Torrance City Council Closed Session Meeting Summary – December 9, 2025

The Torrance City Council held a closed-session-only regular meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The open portion of the meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. by Mayor Chen, and roll call showed all seven councilmembers present: Gerson, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, Matucci, Shake, and Mayor Chen. Councilmember Gerson led the flag salute, and Councilmember Kaji offered the invocation, including a reading from Luke 2:14. The council then took oral communications, recessed to closed session at 5:08 p.m., and reconvened to open session at 8:02 p.m. The City Manager reported no action items from the closed session.

Oral Communications

• During Oral Communications Item 3, a councilmember cited a close vote and significant community feedback received since a prior meeting and requested concurrence to direct staff to bring the matter back on December 16, 2025, for reconsideration. The council gave 7-0 concurrence.

Closed Session

• The council recessed at 5:08 p.m. to closed session under the Ralph M. Brown Act, covering the following certified matters:
  • 4A - Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1)): Martin Hutto v. City of Torrance (LASC Case No. 23TRCV01212); City of Torrance v. Hi-Shear Corporation (USDC Case No. 2:17-cv-07732-DSF-JPR); and two California Regional Water Quality Control Board Orders, No. R4-2020-0003 (June 13, 2020) and No. R4-2021-0079 (June 18, 2021).
  • 4B - Real Property – Conference with Real Property Negotiator (Gov. Code § 54956.8): Agency negotiator Aram Chaparyan discussed price and lease terms with the following parties/properties: Schwartz Investment Company (2655 Pacific Coast Highway); Robinson Helicopter Company, Inc. (2901 Airport Drive, 2540 Skypark Drive, and 24747 Crenshaw Boulevard); Safran Associates Investment Partnership / Coleman Court (1421 Cravens Avenue); Safran Associates Investment Partnership / Ocean Terrace (3851 226th Street); and LA Galaxy (Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard).
  • 4C - Conference with Labor Negotiator (Gov. Code § 54957.6): Agency negotiator Aram Chaparyan met concerning 21 employee organizations and categories, including full-time and part-time employees, crossing guards, elected officials, city manager/attorney positions, police and fire personnel and trainees, and numerous city employee associations.
  • 4D - Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(4)): One case concerning initiation of litigation.

The closed session lasted approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes. Upon reconvening in open session at approximately 8:02 p.m., the City Manager stated there were no reportable action items.

Adjournment

• Following closed session, a councilmember moved, and a second was received, to adjourn the meeting to Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session, with regular business to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber. The motion carried; Councilmembers Shake, Kaji, and Gerson were absent for the vote.

Key Outcomes

• The council gave 7-0 concurrence to direct staff to bring an unspecified item back to the December 16, 2025, meeting for reconsideration.
• No reportable actions were announced from closed session.
• The meeting was adjourned to December 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session, with regular business at 6:30 p.m.