CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 26, 2025
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
all of them as a slate.
Discussion ensued regarding the appointments.
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 3 Council Member M.
Nguyen, to:
A. Defer Mayor Nguyen and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen' s appointments to the next regularly scheduled meeting; and B. Appoint the following to the Cultural Arts Commission:
1. Andrew Tran, appointed by Vice Mayor Manzo
2. Pam Gremling, appointed by District 1 Council Member Phan West
3. Ashton Kauwe, appointed by District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen The motion carried, 5-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, MANZO, PHAN WEST, M. NGUYEN, N. NGUYEN NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
During the appointment process for the Traffic Commission, District 1 Council Member Phan West stated that she would like to appoint John Gentile.
City Attorney Bettenhausen had interjected informing the City Council that there is a section in the Municipal Code stating that the City Council as a majority must come to an agreement that a member of the public can serve on two Commissions at the same time and that there is no conflict.
Discussion ensued regarding a potential conflict between the Planning Commission and the Traffic Commission.
Assistant City Manager Ozaeta confirmed that there is potential conflict between the two commissions in question.
City Attorney Bettenhausen stated that he'd suggest not having a member serving on the Planning Commission also serve on a second commission.
Discussion ensued.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 26, 2025
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 3 Council Member M.
Nguyen, to:
A. Defer Mayor Nguyen, District 1 Council Member Phan West, and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen's appointments to the next regularly scheduled meeting; and
B. Appoint the following to the Traffic Commission:
1. Donald Lank, appointed by Vice Mayor Manzo
2. Khanh Nguyen, appointed by District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen The motion carried, 5-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, MANZO, PHAN WEST, M. NGUYEN, N. NGUYEN NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
8. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS — NON- AGENDA ITEMS
The following individuals spoke under oral communications on non- agenda items:
1. Tim Nelson commented on upcoming shows and productions at the Rose Center Theater and invited the community to come out.
2. Nguyen Hung — translation needed
Mayor Nguyen left the dais at 7:40 p.m.
3. Faustina Cormany commented on sexual assault.
District 1 Council Member Phan West left the dais at 7:42 p.m.
District 1 Council Member Phan West returned to the dais at 7:42 p.m.
Mayor Nguyen returned to the dais at 7:43 p.m.
4. John Gentile thanked the Mayor and City Council for his appointment on the Planning Commission and thanked the Westminster Police Department for the recent award presented to the Posse Bar Foundation for the assistance on the purchase of the new police dog, Thor.
5. Chris Egger commented on cannabis regulations and urged the City Council
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 26, 2025
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
to reconsider a policy around cannabis to bring additional revenue into the City.
6. Debbie Johnson commented on the naming of Sid Goldstein Freedom Park and raised concerns of conditions at Margie L. Rice Park.
District 1 Council Member Phan West left the dais at 7:51 p.m.
7. Tim Hogan commented on concerns of current conditions at Margie L. Rice Park due to prior construction by Orange County Transportation Authority.
District 1 Council Member Phan West returned to the dais 7:51 p.m.
District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen left the dais at 7:51 p. m.
District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen returned to the dais at 7:54 p.m.
8. Tami Hammell thanked District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen for the appointment to the Measure Y/ E Oversight Committee and addressed concerns of District 1 Council Member Phan West.
9. Donald Lank thanked the Mayor and City Council for his appointments to the Commissions, spoke in support of cannabis dispensaries, and commented on District 1 Council Member Phan West' s behavior.
10.April Malina encouraged community members to support and attend upcoming events and productions at the Rose Center Theater.
11.Terry Rains commented on the recent food resiliency program, spoke on the lack of appearance from District 1 Council Member Phan West at the recent court hearing regarding regarding the recent criminal arraignment court hearing against District 1 Council Member Phan West, commented on concerns of the lawsuit against District 1 Council Member Phan West and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen, highlighted concerns of attorney billing being sent directly to Jones and Mayer for current lawsuit against District 1 Council Member Phan West and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen, and closed with comments about obstruction and absences, urging both District 1 Council Member Phan West and District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen to resign.
Following oral communications, Mayor Nguyen recognized District 1 Council Member Phan West to briefly respond to comments made by the public.
9. BUSINESS MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL/ AGENCY MEMBERS — None
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 26, 2025
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
10. COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL/ AGENCY MEMBERS ( Including AB 1234 Report when required)
District 3 Council Member M. Nguyen commented on his recent attendance at the PCTA Board Meeting and thanked staff for organizing the Food Resiliency program, commenting on the positive feedback received from residents.
Vice Mayor Manzo commented on concerns raised during oral communications — non agenda items specific to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
Vice Mayor Manzo asked staff to confirm if OCTA ever repaired any of the damaged water lines that occurred during the construction.
Assistant City Manager Ozaeta confirmed that all the damaged water lines were prepared as a part of the process and clarified that the water lines were originally going to be a city expense, but after negotiations, all bridges that carry a water line were repaired as an expense within the project by OCTA.
Discussion ensued regarding the different pending items pertaining to Margie L.
Rice Park, along with other areas along the corridor, related to the OCTA projects.
Discussion ensued regarding current challenges at Margie L. Rice Park.
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Manzo, seconded by Mayor Nguyen, to direct staff to prepare a staff report for an upcoming meeting regarding an update audit on Orange County Transportation Authority.
The motion carried, 5-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, MANZO, PHAN WEST, M. NGUYEN, N. NGUYEN NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
District 4 Council Member N. Nguyen thanked staff and the Westminster Police Department for their assistance at the recent Tet Parade.
District 1 Council Member Phan West highlighted the upcoming Small Business Expo, spoke on the upcoming March 2ndWorld Teen Mental Wellness Day and commented on speaking with Mayor Nguyen separately on recognizing this day, promoted the Women of Distinction program encouraging residents to nominate deserving members of the community, and commented on the March 29th event honoring the American Vietnam war veterans.
Brief discussion ensued regarding the certificates for the American Vietnam war