Torrance City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025

The Torrance City Council convened an adjourned regular meeting on November 18, 2025, beginning with a closed session at 5:00 PM for litigation, real estate negotiations, and labor negotiations. The open session commenced at 6:35 PM with a flag salute and invocation. Councilmembers discussed and voted on several consent calendar items (including pulled items), received a detailed state legislative advocacy update, and heard public comments. Councilmember Matucci was absent.

Consent Calendar

• 8A – City Council Minutes: Approved minutes of October 21, 2025.
• 8B – Demolition of Building 8 at Charles H. Wilson Park: Approved first amendment to contract with American Integrated Resources, adding $50,000 contingency and extending term to December 31, 2026.
• 8C – Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station 1: Awarded contract to Williamson Construction Co., Inc. for $373,783 (including 20% contingency), adopted CEQA categorical exemption (Section 15301), and rejected bids from First Trade LLC and Perfection Painting Co. as non-responsive.
• 8E – Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant: Adopted resolution authorizing City Manager to execute a $18,000 grant contract and appropriated the grant funds.
• 8F – Pickleball Court Policies at Wilson Park: Approved pickleball court policies as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
• 8G – Cultural Arts Commission Annual Report: Accepted and filed FY 2024-25 Annual Report.
• 8H – Torrance Sister City Association (TSCA) Report and Grant: Accepted and filed TSCA Annual Report and Financial Statement, and approved a $5,000 grant request.
• 8J – Vista Largo Emergency Water Main Repairs: Adopted CEQA categorical exemption (Section 15269(b)), approved plans, rejected bid from Estate Design and Construction as non-responsive, and awarded public works agreement to American Pipeline Services for $452,256 (including 20% contingency).
• 8M – Media Production Supervisor Position: Adopted resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-69 to add the position of Media Production Supervisor.
• 8N – Side Letter Agreements: Approved side letter agreements between TME‑AFSCME and Management for a 4‑10 schedule for Fleet Mechanics and Storekeepers, and between TCEA and Management modifying Extended Steps language for Human Resources Technicians.
• 8B, 8E, 8M, and 8N were approved under the consent calendar with no pull.

Items Pulled from Consent Calendar

8D – City Treasurer Compensation: The council adopted a resolution reducing the City Treasurer’s monthly pay from $5,424 to $2,860, effective July 14, 2026 (new term date). Councilmember Kaji voted no. The pay point is set at $2,860 and is not tied to minimum wage; future adjustments require a new resolution.

8I – Torrance Fiber Network and Traffic Signal Optimization Design: Awarded a consulting services agreement to AET & Associates for $863,652 for engineering design of a fiber network to connect 127 traffic signals (currently only 40 are reliably connected). The project will improve real-time traffic monitoring, emergency vehicle response, and reduce long-term costs. Approved unanimously.

8K – Library Commission Annual Report 2024-2025: Accepted and filed. Councilmember Sheikh inquired about new services; library staff highlighted sensory kits, telescopes, and state park passes, and noted a 4,000% increase in community connectivity via social media. Approved unanimously.

8L – City Manager Compensation: Adopted resolution setting City Manager salary at $30,988.94/month (a 9% increase) effective October 5, 2025, and repealed Resolution No. 2025-09. Approved with no dissenting votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications #1:
  • Arnold Goldstein spoke in support of renaming Columbia Park after Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Ted Tenoway, the only Torrance resident to receive the honor. He noted Torrance was a restricted city until 1955 and that renaming would be appropriate.
  • A veteran thanked the city for the veterans luncheon, praising the 18 resource booths, food, and staff pride in honoring veterans.
  • Bev Finley and Roseanne Villows (Torrance Rose Float Association) announced a design contest for the 2027 float, noted nine remaining tickets for the bus trip to Pasadena, invited decorators, and offered rose vials for $10.
• Oral Communications #2: No speakers.

Discussion Items

10A – State Legislative Advocacy Update: Staff presented an overview of the 2025 legislative session, including 2,300 bills introduced, 35 actively monitored, and 20 on which the city took official positions (7 support, 13 opposition). Alignment rates: Senator Allen 35%, Assemblyman Marisuchi 45%. Bills signed into law include SB 79 (housing near transit), AB 507 (adaptive reuse conversions), AB 893 (housing near colleges), AB 1061 (historic district SB9 projects), AB 1154 (JADU parking), SB 9 (ADU ordinance compliance), SB 634 (homeless services), SB 346 (short-term rental reporting), SB 707 (Brown Act updates), AB 339 (union notice for contracts), AB 253 (plan check clock), AB 671 (restaurant permit certification), SB 627 (police facial coverings). Also reported on Prop 50 (redistricting) passage with 65% yes vote and a lawsuit filed. Staff recommended accepting and filing the committee minutes and update.

• Councilmember Lewis questioned the new alignment rate chart, calling it a nonpartisan body. Councilmember Kaji expressed dissatisfaction with alignment and called for better communication with state representatives.
• Councilmember Gerson strongly criticized the report as partisan, noted that not all councilmembers were involved in developing city positions, and stated she would not support filing without broader education and inclusion. She voted no along with Councilmember Kalani; the motion carried 4-2.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items (except pulled items) approved unanimously (with Matucci absent).
• 8D: Adopted resolution reducing City Treasurer pay to $2,860/month (effective July 14, 2026); Councilmember Kaji dissenting.
• 8I: Awarded $863,652 contract for fiber network design; approved unanimously.
• 8K: Accepted and filed Library Commission Annual Report; approved unanimously.
• 8L: Approved 9% salary increase for City Manager; no dissenting votes.
• 10A: Motion to accept and file the State Legislative Advocacy Committee minutes and update carried 4-2 (Gerson and Kalani dissenting).
• The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM to the next regular meeting on December 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM (closed session) and 6:30 PM (regular business). November 25, 2025 is a dark night.