Agenda Item 10B — Torrance City Council, February 10, 2026

10B
Date: February 10, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Eirenne O'Neill, Staff Assistant | [email protected] Subject: State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees – Approve 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects, Accept and File Meeting Minutes, and Approve 2026 Delegation Trips. Expenditure: Approximately $20,000 (General Fund).

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees that City Council:

1. Approve the 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects; and

2. Accept and file the February 2, 2026 State Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting Minutes; and

3. Accept and file the February 2, 2026 Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting Minutes; and

4. Approve the 2026 Delegation Trips to Washington D.C. and Sacramento, California.

FUNDING
Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 General Fund City Manager and City Council Operating Budget.

DISCUSSION
On February 2, 2026, the City Council State Legislative Advocacy Committee and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee each convened to review and discuss the City’s 2026 Legislative Platform, Legislative Priorities, and Priority Projects. These meetings were intended to provide early-year guidance to staff as the City prepares for the 2026 legislative cycle and upcoming advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels for each respective Council Committee.

This combined staff report is intended to brief the full City Council on the information presented, key discussion items, and next steps identified during those committee meetings. 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform – Overview
At both the State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee meetings, staff presented an overview of the City’s 2026 Legislative Platform. The Platform serves as a policy and advocacy framework that guides staff engagement with legislation, regulations, and funding opportunities at the federal, state, regional, and local levels. It aligns with the City’s adopted Strategic Plan that was originally approved by the City Council in 2021.
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Staff highlighted that the Legislative Platform is designed to:
 Enable timely responses to legislation and funding opportunities impacting Torrance  Support proactive advocacy for legislation and funding aligned with City priorities, while opposing measures that conflict with those priorities
 Facilitate effective communication with elected officials, agencies, and stakeholders  Promote transparency by sharing legislative priorities, actions, and outcomes with the public
The Platform will guide legislative efforts throughout the 2026 calendar year and serve as the foundation for both state and federal advocacy activities.

Summary of Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Presentation Staff provided an update on the City’s 2025 federal appropriations efforts, noting that five projects were submitted for consideration, with three advancing through the process and two receiving funding markups to date:

1.Public Safety Digital Infrastructure Modernization – $1,031,000 (Commerce, Justice, Science Bill)
a. This project builds upon the recently completed Torrance Police Department Real Time Response Center by expanding broadband connectivity and camera infrastructure citywide.

2.Community Wellness Project – $850,000 (Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Bill)
a. This project supports ADA accessibility improvements at select City parks through the installation of rubberized play surfaces.

Staff noted that these projects are currently advancing through the federal appropriations process. 2026 Federal Legislative Priorities
The Committee reviewed the City’s key federal legislative priorities, including:

1.World War II Camp Memorial Project – Continued advocacy for federal support and potential federal recognition of the Memorial Wall upon completion.

2.Outdated ZIP Code Boundaries – Advocacy to address longstanding USPS ZIP Code discrepancies that affect residents, businesses, and service delivery. 2026 Federal Priority Projects
Staff presented the following projects for which the City will seek federal funding support:

1.El Nido Park Community Resilience and Recreation Hub Improvements – $3.0 million

2.Columbia Park Continuation of Wellness Investment – $3.0 million

3.Regional Emergency Operations Improvement – $700,000

4.MedCat for Torrance Public Safety (Letter of Support) – $600,000 Federal Advocacy Trip
Staff also shared preliminary planning for a federal advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., tentatively scheduled April 13-16, to advance the City’s legislative priorities, appropriations requests, Armed Forces Day coordination, and international relations objectives. The estimated cost of $20,000 is intended to cover travel, lodging, meals, and other minimal advocacy-related expenses associated with both the federal advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. and the state advocacy trip to 2 City Council
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Sacramento. This amount is a general estimate, as final costs have not yet been determined. In addition to meeting with Torrance’s elected federal legislative representatives, the Federal delegation intends to meet with the following organizations:
 the United States Department of War, Pentagon
 Nation Park Services, Main Interior Building
 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Constitution Center  Various International Embassies (dependent on time and availability) Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Motion
The Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee made a motion to accept the legislative recommendations, to accept the Delegation trip to include visits to the Pentagon and international embassies to City Council along with the tentative trip date of April 13-16. The motion passed 3-0.

Summary of State Legislative Advocacy Committee Presentation The State Legislative Advocacy Committee reviewed the City’s 2026 state legislative priorities and priority projects. The Committee reviewed the same set of priority projects presented at the federal level, as these projects are also being positioned for potential state funding opportunities. 2026 State Legislative Priorities
Staff outlined several major state-level advocacy efforts, including:

1.Vehicle Code Amendment – Proposed amendments to allow the City to charge pavement impact fees to private waste haulers to support roadway maintenance.

2.Water Infrastructure Project (Letter of Support) – Advocacy for funding support for the Van Ness Avenue Well Field Project to enhance groundwater reliability and reduce reliance on imported water.

3.Fire Severity Zones – AB 3074 – Ongoing monitoring and opposition advocacy regarding proposed amendments that would apply uniform “Zone 0” requirements across all Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

4.Tort Reform – Advocacy for targeted liability reforms to address escalating litigation and settlement costs impacting municipal budgets.

5.CalPERS Investment and Accountability Reform – Exploration of a multi-year advocacy effort, in coordination with other cities and Cal Cities, to promote greater in-state infrastructure investment and shared fiscal accountability.

At the meeting, committee members asked to consider adding “Red Light Cameras” and “Street Sweepers” to be a part of the State Legislative Priority list. Staff recommended further exploration of the legality of the concept before including the item as a part of the Legislative priorities. The Committee motioned to bring the concept to the full council to investigate these efforts further prior to the upcoming advocacy trip in April 2026.

State Advocacy Trip
Staff provided an update on early planning for a state advocacy trip to Sacramento, tentatively scheduled for April 29-30, to engage with state legislators and agencies on the City’s legislative priorities and projects. As previously stated, the estimated cost of $20,000 is intended to cover travel, lodging, meals, and other minimal advocacy-related expenses associated with both the federal advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. and the state advocacy trip to Sacramento. This amount is a general estimate, as final costs have not yet been determined. 3 City Council
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State Legislative Advocacy Committee Motion
The State Legislative Advocacy Committee made a motion to accept the recommended legislative priorities, with the inclusion of seeking the legality of state authorization of municipal usage of camera technology for traffic and street sweeping infractions. The motion also approved the 2026 Legislative Platform. The motion passed unanimously.

Legislative Outreach Materials
At both committee meetings, staff shared that the City has transitioned from a printed legislative booklet to a redesigned digital pitch deck with a companion Legislative Platform webpage. These materials will be used during advocacy meetings and made available online to improve accessibility, transparency, and engagement.

Next Steps
Based on the City Council‘s direction, staff will continue refining advocacy strategies, coordinating with the City’s state and federal legislative consultants, and preparing for upcoming advocacy trips. Staff will also return to the City Council as appropriate for formal actions, including position letters, resolutions, or approval to participate in broader legislative coalitions.

RECOMMENDATION
The proposed 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects represent a proactive and strategic approach to advocating for the City’s interests and securing vital funding for community infrastructure and public safety. By adopting these recommendations, the City Council will enable staff to move forward with the necessary advocacy efforts to address critical issues—ranging from vehicle code amendments and park improvements to ZIP code discrepancies and legislative reforms. It is the recommendation of the State and Federal Legislative Advocacy Committees that City Council approve the 2026 Legislative Platform and priority projects, accept the respective committee meeting minutes, and authorize the April 2026 delegation trips to Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.

ATTACHMENTS

1. 2026 Legislative Platform –
(https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee4c66064e794f3e9a45a238740e4e47 )

2. February 2, 2026 State Legislative Advocacy Committee Staff Report & Presentation (Limited Distribution, also available online at
https://torranceca.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=7432124e-93f4- 48c3-861b-4ba519b56802)

3. February 2, 2026 State Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting Minutes

4. February 2, 2026 Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Staff Report & Presentation (Limited Distribution, also available online at
https://torranceca.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=aa77b8ec-831e- 440f-b56c-78959f67fc7e)

5.February 2, 2026 Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting Minutes 4 Legislative Platform 2026
ATTACHMENT 1
5 Our vision for Torrance is of a premier City thriving in a global community while building on the past,
taking action in the present, and pursuing a
dynamic future.

Our steadfast commitment is to a future where we
realize pride of shared purpose and a sense of
community with personal responsibility and
respect for all.

It will be a place where people enjoy an enriched
quality of life, sharing a sense of belonging.

Our Vision
6 Our Mission

The mission of the City of Torrance is
to encourage and respond to community
participation as we provide for an attractive, clean,
safe, secure and enriching environment that
assures a high quality of life.

We evaluate and act on the needs of the
community within a complex, changing
environment.

We provide quality service with integrity,
professionalism and accountability in an e ﬀ icient,
cost-e ﬀ ective manner.
7 Our Values
Show compassion and
respect one and all
Practice honesty
and integrity
Strengthen and
maintain public trust
Adhere to the highest
ethical standards
Be responsive and
transparent
8 Care for, conserve, and
protect our environment
Recognize the
benefits of diversity
and inclusion
Foster
community pride
and excellence
Be responsible and
accountable for
our actions
Encourage creativity
and innovation
Our Values
9 Area and Location
Torrance covers roughly 21 square miles (12,312 acres) and is situated in southwestern Los Angeles County, bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west. Torrance has 1.5 miles of lifeguard-patrolled beach, bathhouse facilities, and public parking. It also has 550 miles of sidewalks. 10 Bordered by 1.5 miles of beautiful
coastline, the City spans 21 square
miles and has a population of
nearly 147,000 in the evening
8th highest-valued City out of 88
cities in LA County. ($38.2 billion
Assessed Valuation)
Producing the 3rd highest sales tax
revenue in LA County
Hawthorne Boulevard, the primary
thoroughfare and main entry point
to Del Amo Fashion Center, sees an
average daily traffic volume of
approximately 76,000 vehicles.

AGGREGATE INCOME
$52 Billion

NUMBER OF BUSINESSES
47,124

TOTAL DAYTIME POPULATION
1,185,053
8 MILE RADIUS OF TORRANCE

W E A T H E R

E T H N I C I T Y
Asian: 36.6%
White (non-Hispanic): 34.1%
Hispanic: 19.6%
African American: 3.3%
Torrance boasts a wonderful
Mediterranean climate with
an average of 279 sunny
days a year; the average high
temperature of 71.4 °F;
average low is 53.6 °F.

MARKET COMPARISON REPORT
2025 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$87,857
$97,646

TORRANCE

LOS ANGELES

CALIFORNIA
USA
$79,068
$114,154
11 City of Torrance City Council
Jon Kaji
Councilmember
District 1
Bridgett Lewis
Councilmember
District 2
Asam Sheikh
Councilmember
District 3
Sharon Kalani
Councilmember
District 4
Aurelio Mattucci
Councilmember
District 5
Dr. Jeremy Gerson
Councilmember
District 6
George K. Chen
Mayor
12 Elected Representatives

Alex Padilla
U.S. Senator
Adam Schiff
U.S. Senator
Maxine Waters
Congressmember
CD43
Ted Lieu
Congressmember
CD33
Ben Allen
State Senator
SD24
Al Muratsuchi
State Assemblymember
AD66
Janice Hahn
Los Angeles County
Supervisor District 4
13 2025 Legislative Outcomes & Achievements
in USDA Grants for Senior Citizens
position letters sent to legislators in California’s House and Senate
in Metro Open Streets/ Slow Streets Grants for
upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028
Olympics
20 +$200,000
+$400,000
+$10,000 from California State Library ZIP
program
+$710,000
in Metro funding for the Torrance Cabrillo
Avenue EEMP Urban Forestry Project
14 Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Star Awards Recipient
2nd Place for Promotion of an Event / Program (2+ Full-Time) 2nd Place for Public Community Meetings
2nd Place for Social Media Short Form-Over 60 Seconds (2+ Full-Time) 3rd Place for Instruction/Training
Transit Innovation Award
ILG Beacon Vanguard Award-Gold
Agency Energy Savings – Platinum, 43%
Agency GHG Reductions – Platinum, 22%
Community GHG Reductions – Platinum, 57%
Agency Natural Gas Savings – Gold, 11%
Sustainability Best Practices – Platinum
15 City of Torrance hosted
delegates from Oshu, Japan to
officially sign their 5th
Friendship Cities Partner
Oct 2024
Torrance delegates travel to Taiwan and
sign 2 Friendship Cities agreements, one
with Changhua and Tainan, both cities in
Taiwan.

Torrance delegates travel to Kashiwa to
celebrate 50th Sister City Anniversary.

Torrance Elected Officials travel to
Hwaseong, South Korea to officially sign
their 3rd Friendship Cities Partner.

City of Torrance hosted delegates
from Bizen, Japan to officially sign
their 4th Friendship Cities Partner
Mar 2023
Oct 2023
Aug 2024

SISTER CITY & FRIENDSHIP CITIES

16 INTERNATIONAL

EXPOSURE
17 World War ll Memorial
Wall Project
The purpose of the WWII Memorial Wall
Project is to educate the public on the history
and impact of the mass incarceration of
Japanese Americans without due process
during World War II. The WWII Monument will
be constructed at Columbia Park and will
consist of black granite veneer walls
engraved with the names of approximately
160,000 individuals held in wartime camps
across the United States. The monument will
include interpretive educational panels,
access pathways, van-accessible parking, and
restroom facilities. This project will be the
first of its kind in the United States.

PURPOSE
18 City Council approved Grant Agreement with the
California Natural Resources Agency.

JANUARY 23, 2024
City Council awarded a consulting services agreement to Chee Salette of Glendale, CA, to provide design and
construction administration services for the WWII
Memorial Wall Project.

DECEMBER 17, 2024
The members of the advisory committee members have
since been appointed by the Speaker of the State
Assembly, the President pro Tempore of the State
Senate, and the Torrance City Council, and have met on
a weekly basis.

CURRENTLY
City Council directed staff to accept the $5,000,000 grant from the State of California and approved Columbia Park as the designated site for the WWII Memorial Wall
Project.

APRIL 25, 2023
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi secured a $5,000,000
grant allocation through State of California (State)
Senate Bill No. 170 for the development of a World War II Japanese American incarceration memorial project in
the City of Torrance
JULY 16, 2021

TIMELINE
19 Regional Emergency Operations
Improvement
In 2025, Torrance Police Department identified the need to modernize both emergency communications
infrastructure and data-driven accountability systems
as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional and
local public safety operations, Through internal
operational assessments and compliance reviews,
aging dispatch consoles, deteriorating flooring, and
limited ergonomic and ADA compliant workspaces
within the 911 Communications Center were identified
as risks to reliable 24/7 emergency response, while
reliance on the State’s basic RIPA reporting portal limits the Department’s ability to conduct timely review,
auditing, and equitable policing analysis.

Funding Opportunity: $700,000
Priority Project
20 Med-Cat Vehicle
A medically equipped armored rescue vehicle,
known as a “MedCat,” enables law enforcement
and Tactical EMS personnel to safely evacuate and
provide immediate medical care to victims and
first responders during critical incidents or in
environments unsafe for standard emergency
medical services. These capabilities allow for life-
saving treatment within high-risk “hot zones” and
significantly enhance regional mutual-aid
response. With major international events such as
the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles
Olympic Games occurring within 10 miles of
Torrance, access to a regional MedCat is critical to
ensuring public safety and emergency
preparedness.

Letter of Support/Funding: $600,000
Priority Project
21 Continuation of Wellness Investment
Funding Opportunity: $3.0 milliion
Columbia Park is the City’s largest regional park,
spanning 52 acres and serving residents of Torrance
and surrounding communities with a wide range of
recreational amenities, including youth and adult
recreation, community gardens, and major annual
community events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival.

In conjunction with the World War II Camp Monument
project and planned sports field improvements, the City conducted a comprehensive community engagement
process that identified strong demand for upgrades to
the park’s existing gravel walking paths and picnic
areas. This project will deliver safe, ADA accessible
pedestrian connections linking the park’s current and
future amenities, along with shaded, accessible picnic
spaces that support both everyday use and large
commemorative gatherings. These improvements will
enhance mobility, inclusivity, and the overall visitor
experience throughout Columbia Park.

Priority Project
22 El Nido Community Resilience and
Recreation Hub Improvements
In 2025, the Torrance Unified School District and
City Council reached a collaboration agreement
on the relocation of North Torrance Little League
to El Nido Park as a part of a broader remaster
planning of the Park and associated amenities.

During subsequent community engagements and
public feedback meetings related to the Park
master plan, the importance of the Community
Meeting expansions, added indoor, outdoor and
covered amenities room, were identified as dual
purpose facilities to support emergency relief
response efforts for Torrance and the
surrounding region. This project would assist in
both District and City capital project funding
obligations to the Community Building,
Restroom, outdoor plazas and associated site
infrastructure requirements in order to realize a
dual-purpose park amenity that can serve as an
emergency relief zones at El Nido Park in
partnership with Torrance Unified School District.

Funding Opportunity: $3.0 million
Priority Project
23 The South Bay Fiber Network (SBFN) is an award-winning, fiber- optic network developed by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). It provides the critical infrastructure to enable high-speed, low-cost internet connectivity for South Bay cities to boldly step into the world of “smart city” applications.

The network’s completed Phase 1 is a middle mile, fiber-optic ring. Subscriptions provide 1 Gigabyte (GB) service to the 15 South Bay cities.

Regional Projects
West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD) is pursing the Palos Verdes Recycled Water Pipeline Project to provide recycled water to Anza Avenue medians, Lago Seco Park, Los Arboles Park, Richardson Middle, Riviera Elementary and the Palos Verdes Golf Course. Due to several physical-elevated locations, WBMWD is utilizing Lago Seco Park for its booster pump station.

West Basin Municipal Water District and
Lago Seco Park Recycle Water Station
South Bay Fiber Network
24 Legislative Priorities
Appearance, Character and Quality of the Community
Housing
Mobility
Communication and Civic Involvement
Reliable Revenue Base and Effective Asset Management
Education, Diversity and Enrichment
Responsible, Accountable and Cost-Effective Government
Economic Development
Safe, Secure and Equitable Community
Stewardship of the Environment
25 26
Notes
27 ARAM CHAPARYAN, City Manager
DANNY SANTANA, Assistant City Manager
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN, City Attorney
REBECCA POIRIER, City Clerk
TIM GOODRICH, City Treasurer
ROBERT DUNN, Chief of Police
DAVID DUMAIS, Fire Chief
ANDREI YERMAKOV, Information Technology Director
MICHELLE RAMIREZ , Community Development Director
TED STEVENS, Community Services Director
IAN DAILEY, Finance Director
SHANT MEGERDICHIAN, General Services Director
HEDIEH KHAJAVI, Human Resources Director
CRAIG BILEZERIAN, Public Works Director
KIM TURNER, Transit Director
Executive Team
City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Blvd. Torrance CA 90503
www.TorranceCA.Gov
@TorranceCA
@TorranceCA
@CityofTorranceCA
@TorranceCitiCABLE
28 5A
Date: February 2, 2026
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the City Council State Legislative Advocacy Committee
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Eirenne O’Neill, Staff Assistant | [email protected] Subject: City Manager – Discuss and Provide Direction on the 2026 Torrance Legislative Priorities and Priority Projects. Expenditure: None.

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council State Legislative Advocacy Committee:

1. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Torrance Legislative Priorities and;

2. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Priority Projects.

FUNDING
None required.

DISCUSSION
In an effort to support the City’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents while addressing regional challenges, the City of Torrance develops an annual Legislative Platform.

This document establishes the City’s policy priorities and advocacy strategies, enabling staff to proactively engage with legislation and funding opportunities at federal, state, regional, and local levels.

The 2026 Legislative Platform will serve as a flexible and responsive framework for advancing the City’s strategic priorities, aligned with the adopted Strategic Plan, General Plan, and related policies. It empowers staff to effectively advocate for the City’s interests, engage in legislative processes, and pursue critical funding opportunities that support the City’s long-term success.

The platform was approved by City Council in 2024 and will guide legislative efforts throughout the 2026 calendar year.

Below is a summary of goals realized from adopting the Legislative Platform:
 Streamlining Staff Actions: Respond swiftly to legislation, policy, or funding opportunities that impact Torrance
 Championing and Opposing Legislation: Proactively advocate for Federal, State, and regional legislation, regulations, and funding that align with our Platform’s priorities, and oppose any proposals that conflict with the City’s strategic objectives.

ATTACHMENT 2
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 Making timely and impactful policy contributions: Craft persuasive position letters and resolutions to effectively support, contest, or negotiate on critical legislation, regulations, and funding issues promptly.
 Meaningfully engaging with key officials: Establish ongoing, strategic interactions with elected officials, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to actively advance Torrance’s legislative priorities and secure critical funding. This includes actively involving elected officials and stakeholders in City-hosted events to strengthen community connections.  Ensuring Transparency: Commit to transparency by openly sharing the Legislative Platform and updates and by proactively communicating our advocacy efforts and their outcomes to the community.

The Platform was developed to support the successful implementation of the City’s adopted Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan serves as the roadmap to advance the City’s mission, vision, and values by aligning the City’s resources and activities, the City Council’s policy direction, and the desires of residents, businesses, and community stakeholders.

Previous Legislative Achievements
During the 2025 Federal Legislative Session, the City submitted five (5) projects for consideration for federal appropriation. Of these projects, three (3) were selected by legislators to move through the approval process with two potential projects receiving funding as of the writing of this staff report:

Public Safety Digital Infrastructure Modernization (Rep. Ted Lieu) - $1,031,000 The recent completion of the Torrance PD Real Time Response Center (RTRC) has demonstrated the effective use of technology in responding to incidents and facilitating investigations. In order to provide constant city camera coverage, the city also needs to expand the necessary connectivity infrastructure. The 5 additional Citizen Broadband Radio System (CBRS) sites on City assets would provide expanded, dedicated network coverage across the city and allow for the additional 100 expanded camera installations to effectively connect and communicate with the RTRC. This priority project sought to effectively implement the additional CBRS sites and camera infrastructure feeds to the RTRC. This project requested $2 million originally but has since been marked up in the CJS Bill at $1,031,000.

Community Wellness Project (Rep. Maxine Waters) - $850,000 The City is undertaking a comprehensive, multi-year Capital Improvement Plan to enhance and prioritize the development of city facilities and its 33 parks. As part of this initiative, a key goal is to improve accessibility across all locations by updating American with Disability Act (ADA) compliance standards. This includes replacing sand and engineered wood fiber chips with rubberized surfaces in select play areas. This high-priority project seeks to implement these accessibility improvements at 6 of the 30 City parks identified for upgrades under the plan. This project requested $3 million originally but has since been marked up in the THUD Bill at $850,000.

As of this report, these projects are expected to advance through appropriations bills that have been marked up by the House Appropriations Committee and are currently under consideration.

The relevant bills include Interior; Labor, Health and Human Services; Commerce, Justice, and Science; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; State and Foreign Operations; and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development. 30 City Council
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Legislative Process
The Legislative Process includes a multi-step approach that is strategically timed to coincide with key milestones in the legislative cycle:

Throughout the year, staff continue to monitor and track bills of interest for Torrance. This includes bills on which Council has taken a formal position and bills of interest to the City. 2026 State Legislative Priorities
For 2026, the Legislative Platform outlines specific priority initiatives that staff will advocate for at each level of government. The priority initiatives are listed below:

1. Vehicle Code Amendment – The goal of advocating for this legislation is to make edits to the Vehicle Code that will allow the City to charge Pavement Impact Fees to private waste haulers addressing the degradation affect they have on City roads. By amending this language, it will create the ability for Council to establish a new revenue stream to enhance the City’s pavement maintenance program in the Capital Improvement Plan and ultimately improve the Pavement Condition Index rating of the City . For this item staff would be seeking to have Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code amended in collaboration with outside counsel and Cal Cities.

2. Water Infrastructure Project (Letter of Support)- The Van Ness Avenue Well Field Project involves developing three new groundwater wells north of the I-405 Freeway. In Phase II, the new wells, located at Hamilton Adult School, Descanso Park, and La Carretera Park, will replace out-of-service wells due to poor water quality. Water from the new wells will be conveyed to the Boarder Avenue facility using the transmission main constructed in Phase I, where it will be treated, stored, and distributed to the east and central areas of the city. By replacing compromised wells, the City can reduce reliance on imported water, improve water quality, and enhance system reliance. The upgrades also support long term water infrastructure reliability and help meet current and future demand.

Staff recently submitted a 2026 WRDA Environmental Infrastructure Request for said project with both Representative Lieu and Representative Water’s offices respectively.

The request seeks $33 million based on the FY 26 Engineer’s Estimate.

Step 1
(Jan/Feb)
•Provide an overview of upcoming
legislation and potential activies as
they align with Council Prioirtiies.

Step 2
(March/April)
Federal and State Advocacy Trips.

Step 3
(April/May)
Update Committees on pending
legislation and voting on
positions.

Step 4
(Sept/Oct)
Review of legislative session, any
relevant passed bills, and
overview of new laws that go into
effect Jan. 01.
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3. Fire Severity Zones – AB 3074 As currently written, AB 3074 establishes “Zone 0” wildfire mitigation requirements that would apply uniformly across all Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) in California. These requirements would mandate that all residents within the City of Torrance’s FHSZ areas modify their properties to maintain zero vegetation within five feet of all structures. While AB 3074 has been approved into law, it is presently under review for potential amendments prior to full implementation. Numerous fire departments and professional fire service associations across California have expressed opposition to the bill’s current framework, citing concerns regarding feasibility, cost burdens on residents, and one-size-fits-all application. Without further refinement, the legislation may impose significant compliance challenges while diverting resources from locally tailored wildfire risk-reduction strategies.

4. Tort Reform- Public agencies have been increasingly facing exceptionally high settlement outcomes and verdict exposure that strain municipal budgets, increase insurance and risk- management costs, that divert limited resources away from essential public services. For the City, settlement costs for litigated matters over the last five years have reached $25 million with insurance premiums costing nearly $18 million over the same period.

Thoughtful liability reform is necessary to protect long-term fiscal stability and protect the City’s ability to continue providing core services to the community. Targeted reforms to California’s civil liability framework will help ensure that litigation costs borne by cities and counties are fair, predictable, and sustainable for taxpayers.

5. CALPERS Investment and Accountability Reform - Currently, while CalPERS manages a total fund of approximately $556 billion, its direct investment in California- based public infrastructure represents a disproportionately small fraction—estimated at 1% or less —of its total portfolio. Historically, the CalPERS Infrastructure Program has prioritized stable, long-term assets in international markets such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Europe. This global focus leaves California municipalities to compete for capital against international entities, despite a statewide infrastructure funding gap projected at $835 billion over the next decade.

Staff had previously been requested to explore opportunities to advocate for reform that bridges this disconnect, arguing that the billions of dollars paid into the system by local taxpayers and employees should be prioritized for the critical energy, water, and transportation systems upon which those residents rely. Furthermore, the City’s drive for financial accountability addresses a significant imbalance of risk: when CalPERS fails to meet its 6.8% actuarial return target, the system mandates that member cities increase employer contributions to bridge the shortfall, while CalPERS’ own $2.7 billion administrative and staffing budget remains largely insulated from these losses. By establishing a “California-First” framework and a fiscal performance trigger for CalPERS’ operating budget, the City seeks to ensure CalPERS functions as a true partner in municipal sustainability—sharing the burden of market volatility and reinvesting California’s wealth back into its own communities.

To date, the City delegation has held preliminary discussions with CalPERS leadership and the League of California Cities (Cal Cities). Staff seeks the Committee’s consideration to request full City Council approval for the City to initiate a formal, multi-year coalition with 32 City Council
February 2, 2026

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at least four other Cal Cities member agencies to co-advocate for these reforms; and work through the Cal Cities framework to prepare and seek approval of a formal resolution at a future Cal Cities General Assembly to obtain statewide institutional backing for potential state legislation.
2026 Priority Projects
The following projects represent the City’s 2026 priority projects for which the City is seeking funding support through grants and/or legislative appropriations.

1. El Nido Park Community Resilience and Recreation Hub Improvements- $3.0 million In 2025, the Torrance Unified School District and City Council reached a collaboration agreement on the relocation of North Torrance Little League to El Nido Park as a part of a broader remaster planning of the Park and associated amenities. During subsequent community engagements and public feedback meetings related to the Park master plan, the importance of the Community Meeting expansions, added indoor, outdoor and covered amenities room, were identified as dual purpose facilities to support emergency relief response efforts for Torrance and the surrounding region. This project would assist in both District and City capital project funding obligations to the Community Building, Restroom, outdoor plazas and associated site infrastructure requirements in order to realize a dual-purpose park amenity that can serve as an emergency relief zones at El Nido Park in partnership with Torrance Unified School District.

2. Columbia Park Continuation of Wellness Investment- $3.0 million Columbia Park is the City’s largest regional park, spanning 52 acres and serving residents of Torrance and surrounding communities with a wide range of recreational amenities, including youth and adult recreation, community gardens, and major annual community events such as the Cherry Blossom Festival. In conjunction with the World War II Camp Monument project and planned sports field improvements, the City conducted a comprehensive community engagement process that identified strong demand for upgrades to the park’s existing gravel walking paths and picnic areas. This project will deliver safe, ADA accessible pedestrian connections linking the park’s current and future amenities, along with shaded, accessible picnic spaces that support both everyday use and large commemorative gatherings. These improvements will enhance mobility, inclusivity, and the overall visitor experience throughout Columbia Park.

3. Regional Emergency Operations Improvement- $700,000 In 2025, Torrance Police Department identified the need to modernize both emergency communications infrastructure and data-driven accountability systems as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional and local public safety operations, Through internal operational assessments and compliance reviews, aging dispatch consoles, deteriorating flooring, and limited ergonomic and ADA compliant workspaces within the 911 Communications Center were identified as risks to reliable 24/7 emergency response, while reliance on the State’s basic RIPA reporting portal limits the Department’s ability to conduct timely review, auditing, and equitable policing analysis.

Page 6 ends

risk “hot zones” and significantly enhance regional mutual-aid response. With major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games occurring within 10 miles of Torrance, access to a regional MedCat is critical to ensuring public safety and emergency preparedness.

In previous years, staff produced a spiral-bound paperback to print and distribute to elected officials and government stakeholders. This year, staff have refreshed the content and redesigned the materials into a more visually engaging pitch deck. The updated pitch deck includes a QR code that directs readers to the Legislative Platform webpage for additional information. It will serve as a leave-behind for meetings and will also be available online through the webpage. 2026 State Advocacy Trip Information
City staff is currently working in coordination with Joe A. Gonsalves & Sons, the City’s state legislative advocacy consultants, to plan a formal delegation trip to Sacramento, with date options for either April 14-15 or April 28-29. The primary objective of this delegation is to engage directly with federal elected officials and key federal agencies to advance the City’s priority projects and legislative agenda. These high-level meetings are critical to securing state support for the various legislative priorities and priority projects.

Staff recommends that the City Council State Legislative Advocacy Committee discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform and 2026 Priority Projects.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Draft 2026 Legislative Platform Pitch Deck (Limited Distribution)

2. 2026 Legislative Platform Website (Link Available here: https://arcg.is/4rH9H2) 34 City Council State Legislative
Advocacy Committee Meeting
Monday, February 02, 2026
4:00pm
35 ROLL CALL
 Chair Chen
 Member Kaji
 Member Mattucci
2S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 36 FLAG SALUTE
3S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 37 Welcome and Introductions
4S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 38 ITEM 5A
City Manager – Discuss And Provide Direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects.

Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council State Legislative Advocacy Committee discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects.
5S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 39 Staff Timeline
6S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E Step 1:

Jan/Feb
• Committee
Overview
Upcoming
Legislation/
Potential Projects
as they align with
Council Priorities
• Federal and State
Committee
meetings
Step 2:

February
• Advocacy Trips
Prep
• Committee
member One-on-
One’s
• Forward
Committee
Recommendation
to full City
Council
Step 3:

March-Sept.
• Federal and State
Advocacy Trip
• Monitor
Legislation/
Funding
Opportunities
• Update on
pending
legislation and
voting positions
Step 4:

Sept/Oct
• Review legislative
session, any
relevant passed
bills, and
overview of new
laws that go into
effect Jan. 01
• Present to full
Council
40 2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
7S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 41 GOALS:

1. Streamlining staff actions

2. Making Timely and Impactful policy contributions

3. Meaningfully Engage with Key Officials

4. Ensuring Transparency
2026 Legislative Platform Aligns with Council Adopted Goals and Priorities of the Strategic Plan
8S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 42 9S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E ,
,
,
,
43 10S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 44 11S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 45 12S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 46 PRIORITY PROJECTS
13S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 47 TIMELINE

S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E • November 2025
• Priority Projects due
• City Manager team review with departments
• December 2025
• Review submissions with Van Scoyoc (Legislative Consultant) • January 2026
• Review consultant feedback with departments
• Follow-up with Department’s on feedback
• February 2026
• State Legislative Committee Meeting
• Present Legislative Platform and Priority Projects to full City Council • April/May 2026
• State Advocacy Trip + Legislative Update
14 48
El Nido Park Community Resilience
and Recreation Hub Improvements
• Support the construction of
emergency relief zones at El Nido in
partnership with Torrance Unified
School District (TUSD)
• Community Building, Restroom,
outdoor plazas and associated site
infrastructure requirements
• Currently in CEQA Process
• Funding Request: $3.0 million
15S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 49 Columbia Park Continuation of Wellness Investment
• Phase II of the Columbia Park
Accessibility Project seeks to
install ADA accessible walking
paths and picnic spaces
• Funding request: $3.0 million
16S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E *AI-generated conceptual design
50 Regional Emergency Operations Improvement
• Upgrade regional and local
safety operations with
improvements to TPD’s
Communications Center and
acquire RIPA data collection
technology
• Funding Request: $700,000
17S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 51 MedCat for Torrance Public Safety
18S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E • Support to allow the purchase of an
armored ambulance designed for Tactical
EMS to provide life-saving care in high-risk
"hot zones" where traditional ambulances
can't go, such as active shooter or disaster
situations
• Letter of Support
• Funding Request: $600,000
52 STATE LEGISLATIVE

PRIORITES
19S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 53 Vehicle Code: Amendment
• Section 9400.8 of the Vehicle Code
• Will allow the City to charge Pavement
Impact Fees to private waste haulers
addressing the degradation affect they
have on City roads
• Create the ability for Council
to establish a new revenue stream to
enhance the City’s pavement
maintenance program in the
Capital Improvement Plan and ultimately
improve the Pavement Condition Index
rating of the City.
• Collaboration with outside counsel and
Cal Cities
20S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 54 Water Infrastructure Project: Support
• Van Ness Well Field Phase II
• Drilling 3 new groundwater wells north of
the 405 Freeway to replace the wells
taken out of service at the Border Avenue
facility due to poor water quality
• 2026 WRDA Environmental Infrastructure
Request
• Applying for State Water Resources
Control Board Loan for Phase II
21S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 55 Tort Reform: Amendment
22 • High settlement outcomes for public
agencies
• Strained municipal budgets
• Targeted reforms to state civil liability
framework

S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 56 Fire Severity Zones: Oppose
23S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E • AB 3074 As currently written, establishes “Zone 0”
wildfire mitigation requirements that would apply
uniformly across all Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) in California.
• While AB 3074 has been approved into law, it is
presently under review for potential amendments prior
to full implementation.
• Numerous fire departments and professional fire
service associations across California have expressed
opposition to the bill’s current framework, citing
concerns regarding feasibility, cost burdens on
residents, and one-size-fits-all application.
57 CALPERS Investment and Accountability: Reform
24S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E • The Challenge
• CalPERS manages $556B, yet ≤1% is invested in California public infrastructure • Infrastructure portfolio prioritizes international assets, forcing CA cities to compete globally • California faces an $835B infrastructure funding gap over the next decade • Why Reform Is Needed
• Local taxpayers and public employees fund CalPERS, but see limited reinvestment at home • Cities absorb risk when CalPERS misses its 6.8% return target through higher employer contributions • CalPERS’ $2.7B administrative budget remains largely insulated from underperformance • Proposed Solution
• Establish a “California-First” infrastructure investment framework • Implement a fiscal performance trigger to align operating costs with investment outcomes • Ensure shared accountability and reinvestment in California communities • Next Step
• Seek City Council approval to form a multi-year coalition with at least four Cal Cities agencies • Advance a Cal Cities resolution to build statewide support for potential legislation 58 RECCOMENDATION

1. Accept And File February 02, 2026, State Legislative Advocacy Committee Presentation And;

2. Discuss And Provide Direction On The 2026 Legislative Platform And Priority Projects.
25S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 59 QUESTIONS?
26S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 60 PUBLIC COMMENT
27S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 61 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
28S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 62 CLOSING REMARKS
29S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 63 ADJORNMENT
30S T A T E L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 64 February 02, 2026

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE

CITY COUNCIL STATE LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

1. CALL TO ORDER
The State Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting convened in a regular meeting on February 02, 2026 at 4:00pm in the LeRoy Jackson Council Chamber.

ROLL CALL

Present: Chair Chen, Committee Member Kaji, & Committee Member Mattucci (Late).

Absent: None

Present: Carlos Huizar, Management Associate. Eirenne O’Neill, Staff Assistant.

Danny Santana, Assistant City Manager.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance was led by Committee Member Kaji.

3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Chair Chen welcomed those in attendance and requested that committee members introduce themselves to the public.

Staff presenting:

Carlos Huizar, Management Associate. Eirenne O’Neill, Staff Assistant.

Danny Santana, Assistant City Manager.

4. REPORT OF STAFF ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Boulevard and on the City of Torrance webpage on Friday, January 30, 2025.

5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
5A. City Manager – Discuss and Provide Direction of the 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform and Priority Projects. Expenditure: None.

Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee:

1. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform and;

2. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Priority Projects.

Staff Assistant O’Neill provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed priority projects and legislative platform. The presentation highlighted past legislative achievements and new pitch material to take on advocacy trips.

ATTACHMENT 3
65 Committee member Mattucci arrived at 4:13pm.

Committee member Kaji stated his appreciation for staff including the CALPERS item as a State Legislative priority. He indicated his frustration at CALEPRS only investing less than 1% back into California public infrastructure.

Chair Chen asked if Staff had considered adding “Red Light Cameras” and “Street Sweepers” to be a part of the State Legislative Priority list. Public Works Director Bilezerian indicated that the current California Vehicle Code does not authorize such enforcement options, clarifying that there are limited state-approved pilot programs.

However, Director Bilezerian further expressed that such pilot programs require a human officer to review each case that is scanned by the cameras and further clarified that the “Red Light Cameras” and “Street Sweepers” are two separate conversations and policies.

MOTION: Committee Member Kaji made a motion to accept recommendations and present findings to City Council along with the addition of seeking state authority to create a pilot program for camera technology capturing street violations. Second, Committee Member Mattucci. Vote: Motion carried by a vote of 3-0.

6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Chen asked if there were any members of the public that wished to speak under the Public Comment section. No members wished to speak.

7. CLOSING REMARKS
Management Associate Huizar summarized the item that had been discussed during the meeting and confirmed that the Priority Projects and State Legislative Priorities would be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration at an upcoming meeting along with the meeting minutes and the additional pilot program request.

8. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:00 pm, Committee Member Kaji made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second, Committee Member Mattucci. The motion carried by a vote of 3-0.

66 4A
Date: February 2, 2026
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Eirenne O’Neill, Staff Assistant | [email protected] Subject: City Manager – Discuss and Provide Direction of the 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform and Priority Projects. Expenditure: None.

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee:

1. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform and;

2. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Priority Projects.

FUNDING
None required.

This document establishes the City’s policy priorities and advocacy strate gies, enabling staff to proactively engage with legislation and funding opportunities at federal, state, regional, and local levels.

The platform was approved by City Council in 2024 and will guide legislative efforts throughout the 2026 calendar year.

Below is a summary of goals realized from adopting the Legislative Platform:
• Streamlining Staff Actions: Respond swiftly to legislation, policy, or funding opportunities that impact Torrance
• Championing and Opposing Legislation: Proactively advocate for Federal, State, and regional legislation, regulations, and funding that align with our Platform’s priorities, and oppose any proposals that conflict with the City’s strategic objectives.

ATTACHMENT 4
67 Federal Legislative Advocacy Council Committee
February 2, 2026

Page 2 ends

• Making timely and impactful policy contributions: Craft persuasive position letters and resolutions to effectively support, contest, or negotiate on critical legislation, regulations, and funding issues promptly.
• Meaningfully engaging with key officials: Establish ongoing, strategic interactions with elected officials, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to actively advance Torrance’s legislative priorities and secure critical funding. This includes actively involving elected officials and stakeholders in City-hosted events to strengthen community connections. • Ensuring Transparency: Commit to transparency by openly sharing the Legislative Platform and updates and by proactively communicating our advocacy efforts and their outcomes to the community.

Legislative Process
The Legislative Process includes a multi-step approach that is strategically timed to coincide with key milestones in the legislative cycle:

Throughout the year, staff continue to monitor and track bills of interest for Torrance. This includes bills on which Council has taken a formal position and bills of interest to the City.

Step 2
(March/April)
Federal and State Advocacy Trips.

Step 3
(April/May)
Update on pending legislation
and voting on positions.

Step 4
(Sept/Oct)
Review of legislative session, any
relevant passed bills, and
overview of new/upcoming law
that go into effect Jan. 01.
68 Federal Legislative Advocacy Council Committee
February 2, 2026

Page 3 ends

(CBRS) sites on City assets would provide expanded, dedicated network coverage across the city and allow for the additional 100 expanded camera installations to effectively connect and communicate with the RTRC. This priority project sought to effectively implement the additional CBRS sites and camera infrastructure feeds to the RTRC. This project requested $2 million originally but has since been marked up in the CJS Bill at $1,031,000.

Community Wellness Project (Rep. Maxine Waters) - $850,000 The City is undertaking a comprehensive, multi -year Capital Improvement Plan to enhance and prioritize the development of city facilities and its 33 parks. As part of this initiative, a key goal is to improve accessibility across all locations by updating American with Disability Act (ADA) compliance standards. This includes replacing sand and engineered wood fiber chips with rubberized surfaces in select play areas. This high -priority project seeks to implement these accessibility improvements at 6 of the 30 City parks identified for upgrades under the plan. This project requested $3 million originally but has since been marked up in the THUD Bill at $850,000.

As of this report, these projects are expected to advance through appropriations bills that have been marked up by the House Appropriations Committee and are currently under consideration.

The relevant bills include Interior; Labor, Health and Human Servic es; Commerce, Justice, and Science; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; State and Foreign Operations; and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development.

2026 Federal Legislative Priorities
For 2026, the Legislative Platform outlines specific priority initiatives that staff will advocate for at each level of government. The priority initiatives are listed below:

1. World War II Camp Memorial Project - The World War II Camp Memorial Project is intended to educate the public on the mass incarceration of more than 160,000 Japanese Americans without due process during World War II and, once completed, will be the first monument of its kind in the United States . The City is currently finalizing design and preparing for construction of the Memorial Wall , and due to the specialized nature of the project and the importance of ensuring historical accuracy in coordination with the Irei Project, additional time and resources are required. Based on the revised project scope, the total estimated cost has been updated to approximately $9.99 million. As part of the City’s federal legislative priorities, staff will continue to advocate for federal support to position the Memorial Wall for potential federal recognition or designation following completion, while also exploring opportunities to further enhance the project through cultural and historical elements that strengthen its educational value and national significance.

2. Outdated ZIP Code Boundaries– The City seeks to address long-standing discrepancies in U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code assignments that create confusion and operational challenges for residents, businesses, and government agencies. In several areas of Torrance, postal boundaries do not al ign with municipal boundaries, impacting mail delivery, school enrollment, emergency response, jurisdictional clarity, and access to federal and state resources. For example, neighborhoods such as the Hollywood Riviera are located within the City of Torrance but use Redondo Beach ZIP Codes (90277), while the Harbor Gateway/County Strip neighborhoods use Torrance ZIP Codes (e.g., 90501, 90502) despite falling under the City of Los Angeles’ jurisdiction for municipal services.

Although Torrance’s core ZIP Cod es range from 90501 –90509, the mismatch between 69 Federal Legislative Advocacy Council Committee
February 2, 2026

Page 4 ends

USPS postal boundaries and city limits continues to create persistent confusion for residents and service providers alike.
2026 Priority Projects
The following projects represent the City’s 2026 priority projects for which the City is seeking funding support through grants and/or legislative appropriations.

1. El Nido Park Community Resilience and Recreation Hub Improvements- $3.0 million In 2025, the Torrance Unified School District and City Council reached a collaboration agreement on the relocation of North Torrance Little League to El Nido Park as a part of a broader remaster planning of the Park and associated amenities. During subse quent community engagements and public feedback meetings related to the Park master plan, the importance of the Community Meeting expansions, added indoor, outdoor and covered amenities room, were identified as dual purpose facilities to support emergency relief response efforts for Torrance and the surrounding region. This project would assist in both District and City capital project funding obligations to the Community Building, Restroom, outdoor plazas and associated site infrastructure requirements in order to realize a dual -purpose park amenity that can serve as an emergency relief zones at El Nido Park in partnership with Torrance Unified School District.

2. Columbia Park Continuation of Wellness Investment- $3.0 million Columbia Park is the City’s largest regional park at 52 total acres. The park supports residents of Torrance and surrounding communities in their pursuit of youth and adult recreation, community gardens and annual community events, such as the Cherry Blossom festival. In addition to the World War II Internment Memorial project and sports field redesign, the City completed community engagement that identified much needed improvements to replace the existing gravel walking paths in a new alignment that provides ADA accessible connections to the existing, renovated and new park amenities and picnic areas.

3. Regional Emergency Operations Improvement - $700,000 In 2025, Torrance Police Department identified the need to modernize both emergency communications infrastructure and data -driven accountability systems as part of broader efforts to strengthen regional and local public safety operations, Through internal operational assessments and compliance reviews, aging dispatch consoles, deteriorating flooring, and limited ergonomic and ADA compliant workspaces within the 911 Communications Center were identified as risks to reliable 24/7 emergency response, while reliance on the State’s basic RIPA reporting portal limits the Department’s ability to conduct timely review, auditing, and equitable policing analysis.

4. MedCat for Torrance Police Department (Letter of Support) - $600,000 A medically equipped armored rescue vehicle, known as a “MedCat,” enables law enforcement and Tactical EMS personnel to safely evacuate and provide immediate medical care to victims and first responders during critical incidents or in environments unsafe for standard emergency medical services. These capabilities allow for life-saving treatment within high- risk “hot zones ” and significantly enhance regional mutual-aid response. With major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games occurring within 10 miles of Torrance, access to a regional MedCat is critical to ensuring public safety and emergency preparedness.

70 Federal Legislative Advocacy Council Committee
February 2, 2026

Page 5 ends

2026 Federal Advocacy Trip Information

City staff is currently working in coordination with Van Scoyoc Associates, the City’s federal legislative advocacy consultants, to plan a formal delegation trip to Washington, D.C., with date options for either March 23–26 or April 13.-16 The primary objective of this delegation is to engage directly with federal elected officials and key federal agencies to advance the City’s priority projects and legislative agenda. These high-level meetings are critical to securing federal support and funding opportunities in advance of the FY 2026 –27 federal appropriations cycle and the upcoming legislative session.

In addition to federal advocacy efforts, the delegation will meet with the U.S. Department of Defense to coordinate planning and logistical considerations for the City’s upcoming Armed Forces Day Parade in May. This engagement will help ensure alignment wi th federal military protocols and reinforce intergovernmental collaboration supporting this nationally recognized event.

The delegation also intends to meet with representatives from select international embassies as part of the City’s International Relations and Friendship Cities initiatives. These meetings are designed to advance the City’s economic development objectives by fostering international partnerships that support tourism, trade, cultural exchange, and investment. In particular, these discussions will explore opportunities for international collaboration related to upcoming global events, including the 2026 FIFA W orld Cup, with an emphasis on cultural programming, visitor engagement, and economic activity that can benefit the City and the region.

Conclusion
Staff recommends that the City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform and 2026 Priority Projects.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Draft 2026 Legislative Platform Pitch Deck (Limited Distribution)

2. 2026 Legislative Platform Website (Link Available here: https://arcg.is/4rH9H2 71 City Council Federal Legislative
Advocacy Committee Meeting
Monday February 02, 2026
5:30pm
72 ROLL CALL
 Chair Chen
 Member Kaji
 Member Sheikh
F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 2 73 FLAG SALUTE
F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 3 74 Welcome and Introductions
F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 4 75 ITEM 5A
City Manager – Discuss And Provide Direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects.

Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Legislative Platform and Priority Projects.

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 5 76 Staff Timeline
6F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E Step 1:

Jan./Feb.
• Committee
Overview
Upcoming
Legislation/
Potential Projects
as they align with
Council Priorities
• Forward
Committee
Recommendation
to full City
Council
Step 2:

Feb./Mar.
• Advocacy Trips
Prep
• Committee
member One-on-
One’s
• Federal Advocacy
Trip
Step 3:

Mar.-Sept.
• State Advocacy
Trip
• Monitor
Legislation/
Funding
Opportunities
• Update
Committees on
pending
legislation and
voting positions
Step 4:

Sept./Oct.
• Review legislative
session, any
relevant passed
bills, and
overview of new
laws that go into
effect Jan. 01
• Present to full
Council
77 Step 1
7 •January/February
○ Committee Overview Upcoming Legislation/ Potential
Projects as they align with Council Priorities
○ Forward Committee Recommendation to full City Council

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 78 Step 2
8 •February
○ Advocacy Trips Prep
○ Committee member One-on-One’s
•March
○ Federal Advocacy Trip

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 79 Step 3
9 •March - September
○ State Advocacy Trip (March)
○ Monitor Legislation/ Funding Opportunities
○ Update on pending legislation and voting positions

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 80 Step 4
10 •September/October
○ Review legislative session, any relevant passed bills, and overview of new laws that go into effect Jan. 01
○ Present to full Council

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 81 2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 11 82 GOALS:

1. Streamlining staff actions

2. Making timely and impactful policy contributions

3. Meaningfully engaging with key officials

4. Ensuring transparency
2026 Legislative Platform Aligns with Council Adopted Goals and Priorities of the Strategic Plan
12F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 83 13F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E ,
,
,
,
84 14F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 85 86
16F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 87 17

PRIORITY PROJECTS

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 88 2025 Legislative Earmarks
18 •Public Safety Digital Infrastructure Expansion
○ Rep. Ted Lieu- $1,031,000
○ Waiting for President’s signature
•Community Wellness Project
○ Rep. Maxine Waters- $850,000
○ Pending Senate approval

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 89 TIMELINE

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E •November 2025
•City Manager team review submitted
projects with departments
•December 2025
•Review submissions with Van Scoyoc
(Legislative Consultant)
•January 2026
•Review consultant feedback with
departments
•Follow-up with Department’s on feedback
•February 2026
•Federal Legislative Committee Meeting
•Present Platform and Projects to Council
•March 2026
•Federal Legislative Advocacy Trip
•State Legislative Advocacy Trip
•April/May 2026
•State Advocacy Trip + Legislative Update
19 90
El Nido Park Community Resilience
and Recreation Hub Improvements
•Support the construction of
emergency relief zones at El Nido in
partnership with Torrance Unified
School District (TUSD)
•Community Building, Restroom,
outdoor plazas and associated site
infrastructure requirements
•Currently in CEQA Process
•Funding Request: $3.0 million
20F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 91 Columbia Park Continuation of Wellness Investment
•Phase II of the Columbia Park
Accessibility Project seeks to
install ADA accessible walking
paths and picnic spaces
•Funding request: $3.0 million
21F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E *AI-generated conceptual design
92 Regional Emergency Operations Improvement
•Upgrade regional and local
safety operations with
improvements to TPD’s
Communications Center and
acquire RIPA data collection
technology
•Funding Request: $700,000
22F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 93 MedCat for Torrance Public Safety
23F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E •Support to allow the purchase of an
armored ambulance designed for Tactical
EMS to provide life-saving care in high-risk
"hot zones" where traditional ambulances
can't go, such as active shooter or disaster
situations
•Letter of Support
•Funding Request: $600,000
94 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE

PRIORITES
24F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 95 Outdated Zip Code Boundaries
25F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E Municipal JurisdictionMailing AddressZip Code
TorranceRedondo Beach90277
TorranceRedondo Beach90278
TorranceGardena 90247
TorranceGardena 90247
Habor Gateway/ LA CountyTorrance90502
90502
96 World War II Camp
Memorial Project
•Council Oral: Direct staff to
pursue a federal earmark for
the World War II Japanese
American Monument project
for an additional $5 million
26F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 97 RECCOMENDATION
27F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E

1. Accept And File February 02, 2026, Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Presentation And;

2. Discuss And Provide Direction On The 2026 Legislative Platform And Priority Projects.
98 28
QUESTIONS?

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 99 29

PUBLIC COMMENT

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 100
30 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 101
31 CLOSING REMARKS

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 102
32 ADJOURNMENT

F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I V E A D V O C A C Y C O M M I T T E E 103
February 02, 2026

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE

CITY COUNCIL FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

1. CALL TO ORDER
The Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting convened in a regular meeting on February 02, 2026 at 5:30pm in the LeRoy Jackson Council Chamber.

ROLL CALL

Present: Chair Chen, Committee Member Kaji, & Committee Member Sheikh.

Absent: None

Present: Carlos Huizar, Management Associate. Eirenne O’Neill, Staff Assistant.

Danny Santana, Assistant City Manager.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance was led by Committee Member Sheikh.

3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Chair Chen welcomed those in attendance and requested that committee members introduce themselves to the public.

Staff presenting:

Carlos Huizar, Management Associate. Eirenne O’Neill, Staff Assistant.

Danny Santana, Assistant City Manager.

4. REPORT OF STAFF ON THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The agenda was posted on the Public Notice Board at 3031 Torrance Boulevard and on the City of Torrance webpage on Friday, January 30, 2025.

5. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
5A. City Manager – Discuss and Provide Direction of the 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform and Priority Projects. Expenditure: None.

Recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council Federal Legislative Advocacy Committee:

1. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Torrance Legislative Platform and;

2. Discuss and provide direction on the 2026 Priority Projects.

ATTACHMENT 5
104
Management Associate Huizar provided potential federal advocacy trip dates, citing each option would take place during a closed session meeting but would take place when both the House and Senate were in session.

Management Associate Huizar also provided potential options for meetings while the federal delegation visits Washington D.C. including embassy visits for international programming, the chair of America’s 250th, as well as the U.S. Department of War to advocate for participation of the Armed Forces Day Events in Torrance.

Committee member Sheikh asked for clarification regarding the funding status of the World War II Memorial Project. Management Associate Carlos confirmed the project is fully funded and that staff were given direction to continue seeking alternate funding sources to alleviate the General Funding requirement.

Committee member Kaji asked to confirm whether or not the zip code “90248” was meant to be included in the list of incorrect zip codes. Staff Assistant O’Neill confirmed the zip code was a scrivener's error on the presentation and that the true zip code would be included in future conversations.

MOTION: Committee Member Kaji made a motion to accept recommendations and present findings to City Council along with the tentative trip date of April 13-16 as well as the recommended meetings in Washington D.C. Seconded by Committee Member Sheikh. Vote: Motion carried by a vote of 3-0.

6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Chen asked if there were any members of the public that wished to speak under the Public Comment section. No members wished to speak.

7. CLOSING REMARKS
Management Associate Huizar summarized the item that had been discussed during the meeting and confirmed that the Priority Projects and Federal Legislative Priorities would be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration at an upcoming meeting along with the meeting minutes.

8. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:20 pm, Committee Member Sheikh made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Seconded by Committee Member Kaji The motion carried by a vote of 3-0.

105

Torrance City CouncilFebruary 10, 2026

Torrance City Council
February 10, 2026