Torrance City Council Meeting – February 27, 2024

The Torrance City Council met on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The meeting opened at 5:01 p.m. with a closed session and later reconvened in public session; minutes were not available, so this summary is based on the agenda and raw transcript. Councilmember Sheikh was absent for the meeting; other members were present for most votes, and Councilmember Griffiths was absent for two later votes. The council approved routine consent items, capital project awards, a police labor agreement, charter amendment hearing dates, a limited financial-process review, League of California Cities membership, Dodger tickets, and a July 4 fireworks show.

Closed Session and Civil Service Appeal

• The council recessed to closed session for litigation, labor negotiations, public employee discipline/performance, and real-property negotiations. Litigation items included Deborah Walls v. City of Torrance, Sling Flying Club v. City of Torrance, and Eric Hickman v. City of Torrance. Real-property negotiations covered 20500 Madrona Avenue and 25225 Crenshaw Boulevard. No actions were reported from the initial closed session.
• Under item 10A, the council held a closed hearing on the appeal of the Civil Service Commission decision sustaining termination of a Police Services Officer. City Attorney Patrick Sullivan reported a 6-0-1 vote (Sheikh absent) to uphold the termination. A second closed session later in the meeting had no reportable actions.

Community Matters and Announcements

• Kimberley Miller was appointed to the South Bay Workforce Investment Board for a term ending June 30, 2025 (6-0-1).
• A proclamation declared March 7-14, 2024 California Arbor Week. Landscape Manager Lewis Ochoa reported 600 trees were planted last year and invited the community to a March 9 planting event.
• A proclamation declared March 2024 American Red Cross Month. Red Cross and South High student representatives reported 177 local disasters assisted, 457 clients served, 103 children served, 359 smoke alarms installed, 468 people educated, and about 40% of the nation's blood supplied by the Red Cross.
• City Clerk announcements included the Civic Center Master Plan survey deadline extended to March 15, a community open house on February 29, and a March 18 application deadline for the Japanese American memorial advisory committee.
• Council announcements included Pitch Torrance on March 19, a March 7 Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee meeting, a proposed $500 Easter egg hunt subsidy, the March 5 election, and a March 6 siren test. Under Oral Communications #2, Councilmember Kaji reported on the Day of Remembrance and called for a Gaza ceasefire; Councilmember Kalani recognized International Women's Day; and Mayor Chen reported on a Taiwan trade mission.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar, including the February 6, 2024 minutes and November/December 2023 investment reports, was approved except item 8B.
• Item 8B, the Little Free Library pilot program, was approved after student presenters described their maintenance and stewardship plan. The council authorized $1,730 in in-kind services for eight library boxes (6-0-1).

Public Comments & Testimony

• James Henry spoke about Opening Day festivities. Another speaker criticized Torrance PD and demanded an independent civilian oversight commission, citing officer-involved killings, a swastika incident, and a testing scandal. A separate speaker compared Torrance unfavorably to Redondo Beach. One commenter was ejected after disrupting the meeting.
• On charter amendments, a speaker said voters had already decided the elected clerk/treasurer questions; another supported treasurer removal/qualification language.
• On the financial review, a speaker urged an independent audit and criticized the city manager.
• On League of California Cities membership, League regional manager Jeff Fiernan supported reinstatement, noting 476 of 482 California cities are members; two public speakers opposed the cost.
• On Dodgers tickets, a speaker asked about oversubscription; another called the resale subsidy a waste; a commenter made an off-topic Steve Garvey endorsement.
• On fireworks, speakers raised organized-crime concerns about vendors, suggested alternative sites, and opposed replacing fireworks with a drone show.

Discussion Items

• 9A – Pavement Improvement Program (I-159/I-139): The council adopted a Class 1 CEQA categorical exemption, approved plans and specifications, appropriated $46,000 from the Airport Fund, and awarded a contract to All American Asphalt of Corona for $18,480,420 plus a 15% contingency of $2,772,060. The program will repave about 5 million square feet of residential roadways and listed arterial streets, with construction from May through January 2025. Approved 6-0-1.
• 9B – Van Ness Water Wells Transmission Main: The council approved a first amendment with Vido Artukovich & Son/Vidmar, Inc., increasing the contract by $1,000,000 to a new not-to-exceed amount of $15,832,149.85 and extending the term to April 11, 2025. The amendment raises contingency to 12%. Approved 6-0-1.
• 9C – City Charter Amendments: City Attorney Patrick Sullivan explained the charter amendment process, including two required public hearings at least 30 days apart and a 21-day waiting period before ballot submission. Staff proposed hearings on March 12, April 23, and June 4, with a possible special meeting on June 25/26 to place measures on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Councilmember Griffiths asked to add runoff elections, city treasurer removal language, election-date alignment, and council seniority rules. The council directed staff to schedule the three hearings, reserve June 25 as a possible fourth hearing, and conduct a comprehensive charter review including Griffiths' requested items. Motion carried.
• 9D – Forensic Review of Financial Processes: Finance Director Jason Nishiyama reported six proposals ranging from $21,600 to $413,000 for a look-back from FY2014 through FY2020. Staff and council discussed the causes of reserve depletion, including the 2017 refinery incident, COVID-19, the cyber incident, and sales-tax dependence. A motion to accept and file failed for lack of a second. The council instead directed staff to score the proposals and return with a recommendation for a limited, lower-cost high-level review. Carried 5-1-1, with Councilmember Griffiths opposed.
• 9E – TPOA MOU: The council adopted Resolution 2024-08 setting wages and working conditions for the Torrance Police Officers Association for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025. Terms include a 4.5% first-year grid step, a 4% second-year increase, new salary grids, rolling the 6% sergeant premium into base salary, and increased health insurance and retiree stipend contributions. Expenditure is $5,769,258, about $3,061,239 annually. Approved 6-0-1.
• 9F – Police Trainee/Fire Recruit Resolution: The council adopted Resolution 2024-09 amending Resolution 2023-06 to adjust pay ranges and health insurance contributions for police trainees and fire recruits, effective February 11, 2024. Approved 6-0-1.
• 9G – League of California Cities Reinstatement: Staff requested reinstatement at a cost of $35,522.75, comprising $34,079 for state membership and $1,443 for the LA County division. Councilmember Griffiths opposed, arguing the League has failed to defend local land-use control; several other members said the message had been sent and membership would benefit staff and advocacy. The motion to reinstate carried 5-1-1.
• 9H – Dodgers Tickets: Staff recommended buying 1,000 tickets for a single Torrance Dodgers Day at about $33 per ticket, with optional on-field photo ($200) and visiting-team batting practice ($500) experiences. The council selected the Sunday, July 21 game, approved the $200 on-field photo option, and set the resale price at $15 per ticket for Torrance residents, with a six-ticket household limit. Approved 5-0-2 (Griffiths and Sheikh absent).
• 9I – July 4th Fireworks: The council approved holding a fireworks show at the Torrance Civic Center on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Staff noted Wilson Park cannot be used as a firing site because of development in the safety radius. Approved 5-0-2 (Griffiths and Sheikh absent).

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar except item 8B, then approved 8B separately.
• Approved the 9A pavement program and 9B water main contract amendment.
• Directed staff on charter amendment hearings: March 12, April 23, and June 4, with a possible June 25 special meeting, plus a comprehensive charter review.
• Directed staff to bring back scored options for a limited, lower-cost financial-process review rather than a full forensic audit.
• Adopted Resolution 2024-08 (TPOA MOU) and Resolution 2024-09 (police trainee/fire recruit).
• Reinstated League of California Cities membership.
• Approved Dodgers ticket purchase, $15 resale price, and on-field photo option.
• Approved the July 4, 2024 Civic Center fireworks show.
• Adjourned to Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session and 6:30 p.m. for regular business; March 5 is a Council Dark Night.