CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA
TO THE WESTMINSTER JUNE 13, 2023
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency of the City of Westminster, California, convened on June 13, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. in a Closed Session via In- Person, City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
CLOSED SESSION
12: 00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nguyen called the Closed Session Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 12: 13 p. m., on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, via In- Person, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1
COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
ABSENT: VICE MAYOR NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
COUNCIL MEMBER KIMBERLY HO, DISTRICT 3
City Clerk Arocho announced a quorum was present.
STAFF PRESENT: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
Abigail Y. Alcala, Assistant City Clerk
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR CLOSED SESSION
City Clerk Arocho noted for the record that there were no members of the public present who wished to speak on Closed Session matters.
City Clerk Arocho read the Closed Session title into the record.
The City Council left the Council Chambers and entered Closed Session.
Council Member Ho arrived in Closed Session at 12:20 p.m.
RECESS: Mayor Nguyen recessed the meeting at 1: 00 p. m., from Closed Session.
RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING: The City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency of the City of Westminster, California, reconvened to Open Session at 1:00 p.m.
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REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OPEN SESSION
1: 00 PM
Mayor Nguyen called the Special Meeting of the City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. via In-Person, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1
COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
COUNCIL MEMBER KIMBERLY HO, DISTRICT 3
ABSENT: VICE MAYOR NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
City Clerk Arocho announced a quorum was present.
STAFF PRESENT: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Jake Ngo, Public Works Director/ City Engineer
Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Craig Covey, Orange County Fire Authority
Darin Lenyi, Police Chief
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
Abigail Y. Alcala, Assistant City Clerk
Tanya Ramirez, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Anderson, Assistant Finance Director
Mavic Hizon, Business Services Manager
Darin Upstill, Police Deputy Chief
Alan Iwashita, Police Commander
Ron Weber, Police Commander
Tuan Pham, Assistant City Engineer
Scott Maestrejuan, Public Works Fleet Supervisor
Steve Ratkay, Planning Manager
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REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
SALUTE TO FLAG
The Flag Salute was led by Council Member Manzo.
INVOCATION
The invocation was conducted by City Attorney Bettenhausen.
CITY ATTORNEY/ CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Bettenhausen noted the Mayor and City Council met in Closed Session regarding the item listed on the agenda, provided staff with direction and item will be brought forward during an open session at a future meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR MATTERS ONLY ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Nguyen reminded the public regarding Resolution No. 4953 related to decorum at meetings and process and rules for Oral Communication and stated that oral communications shall only be for items listed on the agenda.
1. Terry Rains voiced her concerns on the adjournment of the June 7, 2023, Special Meeting and commented on the proposed staffing positions and budget.
1. Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Proposed Budget
Mayor Nguyen stated for the record that this item is for the City Council to provide direction to staff, no action will be taken.
Finance Director Backs presented the staff report and outlined the supplemental position requests, along with high priority position requests.
Mayor Nguyen thanked staff for their due diligence on identifying the high critical positions per the City Council' s request at the May 24, 2023, Study Session meeting.
Council Member Phan West asked staff to clarify cost per position including benefits and expressed concern regarding the Community Development Director position not listed on the report and requested clarification on the activity of the recruitment.
City Manager Cordon clarified the list presented by staff require approval of the City Council to be added into the budget. She noted the Community Development Director position is already an approved and budgeted for position.
Council Member Phan West spoke on concerns of looming budget deficit, suggested the proposed positions not be approved until there is a more maintained budget, stated she would like more time to review the budget, and proposed the creation of an ad hoc 3 CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA TO THE WESTMINSTER JUNE 13, 2023
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
committee to meet with the department heads individually to identify proposed solutions to increase the revenue for the city.
City Manager Cordon stated that the creation of an ad hoc committee is at the discretion of the City Council, however, commented that the same data would be shared to the entire City Council as a whole for the final decision making of the budget. She stated that if the City Council feels they need additional time to review and discuss the budget, staff is available to schedule additional study sessions ( as needed).
Council Member Phan West expressed her dissatisfaction with the recent study sessions related to budget and would prefer to meet with the department heads, via ad hoc committee.
Mayor Nguyen commented that staff has been presenting to the City Council projects to bring in revenue and on the main goals of the recent strategic planning meeting, disagreed with the comments regarding meeting with the department heads directly and does not support the creation of an ad hoc committee.
Council Member Manzo stated the budget deficit has been widely known for years due to lack of generated revenue, would like to remind the City Council Members to put the City first outside of political agendas, acknowledged that even without adopting the proposed positions the deficit will still exist, commented on understaffing in departments city-wide, discussed the importance of the 0. 05% tax increase, and asked staff for clarification on the most critical positions by department.
Council Member Phan West left the dais at 1:35 p.m.
City Manager Cordon informed the City Council that the department heads are available to answer any questions regarding the proposed staffing positions and commented on some of the positions.
Council Member Phan West returned to the dais at 1:36 p.m.
Council Member Manzo asked staff to clarify when the final budget adoption is required to take place.
Finance Director Backs stated the budget would need to be adopted by June 30, 2023, providing the City Council with the option of passing a resolution to allow the current budget to roll over past the deadline to allow operations to continue, until the final budget is adopted.
Council Member Manzo asked for an update on cost recovery for items throughout the City. Staff clarified that this item will be brought forward to the City Council at the June 28, 2023, meeting and clarified when the implementation of the proposed fees would go into effect, if approved.
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REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
Council Member Ho asked for clarification on the $ 600, 000 staff commented on and asked staff for the projected revenue for the upcoming fiscal year.
Finance Director Backs and City Manager Cordon provided clarification.
Discussion ensued and Council Member Ho stated her approval on adopting the Status Quo budget, along with the following positions:
Records Coordinator
Management Analyst ( Shared)
Engineering Technician
Police Traffic Officer
Community Services & Recreation Coordinator Senior Center Senior Planner
Mayor Nguyen commented on staff' s projected deficit in reserves.
Discussion ensued regarding the projected expenditures and revenues, cost savings and potential costs. Staff provided detail and clarification.
Council Member Phan West discussed her recommendation to hold off on approving the high prioritized staffing positions and instead, hire a recruiting consultant to assist with the recruitment of the Economic Development Manager.
Following discussion, City Manager Cordon spoke on the challenges of hiring an Economic Development Manager and the cost of hiring a recruiting consultant.
Council Member Manzo asked for clarification on the proposed positions in the Police Department, which Police Chief Lenyi provided context.
Council Member Manzo asked staff to provide the City Council with additional information on the tax measure revenue.
Council Member Ho asked for clarification if a motion is needed for this item.
City Manager Cordon stated there will be no motion and staff is only requesting direction from the City Council.
Council Member Ho suggested the approval of the six ( 6) positions to continue to move the City forward and approval of the status quo budget.
Mayor Nguyen stated he would like to ensure that the City continues to provide the community with professional services and asked staff for clarification regarding adopting the additional increase in tax, offsetting some of the deficit. 5 CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA TO THE WESTMINSTER JUNE 13, 2023
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
Staff provided clarification and discussion continued regarding the potential revenue from the additional 0. 05% sales tax.
Council Member Phan West proposed not adding any new positions, except for the Court Liaison, and a recruitment consultant for the Economic Development Manager position.
Discussion continued regarding the City' s financial situation and sales tax projections listed on the budget.
In conclusion, Mayor Nguyen, with the consensus of the City Council, provided staff with the direction to bring back a reduced list of proposed positions, and information on potential revenue from the additional 0. 05% sales tax at a future study session.
2. COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nguyen adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 2:42 p.m.
The next Regular City Council Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 6:00 p. m.
Respectfully submitted:
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Ashton R. rocho, MMC
City Clerk
APPROV D:
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Chrlie Ngufnf
Mayor
ATTEST:
Ashton R. Arocho, MMC
City Clerk
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