Torrance City Council Regular Meeting - June 3, 2025

The City Council of Torrance held its regular meeting on June 3, 2025, convening first in closed session to discuss labor negotiations and existing/anticipated litigation. The open session reconvened at 6:39 PM. The meeting featured a celebration of Torrance graduates, the recognition of the Torrance High Girls Swim Team, acceptance of a $20,000 donation from Torrance Refining Company for the Summer Nights festival, a third public hearing and subsequent adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025-27 Operating Budget, and the adoption of an ordinance establishing Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Several members of the public voiced strong opposition to the proposed conversion of an Extended Stay America hotel into a homeless facility.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the Consent Calendar in its entirety, adopting Resolutions 2025-28 through 2025-31. This included routine approvals for the Investment Policy, easements to Southern California Edison for EV charging, a lease with Cluck & Crust, LLC at the Transit Center, contracts for an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and HVAC at Zamperini Field, lease amendments on Pacific Coast Highway, Strategic Plan minutes, an amplified sound permit for the Islamic Center of South Bay, and an excused absence for Councilmember Sheikh. Councilmember Kalani requested the reading of resolutions for items 8B, 8E, and 8F before the vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Extended Stay America / Homeless Housing (Homekey): Multiple speakers expressed strong opposition to the proposed conversion. One speaker described the location as "completely inappropriate" and questioned the city's ability to pass an emergency ordinance, as was done in Norwalk. The speaker stated Supervisor Hahn disregarded council concerns. Another speaker, Helen Itabashi, asked about the legality of the zoning, noting the property was zoned for business but the housing essentially constituted apartments.
• Japanese Internment Memorial: Charlie Salinas expressed support for the project and suggested the city contact the Dodgers organization to secure a $5 million donation.
• Budget Process: A speaker commended the positive engagement on the budget (67,000 views, 88% positive sentiment), while another speaker criticized the budget for an over-reliance on public-private partnerships, outsourcing to companies outside California, underfunding of social work and mental health counselors, and an overemphasis on car-centric infrastructure.
• Fire Hazard Severity Zones: One speaker supported the ordinance, drawing parallels to the Pacific Palisades fires and suggesting the city include water shut-off training for residents in these zones.
• Public Comment Limits: A speaker criticized the Council's 1-minute limit for public comment, claiming it violates a Supreme Court ruling establishing 2 minutes as the minimum.
• Parking Citation: A resident contested a parking ticket received during a street sweeping schedule change over the Memorial Day holiday.

Discussion Items

• 9A. Lighting District No. 99-1: The City Council conducted a public hearing on the annual levy of assessments. Staff reported that the assessment for single-family residential properties remains unchanged at $20.50 per year. The total budget increased by $46,556 to $1,912,828 due to higher Southern California Edison costs. The Council received one public comment criticizing the assessment before adopting the resolution.
• 9B. Fiscal Year 2025-27 Operating Budget and CIP: Following the third public hearing, the Council adopted the budget resolutions for FY 2025-26. Finance Director Ian Daly presented the framework for using the current year's operating surplus, which prioritized the IT and Fleet replacement funds, the self-insurance fund, and the General Fund balance. The Council approved a deposit of approximately $56 million into the city's economic anomaly reserve, bringing the reserve ratio to 22%.
• 10A. Red Cross Shelter Facility Use Agreement: The Council approved a Facility Use Agreement (FUA) with the American National Red Cross. This formalizes the use of four city facilities (D. Hardison Sports Center, George Nicolino Theater, Ken Miller Recreation Center, and Toyota Meeting Hall) as emergency shelters or service centers during disasters. No fees are associated with the agreement, but it provides a cost recovery framework through FEMA for federally declared disasters.
• 10B. LEMA Agreement with Pasadena PD: The Council authorized the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Pasadena Police Department under the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid (LEMA) Plan. This agreement facilitates reimbursement for Torrance Police Department services provided during the Eaton Fire response.
• 10C. Fire Hazard Severity Zones Ordinance: The Council adopted Ordinance No. 3949, adding Article 4 to the Municipal Code designating Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) within Local Responsibility Areas (LRA). This is the first time Torrance has established these zones. In response to a question from Councilmember Kalani, Fire Marshal Richard Kazanjan stated the city does not yet have definitive information on how the designations will affect residents' fire insurance assessments and directed them to the CA Insurance Commissioner's resources.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Adopted: All 12 items were approved unanimously with Councilmember Sheikh absent.
• Lighting District Assessment Confirmed: The diagram and assessment for Lighting District No. 99-1 for FY 2025-26 were adopted via Resolution 2025-32.
• Budget and Reserves Adopted: The Council adopted the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and GANN Appropriations Limit (Resolutions 2025-33, 2025-34, 2025-35). The $56 million deposit to maintain a 22% reserve ratio was also approved.
• Red Cross Agreement Authorized: The Facility Use Agreement was approved, authorizing the City Manager as the city's signatory.
• Pasadena LEMA Agreement Authorized: The MOA was approved, allowing for reimbursement for Eaton Fire mutual aid.
• Fire Hazard Severity Zones Established: Ordinance 3949 was adopted, along with approval for its summary publication.
• Council Absences: Councilmember Sheikh was excused from the June 3, 10, and 17 meetings. Councilmember Gerson was absent for the start of the meeting but arrived at 7:25 PM.