TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
5:00 P.M. - CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR BUSINESS BEGINS
IN COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 3031 TORRANCE BL.
CITY COUNCIL MAY TAKE ACTION ON ANY ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA
City Council Agenda 11-28-23
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
14. CLOSED SESSION
14A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (California Government Code §54956.9(d)(1)):
1) Karen Schulz v. City of Torrance, et al. LASC Case No. 23TRCV00766 2) Kurt Reed v. City of Torrance WCAB Case No. ADJ15255390 3) James Quinn v. Jana Dartois, et al. LASC Case No. 23TRCV00539 4) City of Torrance v. Hi-Shear Corporation USDC Case No. 2:17-cv-07732-DSF-JPR 5) California Regional Water Quality Control Board Order No. R4-2020-0003 June 13, 2020
6) California Regional Water Quality Control Board Order No. R4-2021-0079 June 18, 2021
14A - STAFF REPORT
14B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code §54957.6): Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Employee
Organization/Association:
1. Torrance Fire Fighters Association
2. Torrance Police Commanders Association (TPCA)
3. Torrance Police Officers Association
14C. REAL PROPERTY – CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code §54956.8):
1) Property: The southern and southeastern portion of Lago Seco Park located at 3920 W. 235th Street, Torrance, CA 90505 (APN: 7529-017-903) Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and West Basin Municipal Water District Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease 2) Property: 3481 Airport Drive, #200, Torrance, CA 90505 Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Torrance Flite Park, LLC Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease
14D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(d)(4)):
1) Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2:18-mn-2873- RMG USDC for the District of South Carolina (Charleston Division)
14E. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(d)(2)):
One case
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
RECONVENED IN PUBLIC SESSION
2. FLAG SALUTE: Councilmember Sheikh
NON SECTARIAN INVOCATION: Major Tim Smith, Salvation Army
Torrance Civic Chorale
3. REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA The agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Bl. and on the City’s Website on Tuesday, November 21 2023 /s/ Rebecca Poirier
AFFIDAVIT
MOTION TO WAIVE FURTHER READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES AFTER NUMBER & TITLE – See Council Rules of Order Section 2.11 (Resolution 2006-65)
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. RESOLUTION NO. 2023-110 honoring Assistant Fire Chief Brian Hudson upon his retirement from the City of Torrance after twenty-four years of service. (For Presentation)
6A - STAFF REPORT
6B. RESOLUTION NO. 2023-111 honoring Police Lieutenant Paul Solorzano upon his retirement from the City of Torrance after twenty-three years of service. (For Adoption Only)
6B - STAFF REPORT
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS #1 (Limited up to a 15 minute period) This portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on items under the Consent Calendar or items that are not on the agenda. Under the Ralph M. Brown Act, City Council cannot act on items raised during public comment, but may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed; request clarification; or refer the item to staff. Speakers under Orals are limited to either Oral Communications #1 or Oral Communications #2 and no longer than 1 minute per speaker. Time starts when you step up to the microphone.
Speakers please turn off or leave your cellular phone when you come to the microphone to speak. If presenting handout material to Council, please provide 11 copies to the City Clerk before speaking.
PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED AFTER 5:30 P.M. ON 11/27/23 AND BEFORE 1:26 A.M.
ON 11/28/23
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion and one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed by a Councilmember from the Consent Calendar and considered separately..
8A. City Manager and General Services – Approve Electric Vehicle Charging Services Agreements for Various Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15301 – Existing Facilities (Class 1). Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager and General Services Director that City Council:
1) Approve an electric vehicle charging services agreement with Blink Network, LLC of Miami Beach, FL to replace, operate, and maintain fourteen (14) Level II public electric vehicle charging stations for a seven-year period beginning December 1, 2023 and ending November 30, 2030 with two (2) seven-year mutual renewal options; and 2) Approve an electric vehicle charging services agreement with Blink Network, LLC of Miami Beach, FL to replace, operate, and maintain six (6) direct current fast charging public electric vehicle charging stations for a nine-year period beginning December 1, 2023 and ending November 30, 2032 with two (2) nine-year mutual renewal options; and
3) Adopt a finding that the project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 – Existing Facilities (Class 1) and that there are no features that distinguish this project from others in exempt class, and therefore, there are no unusual circumstances; and 4) Rescind the current “One Mile, One Charger” EV charging station pricing policy. 8A - STAFF REPORT
8B. Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Reclassification of
1.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Human Resources Analyst Position. Expenditure:
$33,036.59 Annually (General Fund).
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the reclassification of 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Human Resources Analyst position to 1.0 FTE Principal Human Resources Analyst position in the amount of $33,036.59 per year.
8B - STAFF REPORT
8B - MATERIALS AVAILABLE
8B - SUPPLEMENTAL
8C. Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Reclassification of
1.0 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Administrative Assistant Position. Expenditure:
$20,901 Annually (General Fund).
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the reclassification of 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Administrative Assistant position to 1.0 FTE Human Resources Technician position in the amount of $20,901 per year.
8C - STAFF REPORT
8D. Fire and Police – Accept and Appropriate $917,210 Fiscal Year 2022 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program Award, Approve Subaward Agreement, and Authorize City Manager as the City’s Signatory. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Fire Chief and Chief of Police that City Council:
1) Accept and appropriate Fiscal Year 2022 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant Program award in the amount of $917,210 for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) search and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment, Regional Training Group – 1 Battalion Chief support, Regional Training Center sustainment and firefighter training prop maintenance; and 2) Approve a subaward agreement with the City of Los Angeles for the Fiscal Year 2022 UASI Grant Program award in the amount of $917,210 for the performance period beginning September 1, 2022 and ending May 31, 2025; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to act as the City’s signatory for the agreement; to act on the City’s behalf with respect to all decisions in connection with the agreement; and to accept and appropriate additional UASI Grant Program funding, if available, from the City of Los Angeles.
8D - STAFF REPORT
8E. City Attorney – Approve Fee Agreement for Legal Services. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve the fee agreement with the law firm of Stag Liuzza of New Orleans, LA to provide legal services relating to aqueous film forming foams and per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemical substances product liability litigation and/or settlements, beginning November 1, 2023 and ending when all legal services have concluded or either party terminates the agreement.
8E - MATERIALS AVAILABLE
9. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
9A. City Manager – Approve Business Attraction Incentive Program. Expenditure:
None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council approve the Business Attraction Incentive Program.
9A - STAFF REPORT
9B. City Manager – Accept and File Update from Office of Economic Development.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council accept and file the Economic Development Update.
9B - STAFF REPORT
9B - STAFF PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
9C. Public Works and General Services – Appropriate Funds and Authorize Purchase Order for Four (4) 2025 Autocar/Heil ACX64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refuse Trucks as a Cooperative Purchase with Sourcewell. Expenditure $2,162,315.32 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Public Works Director and General Services Director that City Council:
1) Appropriate $2,162,315.32 from the Sanitation Vehicle Replacement Fund’s fund balance to the Sanitation Vehicle Replacement Fund’s fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget; and
2) Authorize a purchase order with Velocity Truck Centers, LLC of Fontana, CA in the amount of $2,162,315.32, including sales tax, for four (4) 2025 Autocar/Heil ACX64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuse trucks as a cooperative purchase with Sourcewell.
9C - STAFF REPORT
9D. City Manager – Accept and File Update Report on City’s Progress in Addressing Homelessness in Torrance. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council accept and file an Update Report on the City’s progress in addressing homelessness in Torrance. 9D - STAFF REPORT
RECESS
9E. City Manager – Approve Request to Set Closed Hearing Date to Consider Employee Termination Appeal. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council approve request to set a date of Tuesday, February 6, 2024 to conduct a closed hearing to consider an appeal of the Civil Service Commission’s decision sustaining the termination of a Police Services Officer. 9E - STAFF REPORT
9F. City Manager and General Services – Receive Update on City Hall Exterior Lighting Project and Provide Direction on Proposed Lighting Test Period Through December 31, 2023. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager and General Services Director that City Council receive an update on the City Hall exterior lighting project and provide direction on the proposed lighting test period using the existing exterior lighting system through December 31, 2023.
9F - MATERIALS AVAILABLE
9G. City Manager – Approve Side Letter Agreements Between Torrance City Employees Association (TCEA) and Management and Torrance Municipal Employees-AFSCME Local 1117 (TME-AFSCME) and Management. Expenditure:
None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1) Approve a Side Letter Agreement between the Torrance City Employees Association (TCEA) and Management modifying the pay range for Human Resources Technician; and
2) Approve a Side Letter Agreement between the Torrance Municipal Employees- AFSCME Local 1117 (TME-AFSCME) and Management implementing a temporary parking lot sweeping program.
9G - MATERIALS AVAILABLE
9H. City Manager – Adopt RESOLUTIONS Setting Forth Changes Regarding Hours, Wages, and Working Conditions for Certain Full-Time Salaried and Hourly Employees and Executive and Management Employees. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1) Adopt a RESOLUTION amending Resolution No. 2022-144 setting forth changes regarding hours, wages, and working conditions for Certain Full-Time Hourly and Salaried Employees, modifying the pay range for Human Resources Analyst; and 2) Adopt a RESOLUTION amending Resolution No. 2023-12 setting forth changes regarding hours, wages, and working conditions for Executive and Management Employees, modifying the language regarding New Hires/Promotions and Benefit Category for Assistant Police Chief.
9H - STAFF REPORT
9I. City Manager – Review, Discuss, and Provide Direction on Resolution No. 2018- 110 Setting Forth Hours, Wages, and Working Conditions for the City Treasurer.
Expenditure: None. In response to an oral request by Councilmember Mike Griffiths with City Council concurrence, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that City Council review, discuss, and provide direction on Resolution No. 2018-110 which sets forth the hours, wages, and working conditions for the City Treasurer.
9I - STAFF REPORT
9J. Public Works – Adopt ORDINANCE Amending Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Pertaining to Refuse and Rubbish Collection, Scavenging Prohibited, Commercial Solid Waste Reporting, Waste Diversion, Recycling and Graffiti, and Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15308 – Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment (Class 8) and Section 15061(b)(3) – Review for Exemption, and Approve Ordinance Summary for Publication. Expenditure:
None.
Recommendation of the Public Works Director that City Council:
1) Adopt an ORDINANCE amending Article 15 entitled “Refuse and Rubbish Collection,” of Chapter 3, Division 3, and amending Article 1 entitled “Scavenging Prohibited,” of Chapter 3, Division 4, and amending Article 6 entitled “Commercial Solid Waste Reporting,” of Chapter 3, Division 4, and amending Article 7 entitled “Waste Diversion, Recycling and Graffiti” of Chapter 3, Division 4 of the Torrance Municipal Code (TMC); and
2) Adopt a finding that the project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 – Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment (Class 8) and Section 15061(b)(3) – Review for Exemption; and
3) Approve an Ordinance Summary for publication.
9J - STAFF REPORT
9J - MATERIALS AVAILABLE
9J - SUPPLEMENTAL
9J - STAFF PRESENTATION
10. HEARINGS
10A. Community Development – Consider Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of a Planning Commission Review to Allow Construction of a New Two-Unit Residential Development, in Conjunction with Demolition of a Contributing Structure, and a Conditional Use Permit to Allow Development that Exceeds a
0.65 Floor Area Ratio, on Property Located Within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue. The Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Guidelines Section 15303 – New Construction. PCR21-00001, CUP21-00010: Shaunt Nazarian. Expenditure:
None.
Recommendation of the Planning Commission and Community Development Director that City Council:
1) Deny the appeal; and
2) Adopt a RESOLUTION denying the appeal and denying without prejudice a Planning Commission Review to allow the construction of a new two-unit residential development, in conjunction with the demolition of a contributing single-family residence on property located within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue; and
3) Adopt a RESOLUTION denying the appeal and denying without prejudice a Conditional Use Permit to allow the construction of a new two-unit residential development that exceeds a 0.65 floor area ratio on property located within the Torrance Tract Overlay in the R-2 Zone at 1724 Arlington Avenue.
10A - STAFF REPORT
10B. Finance and General Services – Conduct Public Hearing on Airport Landing Fees, Adopt ORDINANCE Amending Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Pertaining to Airport Landing Fees, Adopt RESOLUTION Establishing Airport Landing Fee Rate, Approve Ordinance Summary for Publication, and Adopt California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Finance Director and General Services Director that City Council:
1) Conduct public hearing on airport landing fees; and
2) Adopt an ORDINANCE amending Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Section 51.2.30 entitled “Definition of Revenue Operations” and Section 51.2.31 entitled “Fee for Revenue Operations,” and repealing Section 51.2.32 entitled “Refusal for Clearance”; and
3) Adopt a RESOLUTION establishing an airport landing fee rate; and 4) Approve an Ordinance Summary for publication; and
5) Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption pursuant to Sections 15061, 15273, and 15378 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations and Section 21080 of the Public Resources Code.
10B - MATERIALS AVAILABLE
10B - SUPPLEMENTAL
PUBLIC COMMENT
11. AGENCY AGENDAS – None Scheduled.
12. 2ND READING ORDINANCES
12A. Second and Final Reading of ORDINANCE NO. 3925 Amending Division 2, Chapter 22, Article 1 and Article 2 of the Torrance Municipal Code by Adding New Definitions to Section 222.1.2 and a New Section 222.2.13, Altering Authority, Rules and Regulations, and Definitions of Uniform Occupancy Tax and Approve an Ordinance Summary for Publication.
12A - STAFF REPORT
13. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS #2 (Limited up to a 15 minute period) Council Order – Griffiths, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh, Mayor Chen This portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on items not on the agenda. Under the Ralph M. Brown Act, City Council cannot act on items raised during public comment, but may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed; request clarification; or refer the item to staff. Speakers under Orals are limited to either Oral Communications #1 or Oral Communications #2 and no longer than 1 minute per speaker. Time starts when you step up to the microphone. Speakers please turn off or leave your cellular phone when you come to the microphone to speak. If presenting handout material to Council, please provide 11 copies to the City Clerk before speaking.
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
RECONVENED IN PUBLIC SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT
15A. Adjournment of City Council meeting to Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session, with regular business commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Tuesday, December 5, 2023, is a Council Dark Night. 15A - STAFF REPORT