CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING: The City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency meeting reconvened on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, to Open Session at 6:00 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
6: 00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nguyen called the Regular Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 6: 40 p. m., on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, via In-Person, at the Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
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 Clerk Arocho announced a quorum of the City Council present.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Christine Cordon
City Attorney Christian Bettenhausen
Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
City Clerk Ashton Arocho
Finance Director Erin Backs
Police Chief Darin Lenyi
Human Resources and Risk Manager Director Jodie
Griner
Public Works Director/ City Engineer Jake Ngo
Community Services Director Vanessa Johnson
Deputy Police Chief Ron Weber
Sergeant at Arms Stewart DeJong
Orange County Fire Authority Chief Craig Covey
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
The Westminster Police Honor Guard presented the colors.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
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Laurel Brookhyser, Broadway Artist Alliance and Academy of Performing Arts performed the national anthem.
INVOCATION
Westminster Police Department Chaplain John Key and Rev. Anthony Hien Vu from Blessed Sacrament Church provided the invocation.
CITY ATTORNEY/ CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Ex Parte Communications to be presented at this time.
REPORT FROM CITY CLERK
City Clerk Arocho encouraged members of the public to apply to serve on a Board, Committee, and Commission.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Cordon made the following announcements:
Retired WPD Sergeant- At- Arms Stewart Dejong
Officer Stewart Dejong, our most regular Sergeant-at-Arms, will be retiring at the end of the month. Tonight, will be the last time he provides safety at our City Council meeting.
Officer Dejong has a total of 25 years in law enforcement. Fifteen of those years, he has proudly served as a Westminster Police Officer. During the course of his career, Officer Dejong has a litany of accomplishments. He worked in our Traffic Division as a Motor Officer for 8 years. He has been the case agent or assisted with over 100 fatality or major collision investigations. He was a long time Bike Patrol Officer, where he worked various directed patrol operations. Officer Dejong also worked as a Field Training Officer, where he had the prestigious opportunity to shape the lives and careers of many new officers that are still with our department today. Lastly, Officer Dejong has worked over 100 City Council meetings as the Sergeant- at- Arms, where he has been instrumental in providing a safe environment for City business to be conducted. We are hoping to bring him back in a part-time capacity, investigating traffic accidents, for the next several months to assist the Traffic Unit with a backlog of investigations.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Holiday Closure:
City Hall is closed for the holiday beginning December 23, 2024, and will reopen on January 2, 2025. Public safety will not be impacted by the closures, and Public Works staff will be working during the closure to ensure certain issues are addressed.
Following, Mayor Nguyen announced the upcoming holiday season and had a surprise visit from Santa Claus.
RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBER
The Mayor and City Council recognized and thanked outgoing Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho for all her dedication and years of service to the community.
CEREMONIAL OATH OF OFFICE
Council Member Carlos Manzo, District 2, received the oath of office from Former Westminster Council Member and Current Midway City Sanitary District Treasurer Sergio Contreras and was accompanied by his family.
Council Member Mark Nguyen, District 3, received the oath of office from Dr. Thang Do and was accompanied by his family.
PRESENTATIONS TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICALS
Following the oath of office, the Mayor and City Council recognized the newly elected officials and presented them a Certificate of Election.
Assemblyman Tri Ta, District 70, also presented certificates to the newly elected officials.
RECESS: Mayor Nguyen called for a recess at 7:44 p.m.
RECONVENE: Mayor Nguyen reconvened the meeting at 8:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1
COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
COUNCIL MEMBER MARK NGUYEN, DISTRICT 3
COUNCIL MEMBER NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
ABSENT: None
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATION — None.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
The following individuals spoke under oral communications on agenda items only:
1. Jessica Lostaunau spoke regarding the positive impact Vice Mayor Ho has made on the community and expressed gratitude for her service and dedication to the position and presented Vice Mayor Ho with flowers from a group of residents.
2. Terry Rains wished everyone a happy holiday season, thanked Council Member Manzo for running for re-election, commented on her interaction with Vice Mayor Ho and gave her a card from herself and other members of the public to show their appreciation for her positive involvement while on the City Council, and congratulated and welcomed newly elected Council Member Mark Nguyen and spoke positively about their positive interactions and his professionalism.
3. Dr. Hue Vo congratulated Vice Mayor Ho for all she accomplished while serving on the City Council, spoke on the importance of the next chapter in Vice Mayor Ho's life, and congratulated newly elected Council Member Mark Nguyen and returning Council Member Carlos Manzo.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR — None.
4. PUBLIC HEARING — None
5. REGULAR BUSINESS
5. 1 Appointment of Vice Mayor.
District 3, Council Member Nguyen nominated District 2, Council Member Manzo to serve as the Vice Mayor. Mayor Nguyen seconded the nomination.
District 1, Council Member Phan West nominated District 3, Council Member Nguyen to serve as the Vice Mayor. District 4, Council Member Nguyen seconded the nomination.
City Attorney Bettenhausen clarified for the record that when it comes to nominations, the first nomination will be voted on and if it fails, the second nomination will be voted on.
Motion was made by District 3, Council Member Nguyen, seconded by Mayor Nguyen, to appoint District 2, Council Member Manzo to serve as Vice Mayor.
CITY COUNCIUSUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
The motion carried, 3-2, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, MANZO, M. NGUYEN
NOES: PHAN WEST, N. NGUYEN
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
6. LEGISLATIVE ITEM – None
7. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE ITEM – None
8. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – NON- AGENDA ITEMS
The following individuals spoke under oral communications on non-agenda items:
1. Nguyen Hung spoke regarding the lawsuit against District 1, Council Member Phan West and District 4, Council Member Nguyen.
2. Yazmin Lopez thanked Vice Mayor Manzo for his service to the community.
3. Tina Cormany commented on domestic violence and human trafficking.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen left the dais at 8:30 p.m.
4. Donald Lank thanked outgoing Council Member Kimberly Ho for her years of service to the community and congratulated newly elected Vice Mayor Manzo and District 3, Council Member Nguyen.
5. Terry Rains congratulated Vice Mayor Manzo on his re-election and appointment to Vice Mayor, thanked staff for the installation event held at the Rose Center Theater, commented in disappointment of District 4, Council Member Nguyen who chose to leave the stage during the installation, and commented on the recent news of the lawsuit against District 1, Council Member Phan West and District 4, Council Member Nguyen.
9. COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL/AGENCY MEMBERS (Including AB 1234 Report when required)
Vice Mayor Manzo thanked his family and friends for their support towards his re- election, thanked staff for the installation event at the Rose Center Theater, congratulated District 3, Council Member Nguyen for his election, and invited members of the public to attend an event following the meeting to celebrate outgoing Council Member Ho, as well as the election for both himself and District
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
3, Council Member Nguyen.
District 3, Council Member Nguyen thanked staff for the installation event at the Rose Center Theater, thanked community members for their support in his campaign.
District 1, Council Member Phan West congratulated Vice Mayor Manzo and District 3, Council Member Nguyen on their successful election, commented on hope to move the City forward, thanked staff for all that they' ve done throughout 2024, and wished the community a happy holiday.
Mayor Nguyen thanked those who were in attendance for the installation, thanked staff for putting together the event at the Rose Center Theater, spoke highly of all the things to come in 2025, thanked City Clerk Arocho for coordinating the installation of the newly elected officials, thanked City Manager Cordon and Assistant City Manager Ozaeta, along with the Department Head team for all their hard work in leading the city, and commented on recent attendance at the employee recognition breakfast highlighting those who were awarded service awards.
10. COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
The Regular Meeting of Wednesday, December 25, 2024, has been cancelled and the next Regular Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
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CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
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CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2024
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
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