Torrance City Council Meeting - March 4, 2025

The Torrance City Council convened on March 4, 2025, for closed session at 5:00 PM and regular business at 6:30 PM. The council addressed several administrative matters, including the consent calendar, a security plan for the Armed Forces Day Parade, a research update on establishing a local public health department, the purchase of tickets for Torrance Dodger Day, and the mid-year budget review. Key decisions included approving a resolution to update the City Manager's compensation, appropriating $180,000 for parade security, halting further research on a public health department, and selecting a July 2025 Dodgers game date for ticket resale.

Consent Calendar

• 8A: Approved City Council minutes from February 4 and February 11, 2025.
• 8B: Adopted Resolution 2025-09 setting hours, wages, and working conditions for the City Manager, effective October 1,2024, repealing Resolution 2020-97. The compensation increase of 4% (to $28,430.22 per month) was noted, with a total expenditure of $16,126.
• 8C: Approved a subsidy not-to-exceed $20,700 for the 2025 Irish Fair and Music Festival (50% of permit fees).
• 8D: Approved a first amendment to the legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, increasing the not-to-exceed amount to $639,000 for the Martin Hutto case.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications #1:
  • Charlie Salinas thanked the city for promptly resolving a safety hazard on Carson and Acacia aves.
  • A speaker called for a civilian oversight committee and cited police shootings; requested an end to police violence.
  • Andy Porchov criticized the City Manager's raise and questioned the secrecy around a new position for Sheila Possang (former Finance Director).
  • Another speaker supported civilian oversight and mixed-use zoning.
• Oral Communications #2: No speakers.

Discussion Items

• 10A: Armed Forces Day Parade Security – The committee recommended three options: A) $180,000 for a comprehensive barrier plan (contracted with Meridian Rapid Defense Group), B) a modified plan using existing equipment, or C) no change. Public speakers supported the parade. Council discussion noted potential savings from reduced staffing and that any contract would require competitive procurement. The council voted to approve option A and appropriate $180,000 from the General Fund.

• 10B: Public Health Department Research Update – Staff presented research on state requirements, case studies from Pasadena and Long Beach, and West Covina's pending state approval. West Covina has spent 83% of ist startup budget but still lacks state approval. Hospital representatives (Providence and Torrance Memoiral) expressed concerns about duplication, regulation, and costs. Staff offered three options: 1) wait until West Covina operates for one year, 2) continue research, or 3) halt efforts. After debate, Councilmember Kalani moved to accept and file and direct staff to halt research. The motion passed (4-2 recorded aswith Councilmembers Gerson, Lewis, and Shake voting no). e

• 10C: Torrance Dodger Day 2025 – Staff proposed three Sunday games: June 22 ($39,910), July 20 ($42,001), and August 10 ($33,610) for 1,050 tickets plus a $500 on-field photo op. Councilmember Matucci opposed subsidies and suggested selling at full price. Councilmember Kalani supported subsidies and proposed a random drawing for the photo op. After discussion, the council selected July 20, bought 500 tickets (with authority to buy up to 500 more if needed), directed they be sold at full face value, and approved the on-field photo opportunity. The motion passed 4-3 (with Councilmembers Gerson, Lewis, and Shake recordedas voting no). e

• 10D: Mid-Year Budget Review & Program Modifications – The Finance and Government Operations Committee presented the FY 2023-24 comprehensiv financial report and the FY 2024-25 mid-year review. The General Fund surplus was projected at $14.6 million, driven by $9.4 million in pension prefunding and $5.9 million in underspending due to vacancies (154.1 FTEs). Revenues were $1 million under budget, expenditures $4.8 million under. Measure SST (sales tax) generated $25 million, funding police/fire staff, capital projects, and homelessness reduction. Councilmember Lewis emphasized the city's strong financial position and denied rumors of defunding the police. The council unanimously accepted the reports and approved the proposed program modifications (zero net fiscal impact).

Key Out comes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Armed Forces Day Parking: Approved $180,000 security plan, subject to formal procurement.
• Public Health Department: Research halted; council will reevaluate afterWest Covina operates for one year.
• Torrance Dodger Day: Selected Juliy 20, approved purchase of 500 tickets (expandable to 1,000), on-field photo op, and full -price resale.
• Mid-Year Budget: Reports accepted; program modifications approved unanimously.
• Mylar Ballons Ordinance: Councilmember Matuci requested staff to bring back an ordnance banning mylar ballons; concurence granted (6-1, with mayor voting no). e

Council Announce ments and Recognitionsn- Arbor Week: Tree planting event on March 8 at La Carretera Park.

• International Women's Day: Proclamation by Councilmember Kalani.
• Columbia Park Design Workshop: March 10, 5:00-6:30 PM.
• Upcoming Birth days: Recogniton of staff and council members with birth days in March.