Dissolve Torrance City Commissions?

Hi I’m David Kartsonis and I want to talk about some important items that will be discussed at tonight’s Torrance City Council Meeting. Including an attempt to limit public comment and involvement by potential eliminating many citizen led commissions.

I’ve spoken about the suggested renaming of Columbia. After lots of public comment, the recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission is to do more public outreach and do some research before renaming - namely that city staff hadn’t had time to do all the required analysis including an estimated cost. At the meeting tonight, Council needs to either accept or deny that recommendation. One Councilmember has already announced he will vote for renaming, seemingly regardless of input or information presented at the Council Meeting. In spite of this, I still urge residents who have an opinion in support or opposition to attend and make their voices heard. It will be interesting to see how this vote goes.

Also on the agenda will be dissolving or combining city commissions. This item was for some reason slipped into the “consent calendar,” but my guess is that one of the Councilmembers will pull it for discussion. The previously mentioned Parks and Recreation Commission will be one of the Commissions being discussed. Commissioners at risk of being dismissed or reassigned are those on Planning (where I currently serve), Historic Preservation, Library, Cultural Arts, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Arts, Aging, and Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation.

Unfortunately, this is a continued attempt started by members of this Council months ago that would significantly decrease the community’s ability to be involved and be heard - in addition to reducing taxpayer oversight of city operations.

Our city Commissions are an integral part of how our city works and utilizing city commissions are a best practice.

Also on the agenda is the Armed Forces Day Parade which the Councilmember for my district has unfortunately suggested should no longer be an annual tradition in our city. I love how much we support our armed forces here in Torrance and I’m hoping to see other Councilmembers come out strong supporting this amazing tradition we have in our city!

Also on the agenda is a ban on tarps and popup canopies on private property. Councilmembers pushed for this and sent it to the Planning Commission for review (where I currently serve as Chair). To be clear, in the video I’m speaking as a resident, not as a representative of the city. Our hearing is public record, but to summarize, at our hearing we only agreed to support the ordinance with strict limits to it applying to problem properties and didn’t impact high-quality sail shades or the like. Unfortunately, Council will be voting on a stricter version of this than I had hoped for, so this is another item to watch.

As always, I’ll keep you updated on important issues coming before our city government. Learn more at david4torrance.com