INDEX
TORRANC E CITY COUNCIL -May 23, 2025
SUBJECT PAGE
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. Call to Order/Roll Call 1
2. Flag Salute/Invocation 1
3. ORAL COMMUNJCATIONS 1
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. City's Position County Of Los Angeles' Proposed Homekey + Project 1-3
5. ADJOURNMENT 3
At 6:30 p.m., the City Council adjourned to Tuesday, June 3, 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.
Robert Williams
Minutes Secretary
City Council
May 23, 2025
May 23, 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 May 23, 2025, at 5:02 p.m . in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber, 3031 Torrance Blvd.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Gerson, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh and Mayor Chen
Absent: None.
Present: City Manager Chaparyan, City Attorney Sullivan, City Clerk Rebecca Poirier and other staff representatives
2. FLAG SALUTE/ INVOCATION
The flag salute was led by Councilmember Sheikh.
The non-sectarian invocation was given by Councilmember Gerson.
Councilmember Mattucci announced the cancellation of the Ad Hoc Naming of Public Facilities Committee meeting for May 27, 2025.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No members of the public spoke.
4. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
4A. DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON CITY'S POSITION REGARDING THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES' PROPOSED HOMEKEY + PROJECT AT 3525 TORRANCE BOULEVARD.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1. Discuss the County of Los Angeles' proposed action at their Public Hearing Meeting on May 27, 2025, to authorize a joint application with the Weingart Foundation to participate in the Homekey+ Program for a property located at 3525 Torrance Boulevard to provide 120 units of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness; and
2. Provide direction to staff regarding the City's position on the County of Los Angeles' proposed Homekey+ Program project.
City Manager Aram Chaparyan presented the item.
Members of the public spoke.
Councilmember Lewis stated that she believes there is a difference between the unhoused and the mentally ill and both need different facilities. She went on to clarify that the City Council does not get to decide on this matter, they can only get public input on the position the City should take then send a letter to the County. She stated she has been a follower of Project Homekey but is not a fan of this location as much as it is needed in Torrance. Torrance has always shown that Robert Williams
Minutes Secretary
City Council
May 23, 2025
it is a part of the homeless solution with its outstanding outreach team. She has some significant concerns about the impact of the project, including local resources. There are a lot of unanswered questions like how the project will be implemented, support programs , and how to measure its long-term success. She wants the City to be part of the solution, but it must reflect our shared values of local control, thoughtful planning, community input, and the right location for the facility.
Councilmember Kaji stated he is completely against the project. When growing up in Little Tokyo, he saw firsthand what the policies of the City of Los Angeles and County did to the City.
He believes their model is a failed model unlike the 3290 tiny home project and homeless outreach team at the City of Torrance. He believes the City should take its model and teach those above rather than them trying to impose their model on the City. Everyone on the Council was taken by surprise by this item being added to the Counties' agenda.
Councilmember Kalani asked if it was possible to slow down the process.
A representative from Los Angeles County responded that they would need to speak with the Board of Supervisors , but at this moment they are planning to proceed .
Councilmember Kalani asked if it is a done deal and the representative responded that it is not, because this is just an application and the State car}; still deny it.
Councilmember Kalani asked again if it is possible to slow down the process to allow time for the City and County to negotiate and coordinate. The representative responded that they would need to speak to Supervisor Hahn.
Councilmember Sheikh stated Torrance is the exemplary City on the issue of addressing homelessness and Janice Han knows that. He agreed with Councilmember Kalani that the item should be tabled until the County and City can work together. The way the item was added to the County agenda was very surprising and he is disappointed.
Councilmember Sheikh asked who proposed this item to the agenda and the representative responded that the idea was proposed to them and they made attempts to communicate with the City to work together on the project.
City Manager Aram Chaparyan responded that the County notified the City about a year ago and staff shared their concerns. A few months ago, there was another attempt to contact the City and staff shared their concerns again. The next time the City was made aware was when the item was placed on the agenda.
Councilmember Sheikh asked how the location was selected and a Weingart Center representative responded that the County opened an RFP, and the location was brought to their attention.
Councilmember Mattucci stated the City of Torrance recognizes the homelessness issue and he was the one who proposed the idea of the homelessness outreach team. He is extremely upset with the lack of communication with the Council and public over the addition of the item. He does not believe the .County was operating in good faith and also hopes they can table the item.
He is not opposed to the program, but he is opposed to the location and lack of communication.
He asked that the County representative make a call to the supervisor tonight to table the item.
Councilmember Gerson stated that he had an open request with Supervisor Hahn's Office to be notified of any updates on this potential project but received no notice. The County had the opportunity to work with the City and adding the item to the agenda without doing so looks deceptive. He asked that the item be pulled and that the Supervisors Office takes the time to meet with City staff and Council to collaborate.
Robert Williams
Minutes Secretary 2
City Council
May 23, 2025
Councilmember Kalani also asked for the item to be tabled until the County and City can meet and the Country representative stated he will talk to the Supervisor and notify the Council when he receives any information.
Councilmember Kaji also asked for the item to be tabled. If the Board of Supervisors does not table it and it is approved, then the City should take a position that it will seek whatever legal remedies are possible including injunctive relief and if necessary go to the federal level. He stated a lot of bad faith has been created with this situation.
Councilmember Lewis asked if there was a deadline for the application that would influence pulling the item from the agenda.
The Weingart Center representative stated that the applications are due next week.
Councilmember Lewis asked about the timeline of the application process and the Weingart Center representative stated that the County RFP was put out about two months ago and the center was aware they would be selected about three weeks ago.
Councilmember Lewis asked if there was any time to pull this item off the agenda and the County representative responded that there was time, but he must talk to the Board of Supervisors. ,;;
MOTION: Councilmember Kalani moved not in favor of the project for Item 4A. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Lewis and passed by 7-0.
5. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Gerson moved to adjourn the City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. to Tuesday, June 3, 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 Keji seconded the motion.
The motion carried by a vote of 7-0. --
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Attest:~
Rebec~
City Clerk of the City of Torrance
Robert Williams
Minutes Secretary
Mayor ~~ k:: Torrance
Approved on July 8, 2025
3 City Council
May 23, 2025