The Beverly Hills City Council expressed unanimous support to fill an imminent vacancy on the Planning Commission with former Public Works Commissioner Jeff Wolfe. Wolfe will take over for outgoing Planning Commission Vice Chair Tom Hudnut, who leaves the commission on June 30 after serving a two-year term.
A panel consisting of Council liaisons Mayor Lili Bosse and Councilmember Lester Friedman, in addition to Planning Commission Chair Andy Licht and Vice Chair Tom Hudnut, held interviews with eight candidates.
“This was a unanimous recommendation from the liaison,” Bosse told the Council. “We had some very strong candidates, which we’re grateful for and we always ask the people who apply please don’t give up and to apply again for this commission or other commissions that they’re interested in, but
our unanimous choice was Mr. Jeff Wolf.” Councilmember Robert Wunderlich similarly praised the quality of candidates but supported Wolfe’s selection.
“It was an exceedingly well-qualified set of applicants. I can understand that the decision was difficult. Several of them had performed exceptionally in other roles as commissioners,” Wunderlich said. “That includes Jeff also, who did exceptionally on the Public Works Commission.”
Wolfe served on the Public Works Commission for six years from 2013 to 2019, where he worked on issues involving water management and the state-wide drought.
His resume boasts a mix of public policy experience with more than two decades of work in technology infrastructure and general business management. He worked in developing a 10-year Water Enterprise Plan for the city and oversaw significant upgrades to the city’s water treatment plant and the switch to citywide LED street lighting. Over his tenure on the commission, Beverly Hills achieved a 30% reduction in water use.
Personal interests include sailing, marine life, soccer and music.
Hudnut informed the Council of his decision to step down from the commission and not seek reappointment in March, citing his appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Horse Racing Board.
“Serving on the Beverly Hills Planning Commission has been a distinct privilege. I have made friends, learned a lot, and, I hope, accomplished some good in the process. I will be forever grateful to the City Council for having appointed me,” Hudnut wrote in a letter to the Council.
Wolfe will serve a two-year probationary term with the chance of a four-year second term after that.
