Torrance council denies motion to dismiss, upholds Veil Service Commission decision and denies appeal

The Torrance City Council voted 5-0 to deny the respondent's motion to dismiss and then voted 4-1 to uphold the decision of the Veil Service Commission and deny the appeal, the council's assistant city attorney said during the meeting's closed-session report-out.

The assistant city attorney told the council: "This evening the city council on item 4A voted five-zero to deny the respondents motion to dismiss, and they further voted 4 to 1 to uphold the decision of the Veil Service Commission and to deny the appeal. Thank you." The council meeting had returned from closed session before that report.

The closed session agenda items announced earlier in the meeting included public employee discipline, dismissal or release; real property negotiations; anticipated litigation; and labor negotiations. Those closed-session items were described on the record as authorized under California Government Code closed-session provisions cited by staff during the meeting.

City Manager: "Nothing to report, your honor," the city manager said after the assistant city attorney's report.

Following the report-out, Council Member Metucci moved to adjourn the meeting to Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the Leroy J Jackson Council Chambers; Council Member Kaji seconded. The motion carried; Council Members Lewis and Shaikh were noted as absent. The council also noted that Tuesday, July 29, 2025, would be a dark night for the council.

The council did not provide additional details in the public report about the substance of the commission decision, the underlying matter before the Veil Service Commission, or which council members voted for each 4-1 decision beyond the tallies stated in the assistant city attorney's report.