Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Torrance City Council met on September 15, 2026, convening for closed session at 5:00 PM and open session at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a flag salute, invocation, community recognitions, public comments, a consent calendar, and several administrative matters. Notably, the Council addressed a controversial mixed-use housing development, the city's coyote management program, World War II Japanese American incarceration monument funding, and a special event permit for the Nike After Dark Tour. The Council also approved resolutions honoring retiring police personnel and recognized a centenarian resident.
Oral Communications #1:
On Item 10A (Coyote Management):
On Item 10B (Japanese American Incarceration Monument):
On Item 10D (Airport Logo):
Oral Communications #2:
Item 8O – Mixed-Use Development Appeal (Hawthorne Blvd): The Council considered whether to uphold an appeal and deny a 20-unit senior apartment project with 1,608 sq ft of commercial space, or to deny the appeal and allow the project. Councilmembers expressed strong personal opposition to the project but noted the city’s hands are tied under state housing law (Housing Accountability Act). Mayor Kalani cited legal risks, including fines and potential loss of local control. Councilmember Liu voted no; Councilmember Kartsonis recused due to a financial conflict. The motion to approve the project (deny the appeal) passed 6-1-1.
Item 8P – Employee Compensation Resolution: Staff corrected a scrivener’s error noting a $710 expenditure (previously listed as $0). The resolution amends hours, wages, and working conditions for executive/management and certain full-time employees. Approved unanimously.
Item 10A – Coyote Management Program Update: Community Services Director Ted Stevens presented data showing declining sightings (from 436 to 387) but at a cost of ~$150,000/year ($80,000 for trapping). Public testimony overwhelmingly opposed lethal trapping. Mayor Kalani shared a personal story of a coyote attack on her family’s dog but advocated for a shift to education-based coexistence, including an ordinance prohibiting wildlife feeding, reserving funds for case-by-case trapping, and enhanced public outreach. Councilmember Kartsonis asked about legal trapping locations and the science of population rebound. Councilmember Sheikh questioned trapping cost-effectiveness (~$5,000–$6,000 per coyote). The Council unanimously approved the motion to: (1) accept the report; (2) not renew the current trapping contract; (3) explore an ordinance to ban wildlife feeding; (4) reserve funding for targeted trapping; (5) significantly expand education, possibly hiring an expert; (6) include a citywide mailer and online resources; and (7) reevaluate in one year.
Item 10B – WWII Japanese American Incarceration Monument: Staff presented three options after bids exceeded the $10M budget by $7–8M. Public testimony uniformly supported Option 1 (proceed with current design). Advisory group members and community leaders stressed that survivors are dying and delay is unacceptable. Councilmember Kartsonis expressed disappointment the project was not completed earlier but committed to doing so. The Council unanimously approved Option 1, authorized a grant performance extension to February 1, 2029, and adopted the Donation and Donor Recognition Policy.
Item 10C – 2027 Armed Forces Day Parade: Staff reported declining attendance across events and recommended adjustments (e.g., shifting Friday exhibit hours to 3–8 PM). The Council approved the committee’s recommendation to proceed with planning and directed staff to explore cost-saving measures.
Item 10D – Torrance Municipal Airport Logo: Staff presented two concepts: Concept 1 (airport-focused with a P-38 and flight path) and Concept 2 (incorporating Torrance’s iconic arches). An online survey showed 80% preference for Concept 1. Some councilmembers wanted input from the Airport Commission, but Mayor Kalani noted past issues with the commission’s conduct. The Council approved acceptance of the committee minutes (as corrected) and direction to adopt Concept 1, with Councilmembers Lewis, Lou, and Sheikh voting no.
Item 10E – Nike After Dark Tour LA 2026: Nike presented an updated half-marathon route through Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach on October 24, 2026. The proposal included a $25,000 community impact contribution, $25,000 in-kind donation (Nike's Friends of the Park), 100 race bibs for Torrance residents, and 16 bibs for North High School students. Staff recommended acceptance. The Council approved the special event and the proposed fees and contributions unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:16 PM after reconvening from closed session, with a report that the Council had amended a disciplinary order by a 7-0 vote.
Goes back, follow your hand with your eyes, step back with your left foot, and this time we're gonna go from the toes to the heel as we push with our right hand and pull with our left. Continuing on, your left hand goes back, slide your right foot back, shift your weight, right arm comes back as the left hand goes forward. Continuing on. Notice how her foot goes straight back. There's still space between her feet, and as the hips as the hips turn, so does the shoulder. So again, you step back as I turn. Notice how my right shoulder follows my hip. Let's go one more time slowly from the ball of the foot to the heel. And just naturally, we'll pause here, just naturally. There's this push and pull action without trying. This is where we get into the internal martial art aspect of Tai Chi Chuan. Very nice. And then it's also a way to just have a nice little smooth step, like Veronica did. Let's demonstrate what the repulse monkey looks like. Ready? Front position. We always show respect, self-control with each other. She punches hard, so I want to make sure I'm safe. Actually, let's switch sides. Veronica is in a punching position. I got into my repulse preparation. She steps forward. And notice the first thing I do, the punch comes, is I step back, I catch her hand, and I'm preparing for the repulse monkey. But why do we keep going back in the Tai Chi form? Maybe it's because I wasn't fast enough and she's still coming. So she punches, she punches, she punches. Maybe one more punch. Nope, I got her. Okay, one more time. Come all the way over here. On guard, punch comes in. I step back one. I step back, and the key is I just stop. And if she keeps coming, you see what happens. Right. Thank you very much. Let's line up one more time for a repulse monkey. On guard. Remember to have an open frame. Be balanced, and we're gonna find our flow. So this one time we do this. I want you just to imagine it doesn't have to be a person or an opponent, but something coming towards you like a stick from a falling tree that you grab and then you redirect the tree and you push it. Ready, circle back, step back with your left foot, pull and push. We'll do this three more times. Step back, pull and push. Use your waist. Remember to breathe. Last time and pause at the end.