Torrance City Council Meeting – January 9, 2024

The Torrance City Council held an adjourned regular meeting on January 9, 2024, beginning with a 5:02 p.m. call to order and the closed-session agenda before the public business portion. Mayor George K. Chen was absent; votes were taken by the remaining councilmembers. The council presented proclamations, heard public comment, adopted administrative items, approved a firefighter union MOU, considered an appeal at 1724 Arlington Avenue, and gave final approval to a flight-school ordinance.

Closed Session

• Agenda items 14A–14D covered labor negotiations with multiple employee organizations, a real property lease negotiation at 2800 Skypark Drive with South End Racquet and Health Club, existing litigation in Anne Destabelle v. City of Torrance (LASC Case No. 23TRCV01320), and one anticipated litigation case.
• No reportable closed-session action was announced in the meeting transcript; the council moved on to the open agenda.

Consent Calendar

• None scheduled.

Council Announcements and Committee Reports

• The Finance and Government Operations Committee met earlier in the day and continued discussing revenue enhancement opportunities and a possible community facilities district; recommendations will come to the full council later.
• The Civic Center Master Plan community survey, prepared with Gruen Associates, is available online and in paper form until February 29, 2024.
• The City participated in an Alert South Bay wireless emergency alert test at 11:20 a.m.; residents can sign up for Torrance alerts.
• Torrance Municipal Airport (Zampini Field) will begin charging landing fees on February 1, 2024, with exemptions for military, public safety, medical, and certain helipad operators; billing will be handled through Plane Pass by Vector Airport Systems.
• The City Clerk reminded residents that ballots for the March 5, 2024 election will be mailed; Torrance voters in districts 2, 4, and 6 will elect councilmembers.
• Councilmember Mattucci received council concurrence, 5-1, to have staff bring back options for combining the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission and the Traffic Commission.

Community Matters

• The council honored Torrance centenarian Margaret H. Partsch, born December 26, 1923, with a proclamation and centenarian coin.
• The North High Saxon Regiment Marching Band and Color Guard was recognized for winning the 2023 Western Band Association Championship; about 70 members attended with Director Brian Smith and Coach Danny Mancaruso.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple speakers, including Sheila, Mary Ann, Michael, Camille, and Sarah, demanded an independent civilian oversight commission for the Torrance Police Department and said the council had been a hindrance to justice after the 2018 death of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell. Some criticized police raises and awards. One speaker used profanity, and the council later recessed after a disruptive exchange.
• Laura Stratton and Michael Lyon spoke about ongoing Sling flight school noise; Stratton said she counted 11 planes on the tarmac and 3–4 aloft and urged enforcement of the six-flight-school limit. Lyon said permanent relief is needed instead of a temporary restraining order. Diana Stephenson, a 50-year South Torrance resident, later thanked the council for working to restore airport balance.
• Andrew Lee thanked the Torrance Police Department for coordinating a multi-agency response when about 1,000 juveniles gathered at Del Amo Mall on December 30, 2023.
• Charlie Salinas asked the city to address a long-closed commercial property at Torrance Boulevard and Crenshaw, particularly the fencing.
• North Torrance Little League players Lennon Maruna and Kent Gayama invited media to an Ohtani-themed game on January 13 at 3 p.m. at North Torrance Little League Field.
• Residents opposed a proposed fire academy at El Camino College Parking Lot L, on Torrance property near the Dominguez Channel, citing noise, smoke, health impacts, traffic, and property value concerns.
• Public comment on agenda items included support for the state grant application, the deputy city attorney appointments, the firefighters MOU, the appellant at 1724 Arlington, and the flight-school ordinance; one speaker said persons responsible for allowing extra flight schools should be reprimanded.
• In Oral Communications #2, a speaker criticized recent city spending and new hires; councilmembers offered New Year's congratulations and praised the Torrance Rose Float.

Administrative Items

• 9A E-Bike Safety Program Update: Lieutenant Farley presented the new program using education, engagement, and enforcement. He described e-bike classes (Class 1/2 up to 20 mph, Class 3 up to 28 mph, under 750 watts), noted there is no minimum age for most e-bikes, and said illegal off-road bikes such as Surons can be impounded. The council discussed parent education, QR codes, safety clinics, retailer information, and DUI enforcement on e-bikes. The council accepted and filed the report.
• 9B Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program Grant: Public Works requested authority to apply for a California Natural Resources Agency grant to beautify the Cabrillo Avenue center medians, remove and replace deteriorated asphalt, install water-efficient irrigation, and plant 121 native trees. The requested amount was reported as $719,252, although the staff presentation initially said $719,000. The council adopted Resolution 2024-01.
• 9C/9D Deputy City Attorney Appointments: The council appointed Galen Bean as Deputy City Attorney I ($134,707 annually) and Jennifer Guerrero as Deputy City Attorney III ($202,226 annually), both General Fund positions. City Attorney Patrick Sullivan recommended both; motions carried.
• 9E Torrance Fire Fighters Association MOU: The council adopted Resolution 2024-02 approving a successor MOU with TFFA for December 31, 2023 through December 31, 2027. City staff highlighted salary-grid restructuring, education incentive premiums rolled into base pay for a 5% overall year-one compensation increase, improved PSA blood test access, consistent retiree insurance benefits, an ALS transport program anticipated in Q3 2024, higher health insurance contributions and opt-out payments, and scheduled wage increases. Total expenditure is $6,098,972, about $1,524,743 annually.

Public Hearing – 1724 Arlington Avenue Appeal

• The council considered an appeal by applicant Shaunt Nazarian of the Planning Commission's denial of a Planning Commission Review and Conditional Use Permit for demolition of a 1912 contributing craftsman house and construction of a new two-unit residential development in the Torrance Tract Overlay, R-2 zone.
• Staff said the original proposal had a 0.70 FAR requiring a CUP, while an alternate plan reduced the FAR to 0.65 and eliminated one bedroom per unit, making a CUP unnecessary. The appellant said the house is unsafe, with an engineer's report concluding the floor and foundation system must be rebuilt, and said the contributing status was not disclosed when he purchased the property. He stated the latest revised plan was 3,735 square feet and 0.59 FAR.
• Several councilmembers disclosed they had visited the property or had prior involvement. Staff maintained the contributing structure could be preserved and a second unit added without demolishing the house.
• After public comment and rebuttal by the applicant's designer, Councilmember Mattucci moved to grant the appeal and approve the alternate plan at 0.65 FAR with the craftsman design as presented. Staff clarified that at 0.65 FAR the CUP would not be required but the PCR would still need approval. The motion carried 3-2, with Councilmembers Griffiths and Kalani voting no; resolutions will be brought back.

Ordinance – Flight Schools

• The council gave second and final reading approval to Ordinance No. 3928, amending Torrance Municipal Code Section 31.1.10 regarding flight schools. Councilmember Kalani noted her prior recusal on airport items involving personal relationships with pilots did not apply to this item. The motion carried with Mayor Chen absent.

Key Outcomes

• Accepted the e-bike safety program update.
• Adopted Resolution 2024-01 for the EEM grant application.
• Appointed Galen Bean and Jennifer Guerrero as deputy city attorneys.
• Adopted Resolution 2024-02 approving the TFFA MOU.
• Granted the 1724 Arlington appeal and approved the alternate 0.65 FAR PCR on a 3-2 vote; directed staff to prepare the necessary resolutions.
• Approved Ordinance 3928 on second reading.
• Councilmember Lewis requested a staff update on the Amazon Fresh store at 21045 Hawthorne Boulevard.
• Adjourned to Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 5 p.m. for closed session and 6:30 p.m. for regular business; January 16, 2024 is a Council dark night.