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REVISED
TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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. Hard copies of public comment may be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office during regular business hours. All comments submitted before 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, 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 Wednesday, June 11, 2025 /s/ Rebecca Poirier.
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.
*Denotes that an agenda item was modified, added, or withdrawn on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
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2. FLAG SALUTE/NON-SECTARIAN INVOCATION
Flag Salute: Councilmember Kalani
Invocation: Councilmember Lewis
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED, AND/OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
4. MOTION TO WAIVE FURTHER READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES AFTER
NUMBER AND TITLE
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. Police – Presentation of Torrance Police Foundation Grant Award for Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Equipment. Expenditure: None.
6B. Community Services – Introduction of Torrance Students Participating in 2025 Sister City Student Cultural Exchange Program with Kashiwa, Japan. 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.
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 Adopting a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-26 as Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act and Appropriate Funds. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Public Works Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a RESOLUTION adopting a list of projects for fiscal year 2025-26 as funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act to identify the Residential Pavement Improvement, I-159 as the project to be funded; and
2. Appropriate Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds in the amount of $376,385 to the Residential Pavement Improvement, I-159.
8B. City Manager – Adopt Categorical Exemption 15301, Approve Security Agreement, Adopt RESOLUTION and Approve Second Amendment to Lease Agreement (2004-0154) for City-owned Property Located at 2600 Skypark Drive. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1. Adopt California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve Security Agreement by and between Hi-Shear Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, and the City of Torrance; and
3. Adopt a RESOLUTION determining certain City-owned property is not required for City purposes and that extending an existing ground lease of the property is in the public interest; and
4. Approve a second amendment to Ground Lease (C2004-154) with Hi-Shear Corporation for City-owned property located at 2600 Skypark Drive in the City of Torrance.
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8C. Community Development – Approve Agreements for On-Call Expedited Plan Check Services for Community Development Department on an as Needed Basis. Expenditure: Not-to-Exceed $7,500,000 (General Fund).
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Approve a consulting services agreement with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. of Plano, TX (RFP B2024-15) in an amount not-to-exceed $2,500,000, for on-call expedited plan check services for a five-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2030; and
2. Approve a consulting services agreement with m6 Consulting, Inc. of Moorpark, CA (RFP B2024-15), in an amount not-to-exceed $2,500,000, for on-call expedited plan check services for a five-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2030; and
3. Approve a consulting services agreement with True North Compliance Services, Inc. of Long Beach, CA (RFP 2024-15), in an amount not-to-exceed $2,500,000, for on-call expedited plan check services for a five-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2030.
8D. Community Development – Approve Fourth Amendment to Consulting Services Agreement for Seismic Retrofit Ordinance Implementation. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council approve a fourth amendment to the consulting services agreement with Degenkolb Engineers of Los Angeles, CA (C2021-019), to extend the contract term for an additional seven months beginning July 1, 2025 and ending February 8, 2026.
8E. City Manager and Community Services – Approve Funding Agreement by and between the Torrance Unified School District and the City of Torrance, Appropriate $10.63 Million Towards the El Nido Park Renovation Capital Improvement Project, and Authorize the City Manager to Initiate Community Engagement. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager and Community Services Director that City Council:
1. Approve funding agreement by and between the Torrance Unified School District and the City of Torrance; and
2. Appropriate up to a $10.63 million Torrance Unified School District contribution toward a new El Nido Park Renovation Capital Improvement Project, subject to the prescribed terms; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to initiate community engagement with El Nido Tract residents and North Torrance Little League on the final design of park and public improvement elements.
8F. Public Works – Approve Transfer Agreement under the Safe, Clean Water Municipal Program.
Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Public Works Director that City Council approve the Transfer Agreement #2024MP80 with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, to receive annual funding through the Safe, Clean Water Municipal Program, for the period beginning June 17, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028.
*The following items were withdrawn on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
*8G. Agenda Item Withdrawn
*8H. Agenda Item Withdrawn
8I. Finance – Approve Premium Renewal with Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM) for Excess Liability and Excess Workers’ Compensation Coverage and Authorize Finance Director to Execute the Coverage Binders. Expenditure: Not-to-Exceed $5,703,328 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Finance Director that City Council:
1. Approve the annual premium renewal of excess liability coverage from Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM) in the amount of $4,662,000, plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $466,200, for a total not-to-exceed $5,128,200 for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending July 1, 2026; and
2. Approve the annual premium renewal of excess workers’ compensation coverage from PRISM in the amount of $522,844, plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $52,284, for a total not-to exceed $575,128 for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending July 1, 2026; and
3. Authorize Finance Director or designee to execute the coverage binder.
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8J. Finance – Approve Renewal of Property Insurance Coverage and Authorize Finance Director to Execute the Insurance Binder. Expenditure: Not-to-Exceed $641,686.51 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Finance Director that City Council:
1. Approve renewal of property insurance coverage from Alliant Property Insurance Program (APIP) through Alliant Insurance Services Inc. of Irvine, CA, for an amount not-to-exceed $641,686.51 for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending July 1, 2026; and
2. Authorize Finance Director to execute the insurance binder.
8K. Finance – Approve Renewal of Automobile Physical Damage Insurance Coverage and Authorize Finance Director to Execute the Insurance Binder. Expenditure: Not-To-Exceed $369,030 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the Finance Director that City Council:
1. Approve renewal of automobile physical damage insurance coverage from The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. through Alliant Insurance Services Inc. of Irvine, CA, at a premium in the amount of $335,482 plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $33,548, for a total not-to-exceed $369,030 for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending July 1, 2026; and
2. Authorize Finance Director or designee to execute the insurance binder.
8L. General Services and Fire – Authorize Purchase Order for One (1) Medic Built Remount Type III RP-90 on a Ford E-350 Chassis as a Cooperative Purchase with Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). Expenditure: $166,676.49 (Non-General Fund).
Recommendation of the General Services Director and Fire Chief that City Council authorize a purchase order with Republic EVS of Huntington Beach, CA, in the amount of $151,524.08, plus a 10% contingency in the amount of $15,152.41, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $166,676.49, to purchase one (1) 2025 Ford E-350 Medic Built Remount Type III ambulance as a cooperative purchase with the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).
8M. Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee – Accept and File Torrance Fire Department Annual Quality Improvement Update Report for 2024, SB1205 Compliance Report for 2024, and Meeting Minutes from the April 24, 2025 Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee that City Council:
1. Accept and file the Torrance Fire Department Annual Quality Improvement Update Report for 2024; and
2. Accept and file the SB1205 Compliance Report for 2024; and
3. Accept and File the meeting minutes from the April 24, 2025 Employee Relations and Public Safety Committee.
8N. City Treasurer – Accept and File Investment Report for the Month of April 2025. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Treasurer that City Council accept and file the Investment Report for the month of April 2025.
8O. 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 Pakistan Chamber of Commerce 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 an extension of amplified sound hours; and
2. Approve an Amplified Sound Permit for the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce Event for prayer services to be held on August 2, 2025 at Charles H. Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard.
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8P. City Manager – Award Consulting Services Agreement for State Legislative Advocacy Consultant Services and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Agreement. Expenditure: $180,000 (General Fund: Approximately $60,000 Annually).
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
1. Award a consulting services agreement to Joe A. Gonsalves & Son of Sacramento, CA (RFQ 2024-0312), for a not-to-exceed amount of $180,000, to provide state legislative advocacy consultant services for a three-year period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
*The following item was modified on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
*8Q. City Manager and Community Services – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and Approve License Agreements for Use of City-Owned Properties as Baseball Fields at Charles H. Wilson Park and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Agreements. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Manager and Community Services Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve license agreements with Ambassador High School and Garciaparra Baseball Group, for use of City-owned properties as high school and youth baseball fields for ten-year terms, beginning September 1, 2025 and ending May 31, 2035; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements.
8R. SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 3949
Second and Final Reading of ORDINANCE NO. 3949 adding Article 4 of Chapter 5 of Division 8 adopting the fire hazard severity zones map to designate moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones in the City of Torrance.
9. HEARINGS
9A. Planning Commission and Community Development – Conduct a Public Hearing and Adopt a RESOLUTION for the Denial of a Variance Request to Exempt a Proposed New Two-Story, Single-Family Residence from Enforcement of Article 41, Chapter 1, Division 9, of the Torrance Municipal Code, Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay Zone, on Property Located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 417 Via Anita and Determine a Statutory Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Planning Commission and Community Development Director that City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing; and
2. Adopt a RESOLUTION for the denial of a Variance request to exempt a proposed new two-story, single-family residence from enforcement of Article 41, Chapter 1, Division 9, of the Torrance Municipal Code, Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay Zone, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 417 Via Anita; and
3. Determine a Statutory Exemption for the denial of a Variance request in accordance with the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); Article 18, Section 15270 (Projects Which Are Disapproved).
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9B. Planning Commission and Community Development – Conduct Public Hearing to Consider Appeal of Planning Commission’s Approval of a Precise Plan of Development (PRE23-00013) to Allow the Construction of a New Two-story Single-family Residence with Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), on Property Located within the Hillside Overlay in the Single Family Residential District (R-1) Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue (APN 7515-001-025), Deny the Appeal, Adopt RESOLUTION and Determine a Categorical Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Expenditure: None.
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 denying the appeal and upholding the Planning Commission approval of PRE23-00013 as provided for in Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 41 of the Torrance Municipal Code to allow the construction of a new two-story single-family residence, on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 22209 Susana Avenue; and
4. Determine a Categorical Exemption from the CEQA; Article 19, Sections 15303 (New Construction).
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A. Police – Renew Ordinance 3902 Approving the Military Equipment Use Policy. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the Chief of Police that City Council:
1. Determine based on the Military Equipment 2024-25 Annual Report whether each type of equipment has complied with the standards for approval set forth in Government Code section 7071 (d); and
2. Renew Ordinance 3902 approving the Police Department's military equipment use policy.
10B. City Attorney – Discuss and Consider Adopting an ORDINANCE Amending the Torrance Municipal Code Regulating Touch (and Stop) and Go, Full Stop-Taxi Back, and Low Approaches at the Torrance Municipal Airport and Adopt California Environmental Quality Act Exemption. Expenditure: None.
Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council:
1. Discuss and consider amending the Torrance Municipal Airport (Airport) Ordinance to regulate touch (and stop) and go, full stop-taxi back, and low approaches at the Airport; and
2. Adopt an ORDINANCE amending Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Article 5 “Touch (and Stop) and Go, Full Stop-Taxi Back and Low Approaches” of Chapter 1, Division 5; and
3. Adopt California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions pursuant to Sections 15378 and 15061(b)(3) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CEQA Guidelines); and
4. Approve an Ordinance Summary for publication.
11. AGENCY AGENDAS – None Scheduled
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.
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13. CLOSED SESSION
13A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION (California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1)):
1. Chantil Hawkins, et al. v. City of Torrance, et al.
LASC Case No. 24TRCV04153
2. Maria Soto, et al. v. City of Torrance, et al.
LASC Case No. 22STCV31095
13B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4)):
One case
13C. REAL PROPERTY – CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (California Government Code § 54956.8):
1. Property: 1215-1227 El Prado Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501 (APN: 7355-027-142) Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Mar Ventures, Inc.
Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of ground lease
2. Property: 2715 Andreo Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501 (APN: 7352-008-900) Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiating Parties: City of Torrance and Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles Under Negotiation: Price and terms and conditions of sale
3. Property: APN: 7352-002-914
Agency Negotiator: Aram Chaparyan
Negotiation Parties: City of Torrance and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Under Negotiation: Price and terms and condition of easement.
13D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2)):
One case
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13E. 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 Employee Organization
17. Torrance Professional & Supervisory Association
18. Torrance Recurrent Recreational Employees Organization
19. City Treasurer
20. City Attorney
21. City Manager
14. ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment of Closed Session meeting to Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber.