Torrance City Council Meeting - May 6, 2025

The Torrance City Council met on May 6, 2025, at 5:34 PM, reconvening after closed session at 7:00 PM, and adjourned at 12:45 AM on May 7. The agenda covered a wide range of topics including proclamations, continued operation of the 3290 temporary housing village, a report on city vacancies, direction to draft an e-bike ordinance, approval of the 2026 Rose Parade float design and funding increase, administrative parking updates, the annual lighting district assessment levy, and the first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025-27 operating budget and capital improvement plan.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all consent calendar items except item 8C (consulting services agreement with Vasquez and Company LLP), which was separately pulled and approved. The consent calendar also included the adoption of Ordinance 3947 (repealing a municipal code section).

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Fire Service Day (May 10, 2025): Proclaimed by the council; Torrance Fire Prevention Specialist Daniel Singleton accepted.
• Blue Ribbon Week (May 11-17, 2025) and Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15, 2025): Proclaimed; Police Chief Hart accepted.
• National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23, 2025): Proclaimed; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary representatives accepted.
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2025): Proclaimed; Diane Tanaway (niece of WWII Medal of Honor recipient Ted T. Tanaway) accepted.
• Jewish American Heritage Month (May 2025): Proclaimed.
• Older Americans Month (May 2025) and 2025 Older Americans Awards: Proclamations presented; recipients were Betty Collier, Bill Collier, Dorothy Austin, Ellen Jenkins, Russell LaFay, and Werner Willoughby.
• Student and Government Day: The city hosted 22 eighth-grade students for the 19th annual program, who presented proclamations for National Teacher Day and Public Service Recognition Week.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications #1 (general & non-agenda items): Residents addressed a variety of topics: traffic enforcement near a private school; the impact of import tariffs on a Torrance-based skateboard company; complaints about police conduct; support for the WWII Japanese American Memorial Wall; and criticism of the city’s spending on homelessness and microphone systems. One speaker was expelled for disruptive behavior.
• Item 10A (3290 Temporary Housing): One resident accused the outreach coordinator Valerie of mishandling belongings and failing to follow through on promises. Another resident praised the city’s homeless response. A third speaker criticized the program’s cost per person.
• Item 10B (Vacancy Report): One speaker criticized funding levels for police command positions and alleged underfunding.
• Item 10C (E-Bike Ordinance): Several residents spoke in favor of regulation, citing safety concerns, injuries to children, and the need for education and licensing. One mentioned a local fatality.
• Item 10F (Rose Float): Supporters urged continued city funding, highlighting the float’s 70-year tradition, volunteer hours, and marketing value for Torrance. One resident called the previous year’s float an embarrassment due to mechanical issues.
• Item 10E (Lighting District): A resident complained about long-out lights at a South High overpass and questioned the assessment.
• Budget Hearing: One speaker criticized the city’s poor facility condition, accused council of mismanagement, and questioned a last-minute $50,000 increase for the Rose Float. Another speaker expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak and praised the city despite personal hardships.

Discussion Items

• Item 8C (Consulting Services Extension): Councilman Kaji asked about the contract length with Vasquez and Company LLP; Finance Director Daly explained it would result in a five-year term, after which a new RFP would be issued. Approved.
• Item 10A – 3290 Temporary Housing Village Operations: Staff presented an RFP process that resulted in recommending Harbor Interfaith Services for continued operation at a cost of approximately $1.78 million for FY 2025-26, supported by COGIS, PLHA, and Measure A funds. Update on outcomes: 41 individuals permanently housed, 32 via vouchers, numerous medical referrals, and street outreach responses of 1,006 (as of March 31, 2025). Councilmembers expressed support, discussed expansion, additional outreach, mental health services, and the Functional Zero initiative. Mayor questioned bunking possibilities and job creation for residents. Motioned and approved.
• Item 10B – Vacancy Report (AB 2561): Human Resources Director presented annual report showing citywide vacancy rates under 20% except for Police Command (25% lieutenants, 33% captains) due to ongoing personnel matters. Staff highlighted retention efforts and recruitment strategies. Accepted and filed.
• Item 10C – E-Bike Ordinance Direction: Lieutenant Fisher presented data on e-bike trends, injuries, and enforcement challenges. Council supported drafting a municipal code to define unsafe operation, regulate use in shared spaces, and partner with TUSD on education. Motion to direct staff to draft ordinance passed.
• Item 10D – Maricopa Street Parking Amendment: Staff proposed formalizing the removal of no-parking restrictions on the north side of Maricopa Street (between Hawaii and Crenshaw), which had been in place since 2017. Approved.
• Item 10E – Lighting District 99-1 Annual Levy: Three resolutions initiating proceedings, approving engineer’s report, and setting a June 3, 2025 public hearing for the FY 2025-26 assessment. Approved.
• Item 10F – 2026 Rose Parade Float Design and Funding: Staff presented the student-originated concept “Together in Harmony” (renamed from “Together We Thrive”) and recommended awarding $175,000 (a $50,000 increase over prior $125,000) to Torrance Rose Float Association, who preferred Fiesta Productions ($235,000 quote) over AES ($150,000). Council approved the design and increased allocation to $175,000.
• Budget Public Hearing (Fiscal Year 2025-27 Proposed Budget): Finance Director Daly presented a detailed overview, emphasizing a cautious outlook, structural balance, conservative revenue estimates, and strategic capital investments. Key points: property tax surpassing sales tax, a $68.9 million reserve fund (22% of budget), $59.7 million in FY 25-26 CIP, and response to fiscal audit findings. Council discussed travel budget structure, reserve fund presentation change, and capital needs. Public hearing closed; next hearings scheduled for May 20 and June 3, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Item 10A – 3290 Housing: Motion carried (6-0, Councilman Colani absent) to approve the contract with Harbor Interfaith Services, accept grant awards, authorize PLHA application, approve MOU with South Bay COG, and accept the progress update.
• Item 10B – Vacancy Report: Motion carried (6-0) to accept and file the report and continue recruitment/retention efforts.
• Item 10C – E-Bike Ordinance: Motion carried (6-0) directing staff to draft an ordinance addressing unsafe operation, regulation in parks/trails, and enforcement, in partnership with TUSD education campaign.
• Item 10D – Maricopa Street Parking: Ordinance 3948 adopted (6-0).
• Item 10E – Lighting District: Resolutions 2025-22, 2025-23, and 2025-26 adopted (6-0).
• Item 10F – Rose Float: Motion approved (6-0) the conceptual design and increased city funding to $175,000.
• Budget Hearing: Public hearing closed; next hearings set for May 20, 2025, and June 3, 2025 (for adoption).