Torrance City Council Meeting – May 5, 2026

The Torrance City Council met on May 5, 2026, in an adjourned regular meeting that began with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. and reconvened at 7:03 p.m. The council considered a wide-ranging agenda including proclamations, a consent calendar, public hearings, and administrative items. Major actions included approving a zone change along Pacific Coast Highway, adopting an amendment to microenterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKO) regulations, setting the annual lighting district assessment, and directing staff to draft a fingerprinting policy for all commissioners and council members. A first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 operating budget and capital improvement plan was held and continued. The meeting also featured extended public testimony and council discussion regarding allegations against a councilmember.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously the Consent Calendar (items 8A–8J), which included: approval of City Council minutes from March 24, April 7, and April 14, 2026; a job description for Content Creator; a first amendment to the crossing guard services contract with All City Management Services (not-to-exceed $1,094,055); purchase orders for a rear mount loader ($425,584.95), a stakebed and utility truck ($236,461.32), and emergency pump repairs at the North Torrance Well Field ($373,084.24); a first amendment for on-call general contractor services ($6,000,000 total); a first amendment for treated water from the Goldsworthy Desalter Project ($24,000,000 total); side letter agreements with employee groups related to training premiums, special event double-time, and holiday pay (approximately $1,513,500); and a fourth amendment for Machado Lake stormwater quality monitoring ($1,209,258 total).

Community Matters & Proclamations

• The council read and presented seven proclamations: Fire Service Day (May 9, 2026), Blue Ribbon Week (May 11–17, 2026), National Safe Boating Week (May 16–22, 2026), Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2026), Jewish American Heritage Month (May 2026), National Preservation Month (May 2026), Stroke Awareness Month (May 2026), and Older Americans Month (May 2026). Representatives from respective organizations accepted the proclamations.
• Resolutions 2026-35 and 2026-36 were adopted, declaring May 15–17, 2026 as the 64th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration and honoring Brigadier General Omar J. Randall as Grand Marshal.
• The 2026 Older Americans Award was presented to Ron Cott, Beverly K. Finley, and Joe Provenzano.
• A $20,000 donation from Torrance Refining Company for the Torrance Summer Nights Festival was recognized.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Truman accused Mayor Chen and Councilmembers Kaji and Matucci of being funded by property interests and of accepting campaign donations from an out-of-town investor ($84,000 down payment on a mobile home park), stating the council does not serve North Torrance residents.
• Carol Gillis promoted upcoming Torrance Theatre Company productions, including Frozen in August.
• Charlie Salinas questioned the future of the Armed Forces Day Parade, noting reduced military participation and the cancellation of the pre-parade luncheon.
• Jonesha Miller (Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce) invited participation in the Stars and Strides 5K on May 16, 2026.
• Anita O'Brien (from South Carolina) filed a crime report with the Torrance Police alleging elder neglect and financial control by Councilmember Sheikh over her late father, John Fleming, and requested his medical records.
• Susan Neemeyer accused candidate Mike Mono of conducting a smear campaign against Councilmember Sheikh, citing a letter from Mr. Fleming's former attorney that stated the allegations are unsupported. She called on Mayor Chen, Councilmember Matucci, and Councilmember Kaji to retract their endorsements of Mono.
• Aaron Altamara promoted torranceswatch.org, a nonpartisan site compiling campaign finance and candidate information.
• Bernard (Los Angeles resident) praised Chief Dunn’s dedication to transparency and public engagement.
• Joan (older adult) reported that a sixth floor added to the Legacy project at 3863 Carson Street negatively impacts views and property values of two 55+ buildings; she requested an investigation.
• During Oral Communications #2, Councilmembers Lewis and Kalani spoke about the allegations, with Lewis calling for an end to political games and Kalani reiterating her call to reestablish the Torrance Blue Ribbon Committee on Ethics.

Discussion Items

• Item 10A – MEHKO Ordinance Amendment (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations): Staff presented amendments removing requirements for a zoning clearance letter and homeowner’s association/landlord written approval, as state law (AB 626 and AB 377) prohibits cities from requiring them. The city will continue to require a business license and prohibit alcohol sales and compact food operations. The council adopted the ordinance unanimously.
• Item 10B – Lighting District No. 99-1 Assessments: The council adopted resolutions initiating proceedings, approving the engineer’s report, and setting a public hearing for June 9, 2026. The assessment remains unchanged from last year ($20.50 for single-family residential), with total costs estimated at $1,968,915 (a $56,087 increase due to SCE rates). The balance of costs will be funded by gas tax.
• Item 10C – Commissioner Fingerprinting Policy: The council discussed whether fingerprinting should be required before or after appointment and for which commissions. After debate, the council unanimously directed the City Clerk to draft a resolution requiring fingerprinting and background checks for all commissioners and council members, to be completed before appointment. The policy will apply prospectively; staff will also address self-reporting requirements and thresholds for disqualification.
• Item 10D – 2027 Rose Float Design and Funding: The council approved the float design “Welcome to Tranquility” and authorized advancing $175,000 to the Torrance Rose Float Association in May 2026 (rather than August) to fulfill the city’s total contribution of $235,000. The design was inspired by a West High School student’s concept.
• Item 9A – Zoning Change (H-PCH to C-2): After a public hearing, the council adopted Ordinance 3965 rezoning ten properties at Pacific Coast Highway and Neece Avenue from the Hawthorne Boulevard/Pacific Coast Highway Intersection Area Sub-District (H-PCH) to General Commercial (C-2), in conjunction with an amendment to the Hawthorne Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan boundary. The zone change is intended to resolve legal nonconforming conditions and enable reinvestment. The project was found exempt from CEQA.
• Item 9B – First Public Hearing on FY 2026-27 Budget: Finance Director Ian Daly presented an overview of the proposed operating budget and capital improvement plan. The budget achieves structural balance over 10 years, relies on the pension trust fund to smooth rising pension costs, and projects the economic anomaly reserve growing from $69.9 million to $96.9 million by 2035-36. Key investments include a new sidewalk replacement program ($2 million), continued parks and facilities improvements ($74.5 million committed), and IT projects. The hearing was continued to May 19, 2026.
• Council Announcements: Included recognition of the 20th Annual Students and Government Day, the Torrance Passport pilot program (generating 59,000+ Instagram views), fire siren testing, a new Dodger Stadium shuttle pilot, and reminders about commission applications due May 28.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
• Ordinances adopted: Zoning change (Ordinance 3965) and MEHKO amendment (Ordinance 3966). Both found CEQA exempt.
• Resolutions adopted: 2026-35, 2026-36 (Armed Forces Day), and 2026-37, 2026-38, 2026-39 (Lighting District assessments).
• Public hearings closed on items 9A and 9B; budget hearing continued to May 19.
• Rose float design and funding approved (motion carried unanimously).
• Commissioner fingerprinting policy direction: Staff directed to draft a resolution requiring fingerprinting and background checks for all commissioners and council members before appointment, with self-reporting provisions and thresholds to be detailed. Unanimous vote.
• Proclamations and awards presented.
• Meeting adjourned to Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session.