Torrance City Council adds potential lawsuit to closed-session agenda, reconvenes with no reportable action

The Torrance City Council voted to determine by a two-thirds vote that immediate action was necessary to add consideration of joining a potential lawsuit to tonight’s closed-session agenda, then recessed to closed session and later reconvened with no reportable action.

City Attorney (unnamed) told the council that “the city attorney received information regarding a potential lawsuit and was asked whether the city of Torrance would like to join the potential lawsuit,” and said the suit “will be filed prior to the next city council meeting on 07/08/2025,” so immediate instruction from the council was required. The city attorney said the item was not on the posted agenda and therefore required the council’s two-thirds determination under Government Code section 54954.2(b)(2) to be considered tonight.

The council made the motion to allow the matter to be heard in closed session, a colleague seconded it, and the City Clerk reported that “that motion carries with council member Sheikh absent.” The council then recessed to consider multiple closed-session items listed on the agenda (items 5(a)–5(f), including initiation of litigation and other legal, real property and labor matters cited by staff). After the closed session the Assistant City Manager reported that there was no reportable action.

Mayor Chen presided over the meeting. Council members present included Council member Gerson, Council member Kaji, Council member Kalani, Council member Lewis, and Council member Metucci (Metucci joined after the initial roll call). Council member Sheikh was absent for the votes that carried.

The council also took a procedural vote at the end of the meeting to adjourn to a special/closed-session meeting scheduled for 07/08/2025 at 5 p.m., with regular business to commence at 6:30 p.m.; that adjournment motion also carried, again with Council member Sheikh absent.

Separately, during committee announcements Council member Kalani reminded the public that the city’s Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee will meet in the Leroy Roy J Jackson Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 1, at 9 a.m.; staff will present an overview of this year’s events and request guidance for next year’s planning. The public is invited to attend.

Attendance and procedural notes: the meeting opened at 5 p.m.; the council followed the Brown Act rules for public comment and for adding an item after agenda posting. One member of the public, Andy Porchop, used the oral communications period to criticize council handling of comments; his remarks did not precipitate any formal council action.

Votes: The council approved the two-thirds determination to add consideration of joining a potential lawsuit to tonight’s closed-session agenda (motion carried; Council member Sheikh absent). Later the council approved a motion to adjourn to the July 8, 2025 meeting (motion carried; Council member Sheikh absent).