MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE CITY OF LOMITA AND THE CITY OF TORRANCE
(Public Safety Camera Equipment)
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”), effective as of __________, 2025 (“Effective Date”), sets forth the terms of the agreement between the City of Lomita (“Lomita”) and the City of Torrance (“Torrance”) for the installation and operation of public safety camera equipment at a certain location near the boundary of Lomita and Torrance.
Each party may be referred to individually as “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties”, with respect to the following:
1. RECITALS
A. Torrance and Lomita wish to cooperate in using and placing public safety camera equipment in the interest of providing mutual public safety assistance for both Lomita and Torrance.
B. Public safety camera equipment in this context includes the following types of equipment: Automated License Plate Recognition cameras (“ALPR Cameras”), video cameras providing both a live view and recorded video playback, cellular routers/modems for network connectivity, and associated hardware such as pole-mounted waterproof networking/communication boxes.
C. Torrance has approved the purchase of ALPR Cameras manufactured by Vigilant Solutions / Motorola, to be placed on the traffic poles at the intersection of Lomita Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard. ALPR Cameras assist the Torrance Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies, by alerting them of passing stolen and/or wanted vehicles, as well as identifying vehicles related to criminal investigations or missing persons. In addition to the ALPR cameras, a multi-sensor video camera will also be installed at the intersection of Lomita Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard. A portion of the property at the intersection of Lomita Blvd and Crenshaw Blvd is owned by Lomita (“Lomita Property”).
D. Lomita contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (“Sheriff’s Department” or “LASD”) for law enforcement services. LASD also utilizes and subscribes to ALPR Cameras of the same platform (Vigilant Solutions / Motorola). LASD and the Torrance Police Department share license plate data with each other, which is collected by their respective ALPR Cameras.
This data sharing is based on a previously executed MOU agreement between the agencies. LASD will have access to the data derived from the new ALPR Cameras listed in this agreement for the purpose of providing mutual public safety assistance for Lomita and Torrance.
E. Considering the rate at which camera technology advances and improves, this MOU seeks not to prescribe precise models, versions, or quantities of public safety camera equipment to be installed. Instead, this MOU approves the types of cameras and purpose for which the camera equipment will be utilized.
Albeit, Torrance will install no more than one (1) multi-sensor video camera, ten (10) ALPR Cameras, four (4) Communications Boxes, and four (4) cellular routers on the traffic light poles at the intersection of Crenshaw Blvd. and Lomita Blvd., as specifically described in “Exhibit A.”
2. TERM. The MOU will be effective for an initial term of three (3) years from the Effective Date, and will thereafter automatically renew for additional terms of oneyear periods unless either Party elects to terminate this MOU with no less than 30 days’ notice before any annual renewal.
3. FUNDING. With the exception of electricity to the Communications Boxes, Torrance, at its sole cost, will purchase, install, and maintain the public safety camera equipment, including payment of any and all fees, licenses, costs, charges, and bills.
4. MUTUAL ACCESS. LASD and the Torrance Police Department already share an MOU which permits access to data collected by each agency’s respective ALPR Cameras through the Vigilant Solutions / Motorola platform. Both agencies will have access to the data collected by the new ALPR cameras covered in this Agreement.
5. PERMITS. Torrance will obtain any and all permits from Lomita necessary to install, maintain, and operate the public safety camera equipment on Lomita Property, including building and encroachment permits.
6. INSTALLATION. Torrance warrants that it has the experience, facilities, and expertise necessary to safely, effectively, and properly install the public safety camera equipment on Lomita Property.
7. DAMAGE, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR. Torrance shall maintain the public safety camera equipment in a working condition and ensure the equipment is not a threat to the safety and welfare of the public. Torrance shall provide reasonable notice to Lomita before beginning any maintenance work. Torrance shall be responsible for removing, repairing, replacing, or otherwise remediating any damage to the public safety camera equipment. Lomita shall have the option to perform or cause to be performed such removal, repair, replacement, or remediation, and Torrance shall reimburse Lomita for the actual costs incurred by Lomita, including any required staff time. Torrance acknowledges that, subject to the terms of this MOU, it bears all risk of loss, damage, or replacement of the public safety camera equipment and all associated costs.
8. CORRECTIONS. Torrance shall correct, at its sole cost, all errors in the work which may be done in installing and maintaining the public safety camera equipment. Should Torrance fail to make such corrections in a reasonably timely manner, such corrections may be made by Lomita, and Torrance shall reimburse Lomita for the actual costs incurred by Lomita, including any required staff time.
9. SAFETY. Torrance warrants that the public safety camera equipment is of a weight, size, and dimension as to not affect the structural integrity of the Lomita Property and will not negatively affect the health and safety of the public.
10. ELECTRICAL UTILITY. Lomita will provide electricity to the Communications Boxes. Torrance will install and connect the public safety camera equipment to infrastructure as identified by Lomita to access such electricity.
11. NETWORKING SERVICES. Torrance will pay any fees, costs, or charges relating to networking services for the public safety camera equipment, which may consist of costs relating to data, Internet, modems, routers, and SIM card(s).
12. REMOVAL. Torrance will be responsible for the safe removal of the public safety camera equipment upon the termination of this MOU and all associated costs. If Lomita, in its sole discretion, determines that the public safety camera equipment causes a public health or safety danger, Lomita may immediately remove the public safety camera equipment and must notify Torrance upon doing so.
13. CIVIL CODE ALPR COMPLIANCE. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that Title 1.81.23 commencing with Section 1798.90.5 of the California Civil Code (“ALPR Title”) establishes certain security procedures and practices to protect automated license plate recognition (ALPR) information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure. Each Party agrees to comply with all applicable provisions of the ALPR Title applicable to an “ALPR operator” as defined in the ALPR Title.
14. INDEMNIFICATION. Torrance will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lomita, including its elected and appointed officers, employees, agents, attorneys, and designated volunteers, from and against any and all liability, including, but not limited to demands, claims, actions, fees, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys and expert witness fees), arising from or connected with the respective acts of Torrance arising from or related to this MOU; provided, however, that Torrance is not obligated to indemnify Lomita for Lomita’s own active negligence or willful misconduct.
15. INSURANCE. Torrance acknowledges and warrants that it is self-insured in compliance with the laws of the State of California, that its self-insurance covers persons acting on its behalf or under its control, and that its self-insurance covers the subject matter of this Agreement. Torrance further warrants that it will notify Lomita of any insurance coverage change at least thirty (30) days prior to the change in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement. Any coverage change must be approved by Lomita, whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
16. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. The Parties are, and shall at all times remain as to each other, wholly independent entities. No Party to this MOU shall have the power to incur any debt, obligation, or liability on behalf of any other Party or otherwise act on behalf of any other Party as an agent except as expressly provided by this MOU. No official, employee, agent, or officer of a Party shall represent that he, she, or anyone else from that Party is in any manner an official, agent, employee, or officer of another Party.
17. NOTICE. Any notices, bills, invoices, or reports relating to this MOU, and any request, demand, statement, or other communication required or permitted here must be in writing and delivered to the representatives of the Parties at the addresses set forth in this MOU. Parties must promptly notify each other of any change of contact information, including personnel changes. Notice will be deemed to have been received: (i) by means of electronic mail (e-mail) once an e-mail response from the other Party confirming receipt is received; or (ii) if delivered by hand during regular business hours; or (iii) on the third business day following mailing by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to:
Torrance: City Clerk
City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
Fax: (310) 618-2931
Matt Slawson, Technology Officer
Torrance Police Department
3300 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503
Lomita: Attn: City Manager
City of Lomita
24300 Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
18. COOPERATION. Each Party will fully cooperate with the other Party to attain the purposes of this MOU.
19. ADMINISTRATION. For the purposes of this MOU, the City Manager of each Party, or their designee, will administer the terms and conditions of this MOU on behalf of their respective Party.
20. AMENDMENT. The terms and provisions of this MOU may not be amended, modified, or waived, except by an instrument in writing signed by all Parties.
21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This MOU, including any other documents incorporated herein by specific reference, represents the entire and integrated agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral.
22. GOVERNING LAW. This MOU shall be governed, interpreted, construed, and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of California. Venue for any legal action or other proceeding relating to this MOU shall be in the courts of Los Angeles County.
23. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this MOU shall be determined by any court to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this MOU shall not be affected and this MOU shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained in this MOU.
24. COUNTERPARTS. This MOU may be executed in counterparts, which together will constitute the same and entire MOU.
THE UNDERSIGNED AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES OF the Parties hereby execute this MOU as follows:
CITY OF LOMITA
____________________________
Andrew Vialpando , City Manager
ATTEST:
____________________________
Kathleen Gregory, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
Trevor Rusin, City Attorney
CITY OF TORRANCE
_____________________________
Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
ATTEST:
________________________________
Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
Jeanne-Marie K. Litvin, Deputy City
Attorney