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Date: August 11, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
By: Carlos Huizar, Management Associate | [email protected] Subject: City Manager and Community Services – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Approve License Agreement for Use of Dee Hardison Sport Center at Charles H. Wilson Park and Authorize City Manager to Execute Agreement. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager and Community Services Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve a License Agreement with Ambassador High School for use of the Dee Hardison Sports Center at Charles H. Wilson Park, for a five-year (5) term, beginning August 11, 2026 and ending August 10, 2031; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The City of Torrance has a long-standing tradition of supporting local youth and educational organizations by maximizing the public benefit of City-owned recreational facilities. Ambassador High School has requested priority scheduling access to the Dee Hardison Sports Center gymnasium at Charles H. Wilson Park for school-sponsored athletic practices and related physical education activities.
Under the proposed five -year License Agreement running from August 11, 2026, through August 10, 2031, Ambassador High School will be granted priority scheduling access during designated weekday afternoon hours. These hours are established from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from August through December, and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from January through May.
Facility access remains secondary to primary City -sponsored programs, drop -in play, and municipal events, with the City retaining full operational control, maintenance oversight, and ownership of the facility at all times. In addition to contributing a one -time upfront payment of $55,000 to cover the complete resurfacing and updating of the gymnasium floor, Ambassador 1 City Council
August 11, 2026
High School will begin paying standard facility rental rates pursuant to the City's adopted Fee Schedule starting in Year 3 of the term.
This collaborative agreement represents a mutually beneficial partnership between the City and a local educational institution. The $55,000 upfront capital contribution directly addresses facility maintenance needs by upgrading the gymnasium flooring at no cost to Torrance taxpayers, benefiting all community members and drop-in users.
Furthermore, coordinated scheduling utilizes the sports center during off-peak weekday afternoon hours without displacing established municipal programming or public recreational activities.
Ultimately, the partnership fosters youth development, athletic s kill-building, and community wellness by providing local students with a safe, high-quality athletic environment.
The proposed action involves licensing existing municipal facilities with no expansion of structural footprint. Therefore, staff recommends adopting a Categorical Exemption pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).
Staff recommends that the Honorable Body adopt the CEQA Categorical Exemption, approve the five-year License Agreement with Ambassador High School, and authorize the City Manager to execute the document.
ATTACHMENT
1. Ambassador High School License Agreement
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LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TORRANCE
AND AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR USE OF
THE DEE HARDISON SPORTS CENTER GYMNASIUM
THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE (“City”), a municipal corporation, and AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL (“Ambassador”), a nonprofit corporation, is made and entered into this 11th day of August, 2026 (“Effective Date”). The City and Ambassador are at times referred to individually as a “Party,” or collectively as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS, Ambassador is a private high school located at 2300 Crenshaw Boulevard #B, directly south of the City’s Charles H. Wilson Park (“Wilson Park”), which includes the Dee Hardison Sports Center (“Sports Center”); WHEREAS, the City is the owner of Wilson Park and the Sports Center, where the City provides recreation facilities and services for community sports and recreation activities;
WHEREAS, the Parties have a mutual interest in providing Ambassador students with access to a gymnasium facility in close proximity to the school for athletic practices and related activities;
WHEREAS, Ambassador desires to contribute funding toward improvements to the Sports Center gymnasium floor, specifically resurfacing the gym floor and other updates; and
WHEREAS, the City and Ambassador desire to establish the terms and conditions under which Ambassador may utilize the Sports Center gymnasium facility.
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the foregoing recitals, City and Ambassador agree as follows:
1.License; Description of Property. City grants a non-exclusive license (“License”) to Ambassador for use, on the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement, of the gymnasium facility located within the Dee Hardison Sports Center (“Licensed Property”). City’s action is not, and should not be construed to be, a conveyance of property interest or a lease; rather it is a revocable license for Ambassador students, coaches, staff, parents, and school designees to enter and use the Licensed Property solely for school-sponsored athletic practices, conditioning, and related recreational activities.
2. Term. This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and shall remain in force for a period of five (5) years, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
3.Use of Licensed Property. Ambassador may utilize the Licensed Property during the school year, generally from August through May, for athletic 3 ATTACHMENT 1
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practices and related school-sponsored activities, subject to the following conditions:
a)August through December Schedule. From August through December of each school year, Ambassador may utilize the Licensed Property Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
b)January through May Schedule. From January through May of each school year, Ambassador may utilize the Licensed Property Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
c)Priority Use. The Parties acknowledge that Ambassador shall receive priority scheduling access for the days and times identified herein, subject to City-sponsored programs, emergency closures, maintenance requirements, and previously scheduled City events. d)Schedule Coordination. Ambassador shall provide the City with a proposed practice and use schedule prior to the commencement of each applicable school semester or athletic season. The City reserves the right, in its reasonable discretion, to adjust schedules and hours of use as necessary to accommodate City programming, maintenance, or community events. The City shall make reasonable efforts to provide advance written notice of any schedule adjustments.
4.Capital Improvement Payment. Within ten (10) days of the Effective Date of this Agreement, Ambassador shall remit to the City a one-time payment in the amount of Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) (“Improvement Payment”). The City shall utilize the Improvement Payment specifically for resurfacing and updating the gym floor at the Sports Center (“Gym Floor Improvements”) gymnasium. The City shall retain sole authority over the design, timing, procurement, and completion of the Gym Floor Improvements.
5.Rental Fees. Beginning in Year 3 of the Term of this Agreement, Ambassador shall be required to pay any applicable City gymnasium rental fees or related charges for use of the Licensed Property in accordance with the City’s adopted Fee Schedule in effect at the time of Ambassador’s use of the Licensed Property, as may be amended from time to time.
6.Ambassador Obligations. Ambassador shall be responsible for ensuring that all students, coaches, staff, and invitees comply with all City rules and regulations applicable to use of the Licensed Property. Ambassador shall also be responsible for removing any trash, equipment, or materials brought onto the Licensed Property by Ambassador and leaving the facility in a clean and orderly condition following each use. Ambassador shall not store equipment or personal property at the Licensed Property without prior written approval from the City.
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7.City Obligations. The City shall remain responsible for overall maintenance, repair, and operation of the Licensed Property, including the Gym Floor Improvements..
8. Branding. Subject to prior written approval by the City, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, Ambassador may install approved temporary school branding on the gym walls during its permitted use times. All branding materials shall comply with City standards and requirements and must be removed outside Ambassador’s authorized use periods unless otherwise approved in writing by the City. In no event shall any Ambassador branding be installed on the gym floor and no such branding will be part of the Gym Floor Improvements.
9.Restriction on Assignment/Sublease. Ambassador shall not assign, transfer, sublicense, or otherwise provide use rights under this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the City, in the City’s sole and absolute discretion.
10. Default. In the event either Party fails to perform any obligation under this Agreement, the non-defaulting Party shall provide written notice specifying the nature of the default (“Default Notice”). The defaulting Party shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of the Default Notice to cure the default. If the default is not cured within such period, the non-defaulting Party may terminate this Agreement.
11.Dispute Resolution. In the event of any dispute arising from this Agreement or from the use or proposed use of the Licensed Property, the Parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter informally through discussions between authorized representatives. If the dispute cannot be resolved informally, the Parties may mutually agree to non-binding mediation. If an agreement still cannot be reached after mediation, a neutral third party shall be selected by the Parties to serve as arbitrator. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, and both Parties expressly agree to be bound by any decision. The Parties shall split any costs associated with such mediation and/or arbitration equally.
12.Indemnity and Hold Harmless. Ambassador will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City, the Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Torrance, the City Council, each member thereof, present and future, members of boards and commissions, their officers, agents, employees and volunteers (collectively "City Affiliates") from and against any and all liability, expenses, including defense costs and legal fees, and claims for damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, those arising from breach of agreement, bodily injury, death, personal injury, property damage, loss of use, or property loss however the same may be caused and regardless of the responsibility for negligence. The obligation to indemnify, defend and hold harmless includes, but is not limited to, any liability or expense, 5 -4-
including defense costs and legal fees, arising from the negligent acts or omissions, or willful misconduct of Ambassador, its officers, employees, agents, or vendors. Ambassador obligations to indemnify, defend and hold harmless will apply even in the event of concurrent negligence on the part of City Affiliates, except for liability resulting solely from the negligence or willful misconduct of City Affiliates. In the event of any dispute between Ambassador and City, as to whether liability arises from the sole negligence of City Affiliates, Ambassador will be obligated to pay for the defense of City Affiliates until such time as a final judgment has been entered adjudicating City Affiliates as solely negligent. Ambassador will not be entitled in the event of such a determination to any reimbursement of defense costs including but not limited to attorney's fees, expert fees and costs of litigation.
13.Insurance Coverage. Ambassador must maintain at their sole expense the following insurance, which will be full coverage, not subject to self-insurance provisions:
1.Commercial General Liability (CGL): Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01 covering CGL on an “occurrence” basis, including property damage, bodily injury and personal & advertising injury with limits no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location (ISO CG 25 03 or 25 04) or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.
2.Automobile Liability: Insurance Services Office Form Number CA 0001 covering Code 1 (any auto), or if Ambassador has no owned autos, Code 8 (hired) and 9 (non-owned), with limits no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage. (Note – required only if auto is used in performance of work).
3. Workers’ Compensation insurance as required by the State of California, with Statutory Limits, and Employer’s Liability Insurance with limit of no less than $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease.
4. Sexual Abuse or Molestation (SAM) Liability: If the activity will include contact with minors, and the CGL policy referenced above is not endorsed to include affirmative coverage for sexual abuse or molestation, Ambassador shall obtain and maintain a policy covering Sexual Abuse and Molestation with a limit no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence or claim.
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The insurance provided by Ambassador will be primary and non- contributory. City, the Successor Agency to the Former
Redevelopment Agency of 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 insureds under the automobile and general liability policies.
If Ambassador maintains broader coverage and/or higher limits than the minimums shown above, the City requires and shall be entitled to the broader coverage and/or the higher limits maintained by the Ambassador.
Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.
14. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, all notices or other communications required or permitted by this Agreement or by law, to be served on or given to either Party to this Agreement by the other Party, shall be in writing and shall be deemed served when personally delivered to the Party to whom they are directed, or in lieu of the personal service, upon deposit in the United States Mail, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to:
Ambassador:Ambassador Christian School
2300 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501
Attn: Dr. Michael Barker
City:City of Torrance
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
Attn: City Clerk
With a copy to:
City of Torrance
Community Services Department
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
Attention: Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 310-618-2930
15. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by written agreement executed by both Parties.
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16.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Venue for any legal action related to this Agreement shall be in Los Angeles County, California.
17.Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, or understandings.
18. Invalidity. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
19.Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
20. Authority. Each Party represents that the individual executing this Agreement on its behalf has full authority to do so.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and together shall constitute one instrument.
22.Construction. The language of each part of this Agreement will be construed simply and according to its fair meaning, and this Agreement will never be construed either for or against either Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the dates set forth below.
CITY OF TORRANCE
_________________________________
Aram Chaparyan
City Manager
AMBASSADOR HIGH SCHOOL
_________________________________
Michael R. Barker, Ed. D.
Head of School
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN
CITY ATTORNEY
________________________________
Patrick Q. Sullivan
City Attorney
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