Torrance City Council Meeting - February 25, 2025

The Torrance City Council met on February 25, 2025, at 5:02 PM, recessed for closed session, and reconvened at 6:31 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 PM. Key actions included a 7–2 vote to terminate an employee in closed session, a decision to maintain separate state and federal legislative committees after debate, recognitions of community groups, and public comments on fireworks and traffic safety.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously with the exception of Item 8H (a request to set a closed hearing date for March 18, 2025). Councilmembers Gerson and Kaji indicated they would be unable to attend that date. The motion to concur with the date passed with Councilmember Gerson abstaining.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Justin Lambert and Charlie Salinas spoke about traffic congestion near a private school on Carson Street, citing drivers parking on corners and blocking turns. Salinas requested orange cones be placed to deter parking.
• Carol Gillis (Torrance Rose Float Association) invited the public to a fundraising event at Coyote Cantina in Redondo Beach on February 26 to support the 2026 Rose Float.
• Julie Dogerie (New Horizons Civic Affairs Committee) praised the Torrance Connect transit service, calling it efficient and affordable for seniors.
• A resident criticized the city for allegedly shortening the July 4th fireworks show at Wilson Park, stating it lasted only about 10 minutes last year and urging the city to fulfill its promise of a proper public show.
• Andy Porchov made brief remarks about former Mayor Patrick Furry and first responders.

Discussion Items

• Item 10A – Consolidation of State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees
  • Staff proposed merging the two committees into a single Legislative Advocacy Special Standing Committee to improve efficiency, with Mayor Chen as chair and Councilmembers Kaji and Matucci as members.
  • Councilmember Lewis and Councilmember Kalani questioned the selection process and the lack of transparency regarding additional meetings held during the Washington, D.C. trip (e.g., meetings with Pentagon, Japanese and Korean embassies) that were not communicated to the full council.
  • Councilmember Gerson opposed consolidation, arguing it reduces participation opportunities for working council members and diminishes the city’s advocacy bench. He noted that every council member has unique expertise and access.
  • Councilmember Sheikh expressed shock that the proposal originated without background history and felt excluded; he made a motion not to approve consolidation and to keep the current committees unchanged.
  • Councilmember Kaji and Mayor Chen supported consolidation for efficiency but acknowledged communication failures.
  • The motion to reject consolidation passed with Councilmembers Kaji, Matucci, and Mayor Chen voting no (3–4 in favor of maintaining separate committees, per the motion to not approve).
• Item 8H – Set Closed Hearing Date was pulled from consent; the date of March 18, 2025, was confirmed despite two members being absent.
• Councilmember Kaji reported on the federal legislative advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. (February 2025), including meetings with Senators Padilla and Schiff, the Pentagon (to discuss the 250th Army anniversary and Armed Forces Day parade), and the Japanese and Korean embassies. He highlighted the visit to the National Japanese American Memorial and the successful advocacy for infrastructure and a WWII incarceration monument.
• Adjournment in memory of Kanji Sahara, a Japanese American activist who championed a WWII incarceration monument in Columbia Park.

Key Outcomes

• Closed session action: The council adopted an order to terminate an employee by a vote of 7–2. (No employee name disclosed.)
• Item 10A failed: The motion to not consolidate the state and federal legislative committees passed; the committees will remain separate with existing membership.
• Item 8H approved: The special closed hearing for March 18, 2025, was set.
• The council recognized the Torrance Theatre Company's 25th anniversary (March 7, 2025) and the Torrance Panthers cheerleading team for winning the 2025 National Jams Cheerleading Competition.
• Staff committed to better communication of itineraries for future advocacy trips following concerns raised by Councilmembers Lewis and Gerson.