4A
Date: December 19, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Armed Forces Day Standing Committee
Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
Robert Dunn, Chief of Police
By: Jin Chun, Public Engagement Manager | [email protected] Subject: Armed Forces Day Standing Committee, City Manager, and Police – Reconsider and Provide Direction on the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration Event Location. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Armed Forces Day Standing Committee, City Manager, and Chief of Police that City Council reconsider and provide direction on the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration event location.
FUNDING
Non-wage expenditure ranges from $117,662 to $508,103. 323,890 is available in the General Fund’s fiscal year 2025-2026 operating budget for non-wage expenditures.
DISCUSSION
On December 2, 2025, the City Council voted to relocate the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration to the Torrance Airport. Following that meeting, members of the community expressed a strong desire to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in conjunction with the City’s long-standing Armed Forces Day tradition along Torrance Boulevard. A copy of the full agenda item and staff report are available online on the OneMeeting Public Portal for review at https://torranceca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=2421.
On December 9, 2025, the City Council voted to reconsider the location of the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration.
Staff is requesting direction from City Council on the location of the 64 th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration. Staff has provided brief summaries of the two options that were originally included in the December 2, 2025 meeting motions.
Option 1 - Amended Torrance Boulevard with Traditional Program Format - Estimated Grand Total $454,887
Option 1 retains the Parade along Torrance Boulevard with amendments to it and the 5K to account for a relocated military exhibit display and staging area from the Del Amo Fashion Center 1 City Council
December 19, 2025
7 7
5 to the City Yard. This removes the Madrona Avenue street closures to the south of Torrance Boulevard and extends the closures of Madrona Avenue north of Torrance Boulevard to Del Amo Boulevard. This option maintains the Saturday evening banquet with the exhibit open Friday through Sunday afternoon. Eliminating the mixer ($3,123), concert ($3,368), and luncheon ($7,700) creates a savings of $14,191. For option 1, the estimated nonwage cost is projected to be $275,161, estimated wage costs is projected to be $179,726, with the estimated grand total projected to be $454,887.
Option 2 – Modified All-Inclusive Event Relocated to Torrance Airport - Estimated Grand Total $191,252
This option proposes relocating the entire community celebration to the Torrance Municipal Airport, transforming the site into a centralized venue for all event components, including the parade, military exhibit, recruitment opportunities, community booths, and family activities including an aviation centered theme and STEM activities. This three-day format offers significant operational efficiencies and cost savings. By holding the event entirely on airport grounds, street barricades and major road closures are no longer required, reducing logistical complexity and cutting costs by nearly half of the overall budget. Despite the savings, the scale and impression of the event remain fully intact.
Attendees would still experience a robust parade, interactive exhibits, 5K and large-scale community participation. Additionally, Torrance Transit would support the event by offering park- and-ride options from key City parks and/or facilities around all 6 Districts and the Regional Transit Center ensuring easy and convenient access for residents and visitors while minimizing on-site congestion. For this option, the estimated nonwage cost is projected to be $65,922, estimated wage costs is projected to be $125,330, with the estimated grand total projected to be $191,252.
The City’s adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 includes a designated nonwage allocation of $323,890 for the Armed Forces Day Parade.
Full details of Option 1 and 2, including the event program overview and corresponding maps are included as Attachment 3 and 4, respectively. Attachment 5 details a side-by-side cost breakdown for both options.
The Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee, City Manager and Police Chief request City Council reconsider and provide direction on the event parade and celebration location in order to move forward with implementation consistent with the Council’s vision.
ATTACHMENTS
1. December 2, 2025 - City Council Agenda Item 10C (Limited Distribution, also available online: https://torranceca.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=9a85600e- db28-41db-8ed7-800fbc39566d)
2. December 2, 2025 – City Council Agenda Item 10C Staff Presentation (Limited Distribution, also available online:
https://torranceca.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=d3ed402e-19d6- 4460-8ac2-725aef8415ac)
3. Option 1 Program Details and Map
4. Option 2 Program Details and Map
5. Cost Estimate Summary for Option 1 and 2
2 ATTACHMENT 1
DECEMBER 2, 2025 – CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 10C IS AVAILABLE
ONLINE AT
https://torranceca.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&ui d=9a85600e-db28-41db-8ed7-800fbc39566d
3 ATTACHMENT 2
DECEMBER 2, 2025 – CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 10C
STAFF PRESENTATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
https://torranceca.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&ui d=d3ed402e-19d6-4460-8ac2-725aef8415ac
4 OPTION 1: Amended Torrance Boulevard with Traditional Program Format
Overview: Maintain existing format with new Exhibit site | Event Duration: 3 Days Estimated Cost: Nonwage: $275,161; Wage: $179,726; Grand Total: $454,887 | Cost Ranking: Second to Highest
Location:
• Parade: Torrance Boulevard
• Exhibit: Proposed at Honda Parking Lot, City Yard, Courthouse Parking Lot Schedule & Activities:
• Friday: Exhibit (Eliminate Mixer and Concert)
• Saturday: 5K, Parade, Military Exhibit, Banquet Dinner (Eliminate Lunch) • Sunday: Military Exhibit
• Hotel: 2-night stay (Friday/Saturday)
Parade Details:
• Traditional parade route along Torrance Boulevard
• Highlighting Honorary Branch: United States Marine Corp • Invite traditional military members along with community groups including veterans’ organizations, hometown heroes, ROTC, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, non-profits, school bands
Exhibit Details:
• City Yard or American Honda employee parking lot pending approval • Display of military vehicles, recruitment booths, and community organizations • Friday early morning set up, Saturday military exhibit after parade and Sunday morning.
Special Features / Additions:
• Relocate 5K route to be near any of the proposed new military exhibit sites Logistics & Requirements:
• Traditional street closures near Torrance Boulevard and access roads • Coordination with traditional City partners and departments • Approximate access points: 108
• Approximate barricades needed: 750
Community & Business Engagement:
• Recommendation to extend marketing the event beyond 50-mile radius for extended community participation Approvals / Pending Items:
• Exhibit Site at City Yard, Honda Parking Lot (pending approval) or Torrance Courthouse Parking Lot (pending approval) Staffing hours from departments impacted the most
• Torrance Police – 1,197
• Public Works – 234 Reg | 38 OT
• Transit – 153.8 OT
ATTACHMENT 3
5 PROS CONS
- Preserves Traditional Format
- Logistics & operation plans exist
- Easy Access by foot for participants
- Heavy Staffing Commitment
- Challenges with securing military participation
6 OPTION 2 – Modified All-Inclusive Event Relocated to Torrance Airport Overview: Full traditional program relocated entirely to Torrance Airport | Event Duration: 3 Days Estimated Cost: Nonwage: $65,922; Wage: $125,330; Grand Total $191,252 | Cost Ranking: Lowest Location:
Torrance Airport for Exhibit, 5K, Parade and possibly Banquet Schedule & Activities:
Friday: Exhibit at Torrance Airport
Saturday: 5K, Parade, Exhibit, Banquet (At airport, back up is Hotel Banquet Site for dinner) Sunday: Exhibit
Hotel: 2-night stay (Friday/Saturday)
Parade Details:
Parade held along airport runway
Invite traditional military members along with community groups including veterans’ organizations, hometown heroes, ROTC, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, nonprofits, school bands.
Exhibit Details:
Aircraft and vehicle displays, recruitment booths, food trucks, entertainment, and local business participation Open all three days
Special Features / Additions:
5K on the inside perimeter of airport is approximately 3 miles Controlled access with on-site parking and staging
Inside seating & VIP Grandstands planned
Logistics & Requirements:
Temporary airport closure (Friday–Sunday for setup, event, and breakdown) Coordination with local businesses
Park & Ride option provided to community by Torrance Transit Approximate barricades needed: 0
Community & Business Engagement:
Robinson Helicopter expressed interest in participating, allowing public to park in employee parking lot Businesses impacted with airport closure are invited to showcase at exhibit site to engage with community including area Car Dealerships and Shopping Centers to also participate and draw in additional customers Approvals / Pending Items:
FAA notification and temporary closure with notification to airport tenants and businesses Staffing hours from departments impacted the most
Torrance Police – 786
Public Works – 100 Reg | 24 OT
Transit – 116.8 OT
ATTACHMENT 4
7 PROPOSED LOCATION: TORRANCE AIRPORT
C U N I R O L L E D A C C E S S P O I N T
OPTION 2 - TRAFFIC MAP Modified All-Inclusive Event
Relocated to Torrance Airport
Approximate Access Points: 2
Approximate Barricades: 0
Approximate Buses Utilized: 10
Traffic Signals Impacted: 0
Estimated Cost:
Nonwage: $65,922
Wage: $125,330
Grand Total: $191,152
*Other comparable events at an
airport: Miramar Airshow Edwards
Airforce Base Airshow
PROS CONS
- Controlled site
- Reduced staffing & No barricades needed
Least impact to public safety
- Airport shutdown
- Non traditional
Limited access by foot
P A R A D E S T A R T STAGING AREA
M I L I T A R Y E X H I B I T r
ACC_.. NT
8 Attachment 5 - Armed Forces Day Wage and Nonwage Cost Summary 2025-2026 For Options 1 & 2 Option 1 (Full Traditional) Option 2 (Torrance Airport) Transit Reg Hours OT Hours Cost Reg Hours OT Hours Cost Bus Operator 153.8 $ 8,053.74 116.8 $ 6,116.24
Transit Equipment Attendant 24.0 $ 1,059.97 24.0 $ 1,059.97 Transit Supervisor 59.5 $ 4,208.61 59.5 $ 4,208.61
Public Works
Assistant Engineer 60.0 12.0 $ 4,575.60 40.0 4.0 $ 2,749.52 Associate Engineer 90.0 12.0 $ 6,921.38 60.0 4.0 $ 4,278.93 Engineering Manager 30.0 $ 3,261.83 20.0 $ 2,174.55 Engineering Technician III 120.0 12.0 $ 6,320.80 80.0 4.0 $ 3,975.56
Police
Administrative Assistant 65.0 $ 2,847.57 65.0 $ 2,847.57 Police Lieutenant 35.0 $ 6,151.79 27.0 $ 4,745.67
Police Officer 786.0 $ 78,995.95 402.0 $ 40,402.51
Police Sergeant 194.0 $ 25,358.81 120.0 $ 15,685.86 Police Services Officer 48.0 $ 2,386.40 32.0 $ 1,590.93 Police Services Supervisor 49.0 $ 3,308.09 25.0 $ 1,687.80 Public Safety Dispatcher 20.0 $ 1,245.17 - $
City Manager's Office
Management Associate 32.0 $ 2,562.82 32.0 $ 2,562.82 Supervising Content Creator 9.0 20.0 $ 1,834.01 9.0 20.0 $ 1,834.01 Content Creator 9.3 17.5 $ 782.54 9.3 17.5 $ 782.54
Communications Manager 27.0 $ 3,197.06 27.0 $ 3,197.06 Production Assistant 99.0 - $ 2,145.66 99.0 - $ 2,145.66 Multimedia Production Coordinator 27.0 24.0 $ 1,779.32 27.0 $ 833.21 Staff Assistant (ICO) 36.0 16.0 $ 2,376.97 36.0 16.0 $ 2,376.97 Senior Business Manager 13.0 13.0 $ 1,778.76 13.0 13.0 $ 1,778.76 Community Services
Senior Program Specialist 8.0 2.0 $ 296.40 - - $
Lead Maintenance Worker 87.5 $ 4,134.20 87.5 $ 4,134.20 General Services
Airport Worker 18.0 9.0 $ 1,006.94 27.0 108.0 $ 5,563.91 Senior Business Manager $ - 27.0 $ 2,349.84
Facility Operations Manager 9.0 $ 965.71 27.0 $ 2,897.14 Administrative Assistant - - $ - - 27.0 $ 1,188.90
Customer Service Rep. - - $ - - 27.0 $ 870.64
Senior Building Maintainer 19.0 $ 1,291.11 19.0 $ 1,291.11 Facility Operations Chief 18.0 $ 879.21 $ -
Wage Subtotal $ 179,726.43 $ 125,330.49
ATTACHMENT 5
9 Nonwage Cost
Florist $ 1,877.00 $ 1,877.00
Banquet $ 28,534.00 $ 28,534.00
Hotel Rooms $ 25,722.00 $ 25,722.00
Barriers $ 174,123.00 $ -
Printing $ 7,251.00 $ 7,251.00
Postage $ 1,500.00 $ 1,500.00
Military Gifts $ 1,038.00 $ 1,038.00
Fuel Costs $ 18,000.00 $ -
Contracted Sworn Officers
Contracted Security Personnel $ 17,115.70 $ -
Drone Show Estimate $ - $ -
Nonwage Subtotal $ 275,160.70 $ 65,922.00
Grand Total Cost $ 454,887.13 $ 191,252.49
10