8F
Date: September 23, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Traffic Commission
Craig Bilezerian, Public Works Director
By: Helen Shi, Engineering Manager | [email protected] Arohi Sharma, Traffic Commission Chair | [email protected] Subject: Traffic Commission and Public Works – Accept and File 2024-25 Traffic Commission Annual Report. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Traffic Commission and Public Works Director that City Council accept and file the 2024-25 Traffic Commission Annual Report.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The 2024-25 Annual Report, which summarizes the Traffic Commission’s activities from July 2024 through June 2025, is attached for the City Council’s information and review. The Commission accepted and filed the report at its August 4, 2025, meeting and requested that it be presented to the City Council in accordance with Torrance Municipal Code Section 13.9.7(c).
ATTACHMENT
1. FY 2024-25 Traffic Commission Annual Report
1 ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF TORRANCE
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT
FY 2024-25
Purpose of the Commission
The Traffic Commission is a seven-member advisory body to the Torrance City Council. The Commission makes recommendations regarding street and traffic improvements and means of improving traffic conditions, operations, and safety.
The Traffic Commission is regularly scheduled to meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. All meetings are open to the public. The meetings are held in the West Annex. City staff in attendance generally include Helen Shi, Public Works Engineering Manager; Shin Furukawa, Deputy Public Works Director/ City Engineer; David Koenig, Torrance Police Sergeant; and John Newman, Police Services Supervisor.
Membership of the Commission
The following Commission members served on the Traffic Commission between July 2024 to June 2025:
MEMBER OFFICE APPOINTMENT OR
REAPPOINTMENT
Arohi Sharma Chair 2022
Lucas Thoma Vice Chair 2022
Kathryn Endo-Roberts Member 2023
Michael Gibson Member 2021
Isabel Schwartz Member 2024
William Nichols Member 2024
Ginny Suruki Member 2023
Meetings
In FY2024-25, the Traffic Commission met on the following dates:
August 5, 2024 October 7, 2024 November 4, 2024 December 2, 2024 February 3, 2025 March 3, 2025 May 5, 2025 June 2, 2025 Summary of Annual Activities
The major topics discussed by the Traffic Commission were as follows:
Discussion of Potential Dissolution of the Torrance Gardens Permit Parking District At the August 5, 2024 Commission meeting, staff introduced the potential dissolution of the Torrance Gardens Permit Parking District. The Commission received public input to better understand the concerns and experiences of affected residents for staff to prepare a future item requesting that the City Council amend Torrance Municipal Code Section 61.6.32 to dissolve the Torrance Gardens Permit Parking District.
2 At the October 7, 2024 Commission meeting, the discussion continued to gather additional public input. Options presented for consideration included: maintaining the existing boundaries with no changes, modifying the district boundaries, or reducing the size of the district. The Commission did not support modifying the existing district boundaries.
Discussion of Proposed Traffic Calming Measures Adjacent to Edison Elementary School on 182nd Street
At the November 4, 2024 Commission meeting, staff presented observations of traffic conditions along 182nd Street adjacent to Edison Elementary School. The Commission heard public input to gain a better understanding of community concerns. Proposed traffic calming measures included repainting crosswalks with high-visibility markings, replacing faded parking restriction signs, and installing additional turning restriction signs at the school driveways. The Commission supported staff’s recommendation to install the proposed traffic calming measures.
Discussion of Proposed Traffic Calming Measures adjacent to Calle Mayor Middle School on Calle Mayor, Mayor Drive, and Juan Avenue
At the December 2, 2024 Commission meeting, staff presented observations of traffic conditions near Calle Mayor Middle School and introduced proposed traffic calming measures. The Commission received public input to better understand the concerns and experiences of affected residents. The Commission supported most of the proposed traffic calming measures except turning restrictions and parking restrictions along Mayor Drive, and recommended staff present the proposed plan to the school for feedback, including exploring options to extend timeframes and educate parents on existing traffic control measures.
Madrona Avenue Traffic Signal Synchronization Presentation At the February 3, 2025 Commission meeting, staff presented a report on traffic signal coordination along Madrona Avenue, between Del Amo Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard. A time-space diagram was shared to illustrate the traffic signal timing and coordination between intersections, with the goal of minimizing delays and improving traffic flow by clearing vehicle queues efficiently.
Residential and Arterial Pavement Improvement Program, I-159/I-139 At the March 3, 2025 Commission meeting, staff presented the Residential (I-159) and Arterial (I- 139) Pavement Improvement Program. These are separate capital improvement projects aimed at rehabilitating asphalt roadways—Program I-159 focuses on residential streets, while Program I-139 addresses arterial roadways. For cost efficiency and streamlined construction management, the two programs are being combined into a single construction contract.
Installation of All-Way STOP Signs at Intersection of Maple Avenue and Monterey Street At the May 5, 2025 meeting Commission, staff presented a proposal for the installation of All-Way STOP signs at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Monterey Street. The Commission heard public input to better understand residents’ concerns and experiences, and supported staff’s recommendation to proceed with the installation.
Hawthorne Boulevard Right-Turn Lanes at Lomita Boulevard and 182nd Street, T-196 At the June 2, 2025 Commission meeting, staff reported that the City had successfully secured Measure M grant funding for the design of new northbound right-turn lanes on Hawthorne Boulevard at its intersections with Lomita Boulevard and 182nd Street. The project scope includes roadway widening, utility relocations, and the reconstruction of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
Planned upgrades to the traffic signal infrastructure include new signal heads, poles, mast arms, pedestrian push buttons, detection systems, battery backup systems, and other related components. The project is expected to enter the design phase in Fall 2025. 3