INDEX
TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL -FEBRUARY 25 1 2025
SUBJECT PAGE
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. Call to Order/Roll Call 1
2. Flag Salute/Invocation 1
3. Withdrawn, Deferred or Supplemental Items 1
4. Affidavit of Posting/Waive Further Reading 1
S. Council Committee Meetings and Announcements 2
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. PROCLAMATION declaring March 7, 2025 as the 25th Anniversary of the Torrance Theatre Company 2
6B. Recognition of Torrance Panther Cheer Team 2
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 2
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8A. Approve 2025 4th of July Fireworks Show and Event Enhancements 2 8B. Authorize Purchase Order to Provide for New and Remanufactured Cummins Engines and Parts 2
BC. Authorize Purchase Order for New and Re-manufactured Bus Repair Parts 2
8D. Accept and File Planning Commission Annual Report 2024 2 8E. Accept and File 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report 3 8F. Accept and File Investment Report for the Month of December 2024 3 BG. Approve Revised Class Specification for Park Services Manager 3 8H. Approve Request to Set Closed Hearing Date to Consider Employee Termination Appeal 3
81. Approve Fourth Amendment to Fee Agreement for Legal Services 3
9. HEARINGS
9A. Conduct Public Hearing to Consider Appeal of Planning Commission's Approval of a Precise Plan of Development (PRE24-00012) to Allow One and Two-Story Additions to an Existing One-Story Single-Family Residence, in Conjunction with a Waiver (WAV24-00007) of the Setback Requirements, on Property Located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 671 Calle Miramar (APN 7514-019-013), Adopt RESOLUTIONS and Determine a Categorical Exemption from the CEQA 4
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A. Approve Consolidation of the State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees into a Newly Formed City Council Legislative Advocacy Special Standing Committee and Concur with Committee Appointments 4-5 11 . AGENCY AGENDAS
12 . COUNCIL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 5
13 . CLOSED SESSION 1, 6
14 . ADJOURNMENT 6
At 8:07 p.m., the City Council adjourned to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session, with regular business commencing at 6:30 p.m.
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary
City Council
February 25, 2025
February 25, 2025
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Torrance City Council convened in a regular meeting on February 25, 2025, at 5:02 p.m. in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber, 3031 Torrance Blvd.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Councilmembers Gerson, Kaji, Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh, and Mayor Chen Councilmember Kalani
Present: City Manager Chaparyan, City Attorney Sullivan, Deputy City Clerk 111 Cammarota and other staff representatives Agenda item 13 was considered out of order at this time.
13. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council immediately recessed to closed session at 5:04 p.m. to confer with the City Manager and the City Attorney on agenda matters listed under 13A) Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release, 13B) Conference With Legal Counsel -Anticipated Litigation, 13C) Conference With Legal Counsel -Anticipated Litigation, 13D) Conference With Labor Negotiator, and 13E) Real Property -Conference With Real Property Negotiator -Litigation pursuant to California Government Code §54957, California Government Code §54956.9(d)(2), California Government Code §54956.9(d)(4), California Government Code §54957.6, and California Government Code §54956.8.
Councilmember Kalani joined the City Council meeting at 5:54 p.m .
The City Council reconvened in public session at 6:31 p.m. City Attorney Sullivan reported that the City Council adopted an order of the City Council related to a termination hearing held on January 14, 2025. They adopted the order by a vote of 7-0 to terminate the employee.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ INVOCATION
The flag salute was led by Councilmember Gerson.
The non-sectarian invocation was given by Councilmember Kaji. 3 . WITHDRAWN. DEFERR ED OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
Item 9A was deferred. Supplemental material was available for items BA.
4. REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA/ MOTION TO
WAIVE FURTHER READING
MOTION: Councilmember Kalani moved that after the City Clerk has read aloud the number and title of any resolution or ordinance on the meeting agenda, the further reading thereof shall be waived, reserving and guaranteeing to each Councilmember the right to demand the reading of any such resolution or ordinance in regular order. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Gerson and passed by 7-0.
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary
City Council
February 25, 2025
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Kaji requested to adjourn the meeting in honor of Kanji Sahara.
Councilmember Sheikh gave recognition to National Red Cross Month.
Mayor Chen discussed the Federal Legislative Advocacy trip and summary. He also discussed the foreign trips, where they honored US military members and the memorial park. "
Councilmember Kaji announced the Finance and Governmental Operations Committee meeting on February 26, 2025.
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 7, 2025 AS THE 25rH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
TORRANCE THEATRE COMPANY
68. RECOGNITION OF TORRANCE PANTHER CHEER TEAM
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public spoke .
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8A. APPROVE 2025 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW AND EVENT ENHANCEMENTS Recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council approve holding the 2025 4th of July Fireworks Show and associated event enhancements.
88. AUTHORIZE PURCHASE ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR NEW AND REMANUFACTURED
CUMMINS ENGINES AND PARTS
Recommendation of the Transit Director that City Council authorize a purchase order to Cummins, Inc. (dba Cummins Sales and Service) of Irvine, California for an amount not-to-exceed $1,770,000 (approximately $590,000 annually) for new and remanufactured Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Cummins engines and parts on an as needed basis for a three-year period beginning February 5, 2025 and ending February 4, 2028. 8C . AUTHORIZE PURCHASE ORDER FOR NEW AND RE-MANUFACTURED BUS
REPAIR PARTS
Recommendation of the Transit Director that City Council authorize a sole-source purchase order to Aftermarket Parts CO LLC OBA New Flyer Parts of Manitoba, Canada, for an amount not-to-exceed of $1,800,000 ($600,000 annually), to furnish new and re-manufactured bus parts and components on an as needed basis for a three-year period beginning February 21, 2025 and ending February 20, 2028. 8D . ACCEPT AND FILE PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2024 Recommendation of the Planning Commission and Community Development Director that City Council accept and file the Planning Commission Annual Report 2024.
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary 2
City Council
February 25, 2025
• I
8E. ACCEPT AND FILE 2024 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT
Recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission and Community Development Director that City Council accept and file the 2024 Historic Preservation Annual Report. 8F . ACCEPT AND FILE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2024 Recommendation of the City Treasurer that City Council accept and file the Investment Report for the month of December 2024.
8G. APPROVE REVISED CLASS SPECIFICATION FOR PARK SERVICES MANAGER Recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Human Resources Director that City Council approve the revised class specification for Park Services Manager. 8H. APPROVE REQUEST TO SET CLOSED HEARING DATE TO CONSIDER EMPLOYEE
TERMINATION APPEAL
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council approve request to set a date of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to conduct a closed hearing to consider an appeal of the Civil Service Commission's decision sustaining the termination of a Police Officer (8).
Councilmember Gerson and Councilmember Kaji stated that they would not be able to attend this meeting.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalani moved to approve item 8H. Councilmember Sheikh seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 6-0 with Councilmember Gerson abstaining.
81. APPROVE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FEE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve a fourth amendment to the fee agreement with law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore of Los Angeles, CA (C2023-115) in the amount of $35,000, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $355,000, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to Civil Service Appeal Matter #A23-000790.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalani moved to approve the Consent Calendar with exception to 8H. Councilmember Sheikh seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary 3
City Council
February 25, 2025
9. HEARINGS
9A. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPEAL OF PLANNING
COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF A PRECISE PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT
(PRE24-00012) TO ALLOW ONE AND TWO-STORY ADDITIONS TO AN EXISTING
ONE-STORY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A WAIVER (WAV24-00007) OF THE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS, ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE HILLSIDE OVERLAY IN THE R-1 ZONE AT 671 CALLE MIRAMAR (APN 7514-019-013), ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AND DETERMINE A CATEGORICAL
EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) Recommendation of the Planning Commission and Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Conduct public hearing; and
2. Deny the appeal; and
3. Adopt a RESOLUTION approving a Precise Plan of Development as provided for in Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 41 of the Torrance Municipal Code to allow one and two-story additions to an existing one-story single-family residence on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 671 Calle Miramar; and
4. Adopt a RESOLUTION approving a Waiver as provided for in Division 9, Chapter 4, Article 2 of the Torrance Municipal Code to allow a reduction of the setback requirements on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 671 Calle Miramar; and
5. Determine a Categorical Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); Article 19, Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15305 (Minor Alterations).
Item 9A was deferred.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A. APPROVE CONSOLIDATION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCACY COMMITTEES INTO A NEWLY FORMED CITY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE
ADVOCACY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE AND CONCUR WITH COMMITTEE
APPOINTMENTS
Recommendation of the Mayor that City Council:
1. Approve the consolidation of the State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees into a rrewly formed City Council Legislative Advocacy Special Standing Committee; and
2. Concur with the appointments of Mayor Chen as Chair, and Council members Jon Kaji and Aurelio Mattucci as members of the City Council Legislative Advocacy Special Standing Committee.
Management Associate Carlos Huizar introduced the item to the City Council.
Members of the public spoke.
Councilmember Lewis, Mayor Chen and Management Associate Huizar discussed how the committee members were selected.
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary 4
City Council
February 25, 2025
Councilmember Kalani and City Manager Chaparyan discussed the differences in state versus federal funding sources. They overviewed the lobbying groups that advocate for Torrance, and the consolidation efforts, and why some of the efforts to consolidate were made in the first place. Councilmember Kalani voice skepticism on the need given the two funding sources. She stated that she prefers the two committees, which helps with efficiency and transparency.
Councilmember Gerson stated that someone working shouldn't exclude them from participating or limiting the power of the district office. rte also voiced concern about participation and with more committees there would be more participation. He stated he would not support this.
Councilmember Mattucci clarified that the pay was to supplement those who want to run for office and would struggle to have a major job and need to do this. He recounted this was a staff idea to combine to get more funding from different sources, and to increase efficiency.
Councilmember Sheikh stated that he would support keeping the two committees separate.
Councilmember Lewis and Management Associate Huizar discussed why the Federal Legislative Committee decided to bring Armed Forces Day Committee business into the trip, and the confusion surrounding the poor communication regarding the meetings.
Councilmember Lewis and City Attorney Sullivan discussed the possibility of holding joint meetings of the Federal Legislative Committee and the State Legislative Committee and consideration of the Brown Act. Councilmember Lewis offered to help Councilmember Sheikh gain a committee seat from her if the two committees were combined.
Councilmember Kalani requested that concurrences should be made during motions so that the City Council is aware of those meetings and all necessary information is relayed. City Manager Chaparyan stated that there was no intention to obscure, but that they would work to make sure no confusion happens in the future.
Councilmember Gerson stated that he expected anything more that was beyond approved would come back to the City Council for more discussion and stated that that should not have happened.
Councilmember Kaji discussed the events at the meetings and the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and the value that is added to the Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade. He also discussed the meetings with the Japanese and Korean embassies. He stated that there should be better communication but added that there were opportunities to act on one's own accord and reach out. He stated that he supported increasing efficiency, and if consolidating would help that he. would support if no councilmember got left out.
MOTION: Councilmember Sheikh moved to not approve the consolidation of the State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees and that the members of the current committee do not change. Councilmember Gerson seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4-3, with Councilmember Kaji, Councilmember Mattucci, and Mayor Chen voting no.
11. AGENCY AGENDAS -None Scheduled .
12. CITY COUNCIL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No members of the public spoke.
Councilmember Gerson, Councilmember Kaji, Councilmember Kalani, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Mattucci, Councilmember Sheikh and Mayor Chen spoke.
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary 5
City Council
February 25, 2025
13. CLOSED SESSION
Considered earlier, see page 1.
14. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Lewis moved to adjourn the City Council meeting at 8:07 p.m. to Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session, with regular business commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber. Councilmember Kaji seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Attest:
Rebem~
City Clerk of the City of Torrance
Aleksander Alderete
Minutes Secretary
Approved on March 25, 2025
6 City Council
February 25, 2025