CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MAY 3, 2024
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING: The City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency meeting convened on Friday, May 3, 2024, to Open Session at 4: 00 p. m.
SPECIAL MEETING
4: 00 P. M.
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Mayor Nguyen called the Special Meeting of the City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 4: 09 p.m., on Friday, May 3, 2024, via In -Person, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
VICE MAYOR KIMBERLY HO, DISTRICT 3
COUNCIL MEMBER AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1
COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
COUNCIL MEMBER NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
ABSENT: None
City Manager Cordon announced a quorum of the City Council present.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Christine Cordon
City Attorney Christian Bettenhausen
Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
Police Chief Darin Lenyi
Deputy Police Chief Ron Weber
1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
The following individuals spoke under oral communications regarding the item listed on the agenda:
1. Michael Verrengia stated this action could have been accomplished through a letter, highlighted that the public and veterans will never forget what Jane Fonda did, and stated the Special Meeting was not necessary.
2. Assemblyman Tri Ta recognized the City Council for standing with the community for organizing the Black April ceremony and spoke in support of the proposed Resolution.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MAY 3, 2024
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
3. Houwie Tieu thanked the City Council for taking a stance on the issue and sending a message to the LA County Board of Supervisors.
4. RonaldGuyerstatedthis moveby the CityCouncilis timely, opinedeverything the military did was hated by Jane Fonda and commented on the lies from Jane Fonda during the war.
5. Tami Hammell agreed with previous speakers that Jane Fonda is not a good person but that the Special Meeting was not necessary.
6. Tony Bui spoke in support of the proposed Resolution and commented in opposition of honoring Jane Fonda, and stated Los Angeles has gone down the drain.
7. Tina Tapia spoke in support of Jane Fonda and her activism and the pressure she placed on the government to do the right thing and spoke in support of Jane Fonda Day on April 30.
8. Terry Rainsspokein oppositionfor the call of the SpecialMeeting, statedthis is not a City of Westminster issue or concern, and commented that the support from LA County Board of Supervisors to Jane Fonda is to highlight her environmental activism.
9. Lan Quoc Nguyen thanked the City Council for the opportunity to voice his opinion on the issue and stated that this item affects a large part of the community.
10. Phat Bui thanked Council Member Phan West for being the first to inform the community on this issue, stated that Jane Fonda Day is a slap in the community's face, and urged the City Council to approve in support of the proposed Resolution.
Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 4:50 p.m.
Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 4:51 p.m.
11. Victoria Cooper thanked the City Council for holding the Special Meeting and spoke in support of voting Donald Trump for President.
12. Gene Vesely spoke about his life as a military orphan and a Vietnam Veteran, stated that Jane Fonda is a traitor to the American people, and commented on the disgust of LA County Board of Supervisors honoring her.
13. D'VorahMariscalthankedstafffor takingthe timeto be presentfor the meeting and stated there are more important things than proclamations.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MAY 3, 2024
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
14. Son Do spoke in opposition to recognize Jane Fonda and in support of denouncing the designation of April 30 as Jane Fonda Day.
15. Khai Dao stated this is LA County' s issue and that the City Council is using this item as a political move to gain votes in upcoming elections.
Following the oral communications, Mayor Nguyen thanked the members of the public for attending the meeting and voicing their opinions.
Mayor Nguyen commented on the reasons for holding the Special Meeting and thanked the entire City Council and staff for making the commitment to the community by attending the meeting.
Mayor Nguyen spoke on the desire to submit a letter to the LA County Board of Supervisors from the entire City Council, rather than just from the Mayor.
2. Resolution Denouncing the Designation of April 30 as " Jane Fonda Day" by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Request for Immediate Rescission.
Mayor Nguyen opened the item by thanking City Manager Cordon and City Attorney Bettenhausen for writing the report with such short notice.
Mayor Nguyen stated this item was requested by Vice Mayor Ho, seconded by Mayor Nguyen for consideration and discussion of the City Council.
Vice Mayor Ho explained how this item arose and commented on how negatively impactful it was that Jane Fonda was chosen to be honored on Black April.
Vice Mayor Ho acknowledged the disappointment of the veteran' s community and highlighted her disapproval of Jane Fonda.
Mayor Nguyen read a portion of the report from the LA County Board of Supervisor' s into the record.
Mayor Nguyen commented on the need to address this item promptly, urged the LA County Board of Supervisors to rescind this proclamation immediately, and highlighted the effects on the war and those who survived.
Council Member Manzo addressed comments made by speakers, highlighted his representation of the residents in Westminster, and commented on the sensitivity of the item.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MAY 3, 2024
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
CouncilMemberManzoexpressedhis supportfor the communityand the proposed Resolution, commentedon the inappropriatenessof honoringJane Fondaon Black April, andstatedthe CityCouncilneedsto be mindfulof holdingmeetingsthat require staff due to the current financial state of the city.
Vice Mayor Ho responded on the inappropriateness for Jane Fonda to be honored for anything around the Vietnam War.
CouncilMemberNguyenagreedwith CouncilMemberManzo, statingthat this item could have been walkedon at the upcomingCouncilMeeting, highlightedthe time sensitivity of the item, and spoke in support of the proposed resolution.
CouncilMemberPhanWestthankedeveryonefor attendingthe meeting, highlighted that this special meeting was requested by herself, commented on the absence of her name placed on the agenda item, and proposed that the word " despicable" replace the word " inappropriate" in the proposed Resolution.
Vice MayorHospokein disagreementwiththe proposedchangeto the Resolutionby CouncilMemberPhanWestandstatedthattheintentionis notto attackthe LACounty Board of Supervisors but to work with them in changing it.
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Ho, seconded by Council Member Manzo, to denounce the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' designation of April 30 as Jane Fonda Day" annually, and adopt Resolution 5256 entitled, " A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, DENOUNCING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 30 AS ' JANE FONDA DAY' BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS."
A Substitute motion was made by Council Member Phan West, to denounce the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' designation of April 30 as " Jane Fonda Day" annually, and adopt Resolution 5256 entitled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, DENOUNCING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 30 AS ' JANE FONDA DAY' BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS," and amend the Resolution to change inappropriate" to " despicable."
The substitute motion failed due to lack of a second.
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Ho, seconded by Council Member Manzo, to denounce the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' designation of April 30 as Jane Fonda Day" annually, and adopt Resolution 5256 entitled, " A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, DENOUNCING THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 30 AS ' JANE FONDA DAY' BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS."
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA
MAY 3, 2024
During the roll call vote, Council Member Phan West stated she will move forward with the motion as is, but will submit a letter directly to the LA County Board of Supervisors commenting on their despicable actions.
The motion carried, 5-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, HO, MANZO, N. NGUYEN, PHAN WEST
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
Council Member Phan West left the dais and entered the audience.
Mayor Nguyen stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 6: 00 p. m.
Council Member Manzo commented on the disrespect of Council Member Phan West to the Mayor, City Council, and residents for leaving the dais before the adjournment of the meeting.
Mayor Nguyen commented on the need to be professional as the City Council and spoke in agreement with Council Member Manzo.
Vice Mayor Ho responded to incorrect comments made by Council Member Phan West regarding the Special Meeting and the items origin.
Mayor Nguyen responded to incorrect comments made by Council Member Phan West regarding the origin of the Special Meeting.
Council Member Phan West returned to the dais.
Council Member Phan West responded to comments made by Mayor Nguyen.
3. COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 6:09 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024, to the next Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
ASHTON R RO O, MMC
CITY CLE K
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MAY 3, 2024
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
APPROVED:
CHI CHARLIE NGUIYEN
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ASHTON R. AROCHO, MMC
CITY CLERK