8D
Date: September 1, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
Alvin Papa, Public Works Director
By: Carlos Huizar, Management Associate | [email protected] Subject: City Manager and Public Works – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Approve and Authorize Mayor to Execute Temporary Construction Easement Located on City-Owned Property at 20500 Madrona Avenue for the Goldsworthy Desalter Expansion Project.
Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager and Public Works Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Guideline Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); and
2. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a non-exclusive Temporary Construction Easement to the benefit of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) located on a portion of City-owned property located at 20500 Madrona Avenue for work related to the Goldsworth Desalter Expansion Project.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The City of Torrance owns real property located at 20500 Madrona Avenue, commonly known as the City Yard (APN 7352-012-909). The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) is currently advancing its Goldsworthy Desalter Expansion Project and has requested a non-exclusive Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) over a portion of this property to support required construction, equipment storage, and operational activities. The desalter expansion project serves to enhance regional water treatment capabilities and bolster long-term groundwater reliability.
The proposed TCE grants WRD temporary access to construct, install, and place both underground and above-ground utilities, water treatment process equipment, chemical storage facilities, pipelines, drain lines, and electrical ductbanks. Additionally, it allows for the temporary staging and storage of construction equipment, supplies, fill material, and waste. The agreement becomes effective September 1, 2026, and will remain in effect until WRD provides written notice of completion or until December 31, 2029, whichever occurs first. Upon project completion or expiration of the easement, WRD is required, at its sole expense, to remove all temporary 1 City Council
September 1, 2026
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structures, equipment, and debris, and to restore the site to a condition equal to or better than its pre-entry state. Following the completion of construction, the City and WRD will separately negotiate a Permanent Utility Easement to accommodate the permanent infrastructure built on the property.
All activities conducted within the easement area must adhere strictly to Torrance Municipal Code Section 46.3.1 regarding allowable construction hours, limiting work to weekdays between 7:30 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. and Saturdays between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., with work strictly prohibited on Sundays and City-observed holidays unless prior written authorization is granted by the Community Development Director. To protect the City's operational and financial interests, WRD is required to fully indemnify and hold the City harmless, as well as maintain comprehensive commercial general liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation insurance naming the City as an additional insured.
The proposed Temporary Construction Easement facilitates vital regional water infrastructure improvements while safeguarding the City's operational, real property, and financial interests.
Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the Temporary Construction Easement Deed with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The proposed action has been reviewed in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines. Staff has determined that the issuance of the Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) is Categorically Exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities).
Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Granting a temporary, non- exclusive construction easement on municipal land (City Yard) to facilitate equipment storage, utility connections, and operational support for existing public utility infrastructure involves negligible expansion of use beyond current operations.
ATTACHMENT
1. Temporary Construction Easement
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TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT DEED
This Temporary Construction Easement Deed (the "Easement Deed") is made and entered into as of September 1, 2026 (the "Effective Date" ), by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE , a California municipal corporation ( "Grantor" or "City"), and the WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, a water replenishment district formed under division 18 of the California Water Code ("Grantee" or "WRD"). Grantor and Grantee are each individually referred to herein as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties."
WHEREAS, City is the owner of certain real property located in the City of Torrance, County of Los Angeles, State of California, commonly known as 20500 Madrona Avenue, Torrance, California 90503, identified as Parcel "1" of Parcel Map No. 15380, filed in Book 226, Pages 59 and 60 of Parcel Maps in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder, Assessor Parcel No. 7352-012-909 (the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, Grantee has requested a temporary construction easement over and across a portion of the Property for construction, storage, and related operational activities as part of WRD's Goldsworthy Desalter Expansion Project, which portion is more particularly described as the "Temporary Construction Easement Area" in Exhibit A and depicted on the map in Exhibit B, both attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference; and
WHEREAS, City desires to grant, and WRD desires to accept, a non-exclusive temporary construction easement upon and subject to the terms, covenants, and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Grant of Easement and Permit to Enter and Construct The City hereby grants to WRD a non-exclusive temporary easement in, on, over and across the Temporary Construction Easement Area, for the purposes, and on the terms and conditions, set forth below.
2. Purpose and Use of Easement. The easement granted herein is a non-exclusive temporary easement for the purpose of constructing, demolishing, installing, and placing permanent and temporary underground and above-ground utilities, water treatment process equipment, chemical storage facilities, walls, structures, water pipelines, drain lines, electrical ductbanks, temporary storage of materials, equipment, fill material, and waste materials, operation of construction equipment, and any other activity reasonably necessary to carry out the construction activities for the Goldsworthy Desalter Expansion Project.
3. Term. This Temporary Construction Easement Deed shall become effective on September 1, 2026, and shall continue in full force and effect until either written notice by WRD is provided to City that work within the Temporary Construction Easement Area has been completed or December 31, 2029, whichever occurs first. Despite completion of the Work and termination, all remaining performance obligations, indemnities, and restoration duties shall survive termination of this Temporary Construction Easement Deed. The Parties acknowledge that they intend to enter into a permanent easement once construction is complete and that such agreement will be separately negotiated; there is no expectation that any term herein will automatically be included in the permanent easement.
4. Easement As-ls. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the easement in the Temporary Construction Easement Area is conveyed by the City to WRD, and WRD hereby accepts the easement in the Temporary Construction Easement Area "AS IS, WHERE IS, AND WITH ALL FAULTS." The City makes no representations or warranties whatsoever, express or implied (including those implied by the terms "grant," "convey," or "deed," or those implied by any other term herein), or arising by operation of law with respect to the title, maintenance, repair, condition, design, or suitability of the Temporary Construction Easement Area, including, without limitation:
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1. any implied or express warranty of merchantability;
2. any implied or express warranty of fitness for a particular purpose;
3. any implied or express warranty of conformity to any models or specifications; or
4. any claim by WRD for damages because of defects, whether latent or patent, known or unknown, with respect to the Temporary Construction Easement Area. It is the express intention of the Parties that the Temporary Construction Easement Area be conveyed to, and accepted by, WRD in its present condition and state of repair.
5. City Access and Non-Interference with Operations. WRD acknowledges and agrees that the Temporary Construction Easement Area overlaps with or provides access to critical City facilities, including the municipal car wash, fleet fueling facility, and sweeper dump. WRD and WRD Affiliates shall conduct all activities within the Temporary Construction Easement Area in a manner that ensures unimpeded, continuous, and safe ingress and egress for City personnel, vehicles, and equipment to and from these facilities at all times. WRD shall not store equipment, staging items, dirt, waste, or materials of any kind within designated paths of travel, and shall maintain adequate dimensional clearances and staging controls necessary to permit the uninterrupted passage and operation of City municipal service vehicles.
6. Construction and Maintenance. All work performed within the Temporary Construction Easement Area, and any structures or improvements constructed thereon or therein, must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes, codes, standards, and regulations. WRD, at its sole cost and expense, shall maintain the Temporary Construction Easement Area in a safe and clean condition during the term of this Easement Deed and shall promptly repair any damage to the Property arising from the use or exercise of rights or performance of obligations under this Easement Deed by WRD or any of its officers, employees, contractors, subcontractors, agents, representatives, consultants, and invitees (collectively, the "WRD Affiliates").
Upon completion of the construction activities or expiration/termination of this Easement Deed, whichever is earlier, WRD shall, at its sole cost and expense, remove all temporary structures, equipment, excess materials, waste, and debris, and restore the Temporary Construction Easement Area and any adjacent impacted portions of the Property to a condition equal to or better than that existing prior to WRD's entry.
7. Construction Schedule. All work within the Temporary Construction Easement Area must abide by Torrance Municipal Code Section 46.3.1 ( Construction of Building and Projects ), which limits construction hours to 7:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturdays. Construction is strictly prohibited on Sundays and Holidays observed by City Hall. The City’s Community Development Director may allow expanded hours and days of construction if unusual circumstances and conditions exist. Such requests must be made in writing by WRD and must receive written approval by the Director prior to any expansion of the hours and days restricted above.
8. Indemnification. WRD hereby agrees to indemnify, defend (by counsel reasonably acceptable to City), and hold harmless the City, its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, representatives, and volunteers (collectively, the "City Indemnitees") from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, proceedings, judgments, fines, penalties, encumbrances, liens, damages of any type, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, litigation expenses and reasonable attorneys' and experts' fees), liabilities, or losses (collectively, the "Liabilities"), arising out of or in connection with:
1. the use, occupation, or activity within the Temporary Construction Easement Area or Property by WRD or any WRD Affiliates;
2. the acts, errors, or omissions (including negligence or willful misconduct) of WRD or any WRD Affiliates during the term of this Easement Deed;
3. the work performed by WRD or WRD Affiliates pursuant to this Easement Deed;
4. the non-performance, breach, or violation by WRD or any WRD Affiliate of any term, condition, 4 3
or covenant of this Easement Deed; and/or
5. the handling, generation, storage, transportation, presence, or release of Hazardous Materials in, on, under, or about the Temporary Construction Easement Area or Property caused or exacerbated by WRD or any WRD Affiliates during the term of this Easement Deed.
For the purposes of this Easement Deed, "Hazardous Materials" means any element, compound, chemical mixture, contaminant, pollutant, material, waste, or substance defined, determined, or identified as hazardous, toxic, or dangerous under any applicable federal, state, or local environmental law or regulation.
9. Release and Waiver. WRD, on behalf of itself, the WRD Affiliates, and their respective successors and assigns, hereby releases the City Indemnitees from any and all risk of loss, damage, or injury of any kind to any person or property (including equipment, materials, and structures) occurring within the Temporary Construction Easement Area or arising out of the performance of the work, except to the extent caused by the sole active negligence or willful misconduct of the City. WRD, on behalf of itself and WRD Affiliates, waives all claims and demands against the City Indemnitees pertaining to such Liabilities.
10. Insurance Coverage. WRD must maintain at their sole expense the following insurance, which will be full coverage, not subject to self-insurance provisions:
(a) 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 $2,000,000 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.
(b) 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). (c) 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.
The insurance provided by WRD will be primary and noncontributory. 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 WRD 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 WRD. Any available insurance proceeds in excess of the specified minimum limits of insurance and coverage shall be available to the City.
11. Successors and Assigns. This Temporary Construction Easement Deed will be binding on the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. In no event may WRD sell, transfer, assign, or encumber the rights or obligations conveyed by this Temporary Construction Easement Deed without the express prior written consent of the City.
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12. Breach, Restoration, and Remedies.
(a) Injunctive and Other Relief: Should any Party undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any activity in violation of this Easement Deed, or refuse after reasonable notice from the other Party to stop any activity in violation hereof, the non-breaching Party will have the right to obtain injunctive relief or writs from courts of competent jurisdiction in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, to stop any prohibited activity. The Parties shall have the right to seek temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and provisional equitable relief, provided the seeking Party determines in good faith that immediate relief is required and provides notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure.
(b) Cumulative Remedies: The remedies of the City and WRD set forth herein are cumulative. Any or all remedies may be invoked if there is an actual or threatened violation of this Easement Deed.
(c) Delay in Enforcement: Enforcement of the terms and provisions hereof is at the discretion of the Parties. Any forbearance to exercise rights in the event of a breach will not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of rights in any subsequent breach.
13. Liens. WRD shall keep the Property and Temporary Construction Easement Area free and clear of all mechanics', materialmen's, and contractor liens resulting from work performed, materials furnished, or obligations incurred by or for WRD. If any such lien is recorded against the Property or Easement Area, WRD shall, within fifteen (15) calendar days after notice of filing, cause the lien to be discharged, satisfied, or bonded off at WRD's sole cost and expense.
14. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Third-Party Beneficiaries: No governmental agency, person, or entity other than the Parties hereto shall have the right to enforce any term of this Easement Deed. (b) Governing Law and Venue: This Easement Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Venue for any action arising hereunder shall be in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
(c) Entire Agreement: This Easement Deed sets forth the entire understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein. (d) Compliance with Law: WRD and WRD Affiliates shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations in exercising rights under this Easement Deed. (e) Attorneys' Fees: In the event of any action or proceeding between the Parties to enforce or interpret any provision of this Easement Deed, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing Party all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expert witness fees.
(f) (Notices: All notices, requests, demands, or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, sent by certified mail (return receipt requested), or sent by overnight express courier, with courtesy copies sent via email to:
(i) CITY OF TORRANCE
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503
Attn: Carlos Huizar, Senior Management Associate
[email protected]
(ii) WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICT
4040 Paramount Blvd
Lakewood, CA 90712
Att: Selim Eren, P.E.
[email protected]
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(g) Modification; Severability; Waiver: This Easement Deed may only be modified in writing signed by authorized representatives of both Parties. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. (h) (h) No Fee Interest Transferred: Nothing in this Temporary Construction Easement Deed shall be construed as transferring any fee title interest in the Temporary Construction Easement Area or the Property to WRD.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Temporary Construction Easement Deed on the dates set forth below, but this Temporary Construction Easement Deed is effective as of the date identified in Paragraph 3 above.
CITY OF TORRANCE,
a California municipal corporation
________________________________
Sharon Kalani
Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Rebecca Poirier, MMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN
CITY ATTORNEY
_________________________________
Patrick Q. Sullivan
City Attorney
WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICT OF
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,
a water replenishment district formed under
Division 18 of the California Water Code
Stephen Tucker
General Manager
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - Legal Description of Temporary Construction Easement Area
Exhibit B - Exhibit Map of Temporary Construction Easement Area
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EXHIBIT “A”
THAT PORTION OF PARCEL 1 OF PARCEL MAP NO. 15380, IN THE CITY OF
TORRANCE, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AS PER MAP RECORDED IN BOOK 226, PAGES 59-60, INCLUSIVE, OF PARCEL MAPS, IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER OF SAID COUNTY. MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWESTERLY CORNER OF SAID PARCEL 1 AS SHOWN ON SAID PARCEL MAP; THENCE SOUTH 89°59’51” EAST 8.17 FEET ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID PARCEL 1 TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING ; THENCE THE FOLLWING 57 COURSES:
1. NORTH 15°10'06" EAST 20.45 FEET;
2. NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 11.50 FEET;
3. SOUTH 89°50'23" WEST 6.75 FEET;
4. NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 36.75 FEET;
5. SOUTH 32°15'31" WEST 12.48 FEET TO THE EASTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF MADRONA AVENUE HAVING A HALF WIDTH OF 49.00 FEET AS SHOWN ON SAID PARCEL MAP;
6. THENCE ALONG SAID LINE, NORTH 00°09'37" WEST 25. 83 FEET;
7. THENCE LEAVING SAID LINE, NORTH 32°15'31" EAST 3 5.34 FEET;
8. NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 15.17 FEET;
9. NORTH 89°50'23" EAST 7.00 FEET;
10. NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 18.50 FEET;
11. SOUTH 89°50'23" WEST 25.83 FEET TO SAID LINE;
12. THENCE ALONG LINE NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 54.91 FEET;
13. THENCE LEAVING SAID LINE SOUTH 89°28'09" EAST 8.00 FEET;
14. NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 14.58 FEET;
15. SOUTH 89°28'09" EAST 20.28 FEET;
16. NORTH 00°08'15" EAST 86.83 FEET;
17. SOUTH 89°28'09" EAST 18.96 FEET;
18. NORTH 00°09'37" WEST 18.88 FEET;
19. SOUTH 89°36'22" EAST 81.62 FEET;
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20. NORTH 00°11'46" EAST 9.42 FEET;
21. NORTH 89°15'04" EAST 7.38 FEET;
22. NORTH 00°09'28" WEST 15.22 FEET;
23. SOUTH 89°50'32" WEST 136.24 FEET TO SAID LINE;
24. THENCE ALONG SAID LINE NORTH 00°04'00" EAST 7.25 FEET;
25. THENCE LEAVING SAID LINE NORTH 89°50'32" EAST 173.40 FEET;
26. SOUTH 00°09'28" EAST 173.20 FEET;
27. SOUTH 89°51'08" EAST 42.16 FEET;
28. NORTH 45°10'36" EAST 61.87 FEET;
29. SOUTH 89°58'59" EAST 85.20 FEET;
30. SOUTH 44°50'41" EAST 104.58 FEET;
31. NORTH 89°16'57" EAST 122.70 FEET;
32. SOUTH 00°40'36" WEST 25.73 FEET TO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF PARCEL 2 HAVING A BEARING AND DISTANCE OF NORTH 89°59’51” WEST 301.63 FEET AS SHOWN ON SAID PARCEL MAP;
33. THENCE NORTH 89°59'51" WEST 71.02 FEET ALONG SAID LINE TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF PARCEL 2;
34. THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE WESTERLY LINE OF PARCEL 2 SOUTH 00°04'00" WEST 30.17 FEET;
35. THENCE LEAVING SAID LINE SOUTH 89°16'57" WEST 62.42 FEET;
36. SOUTH 45°08'17" WEST 108.04 FEET;
37. SOUTH 00°09'28" EAST 17.83 FEET TO SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF PARCEL 1;
38. THENCE NORTH 89°59'51" WEST 13.50 FEET ALONG SAID LINE;
39. THENCE LEAVING SAID LINE NORTH 00°09'28" WEST 30.46 FEET;
40. NORTH 45°08'17" EAST 134.17 FEET;
41. NORTH 44°50'46" WEST 113.52 FEET;
42. NORTH 89°58'52" WEST 64.07 FEET;
43. SOUTH 45°10'32" WEST 36.78 FEET;
44. SOUTH 89°51'18" EAST 1.32 FEET;
45. SOUTH 00°09'28" EAST 24.50 FEET;
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46. NORTH 89°50'32" EAST 7.00 FEET;
47. SOUTH 00°09'28" EAST 76.84 FEET;
48. SOUTH 89°50'32" WEST 15.70 FEET;
49. NORTH 00°09'28" WEST 89.40 FEET;
50. NORTH 89°51'47" WEST 61.32 FEET;
51. SOUTH 00°09'23" EAST 83.68 FEET;
52. SOUTH 80°33'22" EAST 4.43 FEET;
53. SOUTH 09°27'20" WEST 5.37 FEET;
54. SOUTH 89°50'32" WEST 98.95 FEET;
55. NORTH 00°15'33" EAST 133.25 FEET;
56. SOUTH 89°50'32" WEST 47.36 FEET;
57. SOUTH 00°15'33" WEST 210.98 FEET TO SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF PARCEL 1;
58. THENCE ALONG SAID LINE NORTH 89°59'51" WEST 23.20 FEET TO THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING .
CONTAINS 49,922 SQUARE FEET, MORE OR LESS.
EXHIBIT “B” ATTACHED HERETO AND BY THIS REFERENCE MADE A PART THEREOF
PREPARED UNDER MY DIRECTION
______________________________ ________________ _
ROGER A. WATKINS, LS 7637 DATE
LICENSE EXPIRES 12/31/2026
08/21/2026
11 MADRONA AVENUE
SPENCER STREET
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PARCEL MAP NO. 15380℄
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PARCEL 1M.B. 226/59-60
N000'00"EBASIS OF BEARINGS
WRD TORRANCE DESALTER EASEMENTEXHIBIT "B"TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT LEGEND:P.O.C.T.P.O.C.
SCALE: 1"=60'
BASIS OF BEARINGS:NOTES:
12 M.B. 226/59-60PARCEL 1PARCEL MAP NO. 15380
PARCEL 2
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13 WRD TORRANCE DESALTER EASEMENTEXHIBIT "B"TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT NOTES:LINE TABLES
14