8A
Date: April 7, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk
By: Robert Williams, Deputy City Clerk I | [email protected] Subject: City Clerk – Approve City Council Minutes. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Clerk that City Council approve the City Council minutes of March 3, 2026.
FUNDING
None required.
ATTACHMENT
1. March 3, 2026, STA City Council Minutes
1 Aleksander Alderete City Council
Minutes Secretary March 3, 2026
INDEX
TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 3, 2026
SUBJECT PAGE
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. Call to Order/Roll Call 1
2. Flag Salute/Invocation 1
3. Withdrawn, Deferred or Supplemental Items 1
4. Affidavit of Posting/Waive Further Reading 1
5. Council Committee Meetings and Announcements 2
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. 2025 Year in Review 2
6B. PROCLAMATION declaring March 7 through March 14, 2026 as California Arbor Week in the City of Torrance 2
6C. PROCLAMATION declaring the month of March as Women’s History Month in the City of Torrance 2
6D. Recognition of Friends of the Library Board Member Ron Kimmel 2 6E. Recognition of Donation from Prologis for the Torrance Library 2
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 2
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8A. Approve City Council Minutes 2
8B. SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 3964 2
8C. Accept and File Investment Report for the Month of December 2025 2 8D. Adopt California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption and Approve Master Lease Agreement with the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Airport Traffic Control Tower at Torrance Municipal Airport (Zamperini Field) 2-3 8E. Approve Los Angeles County Regional Zero Emission Transit Capital Program Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 3
8F. Approve First Amendment to License Agreement for Operation of Model Railroad Facility at Charles H. Wilson Park 3
8G. Accept and File Projected Capital Improvement Project Procurements for the Six-Month Period Beginning January 1, 2026 and Ending June 30, 2026 3
8H. Approve Contingency Fee Agreement for Legal Services 3
9. HEARINGS
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A. Approve and Authorize Mayor to Execute the South Bay Regional Housing Trust Joint Powers Agreement 3-4
10B. Provide Direction on Proposed Official Project Name of "World War II Japanese American Monument" at Columbia Park 4
11. AGENCY AGENDAS
12. COUNCIL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 4
13. CLOSED SESSION 5
14. ADJOURNMENT 5
At 8:10 p.m., the City Council adjourned to Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber.
2 ATTACHMENT 1
Aleksander Alderete City Council
Minutes Secretary 1 March 3, 2026
March 3, 2026
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Torrance City Council convened in a regular meeting on March 3, 2026 at 5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Gerson, Kaji, Kalani, Lewis, Mattucci, and Mayor Chen
Absent: Councilmember Sheikh
Present: City Manager Chaparyan, City Attorney Sullivan, City Clerk Rebecca Poirier and other staff representatives
Agenda item 13 was considered out of order at this time.
13. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council immediately recessed to closed session at 5:03 p.m. to confer with the City Manager and the City Attorney on agenda matters listed under 1 3A) Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation, 13B) Real Property – Conference With Real Property Negotiator, 13C) Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation and 1 3D) Conference With Labor Negotiator - Litigation pursuant to California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(1), California Government Code § 54956.8, California Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2) and California Government Code §54957.6.
Councilmember Sheikh arrived at the City Council meeting at 5:34 p.m.
The City Council reconvened in public session at 7:03 p.m. No formal action was taken on any item considered in closed session.
2. FLAG SALUTE/ INVOCATION
The flag salute was led by Councilmember Kaji.
The non-sectarian invocation was given by Councilmember Kalani.
3. WITHDRAWN, DEFERRED OR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS
Item 6D was withdrawn. Supplemental materials for item 14A.
City Manager Chaparyan stated that the March 7 closed session meeting was cancelled and the next Council meeting would be March 24 due to a lack of business.
4. REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA/ MOTION TO
WAIVE FURTHER READING
MOTION: Councilmember Kalani moved that after the City Clerk has read aloud the number and title of any resolution or ordinance on the meeting agenda, the further reading thereof shall be waived, reserving and guaranteeing to each Councilmember the right to demand the reading of any such resolution or ordinance in regular order. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Sheikh and passed by 7-0.
3 Aleksander Alderete City Council
Minutes Secretary 2 March 3, 2026
5. COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Clerk Poirier stated that the Torrance General Municipal Election would be June 2. It would be for Mayor, councilmembers from districts 1, 3, and 5, a City Clerk and City Treasurer.
Nomination period closes March 5 unless an eligible incumbent fails to file. If that happens, the nomination period for that office only would be extended to March 11 for new candidates only.
6. COMMUNITY MATTERS
6A. 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW
City Manager’s Office Communications Division Lauren Allen introduced the item to the City Council.
6B. PROCLAMATION DECLARING MARCH 7 THROUGH MARCH 14, 2026 AS
CALIFORNIA ARBOR WEEK IN THE CITY OF TORRANCE
6C. PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS WOMEN’S HISTORY
MONTH IN THE CITY OF TORRANCE
6D. RECOGNITION OF FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MEMBER RON KIMMEL Item 6D was rescheduled.
6E. RECOGNITION OF DONATION FROM PROLOGIS FOR THE TORRANCE LIBRARY
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public spoke.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8A. APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Recommendation of the City Clerk that City Council approve the City Council minutes of February 10, 2026.
8B. SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 3964
Second and Final Reading of ORDINANCE NO. 3964 an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Torrance, California, acting as the legislative body of the City of Torrance Community Facilities District No. 2026 -01 (Public Services) levying special taxes wi thin City of Torrance Community Facilities District No. 2026-01 (Public services) and approval of the Ordinance Summary for publication. This item is for consideration of adoption of the ordinance only. The item was previously discussed, and action was taken at a prior council meeting.
8C. ACCEPT AND FILE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2025 Recommendation of the City Treasurer that City Council accept and file the Investment Report for the month of December 2025.
8D. ADOPT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) CATEGORICAL
EXEMPTION AND APPROVE MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL
AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) FOR AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT
TORRANCE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (ZAMPERINI FIELD)
Recommendation of the City Manager that City Council:
4 Aleksander Alderete City Council
Minutes Secretary 3 March 3, 2026
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) categorical exemption pursuant to Guideline Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption); and
2. Approve a new master lease agreement between the City of Torrance and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Airport Traffic Control Tower (FAA Contract No. 690EG4-25-L-00135) located at 25311 Aero Way, for an initial term of ten (10) years, retroactively beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2035.
8E. APPROVE LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL ZERO EMISSION TRANSIT
CAPITAL PROGRAM MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH LOS ANGELES
COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Recommendation of the Transit Director that City Council approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for the Los Angeles County Regional Zero Emission Transit Capital Program (ZETCP).
8F. APPROVE FIRST AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR OPERATION OF MODEL RAILROAD FACILITY AT CHARLES H. WILSON PARK
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.
8G. ACCEPT AND FILE PROJECTED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PROCUREMENTS FOR THE SIX -MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
Recommendation of the Finance Director that City Council accept and file the projected Capital Improvement Project procurements for the six-month period beginning January 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2026.
8H. APPROVE CONTINGENCY FEE AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES Recommendation of the City Attorney that City Council approve a contingency fee agreement with law firm McGuinness & Associates of Torrance, CA, for an amount not - to-exceed $3,800,000, to provide the City with legal services pertaining to civil litigation matter City of Torrance v. Vigilant Insurance Company.
City Clerk Poirier read the number and title for Ordinance No. 3964 AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, ACTING AS THE
LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE CITY OF TORRANCE COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT #2026-01 PUBLIC SERVICES LEVYING SPECIAL TAXES WITHIN CITY OF TORRANCE COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT #2026-01 PUBLIC SERVICES.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalani moved to approve the Consent Calendar and adopt Ordinance No. 3964. Councilmember Sheikh seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
9. HEARINGS – None Scheduled.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
10A. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE SOUTH BAY REGIONAL
HOUSING TRUST JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
5 Aleksander Alderete City Council
Minutes Secretary 4 March 3, 2026
Recommendation of the Community Development Director that City Council: 1. Approve and Authorize the Mayor to execute the South Bay Regional Housing Trust (SBRHT) Joint Powers Agreement (JPA); and 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute any non -substantial modification to the SBRHT JPA subject to approval by the City Attorney; and 3. Appoint a Voting Delegate and Alternate to serve as a Board Member on the SBRHT for a one-year term.
Community Development Director Michelle Ramirez introduced the item to the City Council.
No members of the public spoke.
MOTION: Councilmember Lewis moved to approve item 10A and to appoint Councilmember Kaji as the voting delegate and Councilmember Kalani as the alternate, and to support submitting letters for funding without having to come back to City Council. Councilmember Kaji seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
10B. PROVIDE DIRECTION ON PROPOSED OFFICIAL PROJECT NAME OF "WORLD WAR II JAPANESE AMERICAN MONUMENT" AT COLUMBIA PARK
Recommendation of the Community Services Director that City Council provide direction on the proposed official name of “World War II Japanese American Monument” for the project that will be constructed at Columbia Park
Senior Business Manager Krystle Covarrubias and Advisory Committee Chairwoman Stacey Tota introduced the item to the City Council.
Members of the public spoke.
Councilmember Lewis and Advisory Committee Chairwoman Tota discussed if the name to include the incarceration considered in the committee meetings. It was overviewed how much of the descriptor to include and to make sure it was a powerful recommendation. Advisory Committee Chairwoman Tota stated they were not opposed to including incarceration in the name. They also deliberated on including a subhead in the description or wall itself.
Councilmember Gerson , Mattucci, and Kalani supported the inclusion of the word incarceration.
Councilmember Kaji supported the committee’s recommendation and he stated that incarceration was the centerpiece of the monument.
MOTION: Councilmember Kaji moved to accept the committee recommendation and to approve the name the project “The World War II Japanese-American Incarceration Monument” to be constructed at Columbia Park . Councilmember Gerson seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
11. AGENCY AGENDAS – None Scheduled.
12. CITY COUNCIL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
No members of the public spoke.
Councilmember Gerson, Councilmember Kaji, Councilmember Kalani, Councilmember Lewis, Councilmember Mattucci, Councilmember Sheikh and Mayor Chen spoke. 6 Aleksander Alderete City Council
Minutes Secretary 5 March 3, 2026
13. CLOSED SESSION
Considered earlier, see page 1.
14. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Gerson moved to adjourn the City Council meeting at 8:10 p.m. to Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for closed session in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber. Tuesday, March 10, 2026 is a City Council Dark Night . Councilmember Lewis seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 6-1 with Councilmember Sheikh voting no.
Attest: Mayor of the City of Torrance
Rebecca Poirier Approved on April 7, 2026
City Clerk of the City of Torrance
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