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TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL
REVISED AGENDA
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
CLOSED SESSION
5:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING
6:30 P.M.
LeROY J. JACKSON COUNCIL CHAMBER
3031 TORRANCE BLVD.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Manager’s office at (310) 618-5880. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28CFR35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]
Direct questions or concerns to the City Council at (310) 618-2801, City Manager at (310) 618-5880, or the individual department head prior to submission to the City Council. Parties will be notified if the complaint will be included on a subsequent agenda.
VIEW THE MEETING via CitiCABLE Channel 3 (Spectrum) and Channel 31 (Frontier), streaming on TorranceCA.Gov, Facebook @ City of Torrance CA Government, and YouTube Channel TorranceCitiCABLE.
PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE MEETING by submitting a public comment on the OneMeeting Public Portal at https://torranceca.primegov.com/public/portal?fromiframe=true. All comments submitted before 5:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024 will be published for public review prior to the meeting. Comments received after 5:30 p.m., but prior to the adjournment of the meeting will be added to the record.
The revised agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Blvd and on the City’s Website on Friday, November 15, 2024 /s/ Rebecca Poirier.
*Denotes that an agenda item was modified or added on Friday, November 15, 2024.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The City Council meeting begins with Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. and then regular session at 6:30 p.m. The City Council may take action on any item listed on the agenda.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
2. FLAG SALUTE/NON-SECTARIAN INVOCATION
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
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4. MOTION TO WAIVE FURTHER READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES AFTER
NUMBER AND TITLE
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Council State Legislative Advocacy Committee
Date: Monday, December 2, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber
Topic: 2025 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects
Chair: Mayor Chen
City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber
Topic: 2025 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects
Chair: Mayor Chen
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. PROCLAMATION declaring November 30, 2024 through December 07, 2024 as Torrance Small Business Week in the City of Torrance.
6B. City Manager and Fire – Accept and Appropriate Donation for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Expenditure: None.
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. Handouts will be distributed while you speak.
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 pulled by a Councilmember from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.
8A. Public Works – Adopt RESOLUTION Approving Program Supplement, and Appropriate Funds for Design of Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements, T-171. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Public Works Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a RESOLUTION approving Program Supplement No. F019 to Administering Agency-State Agreement for Federal Aid Projects No. 07-5249F15 for the design of the Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements, T-171, CRPL-5249(035); and
2. Appropriate Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) grant funds in the amount of $88,530 to the Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements, T-171, thereby increasing the T-171 project budget from $1,793,000 to $1,881,530.
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8B. Public Works – Approve First Amendment to Goldsworthy Desalter Ground Lease Agreement with Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) and Adopt RESOLUTION Determining Portion of Certain City-Owned Property Not Required for City Purposes and that Leasing the Property is in the Public Interest. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Public Works Director that City Council:
1. Approve a first amendment to the site lease agreement with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) of Lakewood, CA (C2021-164) for the Goldsworthy Desalter at the City Services Facilities (City Yard) located at 20500 Madrona Avenue to provide approximately 16,591 square feet of additional leased land for the expansion of the Goldsworthy Desalter; and
2. Adopt a RESOLUTION determining a portion of certain City-owned property is not required for City purposes and that leasing the property is in the public interest.
8C. City Manager – Adopt RESOLUTION Pursuant to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Setting Forth Hours, Wages, and Working Conditions for Torrance Police Commanders’ Association (TPCA). Expenditure:
$971,568 (General Fund: Approximately $485,784 Annually).
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt a RESOLUTION pursuant to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) setting forth the hours, wages, and working conditions for employees represented by the Torrance Police Commanders Association (TPCA) for the period beginning January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2025.
8D. City Clerk – SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 3939.
Second and Final Reading of ORDINANCE NO. 3939 amending Chapter 11, Article 6 of Division 9, by amending Section 911.6.100 pertaining to Prohibited Signs; Repealing Article 10 – Enforcement; Adding Article 10 – Electronic/Digital Billboards; and Adding Article 11 – Enforcement and approve an Ordinance Summary for publication. This item is for consideration of adoption of the ordinance only.
The item was previously discussed, and action was taken at a prior council meeting.
8E. Public Works – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Sections 15269(a) and 15269(b) and Authorize Payment for Emergency Slope Repairs Between Vista Montana and Vista Largo. Expenditure: $424,928.66 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Public Works Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Guidelines Section 15269(a) and 15269(b) for emergency slope repairs between Vista Montana and Vista Largo; and
2. Authorize direct payment to Ford Foundation Drilling, Inc. of Azusa, CA in the amount of $378,543.66 for emergency retaining wall construction performed on Vista Montana in May and June 2024; and
3. Authorize direct payment to Clarke Contracting Corporation of Lawndale, CA in the amount of $46,385.00 for emergency roadway repairs performed on Vista Montana in June and July 2024.
8F. City Manager – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15301 and Approve Fourth Amendment to Lease for Portion of City-Owned Property Located at 1520 Greenwood Avenue within Greenwood Park. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Guideline Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve a fourth amendment to Lease by and between the City of Torrance (City) and KinderCare Education LLC (C2000-101), to utilize a portion of City-owned property to continue operation of a day care facility at 1520 Greenwood Avenue within Greenwood Park.
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8G. Public Works and General Services – Authorize Purchase Order for Six (6) 2026 Autocar/Heil ACX64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refuse Trucks as a Cooperative Purchase with Sourcewell. Expenditure $3,363,305.37 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Public Works Director and General Services Director that City Council authorize a purchase order with Velocity Truck Centers, LLC of Fontana, CA in the amount of $3,363,305.37, for six (6) 2026 Autocar/Heil ACX64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Refuse Trucks as a cooperative purchase with Sourcewell.
8H. General Services and Fire – Appropriate Funds and Authorize Purchase Order for Two (2) 2024 Ford F-450 Medix Metro Express 153 Type I Ambulances as a Cooperative Purchase with Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). Expenditure: $640,976.41 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the General Services Director and Fire Chief that City Council:
1. Appropriate $640,976.41 from the Fleet Vehicle Replacement Fund’s fund balance to the Fleet Vehicle Replacement Fund’s fiscal year 2024-25 operating budget; and
2. Authorize a purchase order with Republic EVS of Huntington Beach, CA in the amount of $640,976.41, including sales tax, for two (2) 2024 Ford F-450 Medix Metro Express 153 Type I ambulances as a cooperative purchase with the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).
8I. 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, January 14, 2025 to conduct a closed hearing to consider an appeal of the Civil Service Commission’s decision sustaining the termination of a Police Officer (11).
8J. Traffic Commission and Public Works – Accept and File Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Traffic Commission Annual Report. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Traffic Commission and Public Works Director that City Council accept and file the FY2023-24 Traffic Commission Annual Report.
8K. Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Examination to Fill Finance Director Position.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the examination to fill the position of Finance Director on an open basis.
8L. City Treasurer – Accept and File Investment Report for the Month of September 2024. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Treasurer that City Council accept and file the Investment Report for the month of September 2024.
8M. Civil Service Commission and Human Resources – Approve Reclassification of 1.0 Full-Time Employee (FTE) Fire Battalion Chief. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the reclassification of 1.0 full-time employee (FTE) Fire Battalion Chief position to the classification of 1.0 FTE Deputy Fire Chief position.
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8N. General Services – Adopt California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15301 and Approve Contract Services Agreements for On-Call Roofing Services at Various City Facilities. Expenditure: $4,500,000 (General Fund: Not-to-Exceed $500,000 Annually Per Contract).
Recommendation of the General Services Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve a contract services agreement with Rainy Day Roofing, Inc of Rancho Cucamonga, CA in the amount of $1,500,000 for on-call roofing services for a period beginning November 19, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027; and
3. Approve a contract services agreement with Bazan Roofing, Inc. of Azusa, CA in the amount of $1,500,000 for on-call roofing services for a period beginning November 19, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027; and
4. Approve a contract services agreement with Rite-Way Roofing Corp. of Fontana, CA in the amount of $1,500,000 for on-call roofing services for a period beginning November 19, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027.
8O. General Services – Adopt California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption Pursuant to Section 15301 and Approve Contract Services Agreements for On-Call Job Order Contract General Contractor Services Through Sourcewell. Expenditure: $4,500,000 (General Fund: Not-to-Exceed $750,000 Annually Per Contract).
Recommendation of the General Services Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve a contract services agreement with Harry H. Joh Construction, Inc of Paramount, CA in the amount of $2,250,000 for on-call services through Sourcewell for a period beginning November 19, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027; and
3. Approve a contract services agreement with MDJ Management, LLC of El Segundo, CA in the amount of $2,250,000 for on-call services through Sourcewell for a period beginning November 19, 2024 and ending June 30, 2027.
8P. City Clerk – Approve City Council Minutes. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Clerk that City Council approve the City Council minutes of October 08, 2024, October 22, 2024 and October 29, 2024.
9. HEARINGS
9A. Public Works and Water Commission - Conduct Public Hearing and Adopt RESOLUTION Approving Proposed Series of Annual Increases of Municipal Water Rates Over a Five-Year Period Beginning January 1, 2025 and Ending December 31, 2029.
Recommendation of the Water Commission and Public Works Director that City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing on a series of annual rate increases; and
2. Adopt a RESOLUTION approving a proposed series of annual rate increases of Torrance Municipal Water rates for a five-year period beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2029; and
3. Maintain the discount rate for low-income senior and disabled customers.
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9B. Community Development – Conduct Public Hearing, Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Adopt Pipeline Franchise ORDINANCE Replacing Pipeline Franchise Ordinance No. 3474 Zenith Energy West Coast Terminals LLC. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing to consider replacing expired Pipeline Franchise Ordinance No. 3474 with Zenith Energy West Coast Terminals LLC; and
2. Adopt a Categorical Exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (existing facilities) of the Guidelines implementing CEQA; and
3. Adopt a Pipeline Franchise ORDINANCE with Zenith Energy West Coast Terminals LLC for a ten-year term, with one ten-year option to extend; and
4. Approve an Ordinance Summary for Publication.
9C. Community Development - Conduct Public Hearing on Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) and Approve Final AI. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing and take public testimony on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) covering the period July 1, 2024-June 30, 2028; and
2. Approve Final AI.
9D. Community Development – Conduct Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and Appropriate FY 2023-24 and 2024-25 Project Expenditure Budgets. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Consolidated Plan Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and
2. Appropriate the full amount of the FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards to a newly created grant project.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A. Finance - Accept and File Forensic Review of Financial Processes Report. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Finance Director that City Council accept and file the forensic review of the City’s financial processes report.
10B. City Clerk – Discuss and Consider Amending Torrance Municipal Code Regarding Changes to Commission Compensation. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Clerk that City Council:
1. Discuss and consider amending the Torrance Municipal Code regarding changes to Commission Compensation; and
2. Discuss and Consider directing the City Clerk to bring back an ORDINANCE amending Torrance Municipal Code Sections 13.1.1, 13.2.1, 13.3.1, 13.4.1, 13.5.1, 13.9.1, 13.10.1, 13.11.1, 13.15.1,
13.16.1, 13.18.1, 13.20.010 and 13.21.020 all titled “Created, Composition, Compensation, and Qualifications”; and
3. Determine that the project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15378 and 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
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*10C. Community Services – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Sections 15378 and 15061(b)(3) and Discuss and Consider Adopting an Ordinance Amending the Torrance Municipal Code Pertaining to Public Art Murals and Adopt a RESOLUTION Relating to Mural Policy.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Sections 15378 and 15061(b)(3); and
2. Discuss and consider adopting an ordinance amending Chapter 11 of Division 9 entitled Signs a. Amending Article 11, 911.2.260 entitled “Original Art Display”; and b. Renumbering existing Article 10 entitled Enforcement to be Article 11; and c. Adding Article 11, 911.10.010 entitled “Mural Policy”; and
3. Approve an ordinance summary for publication; and
4. Adopt a RESOLUTION for the City’s mural policy.
11. AGENCY AGENDAS
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS #2 (Limited up to a 15 minute period) This portion of the meeting is reserved for comment on 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. Handouts will be distributed while you speak.
13. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council will meet in Closed Session for the following purpose:
a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
(California Government Code § 54957(b)(1)):
Title: City Manager
*b. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)):
1. City of Redondo Beach, a California Charter City, et al. v. Rob Bonta, in his Official Capacity as California Attorney-General, et al.
Court of Appeals Case No. B338990
2. Michael Ward v. City of Torrance, LASC Case No. 23TRCV001837
3. Christy Andrews v. City of Lomita, City of Torrance, et al., LASC Case No. 23TRCV00029
c. 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
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14. ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment of City Council meeting to Tuesday, December 3, 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, November 26, 2024 is a City Council Dark Night.
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 Employee Organization
17. Torrance Professional & Supervisory Association
18. Torrance Recurrent Recreational Employees Organization
19. City Treasurer
20. City Attorney
21. City Manager
d. REAL PROPERTY – CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code § 54956.8):
1.Property: 23701 Ocean Avenue, Torrance, CA 90505
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Riviera Little League Under Negotiation: Terms and conditions of lease
2.Property: 5550 Towers Street, Torrance, CA 90503
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and West Torrance Little League Under Negotiation: Terms and conditions of lease
3.Property: 23009 Doris Way, Torrance, CA 90505
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Torrance American Boys Baseball Under Negotiation: Terms and conditions of lease
4.Property: 1740 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance, CA 90501
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Torrance Little League Under Negotiation: Terms and conditions of lease
5.Property: Portion of Charles H. Wilson Park located at 2300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501 (APN: 7359-011-911)
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Ambassador Christian School Under Negotiation: Terms and conditions of lease
6.Property: 2300 Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Los Angeles County Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of lease
e. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4)):
One case.