10A
Date: August 25, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
By: Eirenne O'Neill, Staff Assistant | [email protected] Subject: Mayor and City Manager — Adopt RESOLUTION Approving and Establishing Citywide Governance by District Elected Policy. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
In response to an oral request by Mayor Sharon Kalani with City Council concurrence, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt a RESOLUTION approving and establishing Citywide Governance by District Elected Policy.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
Previously, Councilmembers were elected for an “at-large,” four-year term, meaning they served in an “at large” capacity and could reside in any area in the City of Torrance. On June 19, 2018, the Torrance City Council adopted an ordinance establishing by-district elections for City Council offices and approved an election calendar for the newly elected districts. Districts 2,4, and 6 were phased in during the 2020 election. Districts 1, 3, and 5 were introduced in 2022. City Council is now comprised of six Councilmembers who each live in and represent one of the established districts. The Mayor remains elected “at large’.
At the meetings of August 13, 2019, October 1, 2019, and April 23, 2024, City Council approved resolutions establishing a Citywide Governance By-District Elected Policy to ensure that the City Manager and City Council continue to work together toward governing the City as a whole. At the July 14, 2026, City Council meeting, to solidify the principles of unified governing, Mayor Sharon Kalani received concurrence from City Council to request staff bring back a resolution to reconfirm the Citywide Governance By-District Election Policy.
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution- Citywide Governance By-District Elected Policy 1 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND
ESTABLISHING A CITYWIDE GOVERNANCE BY-
DISTRICT ELECTED POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Torrance, California (“City”) is a charter law city, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3829, effective July 19, 2018, establishing that future City Council elections will be held by-district for City Council members and at-large for the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, March 3, 2020, marked the first election of City Councilmembers to be elected by district (Districts 2, 4, and 6), and June 7, 2022, continued the election process where the other three at-large City Councilmembers were elected by-district (Districts 1, 3, and 5); and WHEREAS, in 2024 and 2026 the City continued to elect Councilmembers by-district and understands the value of at-large governance regardless of the method from which City Councilmembers are elected; and
WHEREAS, governing at-large allows for the continuation of accessible customer service, the most effective use of taxpayer resources, and consistency in City services; and NOW, THEREFORE the City Council of the City of Torrance does resolve as follows:
(1) The City Council will govern on an at-large basis, considering the needs and interests of the entire community. The City Council wishes to remain united in its service to the community; and
(2) Any member of the City Council will help anyone in the community who calls or contacts them. Customer service is the priority; and
(3) Professional management in a strong City Manager form of government will continue, with all of the best management practices that the City Council expects now.
Resources will be allocated based on needs and expertise; and INTRODUCED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 11th day of August, 2026.
Mayor Sharon Kalani
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Patrick Q. Sullivan, City Attorney
ATTEST:
Rebecca Poirier, MMC, City Clerk
2 ATTACHMENT 1