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Date: March 4, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee
By: Jin Chun, Public Engagement Manager | [email protected] Subject: Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee – Accept and File Committee Meeting Minutes, Provide Direction on Security Measures for the 2025 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration and Appropriate Funds. Expenditure: $180,000 (General Fund).
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee that City Council:
1. Accept and file the January 6, 2025 Committee Meeting Minutes; and
2. Provide direction on additional safety measures on the parade perimeter for the amount estimated at $180,000; and
3. Appropriate $180,000 from the General Fund’s fund balance to the fiscal year 2024-25 operating budget.
FUNDING
Funding is available in the General Fund’s fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget.
DISCUSSION
On January 6, 2025, the Armed Forces Day Standing Committee met to receive an update on the preliminary planning activities for the 2025 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration.
Committee members requested staff to conduct research into the cost of additional safety measures including barricades for the upcoming Armed Forces Day Parade taking place on Saturday, May 17, 2025. This request stems from the recent incidents across the United States where the absence of barricades allowed vehicles to breach crowds, including a notable incident in New Orleans on January 1, 2025.
In response, staff evaluated whether reinforced barricades could enhance protection for participants and spectators. As part of this assessment, staff consulted with Meridian Rapid Defense Group, a reputable security company, who provided insights into the scope and logistics of implementing such measures.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group provided a sample proposal designed to enhance security measures while ensuring smooth event operations. To maintain the integrity of the security plan, further details can be shared with City Council as needed. 1 City Council
March 4, 2025
1. Barrier Deployment: The proposal includes a sufficient number of barriers to support security efforts, with the final quantity determined by event logistics and requirements.
2. Logistics & Staffing: The transportation and placement of barriers will require coordinated logistics including staging prior to the event. Additional personnel will be needed for set up, monitoring, and ensuring a smooth flow of operations. Some staff will be sourced from various locations, which may require travel and lodging accommodations.
3. Additional Equipment: Specialized equipment will be incorporated as needed to assist with access control and overall event security.
4. Total estimated cost: $180,000 (includes necessary equipment, transportation, staffing, set up, and event management).
Council is asked to provide direction on additional safety measures on the parade perimeter or proceed with existing safety measures at this year’s Armed Forces Day Parade. If Council provides direction to proceed with additional safety measures, staff will procure the service following the City’s procurement policy.
ATTACHMENT
1. January 6, 2025 – Meeting Minutes
2 January 6, 2025
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee Meeting convened in a regular meeting on January 6, 2025 at 12:04 pm in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mattucci, Committee Member Kalani
Absent: Committee Member Kaji
Present: Management Associate Carlos Huizar, Sergeant David Koenig, and Police Services Supervisor John Newman.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance was led by Committee Member Kalani.
3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Chair Mattucci welcomed those in attendance and requested that committee members introduce themselves to the public.
Staff presenting:
Management Associate Carlos Huizar.
4. REPORT OF STAFF ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
Management Associate Carlos Huizar reported that the agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Boulevard and on the City’s website on Monday, December 23, 2024.
5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
5A. City Manager and Police - Discuss and Provide Direction for the 2025 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Expenditure: None Management Associate Carlos Huizar introduced this item to the Committee using slides.
• The 2024 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration was a resounding success.
• The year 2025 is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. • Staff is seeking direction from the Committee on a few planning considerations:
3 o Consideration #1: Military Concert
▪ Last year’s Military Concert was canceled due to a
shortage of performing bands.
▪ In other years, the Military Concert has had one matinée performance and one evening performance.
▪ Staff is seeking direction on whether to reinstate both the matinée and evening performances or only hold the
evening performance. This would streamline the event and could save staffing and operational costs.
o Consideration #2: Hotel Accommodations
▪ Staff has determined that the Torrance Marriott is the most suitable option to accommodate high-level officials due to the hotel’s security measures, significant number of
available rooms, and competitive pricing.
▪ Staff recommends initiating a contract with the hotel to ensure ample time is provided for planning arrangements. o Consideration #3: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking Enhancements
▪ Staff recommends designating a specific ADA parking area at City Hall for the event to improve access to residents and visitors with disabilities.
• The event is scheduled for May 16 to May 18, with the parade occurring on May 17.
• Staff intends to address critical planning considerations early to build on prior successes.
Chair Mattucci asked if anyone from the public would like to speak at this time.
No members of the public wished to speak at this time.
Committee Member Kalani inquired whether the hotel accommodations would be designated only for officials or include additional attendees. Police Services Supervisor John Newman explained that the Police Department had confirmed with the Marriott Torrance that 61 room nights would be available to the Grand Marshal, Honorary Grand Marshal, Flag Officer, and other officials from each military branch.
Committee Member Kalani requested that flexibility be provided in the schedule to ensure that Councilmembers could attend multiple events without an overlap in timing. Management Associate Carlos Huizar responded that this suggestion could be considered by the event’s planning team.
Committee Member Kalani and Management Associate Carlos Huizar discussed the timeline for when the event budget will be presented to the Committee.
Chair Mattucci inquired about the estimated cost savings from not holding the matinée performance for the Military Concert. Management Associate Carlos Huizar responded that there is no estimate at this time. Police Services Supervisor John Newman answered that monetary savings would be minimal, and that staff time would not represent a significant cost. He explained that the 4 two performances were poorly attended, so combining the concert into one large evening performance would be advantageous by increasing attendance.
Chair Mattucci expressed his desire to emphasize safety as a top concern. He suggested placing an increased number of barriers and other safety elements.
Chair Mattucci inquired about where the ADA parking areas would be located.
Management Associate Carlos Huizar responded that typically, ADA parking is located in close proximity to the event to provide the shortest path of travel.
Chair Mattucci suggested that to help ease existing concerns about limited parking, a “Park & Ride” system could be implemented to allow visitors to park at the Torrance Regional Transit Center or Wilson Park and take shuttles or buses to the event. Management Associate Carlos Huizar confirmed that this suggestion could be given to the event’s planning team.
Committee Member Kalani suggested relocating the evening reception for dignitaries to an outdoor location at the Museum of Flight. Management Associate Carlos Huizar responded that this suggestion could be forwarded to the event’s planning team.
Chair Mattucci asked whether the event will be able to store military equipment at the same parking lot at Del Amo Fashion Center that was used last year.
Sergeant David Koenig confirmed that despite recently approved construction at the location, the project would not interfere with the storage of such equipment for the event.
MOTION: Committee Member Kalani moved to concur with staff’s recommendation with the following additional recommendations from the Committee: incorporate protective barriers around the event; ensure public safety remains a top priority; explore the feasibility of a Park & Ride service at the Torrance Regional Transit Center or Wilson Park; explore the feasibility of an outdoor reception for dignitaries at the Museum of Flight or the Civic Center; and follow up with the Del Amo Fashion Center for the storage of military equipment or determine an alternative storage location. The motion also included forwarding these recommendations to the City Council. Chair Mattucci seconded. The motion carried by a vote of 2-0 with Committee Member Kaji absent.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Mattucci asked if there were any members of the public that wished to speak under the Public Comment section. No members of the public wished to speak at this time.
7. CLOSING REMARKS
Management Associate Carlos Huizar thanked the Committee for their time and stated that the information provided in this meeting will be presented to City Council at a later date. He also noted that the event’s planning team would meet with representatives from the U.S. Army the day after this committee meeting. He confirmed that these discussions 5 will enable the planning team to return to the City Council with a more concrete budget estimate.
8. ADJOURNMENT
At 12:26 pm, Committee Member Kalani moved to adjourn the meeting. Chair Mattucci seconded. The motion carried by a vote of 2-0 with Committee Member Kaji absent.
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