CITY COUNCIL/ CITIZENS OVERSIGHT WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA COMMITTEE ( MEASURE SS) June 13, 2022
MINUTES OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
Pursuant to the State of California Executive Order N-29- 20 related to coronavirus( COVID- 19), the City Council of the City of Westminster, California convened on June 13, 2022 at 3: 05 p. m. in a Closed Session via In- Person Hybrid ( teleconference/ web conference), City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
5: 00 P. M.
IN- PERSON HYBRID
Mayor Tri Ta called the Special Joint Meeting of the City Council/ Citizens Oversight Committee (Measure SS) Meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. via In-Person Hybrid, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL CITY COUNCIL
PRESENT:
MAYOR TRI TA
VICE MAYOR CARLOS MANZO
COUNCIL MEMBER TAI DO
COUNCIL MEMBER KIMBERLY HO ( VIA ZOOM)
COUNCIL MEMBER CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN ( arrived
at 4: 15 p. m.)
CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ( MEASURE SS)
CHAIR DIANA CAREY
COMMITTEE MEMBER MARK LAWRENCE
COMMITTEE MEMBER VANESSA PEARSON
COMMITTEE MEMBER RUTH PIKER
ABSENT: NONE
Interim City Clerk Colombo announced a quorum with all members present.
STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Manager Christine Cordon City Attorney Christian Bettenhausen
Interim Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
Interim City Clerk Lucie Colombo
Finance Director Erin Backs
Community Services Director Vanessa Johnson
Human Resources Director Jodie Griner
Police Chief Darin Lenyi
MINUTES OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING June 13, 2022
Public Works Director/ City Engineer Jake Ngo
Assistant City Clerk Abigail Y. Alcala
Administrative Assistant II Tanya Ramirez
Sergeant at Arms Stewart DeJong
Sergeant at Arms Robert Farro
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
The Flag Salute was led by Vice Mayor Manzo.
INVOCATION
The Invocation was conducted by Committee Member Lawrence.
REPORT FROM CITY CLERK
Interim City Clerk Colombo stated she has nothing to report.
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
In- Person
1. Terry Rains spoke regarding suggestions related to the status quo budget and bankruptcy.
Zoom Speakers
2. Amy Walsh expressed concern regarding the City' s financial situation and the use of City reserves.
3. Camilla Overbeek spoke regarding placing Measure SS on the ballot and the City' s financial situation.
2. FISCAL YEAR 2022- 2023 REVISED BUDGET STUDY SESSION Finance Director Backs presented a powerpoint presentation regarding the status quo budget.
Vice Mayor Manzo asked for clarification regarding surrounding cities fire services and governmental services.
Orange County Fire Authority Battalion Chief Roberts stated listed the cities with structural services.
Mayor Ta briefly left the dais at 3:32 p.m.
Mayor Ta returned to the dais at 3:32 p. m.
MINUTES OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING June 13, 2022
Committee Chair Carey spoke regarding the City's current and financial situation, the proposed budget, tax measure, property tax rate, etc.
Finance Director Backs responded and explained governmental services.
Discussion ensued regarding special revenues, budget and the financial concerns regarding the City' s current and future.
Committee Member Ruth Piker asked questions, expressed concerns, and made various comments regarding the budget, measure, and current financial status.
Vice Mayor Manzo inquired about transferring of funds, reserves, and City's financial situation.
OversightCommitteeChairCareyspokeandinquiredif staffconsideredsellingwater company. She expressed her disappointment and concern regarding the sales tax measure and financial impacts and overall budgetary concerns and potential to lose services.
Council Member Nguyen arrived at 4:15p.m.
Council Member Ho arrived in-person and switched from Zoom at 4:18 p.m.
Mayor Ta left the dais at 4:20 p.m.
Mayor Ta returned to the dais at 4:21 p.m.
Finance Director Backs listed various uses of the Measure SS funds. She also provided information and a summary of various recommendations from the Financial Task Force.
There was discussion and responses by staff regarding Council inquiries relating to staff conducting additional department reviews of the budget, budget items, cost recovery, and expenses.
Council Member Ho asked staff to survey surrounding cities and research which have measure, if they have sunset clause, timeframe, etc. Would like once information is received by staff, that it be shared with the City Council.
She spoke regarding having a lean budget with no waste and ideas to generate additional revenue for the City, stated that executive staff and leadership are permanent and the City is moving in the right direction. She briefly spoke regarding the Westminster Mall project generating revenue, the reasons for delay of the project and the potential revenue impacts.
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MINUTES OF SPECIAL JOINT MEETING June 13, 2022
Council Member Ho explained that the measure should not have an end date and if the measure ends there will be no online sales tax.
Bring back chart for meeting on August 11.
City Attorney Bettenhausen spoke regarding the revenue generate from the measure for brick and mortar and online sales tax, stated Council and staff need to consider Development Impact fees as an additional source to generate revenue.
Interim Assistant City Manager Ozaeta asked Finance Director Backs to provide a preview of steps and process relating to the budget. She explained and stated that the budget would be presented for City Council consideration at the next regular City Council meeting.
3. COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Ta adjourned the meeting at 5: 10 p. m.
Next Regular Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
i . 11Y. AI, .
Ass . nt Ci Clerk
APPROVED:
70----
Tri Ta
Mayor/ Chair
ATTEST:
Lucie Colombo, C C, CPMC ( 0( 7-11774712--
Interim
0( 7.' x/ - 2-
Interim City Clerk