug. 12):** Discussed rate increase requests from two law firms, Armstrong Law Group and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore. No decisions were listed.
• **Property Owners Task Force (Aug. 13):** Discussed LA28 Olympics programming, a New York business attraction and retention trip, and commercial retail leasing updates, including tenants coming and leaving and available spaces. No votes were listed.

Coming up

The Small Business Assistance Task Force will meet Tuesday, Aug. 25, to discuss LA28 Olympics planning and small business support. The agenda includes public comment, a review of Beverly Hills Small Business Resources (including NOW Beverly Hills), and discussions on increasing foot traffic and online sales, as well as potential partnerships. No formal decisions are listed; the meeting is for discussion and information sharing.

Beverly Hills committees weigh holiday lighting, website, and tree replacement proposals

In the past week, Beverly Hills city committees met to discuss several proposals, but no final decisions were made. The most significant item was a $667,575 budget request for the 2026 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration, reviewed by the City Council Liaison/Rodeo Drive/Special Events/Holiday Program Committee on August 14.

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting

The committee reviewed a proposal for the November 19, 2026 event (5–8 p.m.) that includes a budget request of $667,575, with a total cost of $682,575 and $15,000 in assumed sponsorships. Street closures are planned from Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. to Nov. 20 at 6 a.m. on Rodeo Drive, Dayton Way, and Brighton Way. The city would waive approximately $70,000 in fees. Optional add-ons include a fireworks finale ($31,000), an additional wine garden ($14,750), and headline talent options: the Womack Sisters ($50,000) or Skyler Astin ($45,000). The committee also discussed a new talent search, “Rodeo Drive Has Talent,” with online applications from Sept. 14 to Oct. 12, 2026.

CVB Website and Marketing Funding

The CVB Marketing Liaison Committee on August 14 reviewed the Conference and Visitors Bureau’s fiscal year 2025/26 financial wrap-up and two funding requests. The CVB seeks $147,523.26 in additional city tourism funding, plus $102,476.74 in unused CVB funds, for a new AI-powered website for LoveBeverlyHills.com (total request $250,000). The committee also discussed a street pole banner campaign on Wilshire Blvd. for the CAIS Investment Summit, scheduled for Oct. 1–15, 2026. The wrap-up showed $102,476.74 in total unused funds, and the committee discussed using unencumbered TOT funds ($877,230.00 available) for the website project.

Coldwater Cañon Tree Replacement

The Public Works Commission Liaison Committee on August 12 considered a staff recommendation to adopt a Street Tree Master Plan for Coldwater Cañon Drive, using Chinese Pistache trees to fill vacant sites and replace Canary Island Pines as they are lost. A ballot of property owners showed 21 of 37 positive responses (57%) chose Chinese Pistache; 12 chose Holly Oak; 4 chose Sky Climber Oak. There are approximately 50 vacant tree sites, with a cost of about $2,000 per tree, totaling $100,000. The Canary Island Pines are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and are considered unsustainable. No decision was made.

Litigation Committee

The Litigation Committee met August 12 to discuss rate increase requests from two law firms: Armstrong Law Group and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore. The agenda listed only discussion and public comment; no decisions were scheduled.

Property Owners Task Force

The Property Owners Task Force Committee met August 13 to discuss planning for LA28 Olympics programming, input on a New York business attraction and retention trip, and updates on commercial retail leasing activity, including tenants coming and leaving and available spaces. No votes or decisions were listed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

Olympic planning, $561K holiday decor on Beverly Hills agendas

Beverly Hills committees met last week to discuss initial programming for the 2028 Olympics and a proposed holiday decoration plan for Rodeo Drive. No votes were taken at either meeting; both were agenda items only, with minutes not yet published.

LA28 Olympics planning

The LA28 Liaison Committee met June 29 to discuss and provide direction on initial Olympic programming proposals. Key items included:

• A proposal to partner with Israeli, German, and U.S. Olympic committees to host a memorial event for the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics massacre.
• Requests from countries such as Romania and France to rent private homes as hospitality houses during the Games.
• A study session on short- and long-term rental code adjustments planned for summer 2026.
• Temporary modifications needed to the city's banner policy and anti-advertising ordinance to allow official LA28 banners.
• Future agenda items may include participation in the Cultural Olympiad and Sister City events. Staff recommended the committee meet bi-monthly moving forward.

Rodeo Drive holiday decor proposal

The Rodeo Drive Special Events and Holiday Program Committee on June 30 reviewed a proposal for the 2026 holiday display on Rodeo Drive. The design features gemstone-themed installations with 16-foot wreaths and 12-foot gem sculptures. The budget request is $561,358, funded by the Tourism and Marketing budget (TOT). The display would run seven weeks, from Nov. 19, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.

Optional upgrades include additional garland ($23,058) and icicle lights ($12,340.80). The committee sought feedback on the design and budget and took public comment. The holiday decor is separate from the citywide holiday decorations and the Holiday Lighting Celebration event.

Coming up

No City of Beverly Hills meetings are scheduled for the next 14 days.