RHA General Meeting Updates

Posted on November 2, 2025 by bmerryman

Around 50 people attended our fall general meeting on Oct. 21 to learn more about Torrance Transit Services and updates from the Coalition for Torrance Airport Reform (COTAR).

Torrance Transit Planning Manager David Mach was on hand to explain the wide range of services for our Riviera residents and how to use them, including:

  • Connect Torrance Microtransit Program which offers inexpensive rides within Torrance. This on-demand ride service is a hybrid between Uber/Lyft and public transit, where it groups passengers (if possible) to their destinations. Rides for the general public are just $5 within the designated zone. Seniors and people with disabilities ride for $3 and the first six rides are free within the Connect Torrance Plus Zone. You can book a ride by either downloading an app here or calling 424-688-9251. Learn more at Connect Torrance.
  • The Senior Taxi (for those 65+) and Dial-a-Taxi (for the disabled) programs for discounted taxicab rides through Bell Cab and South Bay Yellow/United Checker Cab Co-Op. You can register, get a swipe card and purchase up to 12 ride credits per month at a discounted rate. You can find more information here, a brochure with more details here, or call 310-781-2174 for more information.

Torrance Transit offers many other services for Riviera residents, including the Hollywood Bowl Shuttle, and you can learn more at their website here.

Chuck Costello, a leader at the Coalition for Torrance Airport Reform (COTAR), provided a brief history of the organization, which advocated for the $6 landing fees now in place at the Torrance Airport and the ban on touch and go flights. A pilot organization has sued the City of Torrance in federal court to overturn the ban, and a recent hearing on the matter was postponed. Thanks to the attendees who provided both the pilots’ and residents’ points of view.

The Riviera Homeowners Association extends a big thank you to David, Chuck and all who attended!

Filed under: General Meeting, Torrance Airport | Tagged: , | Comments Off on RHA General Meeting Updates

Announcing Another Guest Speaker for 10/21 General Meeting

Posted on October 16, 2025 by bmerryman

Come to our next general meeting at 7 pm on Oct. 21!

A second guest speaker will join us: Chuck Costello, a leader at the Coalition for Torrance Airport Reform (COTAR), will provide an update on Torrance Airport issues. COTAR advocates on behalf of our community with the Torrance City Council on critical issues from operations at the Torrance Airport.

Chuck will speak after Torrance Transit Planning Manager David Mach, who will be on hand to explain the wide range of services they offer and how to use them. Torrance Transit Services offers much more than a traditional bus system.

Here are the details:

  • Date: Oct. 21
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Location: The Riviera Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach

See you there!

Filed under: General Meeting, Torrance Airport | Tagged: , | Comments Off on Announcing Another Guest Speaker for 10/21 General Meeting

General Meeting October 21

Posted on October 5, 2025 by bmerryman

You’re invited to attend our next General Meeting, which will be in-person and here are the details:

  • Date: Oct. 21
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Location: The Riviera Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach

The primary topic will focus on Torrance Transit Services, which offers much more than a traditional bus system. Transit Planning Manager David Mach will be on hand to explain the wide range of services and how to use them, including:

  • The many bus routes and services to local venues including SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Bowl
  • Connect Torrance Microtransit Program which offers inexpensive rides within Torrance. There are two zones: one for all residents and one for people 65+ or with disabilities

We look forward to seeing you there!

Filed under: General Meeting | Tagged: , | Comments Off on General Meeting October 21

RHA General Meeting Updates

Posted on May 2, 2025 by bmerryman

Thanks to those who joined our General Meeting on April 29, and for those who missed it, here’s a recap.

The RHA’s updated bylaws were approved. They hadn’t been updated since 1995! You can find the new bylaws here.

Our President Elizabeth (Libby) Spatz gave an update on the Hillside Overlay status. The RHA is working on improving the Hillside Overlay so there’s specific objective language for the Planning Commissioners to use in their decision-making. Please come to the City Council meeting June 17 in Council Chambers at City Hall to voice concerns that Hillside Overlay needs to be brought up to date.

Thanks to our speakers from the City of Torrance, Torrance Fire Department and Torrance Police Department. The information shared on fire safety was very helpful. Here are short summaries:

Nazy Chiniforoushan, Emergency Services Manager, Office of the City Manager, provided resources for emergency or weather alerts and notifications:

  • Sign up at the QR code below or at https://www.TorranceCA.gov/torrancealerts
    • Other sources of information during an emergency situation are:
      • Phone Number: 310-618-2320 is the phone number that city set up to call for emergency information
      • Radio Station for emergency information: 1620 am
  • Also, https://www.ready.gov/ is a great resource to create emergency plans, how to communicate with your family, and what to have in your go-kits

Nazy’s most important advice: Heed evacuation orders as soon as you hear them!

Daniel Singleton, Public Affairs/Education Fire Prevention with the Torrance Fire Department, advised that we are all first responders — be sure you know how to evacuate. Visit CalFire’s website — it’s a good resource for go-bags and other tips: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/. His other advice included:

  • Be sure to plan your exit ahead of time in case streets are blocked during evacuation
  • Evacuate away from the ocean because of winds
  • Have an action plan like a safe meeting point for your family and a communication plan
  • Prepare your property to create a defensible space and remove dead vegetation

Lt. Daniel Moreno, Emergency Operations Coordinator with the Torrance PD, emphasized that their role in an emergency is to:

  • Enforce evacuation orders, direct traffic, clear roadways and clear hazardous zones
  • Assist vulnerable populations such as the elderly, though they strongly encourage everyone have their own evacuation plans
  • Support emergency response with heavy equipment
  • Secure areas where people shouldn’t be after evacuations
  • If there is a crime scene, they will secure it

Mark your calendars for our next General Meeting! It’s live and in person! Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 at Riviera United Methodist Church, Redondo Beach (TBC)

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on RHA General Meeting Updates

Details for General Meeting April 29

Posted on April 20, 2025 by bmerryman

Join us for our General Meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here for the link. (Meeting ID: 842 2687 4083; Passcode: 737740) And here’s the agenda:

President’s Welcome

Introduction of Officers:

  • President: Elizabeth (Libby) Spatz:
  • VP (Membership): Catherine Modesitt
  • VP (Comms): Betsy Merryman
  • Treasurer:  Judy English (stepping down, April 2025)
  • Treasurer (pro tem): Linda Schwartz (to be confirmed in 2026 elections)
  • Director, Technology: Roger Charbonneau
  • Director, Hospitality/Landscape: Denise O’Neill
  • City Council Observer: Natalie Keelan
  • Member at Large:  Gayle Taylor

RHA Updated Bylaws: (See proposed updated bylaws here.) Discussion/Questions/vote via a visible show of hands

RHA Scholarship Awards

Speakers on Fire Emergency Safety

  • Office of Emergency Services: Nazy Chiniforoushan: Emergency Services Manager, Office of the City Manager
  • Torrance Fire: Daniel Singleton, Public Affairs/Education Fire Prevention; and Chief Blayne Baker, Communications/IT Division
  • Torrance PD: Lt. Daniel Moreno: Emergency Operations Coordinator

Next General Meeting (in person): Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 at Riviera United Methodist Church, Redondo Beach (TBC)

Meeting Close

Filed under: General Meeting | Tagged: | Comments Off on Details for General Meeting April 29

  • Support RHA – Become a Member!

    We rely on Member dues to fund our programs and activities.  To learn more about RHA Membership, click here.  Thank you for your patronage!
    _____________________

    Calling High School Seniors who live in the Riviera: check out RHA’s College Scholarship Program.  Due dates and application info found here!

    _____________________

    Have questions about a community-related topic?  Let us know by clicking on the link below!  Ask the RHA!

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to the RHA blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 485 other subscribers
  • Follow us on Instagram