Torrance City Council Meeting Summary - October 20, 2026

The Torrance City Council convened on October 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM for Closed Session and resumed for its Regular Meeting at 6:29 PM. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, consent calendar approvals, and major administrative actions on a Mills Act contract, a partnership with LA County for the homeless pallet shelter, and the WWII Japanese American Incarceration Monument construction.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8A–8N: Routine items were approved collectively, including meeting minutes, 2027 Dark Nights, a legal services amendment with Ice Miller LLP ($686,000), personnel actions (Performance Auditor position, class specifications for Digital Evidence Technician and GIS Administrator, position reclassification), an eProcurement system agreement with PlanetBids ($176,288), utility truck purchases ($527,417), a firefighter training agreement, and a water main replacement contract ($3,751,173).
• Item 8B: The second reading of Ordinance 3970 amending the Cottage Food regulations passed (6–1, Mayor Kalani voting no).
• Item 8J: The PlanetBids consulting agreement was approved. Councilmember Shake requested that future staff reports include historical spending data for trend analysis.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Buck (Hillside Resident, 43 years): Expressed frustration that staff held two workshops instead of a public hearing for changes to Article 41 of the Municipal Code and closed the public submission period on August 31 without meaningful Planning Commission consideration. Urged the council to schedule a public hearing on his proposed hillside protections.
• Adam Schwartz (Torrance Theater Company Representative): Expressed gratitude for city support and announced the completely sold-out run of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, noted as bucking the struggling national theater trend. Invited remaining council members to attend.
• Christopher Truman (Private Citizen): Argued the senior utility discount income cap ($39,900) is inequitable because it does not scale by household size and excludes mobile home residents on master meters. He reported that the discount costs the city $570,000 annually in transfers against ~$13 million in projected utility revenue growth. Requested the council align the limit with the Home Improvement Program ($58,300) or allow master-meter applications.
• Gerald Miller (Mine Drive): Opposed the installation of nine new “No Trespassing/No Dumping” signs in his neighborhood, stating there is no dumping problem and that the signs are unnecessary and contradictory to planned walking paths.
• Charlie Salinas (Resident): Made a general plea to drivers about increased traffic, running red lights, and the dangers of aggressive driving, particularly with the approaching holiday season.
• David Ortiz (District 2): Expressed concern that new high-density housing is worsening traffic and questioned whether a $96,000 police grant for traffic study is sufficient without more officers on the street. Also asked about the status of the city's streetcars.
• Remote Caller (Caller 8970): Argued that state housing mandates have eroded local control and encouraged voters to break up the supermajority in Sacramento as the only way to stop the trend.

Discussion Items

• 10A: Mills Act Contract (Historic Landmark #8, 1511 Acacia Ave): Staff presented a split recommendation. The Historic Preservation Commission recommended excluding non-historic garage repairs but requiring driveway restoration because it is visible from the street. The Community Development Director recommended excluding both the driveway (lacks historic character-defining features) and the garage (unpermitted addition, not part of the original landmark). Homeowner Lauren Cook requested the driveway be excluded to coordinate concrete work with the garage. Council voted unanimously to adopt the Community Development Director's recommendation, excluding both items from the property maintenance plan.
• 10B: Homeless Pallet Shelter / LA County Partnership: Staff recommended a Letter of Agreement (LOA) to transfer operations of the 40-bed 3290 Temporary Housing Village to the LA County Department of Homeless Services and Health (HSH). Harbor Interfaith Services would subcontract with HSH. The city's annual cost drops from ~$1.89 million to ~$195,000 (maintenance plus weekday security guards). The county may fill up to 20% of beds (eight) with non-Torrance safety transfers. Councilmembers expressed concern regarding loss of direct local oversight but noted the 30-day city termination clause and improved access to countywide behavioral health and housing resources. The motion passed unanimously.
• 10C: WWII Japanese American Incarceration Monument (Columbia Park): Council awarded the $17,273,315.85 public works contract to Golden Sun Enterprise, Inc. of Van Nuys. The city appropriated $7,922,835.85 from the General Fund. The state has committed $5 million. Councilmember Shake noted that donations received to date total under $94,000 against the broader fundraising campaign. Construction is projected to begin in November with a 303-day timeline. Councilmember Carzonis asked about JACL negotiations; staff reported they are nearing finalization. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations: October 23–31, 2026 declared Red Ribbon Week; November 8–15 declared Military Veterans Appreciation Week (luncheon and resource fair to be held November 9). City Hall will be lit red for Red Ribbon Week.
• Policy Referral: A councilmember (District 6) requested staff review the city's short-term rental ordinance and return with amendments to strengthen enforcement, align with SB 60, and establish a fine schedule.
• Absence Excused: Councilmember Lewis was excused from the November 3 and November 17, 2026 meetings.
• Closed Session: Conducted for Public Employee Performance Evaluation (City Manager, City Attorney), Labor Negotiations, and Anticipated Litigation (regarding the CEQA determination for the Cottage Food Ordinance). No reportable actions resulted.
• Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Closed Session), 6:30 PM (Regular Business). October 27 is a City Council Dark Night.