CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
The City Council of the City of Westminster, California, convened on June 12, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. in a Study Session via In-Person, City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
STUDY SESSION
12: 00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nguyen called the Study Session Meeting of the City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 12: 13 p. m., on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, via In- Person, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
VICE MAYOR, NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
COUNCIL MEMBER, AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1
COUNCIL MEMBER, CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
COUNCIL MEMBER, KIMBERLY HO, DISTRICT 3
ABSENT: NONE
City Clerk Arocho announced a quorum of the City Council, with all members present.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Christine Cordon
Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
Finance Director Erin Backs
Public Works Director/ City Engineer Jake Ngo
Human Resources and Risk Management Director
Jodie Griner
Community Services Director Vanessa Johnson
Orange County Battalion Fire Chief Craig Covey
City Attorney Christian Bettenhausen
City Clerk Ashton R. Arocho
Assistant City Clerk Abigail Y. Alcala
Police Commander Alan Iwashita
Public Works Fleet Supervisor Scott Maestrejuan
Planning Manager Steven Ratkay
Police Commander Ron Weber
Police Commander Cord Vandergrift
Business Services Manager Mavic Hizon
Water Superintendent Scott Miller
Police Commander Scott Gump
Assistant City Engineer Tuan Pham
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Assistant Finance Director Jennifer Anderson
SALUTE TO FLAG
The Flag Salute was led by Mayor Nguyen.
INVOCATION
The invocation was conducted by Council Member Ho.
CITY ATTORNEY/ CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was no Closed Session meeting. Nothing to report.
EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Ex- Parte communications heard.
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. Mayor Nguyen also reminded the public that communications shall only be for items listed on the agenda.
1. Tim Hogan expressed concern regarding the current budget (Agenda Item No. 2) and the potential passing of Agenda Item No. 3 and commented on Measure Y, TET Parade funding, expense spent on construction of Mayor' s office and revenue sources.
2. Michael Verrengia commented on finances over the years, running operations in the middle of a budget deficit ( Agenda Item No. 2), and expressed concern regarding the use of monies, if Agenda Item No. 3 is approved.
3. Terry Rains commented on the recent study sessions, lack of attendance from Vice Mayor Nguyen, and expressed concern regarding the budget and sales tax increases ( Agenda Item Nos. 2 and 3).
2. Continued from June 13, 2023, Special Meeting / Study Session — Fiscal Year 2023- 24 Proposed Budget.
Finance Director Backs provided the presentation.
MayorNguyencommentedon the reportand askedfor clarificationregardingthe revised supplemental budget and the 2026- 27 projected reserve balance. He also noted his gratitude for the hard work from staff in outlining potential cuts and areas for cost savings, as it outlines in the report.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Council Member Phan West voiced her concerns regarding the short reviewal time of the item due to the 24- hour noticing requirement.
Discussion ensued regarding the status quo budget and departmental raises were addressed.
Council Member Phan West asked for clarification on the already approved and budgeted positions.
Council Member Manzo suggested the City Council investigate additional revenue sources and spoke in opposition of doing any staffing cuts. He asked for clarification regarding current vacant positions and expressed concern regarding filling the additional positions listed in the supplemental budget.
Human Resources and Risk Management Director Griner commented on the current difficulties in hiring throughout the City.
Police Chief Lenyi commented on the current difficulties in hiring in the Police Department.
Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 12: 48 p. m.
Finance Director Backs provided clarification on the funding of the positions and cost savings during recruitments.
Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 12: 50 p. m.
Council Member Manzo asked for further clarification on the potential revenue if the proposed billboard project was to move forward.
City Manager Cordon commented on the projected revenue and anticipated timeline of incoming revenue.
Council Member Manzo commented on short- term solutions.
Council Member Ho commented regarding the funding for crossing guards.
Discussion ensued regarding funding for Senior Center meals, use of ARPA funds, and staffing levels.
Council Member Ho spoke in support of researching the possibility of processing passports through the City Clerk' s Office and stated that City Council agenda packets do not need to be delivered to her home.
Discussion ensued regarding recruitment efforts and messaging to the job market.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Following comments, Council Member Ho spoke on generating revenue through the Westminster Mall and proposed billboards, along with the support of the following proposed positions:
1. Records Coordinator
2. Police Traffic Officer
3. Engineering Technician
4. Community Services & Recreation Coordinator: Senior Center
5. Senior Planner
Council Member Ho spoke in opposition of the proposed requested shared position of Management Analyst between the Finance Department and Human Resources Department, stating that this position is not critical at this time.
Mayor Nguyen commented on the importance of the Senior Planner and the cost associated with the supplemental positions.
Finance Director Backs spoke regarding the total cost associated with the supplemental positions and the recommended reserve.
Discussion ensued regarding the status quo budget presented at the June 13, 2023, Regular Meeting and the current status quo budget presented.
Council Member Phan West commented on revenues from the proposed billboards, TOT taxes, Westminster Mall, cannabis opportunities, and highlighted the use of volunteers through local churches.
Vice Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 1:39 p.m.
Council Member Manzo asked for clarification regarding the removal of the Court Liaison Officer position from the supplemental position list.
Police Chief Lenyi spoke regarding City Council direction and cost savings regarding the position.
Discussion ensued regarding on- call services and costs for police officers.
Vice Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 1:53 p.m.
Council Member Ho asked if the Court Liaison Officer is a priority position.
Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 1:53 p.m.
Finance Director Backs spoke regarding unapproved future projections not listed on the budget.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 1:57 p.m.
Vice Mayor Nguyen spoke regarding investing in employees to benefit the city and potential bankruptcy.
Discussion ensued regarding cost recovery over profit, hiring new employees to yield more business into the city, and the potential increase with the additional sales tax measure.
Council Member Phan West spoke in opposition of approving the supplemental positions at this time.
Mayor Nguyen spoke regarding residents' complaints and the need for additional staff.
Council Member Phan West commented on having agenda packets picked upfrom City Hall, rather than delivered.
Council Member Manzo spoke regarding the need for additional positions in multiple departments in order to meet customer service needs of the community.
Council Member Ho asked for clarification on a 24- hour permit, spoke in support of adding the Court Liaison Officer and removing the Management Analyst position for the Finance and Human Resources Department.
Vice Mayor Nguyen expressed concern regarding potential bankruptcy, requested the hiring of a Traffic Officer to be paused, commented on the high importance of a Senior Planner position and voiced desire to adopt a balanced budget.
Mayor Nguyen commented on bringing professionalism to the City with adequate services to the community.
Council Member Phan West requested a check list from the Planning Department on all over the counter permits.
Council Member Ho reiterated her support of the addition of all the proposed positions, with the removal of the Management Analyst position and the addition of the Court Liaison Officer.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposed positions.
There was a consensus amongst the City Council to approval all proposed positions with the removal of the Management Analyst position and the addition of the Court Liaison Officer.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
City Clerk Arocho read the list of positions into the record as follows:
1. Records Coordinator
2. Police Traffic Officer
3. Engineering Technician
4. Community Services & Recreation Coordinator: Senior Center
5. Senior Planner
6. Court Liaison Officer
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by Vice Mayor Nguyen, to receive and file the report.
The motion carried, 5-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, N. NGUYEN, PHAN WEST, MANZO, HO
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
3. Continued from June 14, 2023, Regular Meeting — Strategic Plan Goal # 1 — Achieve Financial Stability. Strategic Plan Objective: Provide Information to the City Council regarding a 1/2-cent enhancement to the sales tax measure to keep revenue local.
Finance Director Backs provided the presentation.
Vice Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 3:04 p.m.
Mayor Nguyen spoke regarding the absorption of the 0.5%.
Discussion ensued regarding the absorption of sales tax and sunset clauses.
Mayor Nguyen stated that he does not want to raise taxes but deems it necessary due to the current financial state.
Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 3:24 p.m.
Council Member Phan West questioned the California Development funding, current sales tax, taxation codes, 5- 7- year projections, incoming revenue, projected TOT taxes from Westminster Mall, and potential cannabis revenue.
Vice Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 3:27 p.m.
Council Member Phan West asked for further clarification on the proposed budget projections.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 3:28 p.m.
Council Member Phan West requested a community poll to be distributed regarding the potential tax measure.
Council Member Manzo spoke regarding future projections and the need to move forward with the additional sales tax revenue.
Council Member Phan West left the dais at 3:32 p.m.
Council Member Ho spoke on the need for the additional sales tax.
Council Member Phan West returned to the dais at 3:39 p.m.
Council Member Manzo left the dais at 3:40 p.m.
Vice Mayor Nguyen spoke regarding future projections and potential revenues generated from the Westminster Mall.
Council Member Manzo returned to the dais at 3:42 p.m.
Finance Director Backs and City Manager Cordon provided clarification on future projections.
Mayor Nguyen spoke in support of the 7- year projection.
Discussion ensued regarding a policy for allocation of received revenues from the sales tax.
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by Council Member Phan West, to receive and file the report.
The motion carried, 5-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, N. NGUYEN, PHAN WEST, MANZO, HO
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
4. COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nguyen adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 3:56 p.m.
The next Regular City Council Meeting will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESOR AGENCY TO WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA THE WESTMINSTER REDVELOPMENT AGENCY JUNE 21, 2023
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Respectfully submitted:
Ki--un -6i° Pro.0 Chb
sh R. Arocho, MMC
City Clerk
APPROVED:
7j
I
Chi Charlie 4 % u '- n
Mayor
ATTEST:
17 •;1A0a( 726?-60/ 40
Ashton R. Arocho, MMC
City Clerk