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Record of Proceedings

Torrance City Council Meeting – April 8, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, April 8, 2025
BodyTorrance, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 8, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

0:22

Oh, you look at one of them.

Speaker 1

1:30

I will call the city council meeting to order.

1:33

It's five or two PM City Clerk, may have a roll call, please.

Unassigned speaker

1:38

Yes,

Speaker 2

1:39

Your Honor.

1:39

Council Member Gerson.

Speaker 3

1:40

Present.

Speaker 2

1:41

Council Member Codge.

Speaker 3

1:42

Present.

Speaker 2

1:43

Council Member Colani is absent.

1:44

Council Member Lewis.

1:46

Council Member Matucci.

1:48

Councilmember Shake.

Speaker 4

1:49

Present.

Speaker 2

1:50

Mayor Chen.

1:51

Present.

Speaker 1

1:54

Sorry about that.

Unassigned speaker

1:55

I

Speaker 1

1:55

was trying to enunciate.

Unassigned speaker

1:58

The

Speaker 1

1:58

council will now recess the closed session to confer with the city manager and city attorney on agenda matters listed under thirteen A.

2:06

Public Employee Discipline.

1:42:58

Good evening.

1:43:00

We're now reconvening our city council meeting.

1:43:02

It's six forty-four PM.

Unassigned speaker

1:43:07

I'd

Speaker 1

1:43:07

like to welcome everyone joining us in the council chamber, along with everyone watching remotely.

Unassigned speaker

1:43:12

We

Speaker 1

1:43:12

have been in close session.

Unassigned speaker

1:43:19

Yes,

Speaker 5

1:43:19

Your Honor, Patrick Sullivan, City Attorney.

1:43:22

During close session, the City Council adopted an order upholding the termination of a police officer by a vote of six to zero with Council Member Clawney absent.

Speaker 1

1:43:45

Okay.

Speaker 4

1:45:02

We thank you for the diversity of our nation and the richness it brings to our society.

1:45:09

May we be guided by compassion.

1:45:12

May our hearts and minds be open to understanding collaboration and respect for all.

1:45:20

As we proceed with today's meeting, may we be reminded of the power of community and the role each of us play in creating a more just and thriving world for future generations.

1:45:35

Amen.

Speaker 1

1:45:46

Thank you both.

1:45:47

Moving on to item three announcements of withdrawn, defer andor supplemental items.

Unassigned speaker

1:45:53

Good

Speaker 6

1:45:53

evening on the new items.

1:45:54

Thank

Unassigned speaker

1:45:55

you.

Speaker 1

1:45:55

Thank you.

1:45:56

Moving on to item four, I'll take a motion away for the reading of resolutions and ordinances after number and title.

Speaker 2

1:46:10

So

Speaker 7

1:46:10

move.

Speaker 3

1:46:12

Second.

Speaker 2

1:46:14

Start by name, please.

Unassigned speaker

1:46:18

Your

Speaker 2

1:46:18

Honor, that motion carries for Councilmember Kalani absent.

Speaker 1

1:46:24

Moving on to item five, Council Committee meetings and announcements.

1:46:27

The first one is uh Councilman Kaja about Youth Alcohol Awareness

Unassigned speaker

1:46:32

Month.

Speaker 8

1:46:34

Thank you, Your Honor.

1:46:35

April is alcohol awareness month, a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use and misuse.

1:46:43

It offers communities a chance to gain more understanding of how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.

1:46:53

Underage drinking is a serious public health problem in the United States, and alcohol is the most widely used substance among America's youth.

1:47:03

It can cause enormous health and safety risks and the consequences of underage drinking can affect everyone regardless of age or drinking status.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████70%
Public Engagement██████████15%
Affordable Housing███4%
Public Health Awareness██3%
Community Engagement█2%
Economic Development█2%
Public Safety█1%
Transportation Safety█1%
Environmental Protection█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Torrance City Council Meeting – April 8, 2025

The Torrance City Council met on April 8, 2025, beginning with a closed session at 5:00 p.m., reconvening in open session at 6:44 p.m., and adjourning at 8:26 p.m. The meeting included closed session action, routine consent calendar approvals, and a public hearing and vote by the Public Housing Agency on its five-year and annual plans.

Closed Session

  • The City Council adopted an order upholding the termination of a police officer by a vote of 6–0 (Councilmember Colani absent).

Consent Calendar

  • The Council unanimously approved all items on the consent calendar: approving March 18, 2025, minutes; a Memorandum of Unrecorded Grant Agreement for Discovery Park (Torrance Urban Tree Project); change order #1 for Heil brand sanitation truck repair parts (additional $110,000); a first amendment to the consulting agreement for the Torrance Regional Transit Center Soil Management Plan (additional $227,000); and a fee agreement with Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP for civil litigation (not-to-exceed $400,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Oral Communications #1:
    • Ray Lawson (Western States Carpenters) expressed concern about tax fraud and wage theft on construction projects in Torrance, urging city accountability.
    • Sebastian Bogner (Behavioral Health Services) announced a National Drug Take Back Day partnership with Torrance PD and DEA on April 26, 2025, at Sam's Club (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
    • Charlie Salina inquired about progress on a fence at the ISO property (Torrance and Crenshaw) and a sidewalk for the bike path.
    • Ann O'Brien (Torrance Airport Association) reported on the seventh annual STEM Day at the airport, noting 180 middle school students attended, a factory tour at Robinson Helicopter, and new wireless headsets.
    • Poor Chop expressed support for increased parking enforcement, stating neighbors call police on him.
  • Oral Communications #2:
    • A speaker raised concerns about federal cuts to social services (Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP) and the impact of tariffs on the economy, requesting council action. The mayor reminded the public this was not a Q&A session.
  • Public Housing Agency Oral Communications:
    • Poor Chop criticized housing conditions, alleging units lack electricity, gas, and running water.
  • Public Hearing on PHA Plans:
    • Poor Chop spoke again, expressing interest in affordable housing and difficulty qualifying on a low income.
    • A second speaker expressed support for affordable housing, noting that many millennials have left Torrance due to cost, and urged expanding eligibility caps for assistance programs.

Discussion Items

  • Council Committee Meetings and Announcements:
    • Councilmember Sheikh proclaimed April as Youth Alcohol Awareness Month.
    • Councilmember Sheikh also announced National Volunteer Week (April 20–26, 2025) and thanked Torrance volunteers.
    • Councilmember Mattucci reminded the public that street sweeping enforcement resumed March 17, 2025, with $52 fines, and noted 95% of Torrance now has posted sweeping zones.
    • Councilmember Gerson invited the public to the Earth Day Nature Festival at Madrona Marsh on April 26, 2025 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
    • Councilmember Lewis recognized National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April 13–19, 2025) and thanked dispatchers.
    • City Clerk announced commission application deadline of May 8, 2025.
    • Councilmember Gerson announced a Community Planning and Design Committee meeting on April 14, 2025, regarding the Religious Housing Overlay (RHO) ordinance.
    • Councilmember Gerson also announced a District 6 community meeting on April 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Levy Adult Center.
  • Public Housing Agency (Board of Commissioners):
    • Staff (Michelle Ramirez, Deputy Executive Director) presented the proposed 2025 Annual PHA Plan, 2025–2029 Five-Year PHA Plan, and updates to the PHA Administrative Plan (required for compliance with HOTMA). The public hearing was held, and no board questions were asked. The board voted to close the hearing and then adopted Resolution PHA 2025-01 approving the plans and administrative plan, with Councilmember Colani absent.
  • Councilmember Reports:
    • Councilmember Sheikh reported on a Leadership Torrance trip to Sacramento.
    • Councilmember Gerson updated on the Torrance Sister City Association's 50th Bunkasai festival and a League of California Cities committee decision to oppose a transportation bond.
    • Councilmember Lewis reported no items from the public safety committee.
    • Mayor Chen reported on a meeting with Mayor Bass regarding major events (World Cup 2026, Super Bowl 2027, LA28 Olympics) and Torrance's preparation.

Key Outcomes

  • Closed Session Action: Upheld termination of a police officer (6–0).
  • Consent Calendar: All items approved.
  • Public Housing Agency: Approved the 2025 Annual PHA Plan, 2025–2029 Five-Year PHA Plan, and updated Administrative Plan (Resolution PHA 2025-01) with a 6–0 vote (Colani absent).
  • Adjournment: The City Council adjourned to April 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session.

Meeting Transcript

Oh, you look at one of them. I will call the city council meeting to order. It's five or two PM City Clerk, may have a roll call, please. Yes, Your Honor. Council Member Gerson. Present. Council Member Codge. Present. Council Member Colani is absent. Council Member Lewis. Council Member Matucci. Councilmember Shake. Present. Mayor Chen. Present. Sorry about that. I was trying to enunciate. The council will now recess the closed session to confer with the city manager and city attorney on agenda matters listed under thirteen A. Public Employee Discipline. Good evening. We're now reconvening our city council meeting. It's six forty-four PM. I'd like to welcome everyone joining us in the council chamber, along with everyone watching remotely. We have been in close session. Yes, Your Honor, Patrick Sullivan, City Attorney. During close session, the City Council adopted an order upholding the termination of a police officer by a vote of six to zero with Council Member Clawney absent. Okay. We thank you for the diversity of our nation and the richness it brings to our society. May we be guided by compassion. May our hearts and minds be open to understanding collaboration and respect for all. As we proceed with today's meeting, may we be reminded of the power of community and the role each of us play in creating a more just and thriving world for future generations. Amen. Thank you both. Moving on to item three announcements of withdrawn, defer andor supplemental items. Good evening on the new items. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to item four, I'll take a motion away for the reading of resolutions and ordinances after number and title. So move. Second. Start by name, please.

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