Torrance City Council Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Torrance City Council convened for an Adjourned Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The meeting consisted of a Closed Session starting at 5:00 PM followed by open session business commencing at 7:03 PM. Key topics included the 2025 Year in Review, unanimous approval of a Joint Powers Agreement for a regional housing trust, and the naming of a new monument at Columbia Park.

Closed Session

The Council met in closed session to discuss existing litigation (Martin Hutto v. City of Torrance), real property negotiations for 2655 Pacific Coast Highway, anticipated litigation, and labor negotiations. The City Manager reported no actions were taken in closed session requiring public disclosure.

Community Matters

• 2025 Year in Review: Lauren Allen (Communications Division) presented the city's annual report, highlighting over 5.5 million video views across city platforms and the addition of 60,000 new social media followers.
• California Arbor Week: The Council proclaimed March 7-14 as Arbor Week. City Arborist Lewis Ochoa reported that 3,600 of a planned 7,000 trees have been planted since 2023.
• Women's History Month: A proclamation was adopted. Pam Amen of the Torrance Women's Club (founded 1921) accepted the honor.
• Donation to Library: Recognized a $25,000 donation from Prologis and employee Deborah Briones to the Isabel Henderson Library, which serves over 350,000 visitors annually.
• Recognition of Ron Kimmel: This item (6D) was listed on the agenda to honor a Friends of the Library board member, but the formal presentation was unintentionally skipped during the meeting by the Mayor due to preceding events.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Oral Communications #1: Marianne Hamada (President, North Torrance Neighborhood Association) provided details on upcoming candidate forums for the June 2nd municipal election for Districts 1 & 3, City Clerk, Mayor, and Treasurer.
• Item 10B (Monument Naming):
  • Tina Chi (Monument Designer) expressed a strong preference for the "World War II Japanese American Incarceration Monument" title, arguing it explicitly represents the project's purpose.
  • Advisory Committee (Chair Stacey Toda, Russell Akiyama, Lisa Akiyama Robinson) recommended their carefully considered name "World War II Japanese American Monument" but remained open to the council's feedback on adding "Incarceration."

Discussion Items

• 10A: South Bay Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT) JPA: The Council discussed joining a Joint Powers Authority to access Measure A funds ($7.3M annually, potentially leveraged to $14M) for affordable housing development without ceding local land use authority. The JPA requires four member cities to form; eight cities have already approved.
• 10B: Naming of WWII Japanese American Monument: A robust Council discussion ensued regarding the monument's name. Members including Councilperson Gerson, Matucci, and Kalani strongly advocated for the word "Incarceration" to be in the official title, deeming it critical for historical accuracy and clarity.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Approval of Consent Calendar: The Council approved all consent items without discussion, including:
  • Ordinance 3964 (Community Facilities District No. 2026-01).
  • FAA Master Lease for the Airport Traffic Control Tower (retroactive 10-year term).
  • LACMTA Zero Emission Transit Capital Program MOU.
  • Capital Improvement Project Procurements (Jan-Jun 2026).
  • Contingency Fee Agreement for legal services ($3,800,000) with McGuinness & Associates for City of Torrance v. Vigilant Insurance Company.
• Approved South Bay Housing Trust JPA (Unanimous): Motion carried to join the JPA. Councilmember Kaji was appointed as the voting delegate, and Councilmember Kalani as alternate.
• Adopted Monument Name (Unanimous): The project will be officially named the "World War II Japanese American Incarceration Monument."
• Future Meeting Schedule: The Council adjourned to March 24, 2026. The March 10 and March 17 meetings were canceled.

Council Announcements & Events

• Election Deadline: City Clerk reminded residents of the June 2nd General Municipal Election and the March 5th nomination deadline.
• Event Promotion: Councilmember Gerson promoted the Torrance Education Foundation's "Roundup for Education" barbecue on May 2nd. Councilmember Kaji noted the ongoing artist-in-residence mural work by Robert Vargas at the DoubleTree hotel and the English teaching position in Kashiwa, Japan.