Torrance City Council Meeting - December 19, 2023

The Torrance City Council held a regular meeting on December 19, 2023, starting with closed session at 5:00 PM and reconvening at approximately 6:30 PM. The meeting included recognitions, approvals of resolutions, extensive discussion on commission appointment procedures, revenue enhancement options, and adoption of ordinances limiting flight schools. Several public comments were heard, and one disruption led to the ejection of four individuals.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes, amendments, and routine items except items 8B (Las Canchas Tennis Facility lease extension) and 8D (vehicle purchase change orders), which were pulled for discussion.
• 8B approved after Councilmember Sheikh questioned finances, rental rates, and maintenance obligations. Staff confirmed audited reports and resident discounts.
• 8D approved after discussion about supply chain issues and force majeure; city attorney clarified contract provisions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A speaker complained about lack of water for audience, later disrupted meeting and was ejected along with three others.
• Roger Yanagita presented cards for WWII internment camp memorial design.
• Paul Chop spoke on airport contamination litigation (Item 9A) and later on commission applications.
• James Henry questioned investment portfolio deficit and urged no oil industry tax.
• Sarah Wilson (Torrance Refining manager) opposed oil industry business license tax and utility users tax.
• Multiple speakers expressed opposition to new taxes, with one calling SST a "fool the people" tax.
• Public comment on flight school ordinance: speaker supported ordinance and criticized Sling Pilot Academy.
• Final oral communications: a speaker joked about meeting and wished happy holidays.

Discussion Items

Commission Appointment Process (Item 9B)

City Clerk Rebecca Poirier presented extensive options from a "Synergy Squad" including application review teams, term limits, training, and combining commissions. Council discussed:

• Changing Municipal Code to have council (not mayor) make appointments.
• Order of appointments: quasi-judicial first (Planning, Civil Service, Environmental, Historic Preservation), then random order for others.
• Minimum applicant pool: at least two more applicants than seats (except incumbents).
• Switch commissions: require adequate notice (90 days) to allow vacancy filling.
• Adding criminal conviction disclosure to application.
• Merging Traffic and Environmental Commissions. Votes: All passed, with some dissent. (See Key Outcomes)

Revenue Enhancement Opportunities (Item 9D)

Finance Director staff presented options from FGOC: occupancy tax increase (0.5%), utility users tax (no increase), business license tax (5% increase), documentary transfer tax increase, and oil industry business license tax (0.25% of gross receipts, estimated $20.9M annually). Council debated:

• Councilmember Kaji supported exploring all options, especially oil tax, but recognized need for voter approval.
• Councilmember Griffiths opposed any new taxes, citing recent SST and business-friendly image.
• Councilmember Matucci favored occupancy tax increase to 12% and documentary transfer tax, but emphasized using revenue for pension debt.
• Councilmember Sheikh supported only 5% business license tax increase (first since 1992) but opposed other taxes.
• Mayor Chen emphasized business-friendly approach and fiscal discipline.
• City manager Aram Chaparyan cautioned against cuts that would harm services and employee retention. Ultimately, motion to accept and file (not proceed with FGOC recommendations) passed 6-1 (Sheikh no). However, council directed staff to continue studying fiscal challenges.

West Basin Lease and Easements (Item 9C)

Approved first amendment to lease for recycled water pump station at Lago Seco Park, plus resolutions for storm drain covenant and SCE easement. Public comment raised concerns about recycled water safety; staff clarified it's treated and used for irrigation.

Flight School Ordinance (Item 9H)

Adopted ordinance and urgency ordinance to define "flight school" and limit to six business licenses. City attorney stated it codifies 1977 resolution. Unanimous approval.

Sling Pilot Academy Appeal (Item 9I)

Council adopted findings of fact and conclusions of law, denying the appeal. Councilmember Kalani recused. Public comment supported the decision.

Budget and Investment Reports (Items 9E, 9F, 9G)

• 9E: First Quarter FY2023-24 Budget Review accepted and filed. General fund projected surplus due to vacancies and Measure SST.
• 9F: Investment portfolio report accepted; cash invested improved yield to 4.106%.
• 9G: Zero-based capital improvement plan priorities discussed; council provided direction and accepted.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted resolutions honoring retirees (Fire Engineer Brandi Cumin, Fire Engineer Robert Sawai, Michael Smith, Dorothy Ellis) and recognized El Camino College Men's Soccer Team.
• Approved Consent Calendar items (except 8B, 8D).
• Approved 8B (Las Canchas lease extension) and 8D (vehicle purchase change orders).
• Approved 9A ($1.9M appropriation from Airport Fund for legal services; new not-to-exceed $6.215M).
• Commission process changes (all passed):
  1. Modify Municipal Code to have council appoint commissioners (unanimous).
  2. Establish appointment order: Planning, Civil Service, Environmental, Historic Preservation first, then random (unanimous).
  3. Include criminal conviction question on application (unanimous).
  4. Merge Traffic and Environmental Commissions (5-2, Griffiths and Sheikh no).
  5. Require commissioners switching to provide 90 days' notice (6-1, Sheikh no).
• Approved 9C (West Basin lease and easements) after reconsideration.
• Accepted and filed revenue enhancement report (6-1), no tax measures advanced.
• Accepted and filed 9E, 9F, 9G.
• Adopted Ordinance 3928 (flight school definition and limit) and Urgency Ordinance 3929 (unanimous).
• Adopted findings in Sling Pilot Academy appeal (6-0, Kalani recused).
• Adjourned to January 9, 2024; December 26, 2023 and January 2, 2024 are dark nights.