Torrance City Council Meeting – April 22, 2025

The Torrance City Council held a regular meeting on April 22, 2025, beginning with a closed session at 5:02 PM before reconvening in open session at 6:48 PM. The agenda included community recognitions, consent calendar items, and several administrative matters. The Council approved multiple items including a public health services contract, a pickleball court project, and advanced plans for a World War II incarceration monument. Public comments addressed community concerns such as drone activity, police oversight, and the scope of the monument.

Consent Calendar

• 8A – Approved City Council minutes of March 25, 2025 and April 8, 2025.
• 8B – (Pulled) Resolution setting hours, wages, and working conditions for elected officials; approved separately (see discussion).
• 8C – Adopted three resolutions for wage agreements with Torrance Library Employees Association (TLEA, $653,648, 17%), Torrance Municipal Employees/AFSCME Local 1117 ($7,935,049, 17.86%), and Crossing Guards ($99,039, 16%), all effective April 20, 2025 to June 30, 2028.
• 8D – Approved side letter agreement adding a Waste Management Coordinator position (no expenditure).
• 8E – Approved annual CalTIP membership renewal not to exceed $837,187 for May 1, 2025 – May 1, 2026.
• 8F – Accepted and filed the Investment Report for February 2025.
• 8G – (Pulled) Approved design-build construction of new pickleball courts at Charles H. Wilson Park (not to exceed $1,526,119); approved separately.
• 8H – Accepted and filed the 2023-24 TOCA Annual Report.
• 8I – Concurred with State Legislative Advocacy Committee recommendations and accepted minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications #1 (public comments on consent/non-agenda items):
  • Michelle Rand thanked the Council for supporting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, noting the Torrance community has raised over $4.4 million.
  • Paul Knapp announced a memorial service for his late wife.
  • A resident requested case-by-case exemptions for keeping chickens in multi-family zones.
  • A speaker praised the Hometown Hero banners and asked for respect for military service.
  • Carmela Blanchard reported persistent drone activity in her neighborhood and sought action.
  • Two speakers called for the creation of an independent civilian oversight committee regarding the death of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell.
  • Florina Ravundra promoted the DEA National RX Takeback event on April 26.
  • Gorchop criticized lenient sentencing of former Torrance police officers in a texting scandal and again demanded civilian oversight.
• Public Comments on Item 10B (World War II Monument):
  • Kyoko Oda (Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition) urged inclusion of all incarcerated groups and accurate history.
  • Brett Smith asked for phase two inclusion of Italian and German internees.
  • Alvin Takamori stressed educational value and asked for community input on informational panels.
  • Jenny Chmori called for correct historical representation and inclusion of all named individuals.
  • Russell Akiama (Advisory Committee member) explained that data for non-Japanese groups is not verifiable and that the committee unanimously chose to use Dr. Duncan Williams’ vetted list.
  • Other speakers supported the project while expressing concerns about scope and funding.
• Public Comments on Item 10C (Illegal Dumping Ordinance):
  • Gorchop supported the ordinance but urged easier legal disposal options.
  • A speaker opposed as criminalizing poverty and called for better infrastructure instead of increased fines.

Discussion Items

• 8B – Elected Officials Compensation: Councilmember Kalani requested separate votes on sub-items. Staff clarified the $30,858 expenditure covers a clerk pay adjustment; the $243,271 for council wages was already budgeted. The Council approved Resolution 2025-16 with Kalani voting in favor while noting opposition to part 1 (the salary increase).
• 8G – Pickleball Courts at Charles H. Wilson Park: Councilmember Sheikh questioned the conservative 12-week construction timeline. Staff committed to expediting as possible. The Council approved the project and associated appropriation, including a 10% contingency.
• 10A – LA County Public Health Services Contract: Staff presented the updated evergreen contract required due to changes in state law. Councilmember Gerson asked about enforcement of sidewalk vending under the contract; staff confirmed state law would override. The Council approved the contract and delegated execution to the City Manager.
• 10B – World War II Camp Wall Monument:
  • Presentation by Crystal Covarubias (Community Services) and architect Tina Chi (Chi Salette) detailed the $9.99 million project, a $5 million funding shortfall, and design features including 370 panels of 9-foot black granite with names, 154 trees, and plaza space.
  • Council discussed funding, sourcing granite domestically to avoid tariffs, and potential inclusion of Italian/German internees. Staff noted that the state grant specificially requires honoring Japanese Americans and that no verifiable list exists for other groups.
  • Councilmember Kaji moved to approve all five staff recommendations, add a request to the State Legislative Advocacy Committee for an additional appropriation and timeline extension to December 2026, direct staff to include funding in the FY2025-26 budget, and design flexibility for future name additions. The motion carried unanimously.
• 10C – Illegal Dumping Code Repeal: The ordinance repeals a redundant local code section in favor of California Penal Code Section 374.3, which carries higher fines ($250-$3,000). Councilmember Sheikh suggested increasing the number of free bulk item pickups (currently one per year) but was advised this would need separate action. The Council adopted Ordinance 3947.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (excluding 8B, 8G) approved unanimously.
• 8B (Elected Officials Wages): Resolution 2025-16 adopted unanimously; Councilmember Kalani expressed partial opposition.
• 8G (Pickleball Courts): Public works agreement approved; $1,526,119 expenditure authorized; CEQA exemption adopted unanimously.
• 10A (Public Health Services): Updated contract with LA County approved; City Manager delegation authorized unanimously.
• 10B (WWII Incarceration Monument): Schematic design approved; project included in 2025 State Legislative Advocacy Priority Projects; staff directed to seek $5 million shortfall funding and timeline extension; staff authorized to prepare construction documents; Council expressed intent to allow for future name additions. Motion carried unanimously.
• 10C (Illegal Dumping Ordinance): Ordinance 3947 adopted unanimously.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned to May 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM for closed session. No reportable actions from closed sessions.