Torrance City Council Meeting – September 23, 2025

The Torrance City Council convened on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:02 PM for a closed session and reconvened in open session at 6:50 PM. The meeting included community recognitions, public comments, consent calendar actions, and administrative items covering topics such as commission appointments, an AED program update, economic development strategy, and a motion to reconsider a prior planning decision. Key votes included adoption of ordinances related to cottage food regulations, target residential density, and building codes, as well as unanimous approval of a new administrative remedies procedure for property fee challenges and direction to staff on several economic development initiatives.

Community Matters

• Resolution 2025-56 honoring Police Officer Claude Fierro upon his retirement after 23 years of service was adopted unanimously.
• Proclamation declaring October 5–11, 2025 as Fire Prevention Week was read and accepted. Fire Prevention Specialist Daniel Singleton highlighted the theme “Charge into Safety” focusing on lithium-ion battery fire prevention.
• Commission Appointments: The Historic Preservation Commission vacancy was deferred to the June 2026 annual appointments. Andrea Riley was appointed unanimously to the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission. Iona Bisnix received 5 votes and Christopher Truman received 2 votes for the Commission on Aging; both were appointed (apparent two vacancies).
• Torrance Theatre Company announced its 2025-2026 downtown season opening with “Little Shop of Horrors” – all performances sold out as of September 17.

Consent Calendar

All consent calendar items were approved unanimously except item 8B, which was pulled separately.

• 8B – Ordinance No. 3952 (Cottage Food) – Second and final reading: Councilmember Sheikh abstained (absent at prior meeting), Councilmember Kalani voted no; motion carried.
• 8C – Ordinance No. 3955 (Target Residential Density) – Adopted.
• 8D – Ordinance No. 3957 (2025 California Building Codes) – Adopted.
• 8E – UASI Grant Program – Ratified.
• 8F – Traffic Commission Annual Report – Accepted.
• 8G – Fire 401(a) Plan Amendment – Approved.
• 8H – July 2025 Investment Report – Accepted.
• 8I – Measure SST Oversight Committee Compensation – Resolution adopted ($210 expenditure).
• 8J – Transit Safety Plan – Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlie Salinas requested police training in the Gracie Jiu-jitsu “Safe Rep” technique to reduce lawsuits.
• David Ortiz criticized the city’s growth, traffic, and the streetcar project, and expressed dissatisfaction with city leadership.
• A speaker supported the Metro K-line extension to Torrance as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
• A speaker dedicated a moment of silence for marginalized communities affected by hate and stochastic terrorism.
• A speaker praised the PAD program but raised concerns about the vendor’s history of corporate malfeasance and FDA issues.
• A speaker supporting economic development emphasized prioritizing internal public spaces and small businesses over external tourism.
• A downtown property owner noted the facade improvement program is complicated due to prevailing wage requirements and an outdated color palette.

Discussion Items

Item 10A – Administrative Remedies Procedure for Property Fees

Finance Director Ian Daly presented Ordinance No. 3959 implementing AB 2257, which adds an administrative remedies step atop the Prop 218 process. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.

Item 10B – Public Hearing Date for Fire Code Amendments

Fire Marshal Richard Kazanjan requested a public hearing on proposed local amendments to the 2025 California Fire Code. Council set the hearing for October 21, 2025, approved unanimously.

Item 10C – Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) Program Update

EMS Chief Adam Brown reported that 50 AEDs were purchased, 45 are deployed, and staff training has reached 77% of employees at sites. The new Pulse Point app launched to alert trained responders to nearby cardiac arrests. Councilmember Matucci shared a personal story of an AED saving a life. The update was accepted unanimously, with a directive to consider placing an AED at the tiny home village.

Item 10D – Economic Development Update

Economic Development Manager Fran Fulton presented highlights: a youth baseball exchange with Oshu, Japan (coached by Shohei Otani’s father), business visits, Placer AI analytics, downtown signage and median improvements, and a commercial rehabilitation rebate program with limited uptake due to prevailing wage mandates. Council discussed four proposed initiatives:

1. Future Friendship Games – Council indicated support (4 thumbs up).
2. Facade Program Revision – Approved 7-0 to shift focus toward offsetting city permit fees and ADA compliance.
3. World Cup 2026 / LA28 Olympics & Paralympics – Approved 7-0 to further explore activations, fan zones, and street banners with potential Metro grant funding.
4. Friendship City Travel Policy – Council provided mixed direction: Mayor Chen and Councilmember Matucci favored Option 1 ($10,000 per councilmember per year at their discretion); Councilmember Kalani favored Option 2 (majority approval required). Staff will take direction under advisement.

Extended discussion emphasized retaining local businesses, developing data dashboards, and prioritizing the upcoming regional sporting events. Councilmember Sheikh called for exit interviews with departing businesses. Councilmember Kaji supported continuing international outreach as part of a broader economic strategy. Councilmember Lewis requested a focus on Torrance-first marketing. Councilmember Gerson highlighted specific successes with consuls general from six countries.

Item 10E – Reconsideration of CUP Appeal Denial

City Attorney Patrick Sullivan explained that a letter from SAFER (Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility) was inadvertently omitted from the August 19 agenda. Council voted unanimously to reconsider its prior denial of the appeal and will bring the matter back at a future date.

Item 10F – Coyote Management Plan Update

John LaRocca of Community Services presented the annual update, emphasizing education and hazing techniques. Council accepted the update and directed continuation of year-round abatement services, approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous adoption of resolutions honoring Officer Fierro and proclaiming Fire Prevention Week.
• Appointment of Andrea Riley to the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission; appointment of Iona Bisnix and Christopher Truman to the Commission on Aging; Historic Preservation vacancy deferred.
• Ordinance No. 3959 establishing administrative remedies for property fee challenges adopted unanimously.
• Public hearing set for October 21, 2025 on fire code amendments.
• PAD program update accepted; Pulse Point app launched; staff directed to explore expansion to the tiny home village.
• Council gave thumbs up to explore future friendship games, revised facade program to offset permit fees and ADA costs, and to pursue World Cup/Olympics opportunities; travel policy direction left open.
• Motion to reconsider CUP appeal passed unanimously; item to return.
• Coyote abatement services continued year-round.
• Meeting adjourned to Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM for closed session; September 30 is a dark night.