Torrance Restores Remote Public Comment at Council Meetings |
Residents can once again address the City Council by telephone, providing an additional participation option alongside written and in-person comments. |
Torrance residents can once again speak during City Council meetings without traveling to City Hall.
The City implemented remote public participation under California Senate Bill 707 during the July 14 council meeting. Residents may now call into regular meetings and provide comments by telephone during the designated public-comment periods.
The option expands access for residents who cannot easily attend in person because of work, transportation, caregiving responsibilities, disability, illness, or other circumstances.
To participate remotely, callers currently use:
Telephone: (669) 444-9171
During an eligible public-comment period, callers press *9 to raise their hands. When meeting staff announce the last four digits of the caller’s telephone number, the caller presses *6 to unmute.
Remote access supplements rather than replaces the City’s existing participation methods.
Residents may still attend meetings in person at the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber or submit written comments through the City’s OneMeeting public portal. Hard-copy comments may also be delivered to the City Clerk’s Office.
Written comments received by 5:30 p.m. on the Monday before a Tuesday council meeting are published for public review before the meeting. Comments received later—but before the meeting adjourns—are added to the official record.
Residents should review the agenda before calling because public comments must be made during the appropriate portion of the meeting. Speaking time may also be limited under the City Council’s Rules of Order.
Remote participation could prove especially valuable when the council considers controversial developments, budgets, public-safety policies, contracts, or neighborhood issues that attract broad community interest.
The City recommends checking the meeting page before each session because telephone numbers, meeting IDs, schedules, or participation instructions can change.
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