Torrance City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Torrance City Council held an adjourned regular meeting on February 24, 2026. The meeting began with a closed session at 5:00 PM and reconvened for regular business at 6:41 PM. Councilmember Gerson was absent for the entire evening. The council addressed a wide range of items, including a major mixed-use development, the formation of a new Community Facilities District, an annual staffing report, and planning for major community events for the 250th anniversary and the 2028 Olympics.

Closed Session

• The Council convened in closed session to discuss pending litigation (City of Torrance v. Tobo Construction, Inc.), real property negotiations for properties at 2655 Pacific Coast Highway, 3481 Airport Drive, and 3006 182nd Street, and labor negotiations with various employee organizations. City Manager Aram Chaparyan reported that no actions were taken in closed session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Joseph Odin Krantz: Stated he formally revoked authorization for the use of his expert work and reports in the Torrance Delamo project settlement lawsuit. He warned that an approval based on this unauthorized work could invoke the "unclean hands doctrine" and requested his statement be included in the administrative record.
• Charlie Salinas: Advocated for traffic safety, urging drivers to stop on yellow lights and leave space to prevent aggressive driving.
• Gerald Miller: Complained about excessive trash on city streets, attributing it to "No Parking" signage encouraging littering. He advocated for removing signs and imposing significant fines ($3,500) on violators.
• Doug Moppen (Property Owner): Thanked planning and city manager staff for assistance with his development appeal. He expressed support for the proposed Community Facilities District (CFD 2026-01).

Consent Calendar

• Approved with the exception of Item 8E, pulled by Councilmember Sheikh.
• Item 8E (Tractors): Councilmember Sheikh asked for confirmation that the 12% discount from the Sourcewell cooperative contract was applied to the purchase of two Avant M860 Front Loader Tractors ($434,626.54). General Services confirmed the discount was included in the net price. The item was then approved.

Hearings

9A. Demolition & Mixed-Use Development at 3475 Torrance Blvd (106 Units, 12,226 sq ft Medical)

• Background: The project was approved by the Planning Commission but appealed by SAFER. The council previously upheld the approval but reopened the record due to a procedural error. The project proponent subsequently applied for a CEQA exemption under Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130), a new state law for qualifying infill housing projects.
• Staff Presentation (Robert Garcia): The project meets all AB 130 criteria: primarily residential, site under 20 acres, previously developed, consistent with the general plan, and tribal consultation completed.
• Applicant (Jim Sir): Project qualifications were presented, including a historic resource assessment and site conditions analysis.
• Public Comment: One speaker suggested the builder hire residents from a nearby transitional housing project for simple jobs.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Matucci contextualized the project’s density by discussing state housing mandates such as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and Builder’s Remedy laws.
• Action: The council denied the appeal and approved the Conditional Use Permit and Development Permit (Resolutions 2026-22 and 2026-23) (Vote: 6-0, Gerson absent).

9B. Formation of Community Facilities District No. 2026-01

• Staff Presentation (Sheila Passan): The CFD is designed to fund ongoing municipal services impacted by new development. The first project to annex is the Vista Homes development (449 units). The special tax is perpetual with a $10 million annual appropriations limit.
• Election Results: The City Clerk reported that four landowner ballots were received and all four voted in favor.
• Action: The council adopted resolutions forming the CFD and introduced/introduced an ordinance to levy the special tax (Ordinance No. 3964). (Initial vote 6-0; Final Ordinance vote 5-1, Gerson absent, Matucci dissenting).

Administrative Matters

10A. Annual Report on Vacant Positions

• Staff Presentation (Hedieh Hojabi): The city had a 13.05% vacancy rate (181 vacant FTEs out of 1,387 budgeted positions) as of Dec 31, 2025. In 2025, the city processed 26,179 applications, made 144 new hires, and 42 promotions. No bargaining unit has a rate over 20%. Retention efforts include competitive MOUs, mentorship programs, and flexible schedules.
• Council Questions: Councilmember Matucci inquired about police staffing. Chief Robert Dunn reported the department is budgeted for 220 sworn officers but has 179. The department hired 23 officers in 2025 and has streamlined hiring (only 4 officers on light duty). The report was accepted.

10B. 2026 Fourth of July Celebration

• Staff Presentation (Brett Abelson): Options presented for July 4th at the Civic Center: enhanced fireworks ($48,000), drone show ($60,000), or combination (up to $108,000).
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers expressed interest in returning to Wilson Park. The City Manager noted budget and staff constraints but agreed to explore the option for 2027. Councilmember Lewis opposed drones.
• Action: The council approved a motion (5-1, Lewis dissenting) to: 1) Keep the 2026 event at the Civic Center; 2) Proceed with a combined enhanced fireworks and drone show, subject to feasibility; 3) Explore returning to Wilson Park in 2027.

10C. 2026 Torrance Dodger Day

• Staff Presentation (Brett Abelson): Recommended purchasing 1,000 tickets ($40.50 each) plus an on-field experience.
• Action: Approved the purchase of 1,000 tickets for the August 16th game (vs. Milwaukee Brewers), the on-field experience, and resale at face value (no subsidy).

10D. MOU with Chinese Taipei National Olympic Committee

• Staff Presentation (Danny Santana): The Committee requests use of city facilities from July 3-31, 2028 for the LA 2028 Olympics at the non-profit rental rate ($118,071 vs $303,903 commercial).
• Council Discussion: Finance Director Ian Daly projected over $64,000 in hotel tax revenue from the delegation’s planned booking.
• Action: The council unanimously directed staff to develop a formal MOU using the non-profit rental rate.

Key Outcomes

• Vote/Decision: Approved the mixed-use development at 3475 Torrance Blvd (106 units) with an AB 130 CEQA exemption.
• Vote/Decision: Formed Community Facilities District No. 2026-01, authorizing a special tax on new developments (Landowner election 4-0).
• Vote/Decision: Accepted the annual report on vacant city positions (13.05% vacancy rate).
• Vote/Decision: Approved a combined fireworks/drone show for the 2026 4th of July and exploration of Wilson Park for 2027.
• Vote/Decision: Approved Torrance Dodger Day 2026 (Aug 16, 1,000 tickets at face value).
• Vote/Decision: Authorized formulation of an MOU with the Chinese Taipei National Olympic Committee for the 2028 Olympics.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM (Closed Session) / 6:30 PM (Regular Business).