TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
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
Revised City Council Agenda 02-06-24
*Denotes the item was added after posting of the agenda.
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
: Councilmembers Griffiths, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh, and Mayor Chen
14. CLOSED SESSION
14A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code §54957.6): Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Employee
Organization/Association:
1. Certain Full-Time Salaried and Hourly Employees
2. Certain Part-Time Hourly Employees
3. Crossing Guards
4. Elected Officials
5. Engineers and Torrance Fiscal Employees Association
6. Executive & Management Employees
7. Police & Fire Trainees
8. Safety Management Employees
9. Torrance City Employees Association
10. Fire Safety Management
11. Torrance Fire Fighters Association
12. Torrance Library Employees Association
13. Torrance Municipal Employees/AFSCME Local 1117 AFL-CIO
14. Torrance Police Commanders Association (TPCA)
15. Torrance Police Officers Association
16. Torrance Professional Parks & Recreation Employees Organization
17. Torrance Professional & Supervisory Association
18. Torrance Recurrent Recreational Employees Organization
19. City Treasurer
20. City Clerk
21. City Attorney
22. City Manager
14A - STAFF REPORT
14B. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE (California Government Code §54957)
14C. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (California Government Code §54957(b)(1)):
Title: City Attorney
14D. REAL PROPERTY – CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code §54956.8):
1) Property: 2800 Skypark Drive, Torrance, CA 90505 Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and South End Racquet and Health Club, Inc. Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease 2) Property: 1520 Greenwood Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503 Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and KinderCare Education, LLC Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease
14E. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (California Government Code §54956.9(d)(1)):
1) Eric Hickman v. City of Torrance LASC Case No. 19STCV37386
10. HEARINGS
10A. City Manager – Conduct Closed Hearing on the Appeal of the Civil Service Commission Decision Sustaining the Termination of a Police Services Officer.
Consideration of Public Employee Discipline will be Conducted in Closed Session per California Government Code Section 54957(b)(1), unless the Employee Requests to have the Appeal Conducted in Public Session. The Deliberation of this Matter by the City Council will occur in Closed Session.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council conduct a closed hearing to consider an appeal of the Civil Service Commission’s decision sustaining the termination of a Police Services Officer, unless the employee requests to have the hearing in public session and that the City Council’s deliberation of this matter shall occur in closed session. 10A - STAFF REPORT
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
RECONVENED IN PUBLIC SESSION
2. FLAG SALUTE: Councilmember Kaji
NON SECTARIAN INVOCATION: Councilmember Griffiths
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, January 30, 2024 /s/ Rebecca Poirier
MOTION TO WAIVE FURTHER READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES AFTER NUMBER & TITLE – See Council Rules of Order Section 2.11 (Resolution 2006-65)
3 - AFFIDAVIT
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. PROCLAMATION declaring February 2024 as Black History Month in the City of Torrance.
6A - 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. 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 FEBRUARY 5, 2024, AND PRIOR TO THE ADJOURNMENT 12:26 A.M. ON FEBRUARY 7, 2024.
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 Clerk – Approve City Council Minutes. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Clerk that City Council approve the City Council minutes of January 23, 2024.
8B. Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission and Community Development – Approve Change in Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission Meeting Start Time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission and Community Development Director that City Council approve a change in start time for the commission meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
8B - STAFF REPORT
8C. State Legislative Advocacy Committee – Accept and File January 24, 2024 Meeting Minutes and Concur with Committee’s Recommendation on a State Delegation Trip. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the State Legislative Advocacy Committee that City Council:
1) Accept and file January 24, 2024 State Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting Minutes; and
2) Concur with the Committee’s recommendation on a State Delegation Trip. 8C - STAFF REPORT
9. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
9A. Community Development – Adopt RESOLUTION Approving Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of Planning Commission Review to Allow Construction of a New Two-Unit Residential Development, in Conjunction with Demolition of a Contributing Structure, and Adopt RESOLUTION Denying Appeal of Planning Commission Denial of 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 and Statutorily Exempt per Guidelines Section 15270 – Projects Which Are Disapproved. PCR21-00001, CUP21-00010:
Shaunt Nazarian. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1) Adopt a RESOLUTION approving the appeal and approving 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
2) 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.
9A - STAFF REPORT
9B. Community Development – Discuss and Provide Direction on Potential Expansion of Existing Noise Monitoring System at Torrance Municipal Airport.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council discuss and provide direction on the potential expansion of the existing noise monitoring system at the Torrance Municipal Airport based on a noise study completed by Casper Airport Solutions. 9B - STAFF REPORT
9B - STAFF PRESENTATION
9B - SUPPLEMENTAL #1
9B - SUPPLEMENTAL #2
9C. City Manager – Adopt RESOLUTION Setting Forth Changes to Hours, Wages, and Working Conditions for Fire Recruit. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt a RESOLUTION amending Resolution No. 2023-06 setting forth changes to the hours, wages, and working conditions for Fire Recruit regarding pay ranges and health insurance contributions. 9C - STAFF REPORT
9D. City Manager – Adopt RESOLUTION Setting Forth Changes to Hours, Wages, and Working Conditions for Certain Part-Time Hourly Employees. Expenditure:
$7,908 Annually (General Fund).
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt a RESOLUTION amending Resolution No. 2022-145 setting forth changes to the hours, wages, and working conditions for Certain Part-Time Hourly Employees in the amount of $7,908 per year to comply with the State’s minimum wage laws.
9D - STAFF REPORT
9E. Community Development – Approve Measure M Multi-Year Subregional Funding Agreement for Transportation Open Space Corridor Multi-Use Trail Project and Accept and Appropriate $650,000 Grant Award. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1) Approve Measure M Multi-Year Subregional Funding Agreement #9200000000M460107 with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for the Transportation Open Space Corridor Multi-Use Trails Project; and
2) Upon execution of funding agreement #9200000000M460107, accept and appropriate a grant program award in the amount of $650,000 to the Transportation Open Space Corridor Multi-Use Trails Project.
9E - STAFF REPORT
9F. City Manager – Discuss and Determine Action on Councilmember Sheikh’s Request for Excused Absences. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council discuss and determine action on Councilmember Sheikh’s request for excused absences for February 6, 2024,February 27, 2024 and March 12, 2024 Council Meetings.
9F - STAFF REPORT
9G. General Services, Fire and Transit – Authorize Purchase Orders for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel. Expenditure: Not-to-Exceed $5,300,000 (General Fund and Non- General Funds: Approximately $1,766,667 Annually).
Recommendation of the General Services Director, Fire Chief, and Transit Director that City Council authorize purchase orders with Pinnacle Petroleum, Inc. of Huntington Beach, CA (B2023-45) for an amount not-to-exceed $5,300,000, including taxes and fees, to provide unleaded gasoline and renewable diesel for a three-year period beginning March 1, 2024 and ending February 28, 2027.
9G - STAFF REPORT
9H. Police – Appropriate Funds, Approve Master Equity Lease Agreement for the Lease of (54) Unmarked Police Vehicles as a Cooperative Purchase with Sourcewell and Authorize City Manager to Execute and Administer Agreement.
Expenditure: Approximately $2,611,611.32 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Chief of Police that City Council:
1) Appropriate $1,100,000 from the Fleet Vehicle Replacement Fund’s fund balance to the Fleet Vehicle Replacement Fund’s fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget; and 2) Approve a master equity lease agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc. of Anaheim, CA in the amount of approximately $2,611,611.32 for the lease of (54) unmarked police vehicles as a cooperative purchase with Sourcewell; and 3) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and administer the master equity lease agreement on behalf of the City of Torrance; and
4) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and administer the open-end (equity) lease schedules for individual motor vehicles, and to implement and manage ongoing fleet management program options for designated unmarked police vehicles; and
5) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and administer automatic lease renewals for designated unmarked police vehicles.
9H - STAFF REPORT
9H - STAFF PRESENTATION
9H - SUPPLEMENTAL
9I. Community Development – Discuss and Provide Direction on Potential Gateway Entry Signage for Downtown Torrance. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council discuss and provide direction on potential gateway entry signage for Downtown Torrance. 9I - STAFF REPORT
9I - STAFF PRESENTATION
9I - SUPPLEMENTAL
*The following item was added on Friday, February 2, 2024.
9J. Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee - Accept and File Committee Meeting Minutes, Provide Direction and Approve Committee’s Recommendations for the 2024 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: $500 (General Fund).
Recommendation of the Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee that City Council:
1) Accept and file the February 1, 2024 Committee meeting minutes; and 2) Provide direction on eliminating the Friday afternoon military band concert; and 3) Approve the Committee’s recommendation to designate the 2024 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration as a special exhibit under Section 46.8.10 of the Torrance Municipal Code which exempts such events from aircraft noise regulations; and 4) Approve the Committee’s recommendation to subsidize landing fees for aircraft flyovers in the amount of $500.
9J - STAFF REPORT
11. AGENCY AGENDAS – None Scheduled.
12. 2ND READING ORDINANCES
12A. Second and Final reading of ORDINANCE NO. 3929 amending the Torrance Municipal Code Regulating Touch (and Stop) and Go, Full Stop-Taxi Back and Low Approaches at the Torrance Municipal Airport and Adopt California Environmental Quality Act Exemption and approve an Ordinance Summary for publication.
12A - STAFF REPORT
12A - SUPPLEMENTAL
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. If presenting handout material to Council, please provide 11 copies to the City Clerk before speaking.
RECESS
RECONVENE
15. ADJOURNMENT
15A. Adjournment of City Council meeting to Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session, with regular business commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Leroy J. Jackson Council Chamber. Tuesdays, February 13, 2024, and February 20, 2024 are Council Dark Nights.
15A - STAFF REPORT