City Hall Promotions

The City Council announced last week that, after a comprehensive and wide-ranging search, Stephanie Harrris, the Director of the City’s Community Services Department, will take over as Assistant City Manager.

The City of Beverly Hills has 12 Departments, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, City Treasurer, Community Development, Community Services, Finance, Fire Department, Police Department, Human Resources, Information Technology and Public Works.

In recent years, the City Attorney, City Clerk and City Manager report to the Council. Most other departments report directly to the City Manager but at the discretion of the City Manager, some may report to the Assistant City Manager. Under current City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey, the Departments of Community Development and Public Works reported to Ryan Gohlich and the rest reported directly to Ms. Hunt-Coffey. Mr. Gohlich has not announced how he will organize these reporting relationships.

As Director of Community Services, Ms. Harris has been responsible for Arts, Culture and Events, Community Services Administration, Library, Recreation, Park Rangers, Next BH and three commissions. These account for over 150 part and full-time employees.

The job of Assistant City Manager as described in the City prepared solicitation of applicants is described as follows: “With the promotion of the Assistant City Manager to City Manager, the City of Beverly Hills, California is seeking its next Assistant City Manager to step into a critical leadership role at a pivotal moment for the organization. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned municipal executive to join a high-performing leadership team and play a central role in advancing the City’s strategic priorities while upholding Beverly Hills’ exceptional standards of service, governance, and professionalism.

“The Assistant City Manager will thrive on addressing high expectations and be a trusted partner to the City Manager, providing executive leadership across complex municipal operations, high-profile initiatives, land use matters, and cross-departmental efforts. The ideal candidate is a strong generalist with excellent judgment, emotional intelligence, political acumen, and executive presence to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly visible environment, while building strong relationships with elected officials, staff, and the community.”

The Annual Salary range set forth when the position was posted is between $293,891.88 and $425,279.88.

Ms. Harris is a Sylmar native and has a B.A. in Communications from Cal. State Los Angeles and an M.A. in Public Administration from Cal. State Northridge. She has been in municipal government for 23 years, starting as a recreation leader for the City of Rosemead. She joined the City as a Management Analyst in the Community Services Department and has had responsibility for the Dog Park and Beverly Park Gardens Park before taking over as Director of Community Services in 2023.

Her priorities are protecting public safety and ensuring the City’s fiscal health. She emphasizes that she views her overall responsibility as supporting the City Manager and taking on whatever jobs he assigns.

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The subway is coming just in time!! With gas prices approaching $10 per gallon, even Beverly Hills residents might consider giving public transportation a try.

I continue to be concerned about Metro’s transparency and credibility. After alternating over the years between having its own police force and the current practice of contracting with the County Sheriff and local police forces for security services, Metro announced some time ago that it was forming its own police force again. However, this has not yet occurred and Metro has been unable or unwilling to disclose much about the status of these plans.

I remain of the view that the most significant immediate action that Metro could take is the installation of the tall security gates programmed to allow only fare-paying riders to enter or exit at all of its stations. At a minimum, our City officials should insist and ensure that such gates be installed and operating in that fashion at the Beverly Hills and nearby stations.

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Notes from the Campaign Trail

Our City Council candidates are actively signing up endorsements as we approach the April 12 campaign kickoff date. Here are some who responded by press time.

CouncilMember Lester Friedman is supported by the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association, the Beverly Hills Firefighters Association, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, retired Beverly Hills Police Chief Dominick Rivetti, retired Beverly Hills Fire Chief Ralph Mundell, and former Beverly Hills City Manager George Chavez

Rebecca Pynoos is recommended and expected to be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party on April 21. She also reports endorsements from Democrats for Israel - Los Angeles and is recommended and expected to be endorsed by the the West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club on Wednesday, which occurred after press time. Individuals endorsing her include Planning Commission Chair Jeff Wolfe, former Mayor Bob Wunderlich, Former School Board member Alissa Roston, Planning Commissioner Myra Demeter, former Planning Commissioner Noah Furie, former Planning Commissioner Lori Greene Gordon, former Chair of Cultural Heritage Jill Collins, former Human Relations commissioner and educator Rochelle Ginsburg, Virginia Maas, Architectural and Design Review Commissioner Terri Smooke, Screenwriter Billy Ray, Helen Weston and Sinai Temple Board Member Richard Weston, Traffic and Parking Commissioner Michael Karric.

Clayton Moshe Saunders reports that he has the endorsement of Rabbi Hertzel Illulian.

Roger Tanenbaum has offered sincere thanks to several of his endorsers: Nancy Krasne, Lorraine Eastman, Dr. Joe and Gilla Ezer, Isaac and Simin Neman, and Fred and Cheryl Wolf.

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On Sunday April 12, some of the candidates will host campaign kickoff events. This marks the official start of the campaign which allows for a proliferation of lawn signs promoting the candidates. Typically these involve more or less elaborate garden parties marked by the availability of more or less elaborate grub. In consideration for the free eats, the attendees will be treated to the introduction of the candidate by a former Mayor or other prominent resident or two. Then the candidates will speak. First time candidates will speak about their love for the City and their drive to “give back.” Candidates running for re-election for their second or third terms will explain that they are motivated by the fact that “there is so much more to do.” Do not expect Daniel Webster.

If you are not able to attend one or more of these events, not to worry. I will attend as many as I can and bring you up to date next week.