Torrance City Council Regular Meeting - April 9, 2024

The Torrance City Council met on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, beginning at 5:06 p.m. with a closed session and reconvening for the regular public meeting. The agenda had been posted April 2, 2024. The council recognized outgoing Councilmember Mike Griffiths, certified the results of the March 5, 2024 general municipal election, swore in new and re-elected councilmembers, approved consent and administrative items, and later convened as the Public Housing Agency Board. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.

Closed Session

• The council recessed to closed session for labor negotiations (Item 14A), a real property negotiation for 3481 Airport Drive, #200 with Torrance Flite Park, LLC (Item 14B), and existing litigation involving Sling Flying Club, LLC cases (Item 14C). On reconvening, the city manager reported no reportable actions.

Ceremonies and Announcements

• Councilmember Mattucci led the flag salute and Councilmember Sheikh delivered the invocation.
• Councilmember Kalani requested an adjournment in memory of former Commissioner John McGee, who died March 28, 2024, at age 92, and the council noted his service to Torrance schools, the YMCA, and city commissions.
• The council heard announcements for National Library Week (April 7-13), National Pickleball Month, an Earth Day habitat restoration event at Madrona Marsh on April 27, and the Social Services Commission toiletry drive from April 15-30 with a drive-through collection on April 27.
• Councilmembers gave 7-0 concurrence for a resolution affirming at-large, citywide governance under the theme One Torrance, and 7-0 concurrence to seek federal national memorial designation for the World War II Camp Wall Memorial at Columbia Park.

Recognition of Outgoing Councilmember Mike Griffiths

• Council colleagues, the city manager, and a representative from Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi's office honored Councilmember Griffiths for 10 years on the council and his prior commission service, citing his advocacy for local control, public safety, infrastructure, airport balance, downtown redevelopment, historic preservation, and constituent service.
• Councilmember Griffiths urged the incoming council to continue the fight for local control, improve the historic preservation ordinance, avoid making street sweeping tickets a revenue source, protect hillside and vegetation view ordinances, support commissions and city programs, and keep working on downtown and airport issues. He thanked his family, staff, and supporters.

Election Certification and Oath of Office

• The council adopted Resolution 2024-12 declaring the results of the March 5, 2024 General Municipal Election. Certified results: Bridget Lewis won District 2 with 3,344 votes to Andrew Lee's 2,865; Sharon Kalani won District 4 with 3,859 votes; Jeremy Gerson won District 6 with 2,041 votes to Tony Ye's 1,973 and Jack Walzer's 1,332.
• The city clerk administered oaths of office to Councilmembers Lewis, Kalani, and Gerson. After a recess and reconvening, the council roster was Gerson, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh, and Mayor Chen. Councilmember Lewis was recorded absent for subsequent votes.

Public Comments #1

• Alberto Orozco asked for all California businesses to offer military discounts year-round and listed Torrance businesses already doing so.
• Speakers from the Carpenters union, including Samuel Salinski and Ray Lawson of Western States Carpenters Local 562, raised concerns about construction industry tax fraud and wage theft, and announced National Tax Fraud Days of Action from April 13-19.
• Michelle Rand invited the council to the April 20 Relay for Life event in downtown Torrance.
• Several city sanitation workers and AFSCME Local 1117 representatives opposed potential privatization or outsourcing of sanitation services. Jonathan Urquijo, a 19.5-year sanitation worker, introduced himself; another worker with 43 years warned that restarting city service would be costly, with about 34 trucks and roughly $17 million to replace them; and Local 1117 President David Inez said workers are not game pieces and no private company can deliver the same care.
• A speaker criticized the council for recognizing Councilmember Griffiths while Christopher DeAndre Mitchell was killed by Torrance police and called for independent civilian oversight. The speaker continued after time expired, was ruled disruptive, and was ejected.

Consent Calendar

• No councilmember requested to pull a consent item. The consent calendar included a $550 Wilson Park rental fee subsidy for Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi's Earth Day Teach-In on April 27, approval of Final Tract Map No. 83535 with a CEQA categorical exemption under Section 15332, a first amendment to the Elecnor Belco Electric public works agreement for taxiway lights and wire replacement at Torrance Municipal Airport - Zamperini Field extending the term to December 31, 2024, and an appropriation of $599,495.39 from the Transportation Development Impact Fee Fund for the Fiber Network and Traffic Signal Optimization project, T-195.

Administrative Matters

• Item 9A - Safe Clean Water Program Transfer Agreement: The council adopted Resolution 2024-13 approving the Los Angeles Regional Safe, Clean Water Program Transfer Agreement with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and appropriating $5,366,953 in grant funds to the Beach Cities Green Streets Project, S-194. Staff estimated 13 drywell locations with mostly vertical construction, no tree removals, and phased work. A public speaker questioned soil conditions and stormwater pollution. The motion carried with Councilmember Lewis absent.
• Item 9B - PCH/Crenshaw Intersection Improvement: The council approved the first amendment to the consulting services agreement with Psomas, extending the term for an additional two years to April 25, 2026, with no additional funding. A public speaker criticized the project timeline and feasibility. The motion carried with Councilmember Lewis absent.
• Item 9C - Fire Safety Management Resolution: The council adopted Resolution 2024-14, setting hours, wages, and working conditions for Fire Safety Management employees effective April 7, 2024, and repealing Resolution 2019-84. Staff said the first-year salary grid places Step 1 at 18% above the Torrance Firefighters Association grid, rolls up to 15% education incentive pay into base salary, guarantees at least a 5% pay increase upon promotion, aligns longevity tables, and includes a health insurance contribution increase; later years include a 3% grid increase and two 2.5% increases. The agenda listed the expenditure as $310,108, about $77,527 annually from the General Fund. One public speaker urged spending on safety equipment instead. The motion carried with Councilmember Lewis absent.
• Item 9D - Water Easement at 20500 Madrona Avenue: The council accepted a quitclaim of easement and adopted Resolution 2024-15 granting a new easement to California Water Service Company for relocated water facilities on city-owned property. Staff explained that relocation of a 20-inch water line was needed for a Water Replenishment District desalter plant expansion. A public speaker questioned the grantor/grantee language and water rates. The motion carried with Councilmember Lewis absent.

Public Housing Agency Board

• The council recessed and reconvened as the Board of Commissioners of the Torrance Public Housing Agency at 9:01 p.m. It approved the September 26, 2023 minutes and heard one public comment criticizing affordable housing and homelessness spending.
• Staff presented the 2024 Annual PHA Plan and 2024-2028 Five-Year Plan for the Section 8 program. The city has administered Section 8 since 1977. Current plans expire June 30, 2024; the new annual plan covers July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, and the five-year plan covers July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029. The agency plans to continue Section 8, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, Emergency Housing Voucher, and Stability Voucher programs while focusing on increasing lease-up rates.
• After no public testimony, the board closed the hearing and approved both plans and the required HUD certifications. Board Member Lewis was absent.

Second Reading Ordinance

• The council adopted Ordinance No. 3932 on second and final reading, amending sections of the Torrance Municipal Code governing appointment, terms, and filling of vacancies for city commissioners. The motion carried with Councilmember Lewis absent.

Public Comments #2 and Final Council Comments

• James Henry promoted the North Torrance Girls Softball League and invited residents to games at Hamilton Adult School fields.
• A remote speaker congratulated the newly elected councilmembers and apologized for being loud at a prior meeting.
• Andy Porchop criticized former Councilmember Griffiths and the mayor's handling of public comment.
• Councilmembers wished a happy Eid, welcomed Councilmember Gerson, reported on a Sacramento advocacy trip and retail crime research, thanked voters, and noted a District 5 community meeting on hillsides and street closures. Mayor Chen thanked staff, expressed condolences for the Taiwan earthquake, and highlighted the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution 2024-12 certifying the March 5, 2024 election and swore in Councilmembers Lewis, Kalani, and Gerson.
• Approved the consent calendar, including the $550 Wilson Park subsidy, Final Tract Map No. 83535, the airport taxiway lights agreement extension, and the $599,495.39 fiber network appropriation.
• Approved Resolutions 2024-13, 2024-14, and 2024-15 for the Safe Clean Water transfer agreement, Fire Safety Management compensation, and the California Water Service easement.
• Approved Ordinance No. 3932 and the 2024 Annual PHA Plan and 2024-2028 Five-Year Plan.
• Directed staff to prepare a resolution affirming at-large governance and to pursue national memorial designation for the World War II Camp Wall Memorial.
• The adjournment motion carried with Councilmember Sheikh voting no and Councilmember Lewis absent. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. to April 23, 2024; April 16 was noted as a council dark night.