TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
MARCH 26, 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 03-26-2024
*Denotes the item was modified 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 LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (California Government Code §54956.9(d)(1)):
1) Jose Alberto Hilario Hernandez v. City of Torrance, et al. LASC Case No. 22TRCV01593
2) Eric Hickman v. City of Torrance LASC Case No. 19STCV37386 3) Glen Allen v. City of Torrance, et al. LASC Case No. 24LBCV00305 4) Junior Moananu v. Torrance Police Department, et al. LASC Case No. 24TRCV00461 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. 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
14E. REAL PROPERTY – CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code §54956.8):
1) 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
2) Property: 1345 Post Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501 Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Torrance Historical Society Under Negotiation:
Price and terms and conditions of lease
3) Property: 17498 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90504 Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation (Matthews Real Estate Investment Services, Inc) Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease
4) Property: 2600 Skypark Drive, Torrance, CA 90505 Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Hi-Shear Corporation Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease
RECESSED TO CLOSED SESSION - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
RECONVENED IN PUBLIC SESSION
2. FLAG SALUTE: Councilmember Lewis NON-SECTARIAN INVOCATION:
Councilmember Mattucci
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, March 19, 2024 /s/ Rebecca Poirier
3 - 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 – None Scheduled.
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. If presenting handout material to Council, please provide 11 copies to the City Clerk before speaking.
PUBLIC COMMENT
LATE PUBLIC COMMENT RECIEVED AFTER 5:30 P.M. ON 3/25/24 AND PRIOR TO ADJOURMENT AT 1:52 A.M. ON 3/27/24
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 February 27, 2024.
8B. Community Development – Approve Final Parcel Map No. 83607, Accept Additional Street Easements, Abandon Two Public Utility and Planting Easements, and Determine that Approval of Final Parcel Map No. 83607 is Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to Section 15268(b) of the CEQA Guidelines. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1) Approve Final Parcel Map No. 83607; and
2) Accept additional street and highway easements at the following locations:
3) Abandon two unneeded Public Utility and Planting easements along the north side of 195th Street; and
4) Determine that approval of Final Parcel Map No. 83607 is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15268(b) of the CEQA Guidelines.
8B - STAFF REPORT
8D. Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Proposed Class Specification for Fire Prevention Supervisor. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the proposed class specification for Fire Prevention Supervisor. 8D - STAFF REPORT
8E. Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Revised Class Specification for Human Resources Technician. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the revised class specification for Human Resources Technician. 8E - STAFF REPORT
8C. Community Development – Accept and File 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Authorize Submission to California Department of Housing and Community Development and Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1) Accept and file the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report; and 2) Authorize staff to submit the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and 3) Authorize staff to submit the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
8C - STAFF REPORT
RECESS
RECONVENE
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..
9. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
9A. City Manager – Appropriate Funds and Award Contract Services Agreement for Audio Visual & Control System Upgrades. Expenditure: Not-to-Exceed $578,092.60 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1) Appropriate $237,092.60 from the Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Fund’s fund balance to the Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Fund’s fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget; and
2) Appropriate $578,092.60 from the Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Fund’s fiscal year 2023-24 operating budget to Facility, Equipment, and Automation Plan (FEAP) 950 – City Council TV Production Control Room, Cameras, Robotics project; and
3) Award a contract services agreement to Triton Technology Solutions, Inc. of San Juan Capistrano, CA (RFP B2023-44) for an amount not-to-exceed $578,092.60 to provide audio visual and control system upgrades in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber for a one-year period beginning March 26, 2024, and ending March 25, 2025. 9A - STAFF REPORT
9B. City Manager – Approve One-Time Exemption to Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Section 46.5.3b Regarding Hours for Amplified Sound and Approve Amplified Sound Permit for Islamic Center of South Bay Event at Charles H. Wilson Park.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1) Approve a one-time exemption to Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) section 46.5.3b regarding hours for Amplified Sound; and
2) Approve an Amplified Sound Permit for the Islamic Center of South Bay-Lomita for prayer services to be held on April 10, 2024 at Charles H. Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard.
9B - STAFF REPORT
9C. City Manager – Review and Concur with Provisions of the Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District Management District (BID) Plan, Provide Direction on Assessment Obligations, and Authorize City Manager to Submit Affirmative Petitions for Establishment of Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1) Review and concur with the provisions of the Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District (BID) Management District Plan; and 2) Provide direction on assessment obligations for City owned properties; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to submit affirmative petitions supporting the establishment of a Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District.
9C - STAFF REPORT
LATE PUBLIC COMMENT
9D. City Attorney – Approve Seventh Amendment to Fee Agreement for Legal Services. Expenditure: $1,758,371.70 (General Fund).
Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve a seventh amendment to the fee agreement with law firm Rutan & Tucker, LLP of Costa Mesa, CA (C2020-038) in the amount of $1,758,371.70, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $7,973,371.70, to cover costs and provide legal services relating to the 2020 Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board Order/Hi-Shear litigation.
9D - STAFF REPORT
9E. City Manager and Communications and Information Technology – Receive Update and Provide Direction on Potential Installation of Live Webcam in Torrance. Expenditure: None. In response to an oral request by Councilmember Aurelio Mattucci, it is the recommendation of the City Manager and Communications and Information Technology Director that City Council receive an update and provide direction on the potential installation of a live webcam in Torrance as a means of promoting the City in a visual medium. 9E - STAFF REPORT
*The following item was modified on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
9F. City Manager – Adopt RESOLUTIONS Authorizing Grant of Easement and Settlement and Release Agreement for Portions of City-Owned Vacant Properties. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1) Adopt findings that portions of city-owned vacant properties (7532-011-900 and 7532- 011-901) are exempt surplus land under the California Surplus Land Act as defined by California Government Code, Section 54221; and
2) Adopt a RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest to grant of easement entitled Easement Agreement with Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions for portions of city-owned vacant properties (7532-011-900 and 7532-011-901); and
3) Adopt a RESOLUTION authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute and the City Clerk to attest to a Settlement and Release Agreement between the City of Torrance and the property owners of 4805 Paseo de las Tortugas to cure an encroachment dispute.
9F - STAFF REPORT
9G. City Clerk – Adopt ORDINANCE Amending the Torrance Municipal Code Regarding Changes to Commission Appointments and Terms, and Filling of Vacancies and Determine California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption and Discuss and Provide Direction Regarding Commission Meeting Times and Combining or Disbanding Commissions. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Clerk that City Council:
1) Discuss and consider amending the Torrance Municipal Code to consider changes to Commission appointments and terms of members and filling of vacancies; and 2) Adopt an ORDINANCE amending Torrance Municipal Code Sections 13.1.2, 13.2.2,
13.3.2, 13.4.2, 13.5.2, 13.9.2, 13.10.2, 13.11.2, 13.15.2, 13.16.2, 13.18.2, 13.20.020 and 13.21.030 all titled “Appointment and Terms of Members” and Sections 13.1.3,
13.2.3, 13.3.3, 13.5.3, 13.9.3, 13.15.3, 13.16.3, 13.18.3, 13.20.030 and 13.21.040 all titled “Filling of Vacancies; and
3) Determine the project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15378 and 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and 4) Approve an Ordinance Summary for publication; and
5) Discuss and provide direction regarding meeting times and combining or disbanding Commissions.
9G - STAFF REPORT
9G - SUPPLEMENTAL
9H. City Manager, General Services, and Public Works - Receive Update and Provide Direction on Potential Installation of New Electronic Message Board.
Expenditure: None.
In response to an oral request by Councilmember Mike Griffiths with City Council concurrence, it is the recommendation of the City Manager, General Services Director, and Public Works Director that City Council receive an update and provide direction on the potential installation of a new electronic message board near the southwest corner of Hawthorne Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway intersection. 9H - STAFF REPORT
RECESS
RECONVENE
10. HEARINGS
10A. Community Development – Conduct Public Hearing on Land Use Study 24-00002 Regarding Proposed Amendments to Torrance Municipal Code Pertaining to Electronic/Digital Billboards, Determine California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption, and Adopt ORDINANCE Amending Torrance Municipal Code.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1) Conduct a public hearing on Land Use Study 24-00002 regarding proposed amendments to the Torrance Municipal Code pertaining to Electronic/Digital Billboards; and
2) Determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and 3) Adopt an ORDINANCE amending Torrance Municipal Code Section 911.6.100 entitled “Prohibited Signs” of Chapter 11, Article 6, Division 9; repealing Article 10 entitled “Enforcement” of Chapter 11, Division 9; adding Article 10 entitled “Electronic/Digital Billboards” to Chapter 11, Division 9; adding Article 11 entitled “Enforcement” to Chapter 11, Division 9; and
4) Approve an Ordinance Summary for publication.
10A - STAFF REPORT
10A - STAFF PRESENTATION
10A - SUPPLEMENTAL
11. AGENCY AGENDAS – None Scheduled.
12. 2ND READING ORDINANCES
12A. Second and Final reading of ORDINANCE NO. 3931 amending Section 91.37.3(a) of Chapter 1 of Article 37 of Division 9 of the Torrance Municipal Code to regulate the approval process and placement of pickleball courts in the P-U (Public Use) Zone 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 – Mattucci, Sheikh, Griffiths, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis and Mayor Chen This portion of the meeting is reserved for comments 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. If presenting handout material to Council, please provide 11 copies to the City Clerk before speaking.
RECONVENE
RECONVENE
15. ADJOURNMENT
15A. Adjournment of City Council meeting to Tuesday, April 9, 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. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, is a Council Dark Night. 15A - STAFF REPORT