This video demonstrates the formal process by which a municipal city council appoints members to various city commissions and committees. The process involves: (1) a public nomination period where council members can nominate qualified applicants, (2) a public comment period for community input, (3) a roll call vote where council members vote for candidates, and (4) a formal oath-taking ceremony for newly appointed members. The council follows specific rules of order, including majority vote requirements and term assignment procedures. This structured approach ensures transparency, community involvement, and democratic accountability in municipal governance.
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Torrance City Council Meeting July 21, 2026
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production. We're waiting for the city clerk.
Okay. Hey, good evening. I will call the city council meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. City Clerk, may I have a roll call, please?
>> Council member Gerson, >> present.
>> Council member Cartonus, >> present.
>> Council member Lewis, >> present.
>> Council member Lou, >> present.
>> Council member Shake, >> present.
>> Mayor Colani, >> present. The council will now recess to close session to confer with the city manager and city attorney on agenda items listed under 13A conference with legal counsel existing litigation, 13B, real property conference with real property negotiator, 13 C conference with legal counsel anticipated litigation and 13D conference with labor negotiator. A closed session on these matters is authorized by California Government Code section 54956.9D1, 54946.8, 54956.9D, and 54957.6.
We will return after close session.
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Okay, good evening. Um, I'll now reconvene our city council meeting at 6:31 and we are glad that you are all here.
Um, I want to welcome you for joining the meeting tonight in council chamber as well as those watching remotely.
We have been in close session. City manager, do we have any actions to report?
>> Good evening, honor. No action to report. Thank you.
>> Thank you. And now we're moving on to item two, the flag salute and invocation. We honor those who make it possible for us to be here today. Is there anyone here in the audience who is on active duty or mil or a military veteran? Please stand or raise your hand so that we may recognize you.
>> Thank you. Our flag salute tonight, if you remain standing, will be by Council Member Cartsonus and our non-securan invocation by Council Member Lewis.
>> All right. Please rise if you have not already. Remove any caps. Face the flag over here. And you may begin. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you.
>> Please remain standing. Gracious Lord, we come before you in gratitude for our city and its new leaders and continuing leaders. We ask for your guidance, your wisdom, and your peace. Unite our leaders and our city with a shared vision for the common good and grant all of us with the strength to serve with integrity, humility, and compassion.
We also pray that you inspire all of us to work together for fairness and prosperity of our great city. May your love and light guide us forward. Amen.
>> Amen.
And now we have a special uh presentation and announcement.
Um we have a special person in our staff, our city manager, Mr. Ram Chaparian celebrating 25 years with us.
Happy anniversary to you.
Happy anniversary to you. Happy anniversary dear Mr. Chiparian. Happy anniversary to you.
We're coming for Hold on. Hold on.
>> You push this, please.
I'm not going to protocol sake off the fire.
>> I want to be at 52.
Thank you so much. Very nice. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you for letting us do that. It's really important. We really appreciate you, sir. Um, so now we're moving on to item three, announcements of withdrawal, deferred, and or supplemental items.
>> Where do I begin? Thank you, honor, mayor, mayor, and counselor. I truly appreciate your kind gesture. It was 25 years ago on u July 16th that I walked into city hall as an intern and um who would have thought 25 years later would be here celebrating. But I really appreciate all of you and the prior mayor and council members including Mr. Jackson and Mayor Jordano who uh were instrumental and Kim Turner who gave me my first big boy full-time job. So thank you with that honor. There are no supplemental materials available on the city website. Thank you all.
>> All right. Thank you. We'll go ahead and move on to item four. I'll take a motion to wave further readings of resolutions and ordinances after a number in title if we have any.
>> So moved.
>> Second.
>> Start voting please.
Are you having problems?
>> I may need some assistance.
>> Oh, you got to press your button. Your name first.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you for the help.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you very much. Um, moving on to Item five, council meeting minutes and staff announcements. I would like to invite social service commission chair Karen Prior to the podium to introduce the back to school supply drive.
>> Good evening. Thank you, Mayor Mayor Colani.
>> Thank you.
>> So awesome to say that. Uh members of city council and all you fabulous people up here. My name is Karen Prior. I am the chair of the social services commission and we would like to encourage the community to participate in our annual back to school supply drive.
This is held in partnership with Torrance Unified School District. Every donation helps provide students in the district who are in foster care or experiencing homelessness with the essential school supplies they need for a successful school year.
Requested donations include, but are not limited to, backpacks, lunch bags, notebooks, folders, binders, umbrellas, hair products, and other essential school supplies. Collection boxes are currently located in the city hall lobby, permit center, Walteria Library, and North Torrance Library. The supply drive ends, it says this Friday, June 23rd. It's June 24th. You know, we'll take them into next week, I think. Uh to view view the complete list of requested items, please visit torancia.govhel others. And if you have any questions, please call 310-618-5880 or email social services commission torrenca.gov.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Commissioner Prior.
>> Chief Dum.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh good evening mayor and members of the city council. David Dumay, fire chief. I would like to write the remind the community that the Torrance refining company will be conducting the monthly test of the community alert sirens on Wednesday, August 5th at 11:30 a.m. That's two weeks from now. As a reminder, this is only a test. The test will include a one minute allclear chime followed by a two-minut siren tone and another minute of the allclear chimes. Total testing time will not exceed 5 minutes. It is important to note the siren tone may be heard farther than the chimes. During an actual emergency, you will hear the sirens. We encourage the community to take action to shelter, shut, and listen for instructions from the city. Shelter in place means if you are outside while at home, go inside. Close all windows, doors, and vents, and turn off air conditioning. Listen for instructions from local cable, radio, social media sites, and through the Torrance Alert app. If driving, continue to drive.
Close all windows and vents. Set air conditioning to recirculate. Turn your radio to 16:20 a.m. city sounds for local instructions. If you're in your car, do not start the engine. Close all windows and vents and turn your radio to 1620 city sounds for instructions.
Listen for the chimes that signal the allclear message to signal the emergency has concluded. For additional information, residents may contact the Torrance Refining Company, Community Relations at 310-2121852.
That's 310-2121852.
We also encourage Torrance residents and businesses to sign up for Torrance Alerts, which is Torrance's emergency notification warning system. Torrance Alerts delivers early warning and real-time updates during emergencies such as earthquakes, fire, fires, or public health events. When action is needed, like evacuations, a avoid, or shelter in place, you'll receive alerts by phone, email, text, or through the Torrance Alert app. For more information regarding Torrance Alerts, please go to the city's web page at www.torranca.gov forward/orrance alerts. Thank you, your honor.
>> Thank you, Chief Demay. We're now moving on to community matters with 6A. Our next item is a special recognition from our community services department. The city's proud to recognize the friends of the Torrance Theater Company for their generous $35,000 donation to support this year's Torrance Theater Company 2026 summer musical Frozen. The Friends of the Torrance Theater Company have long supported the city's productions by funding the live orchestra each season.
This year's contribution will also help offset the additional costs of bringing the spectacular production to life, including scenery, costumes, and puppet building materials. Frozen opens Saturday, August 8th, 2026, and closes Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 at the James Armstrong Theater located at 3330 Civic Center Drive in Torrance. This production is directed by Jim Horml, uh, choreographed by Swan Throwbridge with music and vocal direction by Bradley Hampton. The show is selling out fast, so you'll want to get your tickets right away at www.thor torancetheater company.com or at the James Armstrong Theater box office by calling 310-7817171.
310-781-7171.
Along with tickets to the show, you can purchase VIP packages at torancetheaterco company.com, including a royal coronation ceremony, theell welcome station, and let it snow family photo experiences. Now, I'd like to ask Harry Jordan from the friends of the Torrance Theater Company to say a few words and present the donation check.
and we'll go down for a picture.
>> Thank you, Mayor Council, uh everyone else up here. I appreciate the time.
We've just uh you said it perfectly, no notes. Um the uh we've just continued to support the city uh by raising money to continue to bring quality live theater to the residents of the city and beyond.
And so we're just happy and proud to be here to to uh present this $35,000 check to the city uh for Frozen. And uh we appreciate all the information that you provided because now I don't have anything else to say.
>> Thank you. So we're going to come down for a little opportunity.
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>> Okay, moving on to 6B from our city clerk.
>> Thank you, your honor. Rebecca Pouyet, city clerk. It is my recommendation that city council take action to fill vacancies on various commissions by appointing qualified applicants. All applicants have been verified as registered voters of the city of Torrance who have completed commission certification training and if a current seated commissioner completed ethics AB1234 and non-supervisory harassment prevention trainings. The appointment process will be as follows. Applicants in attendance will be asked to stand as their name is called. Then the mayor will allow members of the public to have an opportunity to speak. Mayor will call for nominations from council. If a council member wishes to nominate, they may request to speak and the mayor will acknowledge them. Council members may only nominate one applicant. Please speak into your microphone and state the name clearly. Once an applicant has been nominated, they do not need to be nominated. a second time. Council members may choose to concur with the applicant that has already been nominated or remain silent. Council members may choose not to nominate an applicant as well. The nomination process should narrow the field of applicants for voting.
After nominations are closed, mayor will request a roll call vote. Council members will clearly state the name of the candidate they are voting for.
Please speak into the microphone. To be appointed, the applicant must receive a majority of votes from the city council per council rules of order section 4.8.
If there is a tie, a coin toss may be used to determine the terms.
Your honor, I will now call the applicant's names. It should be noted that um applicant Fury and applicant Pascal are unable to attend tonight.
Russell Akayyama, Adam Batino, Charles Demer, Paul Fox, Judy Gerber, Cameron Henen, Phil Hong, Mia Cartsonus, Kenneth Lou, Steven Lays, Brennan Menddees, Michelle Pulkari, Adam Razic, Gary Safarian, Arohi Chararma, Tyler Styver, Joy Sun, Alex Truman, Christopher Truman, Tmaine White, and Tony Yay.
I now turn the process over to you, Mayor.
>> Thank you very much. Uh, we will designate up to 10 minutes for members of the public to comment. City clerk, has anyone signed up to speak prior to the start of the meeting? No one signed up for this item, your honor.
>> Oh, I'm so sorry, everyone. You can sit down. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Member Lewis.
Does anyone from the public wish to be heard on the appointments? You have up to three minutes to address the council.
Okay, I see no one. We'll now take remote participants. Callers can press star 9 to raise their hand. Staff, is there anyone that would like to speak?
>> Your honor, there are no remote callers.
>> Okay, thank you very much. I will now start to accept nominations for the planning commission. And I think we'll go ahead and start to my left with council member Gerson.
>> I would like to nominate Adam Razi.
I would like to nominate Arohi Shama.
>> I would like to nominate Adam Batino.
>> Council member Shik.
>> Mine have been nominated. Thank you.
>> Mine have been nominated already as well.
Sorry, your honor. To clarify, um, the nominations were Adam Raznik, Adam Batino, and was there a third one?
>> Shama.
>> Okay. Thank you. My apologies.
Was that Are you closing the nominations? Okay. Would you like me to start the voting?
>> Yes, please. Please start the voting.
>> Council member Gerson.
>> Adam Razi.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. You pick two AOI Chararma.
>> Council member Cartonus, please pick two.
>> Miss Chararma and Mr. Batino.
Council member Lewis, >> Patino and Sharma, >> Council Member Lou, >> Arohi Sharma and Adam Pat Batino, >> Council Member Shake, >> Miss Sharma and uh Adam Lzak, >> Mayor Colani, Adam Batino and a Rohi Chararma.
>> Your honor, I have a Rohi Sharma with six votes and Adam Batino with four. Um, that does ratify. You do have met the council rules of order. I would suggest that since Miss Chararma got more votes, she get the longer term and Mr. Batino get the shorter term.
>> Do you need a motion for that?
>> No, we do one motion at the end of all the appointments.
>> Okay.
Mayor, Mayor Colani, >> can I interject one question? I'm going to have to be recused from some of these. So, when we do one motion at the end, >> do we >> we could if if you'd like I I'm apologize, council member. I forgot you will be recusing yourself.
>> Why don't we do a motion now for planning? Thank you.
>> I apologize. I'm making it more.
>> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion.
>> Aro Arohi Sharma take the term expend uh expiring in 2030 and Adam Betino take um taking the term that expires in 2029.
>> Second start voting please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you and congratulations to both of you.
So correct me if please correct me if I'm wrong. Clerk Poyet, they'll please stay so that you can >> Yes, please stay at the end of all of the appointments. Those who are appointed will be asked to come forward and take the oath of office.
>> Thank you. I'll now accept nominations for the Civil Service Commission. And we'll start to my right with Council Member Cart.
I'm going to nominate Mr. White.
>> And that is all of our potential nominees for this commission.
>> Well, we did have one other person who was on the list, but he got appointed to the previous one.
>> That is correct.
>> Sorry, that's why I was waiting for the >> Is there anyone that would like to make a motion? I move that we um appoint Tmaine White to the Civil Service Commission ending in 2030.
>> I second that.
>> No, wait.
>> She said it.
>> Council member Lewis, did you second that?
>> Okay. Could you please click in, please?
>> Council member. Yeah, there you go.
Start voting please. Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you. Congratulations, sir.
>> I will now accept nominations for the Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission. We're going to start with Commissioner Lou.
I'd like to nominate Russell Akiyama and Brennan Mendes.
>> You may only nominate one applicant.
>> I'll do Mr. Akiyama first.
>> Paul Fox, >> Adam Reszi, >> mine were nominated. Thank you.
>> Nominated and so >> Oh, pardon me.
>> I will nominate Mr. Mendes.
>> I'm sorry I couldn't hear you. Council member Gerson.
>> Menddees.
>> Menddees. Okay.
>> Okay, we're ready for a roll. Council member Cartsonus, >> please vote for two.
>> Mr. Akiyama and Mr. Fox.
>> Council member Lewis, please vote for two.
>> Akiyama and Fox.
>> Council member Lou, please vote for two.
>> Akiyama and Mendes.
>> Council member Shake.
>> Akiama and Fox.
Council member Gerson, >> Akiyama and Mendes, >> Mayor Khani, >> Akiyama and Fox, >> your honor, I have Akiyama with six votes and Fox with four.
Uh, both terms expire at the same time.
Um, would you like to take a motion to confirm those?
Yeah. Let's take a motion to confirm both Russell Akiyama and Paul Fox onto the quality and energy environmental quality and energy conservation commission.
>> So moved.
>> Second >> start voting please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
Congratulations, gentlemen. Uh the next historic preservation um commission, we have uh one person for two seats. Do we want to take a motion to appoint Miss Hansen?
>> I would like to make a motion to appoint Cammy Henson to historic preservation to a term expiring in 2030. Second.
>> I'll second that.
Start voting, please.
>> Did you vote?
>> Council member Lewis. Thank you. Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Congratulations, Miss.
Okay, moving on to nominations for the airport commission. Let's quickly remove uh >> Mayor Colani, I'm going to ask that I be recused for this item uh as my wife is on the appointment list and although the compensation to these positions is very low, it is a potential conflict of interest from financial standpoint. So, I'll be right behind I'll be right behind that door.
>> Thank you. and just confirming that everyone um that's on our commission list is still >> Yes.
>> Okay. So, we're going to start with council membership.
>> Yeah. I nominate uh Mr. Gary Safarian.
>> I will go ahead and nominate Adam Razac.
>> Uh mine are already taken.
>> Council member Luke.
>> Mine are taken. Council member Curtson, >> I'll nominate me at Curtsonus.
>> Okay, ready to vote?
>> Thank you, your honor. I'm getting ready. I've got to cross off names and do things down here. Um, let's see. Did we have a motion? Oh, no.
We're voting. Sorry. Council member Lewis, pick two, please.
Razic and Safharian.
>> Council member Lou, pick two, please.
>> Razak and Safarian.
>> Council member Shake, pick two, please.
>> Razak and Safharian.
>> Council member Gerson, pick two, please.
>> Razak and Spirian.
>> I'm sorry. What was your second choice?
>> Gary. Okay. Thank you, Mayor Colani.
>> Razac and Safhiri, >> your honor, they both got five votes.
Both terms end in 2030.
>> I move that we um appoint Adam Razac and Gary Safarian to the airport commission terms expiring in 2030.
>> Second.
>> Start voting, please.
Your honor, that motion carries with council member Cartsonus recused.
Uh, >> Commission on Aging.
>> Yes.
Council member Lewis wishes to speak.
I would like to get council concurrence to um accept more applications for the commission on aging.
>> Can I have a concurrence to accept further applications on the commission of aging?
>> There we have it. There's a request for a concurrence to accept more applications for the commission on aging whether rather than choosing the seat.
>> Your honor, that would be to direct the city clerk to advertise and solicit more applications. Correct. Yes.
>> Okay. Let me revise that. To uh direct the city clerk to readvertise uh to openings on the commission for aging.
Do we need a concurrence or do we need a vote?
We >> you could do either. Do would you like to vote? You can make a motion.
>> What do you prefer? Make the motion.
>> Okay. I make a motion that we direct the city clerk to revertise uh the openings on the commission on aging.
I'll second it.
Start voting, please.
Your honor, that motion fails um with council member Gerson Cartson Lou and Shake voting no.
>> Okay, so we have um two seats with two applicants, Kenneth Lou and Christopher Truman. Is there a motion to um both to the commission? I'd like to make a motion that we appoint Kenneth Lou and Christopher Truman to the Commission on Aging. Both terms expire in 2030.
>> I second.
>> Start voting, please.
>> Your honor, that motion carries with Council Member Lewis abstaining.
>> Okay. Thank you. Congratulations.
Okay, we're moving on.
>> Your honor, please pause so that I can update the grids. Thank you.
>> Okay, thank you.
Thank you, your honor. I'm ready.
>> Yeah, I appreciate that. Um, city clerk, would you please go down the list and tell us who is already on a commission now at this point? Um, so for cultural arts, the applicants that have not been appointed to any other commission so far, Alex Truman, Pascal, Cardardoozo, Judith Gerber, Brennan Mendes, Tyler Styver.
>> Thank you. We'll go ahead and start again with Council Member Gerson.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I'd like to start with nominating J uh Judith Gerber.
>> Council member Lou.
>> I'd like to nominate >> Council Member Lewis.
>> I'd like to nominate Brendan Mendes.
>> Council member Shake.
I'd like to nominate Alex Tuman.
>> Council member Cartsonus.
>> I apologize. Um, city clerk, could you let us know who's nominated right now?
>> I'm sorry.
>> Could you let us know who's nominated?
>> Alex Truman, Pascal Cardo, Judith Gerber, and Brendan Mendes.
>> Okay. All All my nominees are nominated for this commission. Thank you.
>> I have no other nominees as well.
There are um three uh open positions on this commission. So you'll be voting for three. Council member Shake, please vote for three.
>> Thank you. Alex Truman, Pascal Cordo, and Judith Gerber.
>> Thank you. Council member Gerson, please vote for three.
>> Alex Truman.
Judith Gerber, Brennan Mendes.
>> Council member Cartson, please vote for three.
>> Gerber, Cardardoozo, and Truman.
>> You said Gerber, Cardardozo, and Truman.
>> Yes, I did. Thank you.
>> Thank you. You went out of order, so I had to check.
>> Apologize.
>> Council member Lewis, please vote for three.
>> Uh, Truman, Cordo, and Gerber.
Council member Lou, please vote for three.
>> Alex Truman, Pascal Cardardo, and Judith Gerber.
>> Mayor Colani, please vote for three.
>> Truman, Cardardoso, and Gerber.
>> Your honor, I have Alex Truman and Judy Gerber with six votes and Pascal Cardardoozo with five votes. I would recommend the two with the six votes receive the two longer terms and the one with the lesser votes receive the shorter term. I move that we nominate Alex Truman and Judith Gerber to the Cultural Arts Commission with terms expiring in 2030 and Pascal Cardardoo to the Cultural Arts Commission expiring in 2028.
>> I'll second that.
>> Start voting, please.
You honor that motion carried unanimously.
Congratulations.
>> Okay, moving on to the library commission.
>> One moment, your honor.
>> Sure. Thank you. Sorry about that.
Thank you, your honor. I'm ready now.
>> Thank you. Could you please let us know what applicants are still available for the library commission?
>> Yes, your honor. Joyce Sun, Steven Lays, and Tyler Styver.
>> Thank you. We'll go ahead and start the nomination process with council member Cartunus.
>> We can come back to you. Council member Shankin >> nominate Joy Sun, please.
>> Council member Lewis.
>> Nominate Tyler Styver.
Council member Lou, >> I nominate Stephan Lays.
>> Okay, so that's everyone that's available. If we can please go for roll call.
>> There are two terms. Both end in 2030.
You'll be voting for two. Council member Gerson, >> Steven Lays, and Tyl Tyler Styver.
Council member Cartson.
>> Um, Sun and Styivers.
>> Council member Lewis.
>> Sun and Styivers.
>> Council member Lou.
>> Joyce Sun and Steven Lays.
>> Council member Shake.
>> Miss Sun and Tyler Styver.
>> Mayor Colani. Sun and Styivers.
>> Okay. If my votes are correct, I have Joyce Sun and Tyler Styver each receiving five votes.
>> I make a motion that we appoint Joy Sun and Tyler Styvers to the library commission. Both terms expiring in 2030.
>> Second.
>> Start voting, please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Congratulations.
Okay, moving on to the Parks and Rex Commission.
>> One moment, your honor.
>> Pardon?
>> I said one moment, your honor.
>> Thank you. I appre >> Thank you, >> your honor. For parks and wreck, you have two terms and only one candidate available.
>> Steven Lace.
>> And the available candidate is Mr. >> Steven. Yes, Steven Lace. Can I make a motion to appoint Steven Lays to parks and rec commission expiring in 2030?
>> I second it.
>> Start voting, please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Congratulations.
>> Okay, moving on to the Social Services Commission. Could you please let us know what candidates are still available?
>> One moment, your honor.
I'm sorry.
I thought you I don't have it. Oh, there it is.
Somehow it only had one group.
Okay, your honor. Social services. There is one term and one applicant available.
Brennan Mendes.
>> I make a motion that we appoint Brendan Mendes to the surf social services commission with one term ending 6:30 2030.
>> Second.
>> Start voting, please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
Congratulations.
>> And I'm going to wait till the clerk tells me she's ready.
>> Okay. Ready for traffic.
>> Not >> traffic next. I'm sorry. Yes.
>> Okay. Moving on to >> SST should be last. It's a committee, not a commission.
>> Moving on to the traffic commission.
City clerk, can you tell us who is >> Mayor Colani? One of you to recuse myself. All right. apologize >> for the same reasons as before.
>> Okay, we'll give a moment for council member Cartsonus to leave.
>> If you could please let us know who's still available.
>> Yes, your honor. Phil Hong and Mia Cartsonus. And there are two terms.
>> Thank you. We're going to start with council. Oh, >> since they're just two people, can I just >> make the motion?
>> Yep, please.
>> All right. And I move that we appoint Phil Hong and Mia Cartsonus to the traffic commission. Both terms expire in 2030.
>> Second it.
>> Yeah.
>> I second.
>> Start voting please.
>> Your honor, that motion carries with Council Member Cartonus recused.
Congratulations.
>> And if my if my notes are correct, uh we have one seat with one available applicant for water. Is that correct?
>> That is correct, your honor.
>> So, we'll take a motion.
>> I make a motion to appoint Charles Demer to the water commission with a term expiring 6:30 2030.
>> I second.
>> Start voting, please.
Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
Congratulations.
And our last uh one, our SST oversight committee. We have three seats and three applicants, >> but one term expires in 29, right? So, how would you like us to handle it?
>> We'll take uh vote for two. Do you want to do that? I'm sorry.
>> If we take a vote for two, then the person with the least number >> I would recommend Michelle Porquari since hers is a reappoint that she gets one of the longer terms.
>> Okay.
>> Would you like me to make that motion or wait till the end?
>> Either way you would like to do it.
>> We still have one longer term and one shorter term.
>> Correct.
>> So, do you want to take a vote on Fury or Truman for the longer vote? for the longer appointment.
>> Go ahead, please.
>> I'll give a thumbs up.
>> I take fur I make a motion for fury for longer term.
>> I'll second that.
>> Please click in your motion. Please start voting. Please, your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Let me >> let me make it official then. Um, let me also >> a motion >> a motion to nominate um Perry also to the 2030 term.
>> You could do one motion and do Pul Kerry to 2030 and Christopher Truman to the 2029. I will add Chris Truman to the SST citizens oversight committee as well with the term expiring in 2029.
>> I second that.
>> Start voting please.
Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Congratulations.
>> Your honor, that concludes the uh commission appointments. Thank you.
You want to move on?
>> Oh, yeah.
For all of those appointed, please meet me up here at the podium.
>> Great.
about 30 years ago.
>> Raise your right hand. Repeat after me.
I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support and defend >> that I will support and defend >> the Constitution of >> the Constitution of >> the United States of America >> the United States of America >> and the Constitution of >> and the Constitution of >> the State of California >> the State of California >> against all enemies >> against all enemies >> foreign and domestic >> foreign and domestic. I will bear true faith and allegiance >> I will bear true faith and allegiance >> to the Constitution of >> to the Constitution of >> the United States of America >> the United States of America >> and the Constitution of >> and the Constitution of >> the State of California >> the State of California >> that I take this obligation freely >> that I take this obligation freely >> without any mental reservation >> without any mental reservation >> or purpose of evasion >> or purpose of evasion >> and I will faithfully discharge >> and I will faithfully discharge >> the duties upon >> the duties upon which I'm about to enter.
>> which I'm about to enter.
>> Congratulations. Please follow Teresa.
She will give you your oaths to sign and you're welcome back.
I want to say thank you to everyone that applied. If you weren't appointed tonight, I encourage you to apply again.
Torrance is very fortunate to have so many residents willing to volunteer on a commission. So, thank you again.
Okay, we're going to go ahead and move on to oral communications number one.
This portion of the meeting is reserved for comments on items under the consent calendar or items that are not on the agenda. Under the Ralph M. Brown Act.
City Council cannot act on items raised during public comment, but may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed, request clarification, or refer the item to staff. Speakers under orals are limited to either oral communications number one oral communications number two, and no longer than three minutes per speaker. For in-person participants, the time starts when you step up to the microphone. If presenting handout materials, time starts when you step up to the microphone and handouts should be provided 11 copies to the city clerk before speaking. Handouts will be distributed while you speak. In accordance with California State Senate Bill 707, the city has implemented remote public participation through Zoom to provide members of the public with an additional option to address the council during public comments. Members of the public attending remotely may call by dialing 1669-444-9171.
Callers can press star 9 to raise their hand if they would like to speak. When the last four digits of your number are called, you will be prompted to unmute.
Telephone participants should press star six to unmute before speaking. City clerk, has anyone signed up to speak?
>> Yes, your honor. Charlie Selenus.
Good evening, Honorable Mayor Kehlani, City Council. Uh congratulations to the new uh council people and uh Mayor Clanny, for those of us that assisted on your campaign, boy, are we glad that's over with and we and we got what we wanted. But although now our work is over, yours is just beginning. And I think we have to uh give credit to Mayor Chen for turning over a well functioning city.
And uh we have uh Chief J with your fire department keeps it a number one top-of-the-line fire department just like throughout its history. Chief Dunn coming on putting his foot down strict no fooling around and you earn the respect of the police officers and uh I think the community is behind you. I for myself. You can count on me anytime, anywhere.
>> Good evening.
>> Thank you. Does any member of the public that did not sign up wish to be heard at this time? If so, please step up to the mic. You have three minutes.
Greetings, Mayor Colani, city council members. I, Danielle Johnson, invite you to the Torrance Art Museum to experience studio system from a Greek isle and culture ride. The exhibitions will be on display from August 1st through August 29th. In lie of an opening reception, there will be a closing reception on Saturday, August 29th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Studio system and experimental artist residency project transforms the main gallery into a studio. Visitors are encouraged to peak behind the curtain and engage with the artist while witnessing their process. And gallery 2 from a Greek aisle showcases the fruit of Torrance Art Museum's partnership with Cclatic Arts in their joint residency program from 2023 through 2025. As part of their residency, Southern California artists create work during their 25day stay at an artist run space in Ali Peros, Greece. In the dark room, Culture Ride documents a motorcycle journey from Los Angeles to New York to Brooklyn and back, capturing conversations with folks in the art world about creativity, community, and the arts role in sustaining democracy in America.
Nomad, Trist, and Odyssey will return to the dilemma crossing. Nomad is a popup fair for Southern Southern California artists. Trist is the world's largest art fair dedicated exclusively to artistr run initiatives, collectives, and independent organizations.
During these fairs, join Tama in the art in its odyssey to support the museum by donating $100 in exchange for art or treating yourself at the refreshment bar. The main event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 8th through 9th, from noon to 6:00 p.m. A VIP opening reception will be held on Friday, August 9th at noon. Then at 3 p.m., Odyssey opens for TAMA members.
Friday's event will be open to the public at 400 pm and conclude at 6 pm.
For more information about the museums and its projects, visit torren museum.com. To become a member, especially to get in early on the uh Odyssey, support the museum and enjoy old Tama talks. Check out tamadvocates.com.
Thank you and good night.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay. Yeah. Good evening, Torrance City Council. It's great to see all six of you, especially Mayor Kehani and my councilman, David Carsonus. My name is John Clifford, and I know that eventually we're going to have to have number se the seven seat um build. So, I'd like to know when they'll be considering um candidates for either a special election or an appointment. I hope you'll do an appointment because I would like to recommend someone whose family's been involved in the city of Torrance for many, many years, many generations, and he's been involved with historical preservation. His wife's worked with the school district, so they bring with experience there. He's a proud supporter of the Torrance Theater Company. I think you may know who I'm referring to, and I hope I'll be able to make a recommendation for him in the future.
Thank you.
>> Thank you. That's actually there's an item later on the agenda for that. Okay, >> thank you.
Anyone else wishing to speak on oral communications one in person?
>> Okay, we'll now take remote participants. Callers can press star 9 to raise their hands. Staff, is anyone on the line that would wish to speak?
>> Your honor, there are no callers.
>> Okay, thank you very much. Um the time for public comment then we'll go ahead and end and we're now moving on to the consent calendar. Do any council members wish to pull any items under the consent calendar?
>> Council member Lewis.
>> I'd like to pull 8E, please.
>> That's 8 E is in Edward.
>> Yes, ma'am. 8 E is in Edward.
>> Anyone else?
Okay. So, item 8E was removed.
And do I have a motion to approve the consent calendar with the exception of 8E?
>> You do, mayor. You have a motion to approve all consent calendar except 8E.
>> Second.
>> Start voting, please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you, Council Member Lewis. on item 8E, please.
>> So, this is a very exciting project um to start with our Torrance Regional Transit Center parking structure and at a price tag of $32,662 and I can kick in the $154 if you want and it would be my contribution, but we wanted to go through the funding mechanisms of how that's set up.
>> Got it. Uh good evening your honorable mayor uh honorable members of city council and I'm Milton Zar with the general services department. Did want to give kind of a brief overview of this project since it is bit large as you mentioned. So before you tonight is a recommendation to award a design build agreement for the Torrance Regional Transit Center parking structure project and to approve a first amendment to the owner's rep owner's representative services agreement. So this was following a competitive design build procurement process and staff recommends awarding the contract to McCarthy building companies as the highest ranked proposer based on the technical qualifications, project approach and costs. In addition, staff is also recommending to approve and amend the Mocha systems agreement to continue providing owners representative services throughout the construction phase. This project includes the construction of a four-story approximately 1,000 space parking structure along with the surrounding surface parking lot. I'd also like to take this moment to recognize the collaborative efforts of the many city departments and staff whose dedication and partnership have been instrumental in bringing this project to this important milestone.
Thank you specifically to community development and the fire team uh as well as um public works. So once this project is completed, um this project will significantly expand parking capacity at the transit center, improve access and convenience for transit users, and support the city's long-term transportation and mobility goals. Um with that, we're available for any questions if you have any. As far as the funding mechanisms go, this is funded through a measure. I want to say it's a metro funds that that was what was originally given to the city. The balance of it is to be still worked through, but uh some of it is going to be from the general fund and the other portion will probably be from the transit enterprise fund depending on some splits that I think the finance team was working through.
>> Your honor, city manager, if I may chime in, the goal of this project is to be completed by LA28 Olympics and as such uh the award at this time will help us bridge that gap. um in timing to to make sure that we're able to construct a surface lot then start the project. We will continue to work with our metro and regional uh any potential partners to identify external funding for the balance of the project but and we also did not want to compromise the number of parking stalls given Torrance's future uh growth opportunities as a sports entertainment tourism attraction hub. As such, we will recommend uh council approval at this time and we'll return back to you with additional options how to uh completely fund this project.
Thank you, >> Council Member Sheek.
>> Uh thank you. That was my question. I hope we complete this project by LA 28 Olympics. That will be wonderful. And also I think this project is just for the capital part of it, the operation when we ready. So we should have something already in plan what we're going to do to support the Olympics and also from I know from Torrance to Florence project and things like that so we could help our community to park the cars and go a different sir operations >> including overnight parking we will have a parking automated parking management plan security plan coordination with TPD to ensure that it's safe and secure Jamie >> um and we'll make sure that again it is incorporating our planning for LA28.
Thank you. Well, thank you.
Congratulations. Great job. Hopefully, we do it.
>> Council member Cartsonus, >> thank you very much. It's a very exciting uh project. I look forward to to seeing it built before the Olympics.
Um just the one one comment I had is that there is a comment in here about rooftop solar. Uh I really hope that we find a way to to make that work. Um my understanding is that there are some grants that that may still be out there that may be expiring. So hopefully we can expedite the the thought process on that and move that forward because I think this is a fantastic opportunity to uh to offset some of our our energy expenses. But this is just great and looking forward to it. Thank you.
>> Thanks uh Milton General Services. And I just wanted to also emphasize that part of our project does have the infrastructure capability built in so that we could advance such an initiative in the future and city manager's office is already tasked to find every avenue to see if we can actually implement that. So we'll be continuing to explore all grant options that may become available in the near future.
>> Thank you, Council Member Lou. I just want to quickly say that this uh Mary Jano Korn's transit center is uh going to be a great project. I believe I've used the transit center quite uh many times by now and it's a wonderful hub for transportation and I can only see that it will get better as um more as it attracts more and more patrons when more and more people know about it. So, I encourage everyone to use this wonderful transit center. Um, and its name is dedicated to a prior uh deputy city attorney, assistant city attorney, Mary Jadano, who worked very hard on this project um a while ago. And that's why we named it after her. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other council comments?
Okay, >> your honor, before you take a vote, my sincere appreciation to everyone that worked on this project. Sean Margarich, Mithria, Mocha Partners, Danny Santana, finance director, Kim Turner, Godfrey Feu, if I'm forgetting anyone, my sincere appreciation, I think we Carlos Weisar, uh, and again, everyone that's still going to continue to ensure that we get a state-of-the-art parking structure, which Torres will be very proud of for the future >> and CDD for all their approvals behind the scenes.
>> Michelle Ramirez to be exact. Thank you.
>> Thank you. No, really. Thank you to everyone. And for those that don't know, I don't know if anybody wants to talk about the the transit center. Um, it's available for events and this parking structure will help support that as well. Yes, we are actively promoting shuttle service throughout FIFA. As as you know, we transported fans as well as concerts to Hollywood Bowl, Sofi, Dignity Sports Center, Dodgers, uh the Galaxy really becoming a u a wonderful alternative to driving and significantly less in parking fees uh compared to those facilities. So again, sincere thanks to the transit ops team uh for being able to manage and all of our bus operators because you need people to drive these shuttles as councilman experience and others. So my sincere appreciation to the entire organization.
>> Sure.
>> And to mayor and council for your support.
>> Thank you. And there's space there for events as well. Correct. Yes, we do have a wonderful state-of-the-art event space. Uh, and please torrenca.gov at the torancet transit uh or email me hoparian torrenca.gov and we'll connect you to the folks for bookings.
>> Thank you. All right. If there's no other comments, uh, is there a motion to approve item 8A? 8E is in Edwards. I move that we accept the recommendation of the general services director that we award a design build agreement for the Torrance Regional Transit Center parking structure with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. of Sacramento, California in the amount of $32,662,154 and authorize a 10% contingency of 3,266,216, sorry, $21540 for a total not to exceed amount of $35,928,36940 for a 3-year period beginning July 21st, 2026 and ending July 20th, 2029. and approve a first amendment to contract services agreement with MOCA Systems, Inc. for owner representation services for the Torrance Regional Transit Center parking structure as described.
>> I second all that.
>> Start voting, please.
>> Rich, that motion carried unanimously.
Go ahead, Council Member Shake.
>> Oh, I just missed that. I was going to ask which district was that in? I'm just kidding. It's the three.
>> Thank you. There are no hearings, so we're going to be moving ahead to administrative matters. Um 10A to discuss and provide direction on filling the District 4 council member unscheduled vacancy seat. Um, is there a staff presentation, please?
>> Thank you, your honor. Rebecca Pouyet, city clerk. It is my recommendation that the city council discuss and provide direction to the city clerk for filling the district 4 unscheduled vacant council seat with a term expiring March 7th, 2028, created by the election of District 4 council member Sharon Colani to mayor. On June 2nd, 2026, voters elected district 4 council member Sharon Colani as the mayor. She took office on July 14th. Government code 1099A states, "A public officer, including but not limited to, an appointed or elected member of a governmental board, commission, committee, or other body, shall not simultaneously hold two offices that are incompatible.
Government code section 1099B states that when two public offices are incompatible, a public officeer shall be deemed to have forfeited the first office upon a seeding to the second under Torrance City Charter. section 603 A any council I'm sorry I think it's 403 any council um sorry it's 403A um any council vacancies occurring in an in any of the elective offices provided for this in the charter with the exception um I'm sorry which shall be a field by appointment by the city council torrent city charter section 403b states the in the event that the city council fails to fill a vacancy by appointment within 60 days after such vacancy occurs, the city council must immediately after the expiration of said 60 days cause an election to be held to fill such vacancy. The 60 days begin the date of the installation of the new office and ends on September 13th. The last city council meeting scheduled that would meet this deadline is Tuesday, September 8th. The city council has the following options. Appointment based upon nominations from the city council.
solicitation of applications, interviews of applicants, and appointment by city council nomination and voting on those nominated. Upon expiration of the 60 days, call a special election per government code section 36512.
The special election would not be held until Tuesday, March 2nd, 2027.
If the council chooses to solicit applications, the prior practice has been for the city clerk to advertise by way of written notice in the daily breeze, post on the city's website, post on the city's social media pages, make announcements at city council meetings, notify community organizations.
Um, previously the council has requested that persons wishing to be considered for appointment complete an application form, supplemental questionnaire, and submit them to the city clerk's office.
Um all the information and given deadlines are provided to council below.
Uh the following dates are suggested if city council direction is to solicit applications. Website posting and email notices to public groups. Wednesday July 22nd. Daily breeze ad publication would um the daily breeze takes a couple days once we submit an ad. So it would either come out on Friday July 24th or Saturday July 25th. Applications and supplemental questionnaires would be available uh beginning in the city clerk's office um online or via email beginning tomorrow.
And the deadline for receipt of applications would be delivered in person, email or US mail. Postmarks are not accepted. City clerk's office is not responsible for uh email errors not getting there by the 5:00 deadline.
Thursday, August 13th is the deadline by uh 5:00 p.m. City Council action to appoint would take place on Tuesday, August 25th. The interimm appointment would last from the date of the appointment to the installation of an elected successor after the March 7th, 2028 election. If city council fails to make the appointment by Tuesday, September 13, the special election must be called.
Cal California Government Code Section 36512 states that an election to fill a vacancy must be held not less than 114 days after the date of the order of the election. Um, as I stated, the um Los Angeles County Register recorder uh conferred with me and March 2nd, 2027 would be the election date. Um, they were unable to provide me a quote. They said it would take 3 weeks, so I was unable to get a quote for tonight's item.
I request that your honorable body provide direction for the use of application process or determine alternate methods as a special election would is unbudgeted and would occur additional um funding uh work to find the funding for that. If the application process is preferred, uh the meeting prior to the end of the deadline is August 25th and there is sufficient time to allow for interested parties to submit applications and also for council to interview the applicants.
And again, the appointed member would serve only until the March 7th, 2028 uh general municipal election results are certified and adopted by the city council, which are usually uh April of tw April of that year.
With that, I am available for questions.
Thank you, your honor.
>> Thank you. Would you repeat that, please?
>> I'm sorry.
>> You said, would you repeat that, please?
>> Seriously?
>> Yeah. No, I'm kidding. Okay.
Thank you. Um, clerk, has anyone signed up? Thank you for the presentation and thank you for all your work and I'm going to jump back and say thank you for all your work on the commissioner appointment process as well. Um, has anyone signed up to speak on this matter?
>> Not prior to the start of the meeting, your honor.
>> Thank you. Is there anyone in the public um who would like to speak that did not sign up? Please step up to the mic.
Okay, I see none. We'll now take remote participants. Callers can press star nine to raise their hand. And staff, is there anyone who signed up to speak?
>> There are no callers, your honor.
Thank you. Are there any questions from the council? I see council member Cartsonus.
>> Thank you very much. Um, uh, Mr. City Clerk, I know you said there is no quote, but I just want to clarify. I think based on previous, uh, quotes from them, we're talking in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a special.
>> It could potentially go that high. It depends. So, how the county assesses costs of an election, it depends on how many cities are on that ballot and the costs are shared amongst the cities, the sanitation districts, the water boards.
Um, at this time, um, from what I understand, if we were the only ones, we would bear the all the costs. So, it would probably be higher.
>> Thank you, >> Council Member Shik. Thank you, Madame Clerk uh Poya for the presentation. Uh do you think there's a chance we could bring this in November elections?
>> No, it's too late for the November election. Nominations period is already going on for that election. We would have had to call that election by July 6th.
>> And we missed that deadline. Okay.
>> And we couldn't have called the election because council member Colani had not vacated the seat to the mayor's office.
>> Thank you for clarifying. The reason I asked a lot of people did question that to me and thank you for clarifying that.
Uh thank you.
>> Anyone else? Council member Gersonson.
>> Um nobody's discussed it, but I would like to go the direction of nomination. I think it's the most fiscally responsible. Um and if the council does will to go that way, I wanted to discuss the application a little bit. would now be an appropriate time.
Mayor, yes.
Um, I wanted to make some recommendations to the council on the questionnaire portion.
Can we do that?
>> Yes, it is up to council. This the this application and these supplemental questions are what council has pri used prior historically. They have not ch no council has changed them since they the last time they were used. So if you would like to update them please feel free to >> council member Lewis was appointed.
>> Um I believe she was the last one. Yes.
>> Um to help everyone up here follow me.
I've created some copies of the changes I'm going to ask. So I'm going to pass these out. Would you please take one and pass them down? and city clerk, I have a copy for you to make things easy.
>> Thank you.
>> Well, you can have my copy when I'm done.
Sorry, Mr. Svin. I know I normally go to you, but the one that looked legal, I ignored it.
>> Thank you. Um the first one's a simple one. So when I looked at number one, I wanted to ask that we separate those two questions into two different numbers.
So number one remains, why do you want to be appointed to the city council? But number two becomes, why do you feel you bring uh sorry, what do you feel you bring to this position? So I just wanted to split that up. Um number three seemed a little weird to me. um asking about future plans of elected, you know, seeking for elected and appointed office at any level of government. Um and I just wanted to keep it confined to something that might be useful to this council. So number three, I asked to it to be written to if appointed, do you intend to seek election to the city council seat? When this term expires, please explain your current intentions. Um based on what I've heard, that could be an important distinction for some members of the community.
Um, skipping down to number nine on our list. I think it's number eight on Let me make sure.
Yes. Uh, number eight. Changing that to what do you see as the biggest challenges facing the city and omitting next year? um just what are the biggest f challenges facing the city and the work that we do rarely gets fixed in one year. So the changes we put into place are um just allowing a more long-term look. Number 10 um is just switching three and top. So it says what are your top three priorities for the city rather than the three top priorities.
Um okay, getting to the to the the real one. number 11 seemed like it was important at the time that council member Lewis was appointed. Um it says circumc uh sorry circumstances outside the city's control and it talks about an impacted budget but um due to the passage of SST our budget is actually in a very good position and so I've just asked that number 11 be stricken completely.
Number 12 and 13 were both yes no questions and I don't know how useful um that is. So rather than a yes no question um changing it to a more open-ended question. So this was regarding the city budget. Based on your review of the city's current budget, what do you believe are the city's most significant fiscal opportunities or challenges as opposed to have you seen the budget? Um, and number 13 was, you know, have you reviewed the city's general plan? Again, very generic. So, um, based on your review of the city's general plan, what goals or policies do you believe should receive the greatest attention during your tenure as a council member and why?
And then number 14 was a was a run-on sentence, and even though I mostly taught math, I did teach some English.
Um, and so I wanted to rewrite number 14. Describe your involvement in the community, including civic organizations, volunteer activities, boards, commissions, neighborhood groups, or other public service. How have these experiences prepared you to serve on the city council? So, if you would entertain those changes, I'd appreciate it.
Council member Sh.
>> Uh I'd like to understand will that uh delay the process for uh if we make any of those changes will that have any impact?
>> We would have to make the applications available Thursday just so we had time to change this um tomorrow. But if you vote on it tonight with these changes, we could change it tomorrow and have the application packets ready for Thursday morning.
>> Uh for our city attorney, uh even though the one the sec I think it's number three there, you're asking to strike the first part. What future plans do you have for seeking elected or appointed office? Uh what happens if we if this person says no and then he decide to run for election? Is there any?
>> It's you. The voters can hold them accountable, but there's nothing to prevent someone from saying I won't run for office than changing their mind.
>> Do you see any any benefit of changing like this?
>> It's truly up to the council. I know in the past um back when um Harvey Horwick was like our super sub for a while, he always said that he wasn't going to run.
That meant something to some council people that they didn't want to have that person being able to run as a an incumbent. But there's the city can't prevent someone from doing that, but they can ask if they want, >> right?
Uh uh madame clerk, are we doing any background investigation for this role?
>> We do not do background investigation.
The only part that the city clerk has is to check with the register recorder to make sure they are registered in the city of Torrance. That is as far as our investigative process would go. The city clerk doesn't have investigative authority, nor does it have um enforcement duties.
Uh, I'd like to request that we should have some kind of background investigation for >> Well, we do have a resolution coming back to council to have council and commissioners fingerprinted. That would be the extent of that.
>> Okay.
>> And once that resolution is adopted, whoever is appointed would have to comply with that.
>> Perfect. Thank you, >> Council Member Lewis.
Um, I like uh all of the changes that uh Council Member Gerson brought forward except for number three. Um, and I'm sorry, number two on the original, number three on his. Um, I think the question is good the way that it's listed because, uh, once you start to venture into this, you maybe don't know what your future plans are until you get into it to see what the job is really about. And to make someone commit on an application and then later hold them accountable if they change their mind.
Um, I don't think that that's where we want to go. This question allows that individual to um be able to um basically say, well, so for me, I never thought I would run for public office at all. Um, so I think I'd like to see the question remain the way that it is, but I'm okay with the rest of the changes.
Can I read the two just back to back so we hear them?
As it is in the application, it says, "What future plans do you have for seeking elected or appointed office at any level of government? And the change is if appointed, do you intend to seek election to the city council seat when its term expires? Please explain your current intentions." So, all it does is kind of take out the higher levels of government. It's still kind of the same, but if you want to keep the same one and someone wants to go against uh well, they can't go in the primary, so they can't go against uh Seo or Ericson.
>> I'm I'm sorry, I missed the the last part.
>> I was just naming some candidates who are going for state office because when I think that's probably what they're thinking, state >> but >> or county. I I understand what you're saying though, but >> we can keep it the same. Yeah, >> if they're going for county supervisor in the next election, then they might say that >> that would that would be on them. But I I wouldn't want to try to uh discourage anyone from applying if they, you know, if they don't want to do elected office. I mean, it could go either way. Um, it could be somebody that might want to may want to come in and try out being a council member for short term and has no intent of running and could still contribute. I don't want to exclude those folks by saying uh explain your current intentions. Don't know until you get into the job. So I would I would think that number three basically does maybe we can take out uh any level of government maybe as a compromise >> we can strike the whole question and just not ask at all and in interview if someone's interested they can ask because we are going to have the opportunity to interview them. So, >> we could do that as well.
>> It's just a leftover from previous and I didn't like the way it was written and you're I was just trying to make it better, but we can strict the whole thing.
>> Uh, I'm okay with striking the whole thing.
>> Okay, that's okay with me, too.
I'm okay with the uh keeping as is for the number three, but all other that you're recommending, I think they're pretty good for me. Thanks.
Um, so on the on the request to speak, I have shake still.
>> Oh, >> council member Cartson.
>> Thank you. I was just going to add that I'm actually in favor of keeping three either as it was or as it has been recommended. I'm happy with either way.
I think um it'll get an answer. Um but I'm I'm in favor of keeping it. I think.
>> So, to be clear, you're talking about number three on Council Member Gerson's page, not number three on my page.
>> Thank you. Yes. Correct.
>> That's important to know. Correct. Thank you.
>> I would like clarification. So, you you want to keep it the way it was or the way Council Member Gerson has changed it?
>> I'm fine with it either way. Um I don't know. So, I don't know how we're going to parse that out. Um, but I'm >> I'm kind of keeping track. So, do you want do you like the way it was or the change?
>> I like the updated version.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you, >> Council Member.
I think that um instead of these broad questions that we have in the current draft, um Councilman Gerson's edits are asking for more specific informations. And I believe that the specific information would give us council members more information about the not just more information about the applicants, but perhaps even come up with some creative ideas of how to improve our city. So I would I would like to take um not trusty Gerson Council member Gerson uh edits as it is.
Okay. And I have a suggestion. I actually because of my financial background and and experience in in uh un unexpected situations. I like number 12 because it talks about circum circumstances outside the city's control can and have impacted dramatically the city's budget. What approach would you take as a council member to balance the budget or address the issues? We don't have an issue right now, but another pandemic and we just might. So I would like to see that that left in personally otherwise I I three doesn't matter one way or another because I can always ask the questions if I'm interested and if someone's seeking higher office but I do like the more open questions of the balance of the changes. So thank you for taking the time to do that. Council member Gearson >> I have one go back. Thank you.
>> I just wanted to remind my colleagues and for the public that these applications that we will be receiving are public record. So they're not just for our eyes only. The public will be able to review all of the applications.
So um as you as we continue to discuss that this is a public record. So please keep this in mind.
>> Thank you.
So, how would the council like to proceed? Um, are we making any changes to Are we separating one and two?
>> Take it one.
>> Yeah. Should we take it one at a time?
Uh, city clerk, >> that might be helpful because he reumbered on on his and some of you talked about his numbers and some >> the other numbers.
>> Should we separate on the current questionnaire? item one into two questions.
That's the first question.
>> You want to take some kind of role?
>> Are we giving thumbs up for that or >> we can do thumbs up?
>> However council would like to do it. It can be a thumbs up. It can be a motion.
>> Separating question one and two.
>> So that's a six. So, changing question three to Council Member Gerson's recommendation.
>> Thumbs up or not?
>> On mine, it's number two.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. The current questionnaire number two, changing it to Council Member Gerson's recommendations or not?
>> Two or three? I had three. It's >> it's three on council member Gerson's page, number two on my page. I'm trying to keep it clear so that I can >> number two.
>> It's a question about future plans.
>> I'd like to keep as is.
>> Okay. So the m So it's a 33. So it stays as it is. Mhm.
>> Um, question 11 on the existing questionnaire versus 12 on council member Gerson's recommendation.
Keep it as is or change it. Keep thumbs up to keep it as is >> versus striking it.
>> Your honor, there wasn't one recommendation on number current eight.
>> What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the city?
>> Strike out next year.
Oh yeah.
>> Oh, that is correct. Thank you for keeping us straight.
I'm fine with striking out next year.
>> Okay. 60.
Do you want to take over city manager?
>> Okay. So, um, on Council Member Gerson's number 10, what are the your top three or your three top?
>> Okay, looks top three.
>> Top three.
>> Top three is a 6 and0.
Uh number 11 on the existing questionnaires circumstances outside the city's control can and have impacted dramatically the city's budget. What approach would you take as a council member to budget that? Um council member Gerson suggested a total strike.
>> Thumbs up to recommend to leave it as is.
>> Can I just ask you to amend that that we spell council member correctly per our code?
amended.
>> Okay.
Leaving it.
>> It's fine.
>> Okay. Looks like it is a 51.
>> More information to leave it.
>> Oh, it's fine.
>> To leave it as is. 51. But correcting the spelling of council member.
>> Okay. And that was number one 11 on my sheet, number 12 on Gerson.
>> Correct.
>> Okay.
So the next one is 12 on the existing and becomes 13. So it goes from a closedended question to based on your review of the city's current budget, what do you believe are the city's most significant financial opportunities or challenges?
Um, thumbs up to change it to the open-ended question of Gerson.
51.
>> Uh, Council Member Gerson, um, number 14 versus the existing 13. 13 is, have you reviewed the city's general plan? That's a yes or no question. He changed it to based on your review of the city's general plan, what goals or policies do you believe should receive the greatest attention during your tenure as a council member, and why?
Thumbs up to change.
That's a 6.
And then finally is number 14.
Have you attended and or participated any civic meetings? And if so, which ones? And describe your participation.
His change is on number 15. Describe your involvement in the community, including civic organizations, volunteer activities, boards, commissions, neighborhood groups, or other public service. How have these experiences prepared you to serve on the council? Um, thumbs up to change it to Gersons. Okay. 60. Did that work? Did that help?
>> Yes. Thank you very much.
>> All right.
Any other questions? I still see council member Lou's name.
I spoke already. Okay. Thank you.
>> So after we speak, you don't you're not with Oh, she's supposed to do it.
>> She can remove it or I can remove it.
Mayor Chen liked to remove it. So I don't remove it until I give her a chance. Do >> you are you making a motion?
>> Okay. Are we in a position to make a recommendation of motion on item 108?
>> Oh, council member Lou.
>> Council member Gerson, >> you can do it. Go ahead.
>> Oh, >> do you want to do it?
>> Yeah. Go ahead.
Um, I will make a motion. Sorry. I will make the motion that we um go the appointment route and that we alter the questionnaire portion of the application as we went through together and the city clerk um recorded.
>> I second that. So to clarify because there was an appointment or an appointment by application, you are picking the appointment by application and supplemental questionnaire as changed by council.
>> That sounds perfect.
>> Thank you.
Start voting, please.
Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you, and thank you for everyone's patient on that. Um, okay, we're moving on to 10B. um to appoint members to outside regional boards and agencies. Is there a staff presentation, please?
>> Yes, your honor. Carl Whizzer, management associate with the city manager's office. Item 10B is a recommendation of the mayor that city council concur with the appointments as voting delegates and our members and alternates to the National League of Cities, the League of California Cities, the Sanitation Districts of LA County, the Southern California Association of Governments, South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Independent Cities Association, US Conference of Mayors, West Vactor Control District of LA County, and the Torren Sister Cities Association, and directing the city clerk to updating them post form 806 on the city's website. Uh due to the most recent Torrance municipal election, the city council has gained uh council member Betty Louu and David Garson, which is necessary for the mayor to appoint uh members to outside regional boards and agencies. It has been the policy of the city council that members are appointed by the mayor to the various regional boards and agencies. Uh the mayor has made the following appointments to the outside boards and agencies. Uh for the independent cities association uh the primary member would be mayor Sharon Colani with the alternate member being the mayor promp.
The league of California cities LA county chapter would be mayor Sharon Colani as the primary member and then the mayor promp as the alternate.
National league of cities is will also be mayor Sharon Colani as the primary with the mayor promp serving as alternate.
Um, Southern California Associations of Governments or SCAG also will be Mayor Sharon Colani as the primary member with the mayor promp as the alternate. The US Conference and Mayor will be with Mayor Sharon Colani also as primary with Mayor Promp as the alternate for the sanitation districts of LA County also will be Mayor Sharon Colani as a primary uh but with council member David Carson as the alternate member. For the West Vector Control District of LA County, uh Council Member Bam Shake will be serving as the primary member with Dr. Jeremy Gerson serving as the alternate for the South Bay City's Council of Government's board. Um council member Bridget Lewis will serve as a primary and then all city council members um have the option to serve as an alternate as available. Um for the South Bay city's council of governments for the housing trust um council member David Garson will serve as a primary with council member Shake serving as the alternate for the Torren Sister Cities Association. Dr. Jere Jeremy Gerson will serve as a primary with Mayor Sharon Colani serving as the alternate.
Um and then this is just going to be some legal jargon but please bear with me. Um, Fair Political Practices Commission, FPPPC, amended the California Code of Regulation Title 2, section 18702.5, which authorizes public officials to vote on their own appointment. In order to do so, section 18702.5 requires a form 806 to be adopted by the public agency and then posted on its website.
Uh, uh, form 806 requires public agencies to list the following. One, each appointed position for which there is a material financial effect on a public officials or officials immediate family personal finances of at least $250 in any 12-month period. Two, the salary or stipen for each appointed position.
Three, the name of the public official, if any, who has been appointed as an alternate, and four, the term of the position. The city council adopted the most recent form um 806.
Um, this was back in, I believe, April of 2024 and it is available on our city's website. Uh, we did release a new updated city website. So, the URL is correct on the staff report. Um, as such, city council members may vote on their own appointments to compensated positions on various types of boards of admissions. However, uh, just for awareness, there's no compensations for members that serve on the South Bay cities of council governments. Should your honorable body concur with the mayor's appointments, the city manager recommends that your honorable body direct the city clerk to update the FPPPC form 806 to reflect the above appointments and to post the updated form on the city's website? And city's uh city staff is available for any questions.
>> Thank you so much for your presentation.
Um, city clerk, has anyone signed up to speak?
>> No, your honor. Do any members of the public who didn't sign up wish to speak at this time? Please step up to the microphone.
Okay, I see none. We'll now take remote participants. Callers can press star 9 to raise their hand. Staff, has anyone signed up to speak?
>> There are no co callers, your honor.
>> Okay. Any questions from the council?
I see none. Um, how would the council wish to proceed on this item?
>> I would like to make a motion that we concur with the mayor's appointments and direct the city clerk to update FPPPC form 806 to reflect the above appointments and to post the updated form on the city's website.
>> I second.
>> Start voting, please.
Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you so much, sir.
>> Um, moving on to item 10 C, select and appoint chairs and members to the city council committees. Is there a staff presentation?
>> Yes, your honor. Again, Carl Hooser, management associate of the city manager's office. Uh, item 10 C is a recommendation of the city manager that city council select and appoint chairs and members to the city council standing and special standing committees in accordance with the city council rules of order. It is a policy of the city council that chairpersons and members are selected for the six city council standing committees and three special standing committees. The current committee assignments were last selected and appointed on April 23rd, 2024. This report provides an overview of the selection process for city council ad hoc committees, special standing committees, and then setting committees as outlined in the uh council rules of order. Um we're going to be covering the ad hoc and then working groups first.
Section 9.3 of the rules of order provide that the mayor may form ad hoc committees and designate the chair um of each unless otherwise ordered by the city council. At this time, the only active ad hoc body is the ad hoc naming of public facility u committee. The mayor has elected to eliminate this committee with the intent to uh reestablish it in the future if a if the city was to receive a new public facility renaming application in the future. Um, in 2022, the city council directed staff to form an informal working group with the Torington Unified School District, TUSD, to establish a joint use agreement for shared public facilities and exchange services.
Resolution 2023 U 55 was subsequently approved on May 23rd, 2023, formalizing the agreement. While the agreement has been executed, the mayor wishes to continue this working group. Uh the TOSD working group will consist of four members total. Two city council members selected by the council to represent the city and then two members selected by the Tor Unified School District board at their discretion to represent the school district. Um per the mayor's selection, the following members from the city council have been selected to be appointed to this working group. Uh Dr. Jeremy Gerson and council member Assam Shik.
uh for special standing committees are uh established under section 9.4 of the rules of order. Uh this includes the armed forces um committee as well as a federal and state legislative advocacy committee. Um and these chairs and members are appointed by the mayor.
Below are the proposed appointments from uh Mayor Colani for council confirmation for the armed forces day committee. Uh council member Bridget Lewis will serve as chair. Council members Betty Lou and David Carson will serve as members. For the state legislative advocacy committee, uh, Mayor Sharon Colani will serve as the chair with council members Betty Louu and Assam Shake serving as members. For the federal legislative advoc advocacy committee, Mayor Sharon Colani will serve as the chair with Dr. Jeremy Gerson and Bridget Lewis serving as members.
For standing committees, the city council selects chairs and members of the six standing committees um as established under section 9.2 of the rules of order. Uh this is based on a rotational selection process that is based on seniority. One, each council member excluding the mayor selects one standing committee on which to serve as chair in the order of seniority. Two, each council member in reverse order of seniority selects a second standing committee on which to serve as a member.
Each council member in the order of seniority then selects their third standing committee on which they will serve as a member. Uh section 10.3 of the rules of order establishes the length of continuous service in office which determines the seniority where two or more members are elected or appointed at the same time. The member receiving the highest number of votes at their initial election holds greater seniority. Under section 9.6, the mayor serves as the permanent voting alternate members for all standing committees. In an absence of any member, the mayor may participate in the call of a committee meeting or act as a voting member at the meeting. Based on this criteria, the city council's current seniority ranking excluding the mayor is as follows. One, council member Shake. Two, council member Bridget Lewis. Three, council member Jeremy Dr. Jeremy Gerson. Four, council member Betty Lou. Five, council member David Garcus. And then we have a vacancy number six. Um, as we have a new council, a new selection process is required. um but by providing each council member with an equal opportunity to select committee assignments based on their respective level of seniority with a six total starting committees. Each council member will serve on a total of three committees. One as chair and then two as members. Uh so at this time we will go ahead and proceed with the rotating process.
>> All right. So for this first round we're it would be >> complete please. There's a question from council member Lewis.
>> Uh Carlos, I have a quick question. So, um according to the council rules of order um for section 9.1 standing committees, the citizens development and enrichment committee has the responsibility of assigning the school district liaison. And generally in the past, whoever ended up on the committee would end up as the TUSD working group board. Do we want to separate that out or change that because that would mean that uh either Jeremy or Assam would have to select that committee.
>> Uh if it's up to the councils, if that's what they decide, we can make that modifications to the rules of order.
>> Yeah. to just to just strike it out of the rules of order and no longer be the school district leaison in the description.
>> We'd have to bring that back, but we could do that because the rules of order were adopted by Reszo.
>> Okay. Well, so that will leave us with an issue then >> unless we both wind up on the committee.
>> Well, it all depends on how well all three of you would have to end up on the committee.
So, it's whoever So, whoever um >> chooses that committee as chair and then the other two would have to be uh you or Assam.
>> Yeah, that's fine.
Fine.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Um well, it >> let's see how it turns out.
>> We can see how it turns out. But uh >> yeah, >> because the school board has only five uh trustees, five school board members, they would only send two people out.
Correct.
>> And I don't think that it'll be right if we send three people out and they only send two.
>> We only send two and two.
>> Okay. Just two and two, right? That that's more fair.
>> Okay.
>> So I think the question is um does council member Dr. Gerson want to chair the committee.
>> You still have to do it by seniority though, >> right?
>> So, >> what do you suggest? Um, Mr. S.
>> Really? Okay.
>> I I guess like I said, if that's the way the rules are written, then we follow the rules unless you want to push this.
Um, but I guess we can also revisit it.
Um, or as I think Dr. Gerson said, we just see how it works out tonight.
>> Okay, >> let's do that. And then if we need we can bring an amendment and then or separate the school board the appointment that com the joint committee until we bring that back as a separate item.
>> Okay. So we're going to go ahead and move forward then with the standing committees and see what happens. Right.
>> Works.
>> So to be clear if uh Patrick if I want to be the chair for citizen development it's okay.
>> Yeah. Exactly. All right. Thanks. Ready to proceed? Perfect. All right. So, based on the uh on the current seniority ranking, council member uh Shake, you go first.
>> Yeah, I'll go with the chair for citizen development and be the member for strategic and transportation.
>> Uh so, we'll go first through the chairs first and then we'll Yeah, it's going to be at three rotations.
>> No problem. Citizen development as a chair.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Uh, Council Member Lewis, >> employee relations and public safety.
>> Dr. Gerson, >> finance and governmental operations.
>> Council member Luke, >> strategic plan, >> and council member Carsonus, >> community planning and design.
And then we do have that one vacancy.
Um, so Patrick, can we can we designate the chair for the appointee or just leave it as vacant?
>> That's the only position that would be open to them unless they decide to redo it when they come on board. But right now, you can designate that as district four.
>> Okay.
>> All right.
All right. Sorry for the second round. U council member Carsonus me first. Um employee relations and public safety.
Council member Lou, >> Transportation, >> Dr. Gerson, Citizens Development and Enrichment.
Council >> member Lewis.
>> Citizen Development Enrichment.
and council member shake.
>> I'll go with strateic.
>> All right. So, this is last third round.
We're going to go in the order of seniority. Uh, council member shake.
>> Uh, transportation.
>> Council member Lewis, >> finance and government operations.
You uh Dr. person.
>> Strategic plan.
>> Council member Lou, >> finance and government operations.
and council member Carsonus.
>> We have a bit of an issue.
>> We do. We have no design.
>> How do we >> Well, I mean, in in the worst case scenario, the mayor can serve as a voting member. Anyone want to trade with me?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> I was going to say I'm already on that >> community planning. Oh, you already there too.
>> Is there anyone willing to make a change?
>> Um, I can make a change.
>> Just for awareness, we don't have a chair for transportation. So, that's >> that may pose an issue. Um, >> it's district four, unless we want >> District four.
>> District 4. Yeah. So, how about I temporarily come off of finance and government relations and then go on to wherever you guys want to put >> community. Community planning.
>> I can go to community and planning and design.
>> All right. So, uh >> so I take finance and >> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you, Council Member Lewis.
>> It works out perfect.
Okay.
And then so that means uh for community planning and design as well as for the employee relations and public safety will um assign a district 4 appointee for those role that member role.
>> That's what I have as well.
>> All right. Uh let me go ahead and just confirm for citizens development and enrichment. Uh we have council member Shake as the chair, Dr. Jeremy Gerson and Council Member Bridget Lewis as members. Community Planning and Design, we have um Council Member Carsonus as chair and then uh Council Member Lewis and then uh future uh district 4 appointee as members. Employee relations and public safety, we have council member Lewis as chair and then council member Carson and then the district 4 appointee as members. Finance and governmental operations, Dr. Gerson as chair and then council member Carsonus and Louu as members. Uh council member Lou as chair for the strategic plan with council member Shake and Dr. Gerson as members. And then for the transportation committee would be the district for appointee with council member Lou and Shake as members.
>> Very good. Thank you.
>> Right. Um, if there's no other questions, how does the council wish to proceed? Oh, does that solve our that solves our situation with the TUSD working group as well?
Do you concur with that, Mr. Sullivan?
>> Yes, >> what a team. What a team.
>> What a very impressed. Okay. Do we have a motion?
>> All righty.
I move that we accept and file the select and appointed chairs and members of each committee as we as has been spoken and chosen by us.
>> I will second that.
>> Start voting please.
>> Your honor, that motion carried unanimously.
>> Thank you. Very impressed. Okay, time to move on to oral communications. That actually completes our administrative items. Moving on to oral communications.
Um, this portion of the meeting, uh, number two, this portion of the meeting is res reserved for comments on items that are not on the agenda. Under the Ralph M. Brown Act, city council cannot act on items raised during public comment, but may respond briefly to statements made or questions posed, request clarification, or refer the item to staff. Speakers under orals are limited to either oral communication one or oral communication number two and no longer than 3 minutes per speaker. For in-person participants, time starts. I hear someone's phone.
Time starts when you step up to the microphone. If presenting handout material to council, please provide 11 copies to the city clerk before speaking. Handouts will be distributed while you speak. In accordance with California Senate Bill 707, the city has implemented remote public participation through Zoom to provide members of the public with an additional option to address the council during public comment. Members of the public attending remotely can call in by dialing 1669-449171.
Callers can press star 9 to raise their hand if they'd like to speak. When the last four digits of your number are called, you may be prompted to unmute.
Telephone participants should press star six to unmute before speaking. City clerk, has anyone signed up for orals number two?
>> No, your honor.
>> Is there Thank Thank you. Does any member of the public that did not sign up wish to be heard at this time? If so, please step up to the mic. You have three minutes.
Okay, I see no one. So, we'll now take remote participants. Callers can press star 9 to raise their hand. Staff, has anyone called in to speak?
>> There are no callers, your honor.
>> All right. Thank you. Um, so at this time, public comment has ended. We're going to go ahead and return to the council and council order to make any comments that they would like before we go back to close session. And we are going to start with Council Member Lewis.
>> I want to wish my granddaughter Keelani a happy birthday.
And yes, she's pointing because she was named after Sharon. Um uh a happy fourth birthday.
>> Thank you very much, Council Member Lou.
>> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Khalani. Um, the hillside overlay ordinance is an important issue for me and for many Torrance residents. The uncontrolled building of ADUs has far too often taken away people's properties right to view, air, light, and privacy.
These rights are supposed to be protected by Al torrent's hillside overlay ordinance that was enacted decades ago.
Many of our residents purchased their properties in reliance of this city ordinance.
Now the excessive building of ADUs is taking away these property rights.
I previously testified before the planning commission and the city council about how unfair this is to our residents. I had argued for an ordinance for stronger with stronger more objective development standards.
I want to thank city staff for making a presentation and public workshop on the hillside overlay ornance earlier this year. I understand that staff is now in the process of collecting input from residents by creating an internet page for people to comment about this ordinance.
I want to let people know that the link to provide comments on this issue is on the front page of the Torrance City website and it's towards the bottom of the front page. It is titled single family and hillside and coastal overlay zone. I encourage residents to submit comments and make your voices heard.
That was my first uh oral communication comment.
And my second one is I want to note that I attended the Riviera homeowners association meeting last night and I want to thank our torance uh our several Torans police department officers for making their presentation on Riviera crime update. They covered recent crime trends and the presence of organized theft groups, practical steps that you can take to protect your home, family, and property, and burglary prevention and personal safety handouts that were given out at the meeting. I just want to thank the Torrance police officers for doing that, and it was very informative and is very well attended. Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. will go to council members chant.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh first I'd like to thank and congratulate all the commissioners. Uh yes, you too. Keep us proud. Thank you for your service. I appreciate all your uh dedication to our city. Uh, additionally, we attended a lot of ribbon cutting ceremonies last week and uh, also rock around the block was one of the favorite events for our city. A lot of people were there. I saw my colleague. Did you win the contest? Pie pie eating contest.
>> No, but I did get some in my nose.
>> Okay, >> you you got to share that photo. I have that. If you don't, I'm going to blackmail you. And uh I want to thank the city for arranging that very safe and uh family environment and uh thank you for your participation. Thanks.
>> Thank you, Council Member Gerson.
>> You know me, I don't like to talk, but as Council Member Luke kind of made me feel like I need to say stuff. Um no, Rock Around the Block was fun. Um, not only that, but I I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak to some of our younger police officers, getting to know where they came from, um, what brought them to Torrance, and, uh, hearing a little bit about their experience, and then also the chief, um, setting up an opportunity for me to watch a briefing, and I hope to see more and, um, next week have a ride along scheduled. So, um enjoying learning even more deeply about our police department and with tonight's appointments. I'm excited cuz um Council Member Lou will be able to represent us um going to Sacramento and and fighting for those rights that she was talking about. And um and yeah, I'm looking forward to actually getting to participate in legislative action now as um Mayor Colani put me on to the federal advocacy team, which I've been wanting for years. So, thank you. Um thank you for being inclusive and letting us all participate.
>> My pleasure. Thank you, Council Member Cartsonus.
>> Thank you, Mayor Colani. Um, I just want to recongratulate again Mr. Chvarian, our city manager for 25 years. Uh, we appreciate you spending so much of your your life here in our beautiful city.
Uh, you've made it a better place by doing so and and we appreciate your commitment. Uh, we are lucky to have you. Uh, great first meeting, Mayor Colani.
>> Uh, excited to be part of the team. I also attended Rock Around the Block. You heard a little bit about my fun pie eating experience. I also hula hooped and chewed gum. So that was that was also fun. Um I want to thank our city staff for their their very hard work while we had the World Cup here in Los Angeles. I know everyone was working really hard from our watch parties uh which were were a lot of fun uh to actually several teams staying in the city of Torrance. I know it was not highly publicized uh for obvious reasons but um for those who don't know Paraguay, Canada, Belgium, Bosnian Herzgoina, New Zealand and Turkey were all here in the city of Torrance and our uh our city staff and our police department kept them here with no issues. Uh so really really proud of everyone's hard work on that. Um and uh and appreciate it. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. And I just have a few um comments. Rock Around the Block was awesome. For those of you that don't know, we recognize the Torrance High School class of 1956, their 70th anniversary. They were all 88 years old. And um it was really special to have them there. A couple of them came and visited with us. Um the staff, thank you. flawlessly executing FIFA and our watch parties and our hosting and our hosting of the teams here. So, um that was amazing. Um I'm so honored to be sitting with all of you. So, now I'm going to thank you each and every one of you individually. I'm so excited to be working with you. We've had a wonderful time today. We've got the city's business done and we're here for you. So, I want to wish you all a very good night. Um, we're going to go back into close session and continue the work of our great city. So, thank you for joining us tonight.
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Okay. Um, I I will now reconvene our city council meeting at 11:17 p.m. I do have one oral, if I may, please, to all of you. As we begin this new chapter of this council body, I'd like to recognize the opportunity we have before us to work together on behalf of the entire Torrance community.
While each council member was elected to represent a specific district, we all look and took the same oath to serve the people of Torrance. Our district elections ensure every neighborhood has a voice, but our responsibility is to make decisions that benefit the city as a whole. This is the essence of the one Torrance philosophy. While each council member represents a district, we govern as one council committed to the success and well-being of the entire community.
Following the city's transition to district-based municipal elections, the council has traditionally reaffirmed its commitment to governing as one body in service to the entire community. I'd like to continue that transition by asking my colleagues to reaffirm our commitment to working together collaboratively governing with one voice and serving all the residents, businesses, and stakeholders throughout our city. With that, I'd like to ask each council for concurrence to direct staff to return with a resolution reaffirming the city council's commitment to governing together and serving the entire city of Torrance. Do I have that concurrence?
Okay. Thank you very much. That was 6.
And um I'll take a motion to adjourn the meeting.
>> Your honor, there was no update from close session. Just to >> Oh, I apologize.
>> You're welcome. No problem. Thank you.
>> Thank you, >> your honor. I move that we adjourn the council meeting to the council meeting of Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 at 5:00 pm for close session with regular business commencing at 6:30 p.m. in the Leroy J.
Jackson Council Chamber with Tuesday, July 28th, 2026 and Tuesday, August 4th, 2026 being Dark Knights.
>> Good job. A second.
>> Start voting, please.
Your honor, that motion carries with council member Shake voting now.
>> Thank you. Good night, everyone.
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