Torrance City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2024

The Torrance City Council convened on September 10, 2024, at 5:09 PM for an adjourned regular meeting that included closed session, public hearings, and a regular business session. The council unanimously approved consent calendar items (except two pulled for discussion), adopted multiple resolutions on employee compensation and benefits, accepted annual reports, and conducted public hearings on a Mello-Roos Community Facilities District and updated user/regulatory fees. Several community recognitions and proclamations were also made.

Consent Calendar

• Approved City Council minutes of August 13 and August 20, 2024.
• Authorized Library Commission to hold six meetings at branch libraries (December 2024 – June 2025).
• Authorized a Recognition and Attornment Agreement for a subtenant at Rolling Hills Plaza (C-053).
• Approved Final Parcel Map No. 83385 and accepted a street/highway easement along Crenshaw Boulevard.
• Approved First Amendment to contract with Absolute International Security, Inc. for encampment prevention overnight security guard services (not-to-exceed $220,000; new total $419,912.32; term extended through September 11, 2025).
• Accepted and filed 2023 annual reports from Torrance Sister City Association, Torrance Youth Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, Library Commission, Commission on Aging, and Measure SST Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
• Approved First Amendment to consulting agreement with Gruen Associates for Civic Center Master Plan (adds $18,108.20 contingency; new total $199,190.20; extended through July 31, 2025).
• Accepted and filed update on unleaded aviation fuel at Torrance Municipal Airport (Item 8N pulled for discussion; clarified as informational only).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications #1 (15-minute period): Multiple speakers addressed the council. Most speakers urged the creation of an independent civilian oversight commission for the police department, citing recent scandals and the death of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell. One resident criticized Councilmember Mattucci for not responding to contact requests regarding Hillside issues. A speaker questioned the city's mailer on Measure TC, alleging it would actually give councilmembers a raise. An employee (George Espinoza) complained about harassment and unsafe conditions in Fleet Services. Others promoted the Torrance Theater Company, requested no-parking signs on Prairie Avenue, and expressed concerns about leaded fuel at the airport (favoring immediate switch to 94UL gasoline).
• Public Hearings (Items 10B, 10C): One speaker supported the Mello-Roos district and suggested including electric vehicle charging stations. One speaker generally supported the updated user/regulatory fees and joked about lemonade stands.

Discussion Items

• Item 8E – Encampment Prevention Security Patrol Contract: Councilmember Sheikh pulled the item to commend staff. Staff reported 11,222 total contacts and 186 unhoused contacts over 10 months of patrols. The contract provides flexibility to re-task guards based on surge needs at various parks. Council approved.
• Item 8N – Unleaded Aviation Fuel Update: Councilmember Lewis pulled the item to clarify that it was an informational update only, not an approval of a fuel switch. Staff confirmed discussions remain ongoing; no action to ban leaded fuel was taken. Council approved.
• Item 9A – Madrona Marsh Deed Restriction: Staff explained the deed restriction is required to draw down a 2002 grant from California Department of Parks and Recreation for an outdoor education facility. The grant was awarded in 2017/2018 but delayed. Council adopted Resolution 2024-64.
• Item 9B – Torrance Sister City Association Grant: Requested $5,000 (increase from $2,000 last year). Councilmember Gerson noted the $5,000 limit is the city’s policy. Staff confirmed the previous appropriation had been $1,500 for many years (since at least 2008). Council approved unanimously.
• Item 9C – Armed Forces Day 2025 Planning: Council accepted the after-action report from June 24, 2024, and directed staff to begin planning the 63rd annual celebration. The Army will be the featured branch for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
• Item 9D – Strategic Plan Implementation Update: Council accepted the June 12, 2024 committee minutes and update. Achieved strategic sub-goals increased from 19 to 35; operational sub-goals from 64 to 76. All goals on track.
• Items 9E-9J – Employee Compensation Resolutions: Council adopted multiple resolutions setting hours, wages, and working conditions for various employee groups, including Police Safety Management (eliminating several premiums), Executive & Management (4% annual raises through FY 2027-28), Fire Safety Management (amendments), Certain Full-Time Salaried/Hourly, Torrance Professional & Supervisory Association (4-year MOU, 19% total cost equivalent), and changes for City Attorney/Manager/Treasurer (health insurance updates) and Elected Officials (health insurance + 9% pay increase for City Clerk). All passed unanimously.
• Items 9K and 9L – Deferred: Both items (Police Recruitment and Retention Pilot Program, and Cottage Food Ordinance) were deferred to a later meeting.
• Item 10B – Mello-Roos Community Facilities District (CFD): Public hearing held. Staff presented the ordinance to require new developments to either annex into a CFD or make one-time payments to mitigate operational impacts. Estimated annual revenue at build-out: $420,611 based on ~600 residential units and ~600,000 sq ft of industrial space. Council discussed rates, flexibility, and future adjustments. Adopted Resolution 2024-75 and Ordinance amending TMC Section 95.1.6.
• Item 10C – User and Regulatory Fee Update: Public hearing held. Consultant Terry Madsen (ClearSource) presented 36 new or adjusted fees covering building, planning, transit, etc. Council adopted the resolution authorizing the fees and annual inflation adjustments indexed to CPI-W.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items approved except 8E and 8N, which were pulled and separately approved unanimously.
• Resolutions 2024-63 to 2024-77 adopted (Gilbert Ortega retirement, Madrona Marsh deed restriction, employee compensation/H&W for multiple groups, Mello-Roos CFD goals, user fees).
• Appointments: Catherine Holdbrook-Smith appointed to South Bay Workforce Investment Board.
• Proclamations: September 15 – October 15, 2024 recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month in Torrance.
• Direction to staff: Monitor Richmond, CA’s Chevron tax settlement (Councilmember Kaji); review blue tarp ordinances from nearby cities and property maintenance education (Councilmember Mattucci).
• Future agenda: Items 9K and 9L deferred; next meeting scheduled for September 17, 2024 (closed session).
• No reportable actions from closed session (labor negotiations, litigation, real property).