10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A.
City Clerk – Discuss and Consider Combining or Dissolving Commissions. Expenditure: None.
Name
Indrani
Chatterjee
Comment 12/15/2025 09:01 AM : (Against)
Honorable Members of the City Council,
As a commissioner of the Library Commission since July 2024, I have had the privilege of working closely with the Katy Geissert Main Library and the five branch libraries that form the Torrance Public Library system. Each month, our commission provides careful oversight of library operations, reviewing the newly formatted statistical reports requested by the commission and the City Librarian’s updates to ensure accountability and progress.
The Torrance Libraries have become a cornerstone of education and community life, offering programs that serve learners of all ages. My own connection to the Katy Geissert Library dates back to 1990, and I relied on its meeting rooms to complete my MBA research in 1997. These experiences remind me that libraries are not simply buildings — they are engines of opportunity, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.
For these reasons, I strongly urge the City Council to reject the proposed merger of the Library Commission with other commissions. Combining commissions risks diluting the focused oversight and advocacy that the library system requires. The Library Commission’s singular mission has been vital to the growth and success of Torrance Libraries, and its independence ensures that the needs of our residents — students, families, and lifelong learners — remain front and center.
Maintaining the Library Commission as a standalone body is not just a matter of tradition; it is a matter of protecting the integrity of one of Torrance’s most important public institutions.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Indrani Chatterjee, Commissioner,
Torrance Library Commission
“Together, we can ensure Torrance Libraries continue to thrive — please keep the Library Commission independent.”
1 PUBLIC COMMENT REPORT
FOR AGENDA ITEM 10A
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A.
City Clerk – Discuss and Consider Combining or Dissolving Commissions. Expenditure: None.
Name
Indrani
Chatterjee
Comment 12/15/2025 10:50 AM : (Against)
Honorable Members of the City Council,
As a commissioner of the Library Commission since July 2024, I have had the privilege of working closely with the Katy Geissert Main Library and the five branch libraries that form the Torrance Public Library system. Each month, our commission provides careful oversight of library operations, reviewing the newly formatted statistical reports requested by the commission and the City Librarian’s updates to ensure accountability and progress.
The Torrance Libraries have become a cornerstone of education and community life, offering programs that serve learners of all ages. My own connection to the Katy Geissert Library dates back to 1990, and I relied on its meeting rooms to complete my MBA research in 1997. These experiences remind me that libraries are not simply buildings — they are engines of opportunity, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.
For these reasons, I strongly urge the City Council to reject the proposed merger of the Library Commission with other commissions. Combining commissions risks diluting the focused oversight and advocacy that the library system requires. The Library Commission’s singular mission has been vital to the growth and success of Torrance Libraries, and its independence ensures that the needs of our residents — students, families, and lifelong learners — remain front and center.
Maintaining the Library Commission as a standalone body is not just a matter of tradition; it is a matter of protecting the integrity of one of Torrance’s most important public institutions.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Indrani Chatterjee, Commissioner,
Torrance Library Commission
“Together, we can ensure Torrance Libraries continue to thrive — please keep the Library Commission independent.”
2 10.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A.
City Clerk – Discuss and Consider Combining or Dissolving Commissions. Expenditure: None.
Name
Gene
Higginbotham
Comment 12/15/2025 03:53 PM : (Against)
Good afternoon Staff and City Council,
This is Gene Higginbotham, 2114 Arlington Ave. Torrance, CA.
I appreciate the opportunity to provide comment on the City Council Meeting December 16, 2025, Item A. City Clerk – Discuss and consider combining or dissolving commissions.
Please see the attached pdf file.
Thank you.
3 Gene Higginbotham
2114 Arlington Ave.
Torrance, CA 90501
I am against combining the Historic Preservation Commission with another Commission.
Historic Preservation has been front and center in our community and within our local government for over 25 years. A very large contingent of community volunteers and activists worked tirelessly with dedicated City Staff building the framework for the City’s Historic Preservation Program and Ordinance.
This major accomplishment results in:
1. Greater respect in the community for historic preservation
2. Survey of the City’s historic resources
3. New City Landmarks
4. Financial support through the Mills ACT to restore historic properties
5. The Historic Preservation Commission
Unique to the Historic Preservation Commission includes a technical knowledge of:
1. City’s HP Ordinance
2. Secretary of the Interior for Historic Preservation
3. National Parks Service for Technical Assistance
Also unique:
1. Requires community outreach
2. Educating the community
3. Promoting historic preservation
The Historic Preservation Commission is new and is vibrant, and the goals of the Commission are being met at a greater pace than expected.
The Commission is popular with volunteers standing by.
There is more public participation at each meeting.
Grant money is available from the State when the City becomes a Local Certified Government.
I am concerned that combining commissions will jeopardize the qualifications of the HP Commission for obtaining grant money because the State requires a dedicated HP Commission.
I recommend keeping the HP Commission in its present form but consider adjusting the frequency of the meetings, as-needed.
I also recommend that the City pursue obtaining the Certified Local Government status as soon as possible to take advantage of Grant money.
4 10.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A.
City Clerk – Discuss and Consider Combining or Dissolving Commissions. Expenditure: None.
Name
Dennis
Piotrowski
Comment 12/15/2025 04:28 PM : (Against)
Dear Honorable Mayor Chen and City Council,
I am writing to express my concern about the proposed consolidation or dissolution of several Torrance commissions, particularly the Library Commission, on which I have served for over four years. These commissions require specialized knowledge and experience that do not easily translate across different areas. Libraries are distinct educational and civic institutions, separate from parks, recreation centers, and arts programs.
Library Commission advisory boards are common throughout California, and the Torrance Library Commission has successfully served and advocated for our libraries since the late 1950s. I do not understand the sudden push, with little community input, to disregard this longstanding history and effectively eliminate the Library Commission by merging it with others.
If efficiency is the goal, I ask the Council to explore alternatives that address administrative concerns while preserving the Library Commission’s independence. Eliminating a focused advisory body should not be the first solution. I respectfully urge you to protect the Library Commission and the vital role it plays in representing the community’s voice in library services.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Dennis Piotrowski
Torrance resident
5 10.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A.
City Clerk – Discuss and Consider Combining or Dissolving Commissions. Expenditure: None.
Name
Marifrances
Trivelli
Comment 12/15/2025 04:56 PM : (Against)
Dear Mayor Chen and Members of the City Council,
I am writing to express my opposition to agenda item 10A. I am writing as a private citizen. For information purposes only, I am disclosing that I currently serve on the Historic Preservation Commission.
Once again, the notion of eliminating or merging Commissions for the nebulous purpose of “budgetary savings” has reared its head. A few points to consider:
The commission meetings I have attended appear to be overstaffed, with several fulltime City employees present in addition to a minutestaker and the Department head. I understand a minutes secretary is required, but perhaps some of the staff could attend on a rotating basis, preserving staff time and the funds required to pay them to attend meetings. Under certain situations, it may be acceptable to schedule some commission meetings on a bimonthly basis, depending on the agenda items. I appreciate the City’s efforts to save money, but find it hard to believe that commission meetings are such a strain on the City budget that the commission system must be diluted or eliminated.
Ironically, the purpose of a city commission includes, according to the City of Torrance’s mandatory training materials, acting as an “ear for City Council, (a) forum to encourage citizen participation, (and to provide) indepth analysis of specific issues”. Merging or eliminating commissions achieves none of these goals, rather, it serves to limit opportunities for civic participation.
I respectfully urge the council to retain the current commission structure.
Sincerely,
Marifrances Trivelli
6