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Date: March 3, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
By: Krystle Covarrubias, Senior Business Manager | [email protected] Subject: Community Services – Approve First Amendment to License Agreement for Operation of Model Railroad Facility at Charles H. Wilson Park. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council approve a first amendment to the license agreement with Southern California Live Steamers, Inc. of Torrance, CA (C2015-056) updating the insurance requirements for the operation of the model railroad facility at Charles H. Wilson Park.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
On April 4, 1990, the City of Torrance (City) entered into a 25-year license agreement with Southern California Live Steamers, Inc. (SCLS) for the operation of a model railroad facility at Charles H. Wilson Park. On May 12, 2015, City Council approved a renewed license agreement (C2015-056) extending SCLS’s use of the site for an additional 25-year term through May 11, 2040. The agreement formalized SCLS’s long-standing presence at Wilson Park, which began in 1987 as part of the City’s 75th Anniversary celebration.
SCLS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free public train rides on designated run days, supported primarily through volunteer labor and community donations. Over the course of its tenure, SCLS has invested substantial private funds and volunteer resources into the development, enhancement, and maintenance of the facility, including installation of track infrastructure, landscaping improvements, construction of accessory structures, and ongoing site upkeep.
In addition to regular public run days, SCLS supports community events, educational programming, youth engagement initiatives, and historical preservation efforts, including restoration of the Red Car rail exhibit. The 2015 renewal acknowledged SCLS’s significant community benefit, long-term investment in the site, and commitment to maintaining and improving the facility while operating without direct City funding for programming or capital improvements.
1 City Council
March 3, 2026
The proposed first amendment updates the insurance provisions of the license agreement to align with the City’s current risk management standards and insurance requirements, while leaving the indemnification provisions unchanged. The amendment clarifies the City’s provision of general liability coverage, provides waivers for automobile and workers’ compensation coverage based on SCLS’s volunteer-based operational structure, and requires SCLS to contribute forty percent (40%) of the cost of the City-provided insurance policy. All other terms and conditions of the license agreement remain in full force and effect.
Accordingly, staff recommends that City Council approve the first amendment to license agreement C2015-056 with Southern California Live Steamers, Inc. updating the insurance requirements for continued operation of the model railroad facility at Charles H. Wilson Park.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Amendment to License Agreement C2015-056
2. License Agreement C2015-056
2 FIRST AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT (C2015-056)
This First Amendment to License Agreement C2015-056 is made and entered into as of January 13, 2026, by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE (“CITY”), a municipal corporation, and Southern California Live Steamers, Inc., a California Non-Profit Corporation (“SCLS”).
RECITALS:
A. On April 4, 1990, the CITY and SCLS entered into a twenty-five-year license agreement (C90-025) whereby SCLS agreed to provide free mini-train rides for the public at Wilson Park.
B. On May 12, 2015, the CITY and SCLS entered into a renewed twenty-five-year License Agreement (C2015-056) (the "Agreement"), whereby SCLS agreed to maintain and operate a model railroad facility and provide free mini-train rides for the public at Wilson Park.
C. CITY is satisfied with the level of service provided by SCLS.
D. CITY wishes to amend the insurance requirements for the term of the license to reflect the CITY’s current insurance requirements and policies. The Indemnification provision is to remain unchanged.
NOW THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
AGREEMENT:
1. Section 7 A. of the Agreement entitled “INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION” is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
A. Insurance
A.1 The City will provide an insurance policy including the minimally required limits for Commercial General Liability, including coverage for premises products and completed operations, independent contractor/vendors, personal injury and contractual obligations with combined single limits of coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate.
A.2 Automobile Liability: WAIVED SCLS attests to no owned, non-owned or hired vehicles.
A.3 Worker’s Compensation: WAIVED SCLS attests that it has no employees. 3 ATTACHMENT 1
A.4 Additional Insured: The City of Torrance, the City Council and each member thereof, members of boards and commissions, every officer, agent official, employee and volunteer must be named as additional insured under the general liability policy by endorsement.
A.5 The insurance provided by SCLS will be primary and non-contributory by endorsement.
A.6 SCLS hereby grants to CITY a waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of SCLS may acquire against the CITY by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. SCLS agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be necessary to affect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies regardless of whether or not the CITY has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the insurer.
A.7 SCLS shall contribute to the City an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the total cost of the City provided minimum insurance policy.
2. In all other respects, the Agreement between the CITY and SCLS is ratified and reaffirmed as amended and remains in full force and effect.
CITY OF TORRANCE,
A municipal corporation
By: ______________________
George K. Chen, Mayor
Southern California Live Steamers, Inc.
a California Non-Profit Corporation
By: _____
Tom Downing, President
ATTEST:
__________________________
Rebecca Poirier
City Clerk, MMC
APPROVED AS TO FORM
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN
City Attorney
By: _______________________
Jocelyn N. Sarigumba
Deputy City Attorney
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