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Torrance council opts for application-and‑interview appointment to fill District 4 seat, sets timeline
Summary
The council directed the city clerk to solicit applications for the District 4 vacancy and to use an application and supplemental questionnaire process (with several question edits); applications will be available July 22 and due Aug. 13, with council action scheduled Aug. 25.
The Torrance City Council directed the city clerk to solicit applications, use a supplemental questionnaire and appoint an interim member to fill the District 4 council vacancy created by Sharon Kalani's election to mayor.
City Clerk Rebecca Poirier outlined the legal options under the Torrance City Charter and the California Government Code — appointment by council or calling a special election — and provided suggested dates if the council chose the appointment route: post notice and application materials on July 22, accept applications through Aug. 13 by 5 p.m., and take council action on Aug. 25. Poirier said that, under the charter, if the council fails to appoint within 60 days a special election must be called and noted that a special election would likely be held March 2, 2027, if required.
Councilmembers debated the process and proposed changes to the supplemental questionnaire. Councilmember Jeremy Gerson proposed splitting question 1 into two separate items, rewording the question about future plans for elected office and converting some yes/no questions into open‑ended prompts. Councilmember Lewis opposed removing the future‑plans question entirely, saying applicants might change their mind after serving, and the council discussed compromise language. The clerk said the office does not conduct background investigations beyond verifying city registration; a separate resolution to require fingerprinting for commissioners was noted as forthcoming.
Council used a series of thumbs‑up confirmations to adopt most of Gerson’s suggested edits, agreed to keep certain budget‑related questions as open‑ended, and voted unanimously to proceed with the application and supplemental questionnaire process as modified. The clerk will post application materials and begin accepting submissions on the published timeline.
What happens next: Applications will be available online and in the city clerk's office beginning July 22; the application deadline is Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.; council interviews and an appointment vote are scheduled for Aug. 25. If the council does not appoint by the charter deadline, a special election would be required per state law.
