Torrance City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting – January 27, 2026

This summary is based on the agenda and the raw transcript; no meeting minutes were provided. The City Council convened at 5:00 p.m. for closed session and resumed open session at approximately 6:41 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Kalani presided; Mayor Chen was absent. Councilmembers Gerson, Kaji, Lewis, Mattucci, and Kalani were present at roll call, with Sheikh absent at roll call but participating later in the evening. The council recognized the West High School boys cross country CIF championship team, took public comment, conducted two public hearings, approved the consent calendar, and acted on park restrooms, Armed Forces Day planning, and the Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District.

Closed Session

• The council recessed at 5:00 p.m. for closed sessions under Government Code sections 54956.9(d)(1) (existing litigation), 54956.8 (real property negotiations), and 54957.6 (labor negotiations). The City Manager reported no reportable actions when open session resumed.
• The council later recessed to closed session a second time after Oral Communications #2 and reconvened at 10:18 p.m.; no reportable action was announced before adjournment.

Announcements, Committee Meetings, and Community Recognition

• Mayor Pro Tem Kalani reported that the LA Metro Board had advanced the Hawthorne Boulevard option for the K Line extension rather than the city's locally preferred alternative. He said the city is disappointed and will continue advocating for the interests of Torrance residents and businesses.
• The City Clerk announced the June 2, 2026 General Municipal Election, with the nomination period opening February 9, 2026 and closing March 5, 2026.
• The council announced a State Legislative Advocacy Council Committee meeting and a Federal Legislative Advocacy Council Committee meeting, both on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively, in the Council Chamber.
• A celebration of life for former Mayor Dan Walker was announced for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the George Nakano Theater.
• The council recognized the West High School boys cross country team for winning the CIF championship after an undefeated season, with certificates and photos.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar, minus pulled items 8G and 8H, was approved in one motion, including resolutions 2026-11, 2026-12, and 2026-13.
• 8A: Approved City Council minutes from December 16 and December 19, 2025.
• 8B: Authorized Change Order #3 with Lenovo USA Inc. for $75,000, raising the not-to-exceed amount to $323,000 for as-needed computer equipment.
• 8C: Approved a fourth amendment with ADP, LLC for payroll services at $19.61 per employee per month for salaried employees and $20.95 for hourly employees, totaling approximately $920,000, with the contract extended through December 31, 2027 and up to five annual renewal options.
• 8D: Approved the LACMTA Open and Slow Streets Grant Agreement for Downtown Torrance Street Activation events related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and appropriated the $200,000 grant plus a $20,000 local match.
• 8E: Awarded a public works agreement to Mel Smith Electric, Inc. for the Torrance Police Department UPS replacement, $515,480 plus a $51,548 contingency (not-to-exceed $567,028), and adopted a CEQA categorical exemption.
• 8F: Approved a fourth amendment to the tri-party recycled water agreement with Torrance Refining Company and West Basin Municipal Water District, extending recycled water use through June 30, 2026.
• 8I: Adopted a resolution determining 3455, 3511, and 3525 Pacific Coast Highway are not required for city purposes, approved a seventh lease amendment with KLM Madison, LLC, and approved a ground lessor estoppel certificate.
• 8J: Adopted resolutions declaring two Del Amo Boulevard vacant parcels exempt surplus land under the Surplus Land Act and authorized a purchase and sale agreement with Jeffrey and Vanessa Rodriguez for APN 7352-006-905.
• 8K: Approved amendments to four on-call electrician maintenance contracts, with combined not-to-exceed amounts totaling $3,500,000, and adopted a CEQA categorical exemption.

Separately Considered Consent Items

• 8G: Fire Chief David Dumay presented the transfer of the El Segundo Fire Department urban search and rescue apparatus and associated grant funding to the Torrance Fire Department, plus the purchase of assigned equipment from El Segundo for $35,000. Council approved the item unanimously, with Mayor Chen absent.
• 8H: Staff revised the recommendation because the FAA airport traffic control tower master lease was not finalized. Council approved the CEQA categorical exemption and the 20-year master lease for on-airport navigational aid equipment only, with the traffic control tower lease to return at a future meeting. The motion carried with Mayor Chen absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Truman criticized Councilmember Mattucci for a social media post made after Renee Good's death that Truman characterized as supporting ICE officers; Truman said a council member should be held to a higher standard.
• Aro Hisharma, a Torrance District 4 resident, urged the council to build stronger relationships with other elected officials and neighboring cities, noting that decisions are made by those who show up.
• Idinga Johnson, from Torrance Art Museum Advocates, invited the council and public to museum exhibits and a Valentine's Day spoken-word event.
• Barbara Ono, a Torrance resident, said she recently became aware of an allegation of financial elder abuse by a standing Torrance council member.
• One resident offered humorous remarks; no action was requested.

Hearing 9A: Appeal of 449-Unit Development at 3610 Torrance Boulevard

• Staff summarized the project: a 4.03-acre infill site in the H-DA1 zone, 449 residential units including 45 affordable units, 815 off-street parking spaces, lower-level structured parking, and a density bonus. The Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit and development permit on November 18, 2025, and staff recommended denying the appeal.
• The appellant, Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), represented by Haley Uno, argued that the Class 32 infill exemption was improperly used because the project's Tier 4 construction equipment commitment was a mitigation measure, not a design feature, and CEQA prohibits mitigated categorical exemptions.
• The proponent, VISTA Homes' Doug Moppen, said the project was about a $100 million building with 45 affordable units. Placeworks consultant Jennifer Kelly said the Tier 4 equipment was an industry-standard project feature and the Class 32 exemption was valid.
• Public comment included one resident who supported the housing and urged more affordable units; another speaker asked about parking; and a 60-year Torrance resident opposed the project, citing density, parking, school impacts, and a possible conflict with adjacent hotel development rights.
• Council and staff discussed state housing law constraints. Community Development Director Michelle Romares and the City Attorney explained that denying the project could trigger builder's remedy or housing element decertification. Staff confirmed the project would pay into a community facilities district.
• Council adopted resolutions 2026-14 and 2026-15, denied the appeal, upheld the Planning Commission approval, and determined the project was categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15332. The motion carried with Mayor Chen absent.

Hearing 9B: FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan

• The Community Development Director presented the annual action plan process for CDBG and HOME funds. Current-year allocations were $947,578 for CDBG and $418,701 for HOME, with similar amounts anticipated for FY 2026-27.
• Lena Takata, Executive Director of Family Promise of Los Angeles, requested CDBG public service funding for family homelessness prevention and case management. Staff said the application period had closed but would provide the application so the request could be considered.
• Council closed the hearing and took no other action on the item.

Discussion Items

• Hillside Overlay Review Request: Planning Commission Chair David Carzonis requested council direction to review the Hillside Overlay Ordinance. Community Development Director Romares said staff would present existing constraints at the Planning Commission's second February meeting; state law prevents more restrictive standards and changes could risk HCD decertification. Council agreed to wait for that presentation.
• 10A – Park Restroom Renovations: Staff requested direction to reallocate approximately $933,000 available from the Herma Tillim Senior Center capital project to prioritized restroom renovations at eight parks, while keeping a completed design package for the senior center for future capital planning. Councilmembers discussed adding doors at Wilson Park and preserving senior center improvements. Council approved the reallocation and authorized staff to proceed with project development, bid solicitation, and construction. Councilmember Gerson voted no; Mayor Chen was absent.
• 10B – Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration: Staff presented plans for the May 15-17, 2026 weekend, including a military exhibit, a welcome reception at the Western Museum of Flight, the 5K for Freedom, the 64th annual parade on Torrance Boulevard, and a scaled-down post-parade reception. A public speaker questioned the flyover cost; staff reported last year's landing fees for eight aircraft totaled $336. Council approved moving forward with planning, pursuing a noise abatement exemption for the flyover, pursuing a landing fee waiver for participating aircraft, and accepting the committee minutes. The motion carried unanimously with Mayor Chen absent.
• 10C – Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District: Staff reported that two petition mailings had not reached the required 50.1% threshold of total assessments. The Downtown Torrance Association prepared a survey, and the council discussed the city's suggested responses. Council accepted and filed the update, and directed that the city's questionnaire responses be submitted with the suggested answers. The motion carried with Mayor Chen absent.
• 10D – Doubletree by Hilton Torrance Public Art Mural: This item appeared on the agenda, but the provided transcript does not show the council considering it or taking action. No action is recorded in the available source material.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar, including resolutions 2026-11, 2026-12, and 2026-13, with items 8G and 8H separately approved.
• Denied the SAFER appeal and upheld the Planning Commission approval for the 449-unit development at 3610 Torrance Boulevard, with a CEQA Class 32 categorical exemption.
• Held the FY 2026-27 Annual Action Plan hearing and received a funding request from Family Promise of Los Angeles; no allocation decision was made.
• Directed reallocation of about $933,000 to park restroom renovations; vote was 4-1 with Councilmember Gerson opposed and Mayor Chen absent.
• Approved 2026 Armed Forces Day planning, including pursuing a noise abatement exemption and landing fee waiver.
• Accepted the Downtown Torrance BID update and approved the city's submitted questionnaire responses.
• Adjourned to Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session.