Torrance City Council Regular Meeting - October 8, 2024

The Torrance City Council met on October 8, 2024, beginning with a closed session at 5:00 PM for legal, real property, and labor negotiations, from which no reportable actions were taken. The regular open session commenced at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. Key actions included directing staff to draft a mobile home park space rent stabilization ordinance, approving a 20-year lease with the Torrance Historical Society, adopting dark night dates for early 2025, and authorizing a contract for a hydrogen sulfide scrubber system.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the City Council minutes of September 10, 2024.
• Authorized a purchase order with Asphalt Zipper of Pleasant Grove, UT for one Reclaimer/Stabilizer at $290,922.50 via cooperative purchase.
• Approved a new class specification for Information Technology Manager – Public Safety.

Public Comments & Testimony

Oral Communications #1 (items not on the agenda):

• Carol Gillis (Torrance Rose Float Association) reminded the council that volunteers are needed to decorate the city’s Rose Parade float and announced a meeting on October 17.
• Charlie Salinas urged the city to consider indoor pickleball courts and suggested changing the city name to “Torrance Beach.”
• Brandy Keith (South Coast Air Quality Management District) announced rebate expansions for zero-emission lawn and garden equipment (up to $250) and a community meeting on Rule 1180.
• Mary Jo Baratic called for a mobile home rent stabilization ordinance, stating that a GSMO corporate attorney is willing to assist with wording.
• Susan Neemeyer criticized Ballot Measure TC, claiming it would provide excessive compensation for the mayor and council, funded by taxpayers.
• Deb Osborne deferred comments on Skyline Mobile Home Park to a subsequent meeting.
• Anthony Valentino (District 5 resident) raised concerns about increased traffic from new development on PCH and PV, and an uptick in crime, requesting guidance on resident action.
• Kent Allen expressed support for George Barks’ campaign for the 66th Assembly District, criticizing incumbent Al Muratsuchi.
• George Barks (former Hermosa Beach mayor/councilman) called for change in Sacramento and provided informational packets.
• A speaker invited the council to the Torrance Art Museum opening reception on October 12.
• Doug Maupin (developer) praised the city’s housing direction and noted opportunities to create additional rental and low-income housing.
• Two speakers advocated for creating an independent civilian oversight commission for police, citing transparency and accountability.

Oral Communications #2 (items not on the agenda):

• A speaker thanked the council for approving the Black Sheep RC track but noted the project is stalled due to a nonpartisan border dispute.
• One speaker objected to apparent campaigning by certain individuals in the civic center and questioned the League of Women Voters’ use of city facilities for political events.
• Another speaker advocated for voting for Nathan Hochman against George Gascón and for Steve Garvey, and requested paper copies of the agenda be made available.

Discussion Items

Council Announcements and Committee Reports:

• Councilmember Kalani moved to adjourn in memory of Alan M. Swartz, a longtime Torrance philanthropist and civic leader. She also expressed sympathy for Hurricane Helene victims, announced the Great California Shakeout on October 17 at 10:17 AM, and reported on a successful Oshu Friendship City week, including a signing ceremony and planting of Sakura trees.
• Councilmember Lewis proclaimed October as National Arts and Humanities Month and encouraged participation in local arts organizations.
• Councilmember Gerson announced a Community Planning and Design Committee meeting on October 10 and then raised the issue of mobile home park space rent increases. He displayed copies of rent increase letters ranging from 11% to 18%, with one potential 30% increase for a 90-year-old resident. He requested council concurrence to direct staff to prepare a space rent stabilization ordinance for mobile home parks. After brief questions, four councilmembers gave thumbs up, granting concurrence. Staff noted the ordinance would require public posting and likely return on October 29 or early November.
• Councilmember Mattucci acknowledged Torrance Transit’s enhanced safety training and monitoring of regional transit incidents.
• City Clerk Poirier provided election information: ballots mailed, vote centers opening October 26, and a League of Women Voters forum on October 10.
• Social Services Commissioner Bickford invited veterans to the annual appreciation event on November 8.

Proclamations and Recognitions:

• Item 6A: A proclamation declaring October 6–12, 2024 as Fire Prevention Week was read and presented to Fire Prevention Specialist Daniel Singleton, who emphasized smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm maintenance.
• Item 6B: Four South High students — Alexis Choi, Kaylin Kang, Maggie Gerlock, and Hannah Lee — were recognized for their community outreach projects. Choi and Kang created the “My Little Library” program, installing eight little free libraries in parks. Gerlock and Lee researched and solicited community input for playground equipment replacement at Altaloma Park.

Administrative Matters (Items 10A, 10B, 10C):

• Item 10A: Staff recommended adopting a CEQA categorical exemption and approving a 20-year lease with the Torrance Historical Society for the city-owned building at 1345 Post Avenue, for $1 per year. The Historical Society president Michelle Pulkery detailed volunteer efforts, grants received, and community programming. One public comment questioned the display of a swastika flag, but the president clarified it belongs to the Zamperini Trust and is not in the museum. The council unanimously approved the CEQA exemption, lease, and resolution.
• Item 10B: Staff proposed declaring certain Tuesdays as dark nights from January to June 2025. Staff noted a conflict with the National League of Cities Conference (March 10–12). Councilmember Kalani moved to change March 4 (originally dark) to a meeting and March 11 to dark instead. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 10C: Staff recommended appropriating $1,242,583.10 and approving a contract with Pacific Hydrotech Corporation for design-build of a permanent hydrogen sulfide gas scrubber at the North Torrance Well Field. The temporary rental unit will remain during construction, saving the city about $200,000 per month in water costs. Public comments raised concerns about water taste and lack of visual aids. The council unanimously approved the appropriation and contract.

Key Outcomes

• Mobile Home Rent Stabilization: Council concurred to direct staff to prepare a space rent stabilization ordinance for mobile home parks. (No formal vote; direction given by consensus.)
• Historical Society Lease: Unanimously approved (6-0; Councilmember Kaji was not present) to adopt CEQA exemption, approve a 20-year lease at 1345 Post Avenue, and adopt Resolution 2024-79.
• Dark Nights: Unanimously approved the dark night calendar with a modification making March 11 a dark night and March 4 a regular meeting night.
• Hydrogen Sulfide Scrubber: Unanimously approved appropriating $1,242,583.10 and the contract with Pacific Hydrotech Corporation.
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:13 PM in memory of Alan M. Swartz to October 15, 2024.