CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 11, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING/ STUDY
SESSION
STUDY SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nguyen called the Special Meeting/ Study Session of the City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 4: 12 p. m., on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, via In- Person, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
VICE MAYOR CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
COUNCIL MEMBER MARK NGUYEN, DISTRICT 3
COUNCIL MEMBER NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1 ( Arrived at 4:32 p. m.)
Interim Assistant City Clerk Ramirez announced a quorum of the City Council present.
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
City Attorney Scott Porter
Finance Director Erin Backs
Community Services Director Vanessa Johnson
Sr. Management Analyst Shaunna Hunter
Interim Assistant City Clerk Tanya Ramirez
Records Coordinator Daisy Guzman
Human Resources Director/ Risk Manager Jodie Griner
Police Chief Darin Lenyi
Deputy Police Chief Ron Weber
Maintenance and Utilities Manager Tuan Pham
Building Supervisor Adolfo Andrade
Sergeant at Arms Jerad Kent
Sergeant at Arms Anthony Gonzalez
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
District 2 Council Member Manzo led the flag salute.
INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Nguyen conducted the invocation.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 11, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING/ STUDY
SESSION
1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR STUDY SESSION
The following individual spoke under oral communications:
1. Manuel Cardoza, Westminster School District, commented that the School District is currently conducting a Facilities Master Plan and looking to partnership with the City and the Rose Center Theater.
Mayor Nguyen thanked the speaker and clarified that a partnershipwould not be discussed as it is not on the agenda.
2. David Johnson, Westminster School District, echoed the previous speaker' s remarks regarding the District' s Facilities Master Plan, added that the School District is interested in purchasing the theater and including provisionsin the agreement that would allow the City to use the facility at any time for a minimal fee, also generating revenue to the City.
3. TerryTai, WestminsterSchoolDistrict, echoedpreviouscommentsregarding a potential partnership between the City and the School District, noted that upgrades and deferred maintenance at the Rose Center Theater would need to be addressed before engaging in discussions with the City about a sale.
4. Don Anderson, Westminster, asked questions regarding statements in the staff report, stated that he had previously provided a list of questions to staff and requested a response.
5. Michael Verrengia, Westminster, commented the Friends of the Rose Center hasbeenmanagingthe RoseCenterfor manyyearsand isdoinga goodjob, noted the City is spending money on a Request for Proposal ( RFP) process when it may not be necessary, spoke in favor of the Westminster School District purchasing and operating the Rose Center Theater, and suggested illegal activity with an outside agency.
6. Tim Nelson, Friends of the Rose Center, thanked TheaterDNA for their recommendations and prior report regarding the theater, thanked the Mayor and City Council for extending the contract with the Friends of the Rose Center Theater, clarified that the theater lighting upgrades included in the budget were fully paid for by Friends of the Rose Center Theater, and spoke on ways that the partnership has benefited the community and the City.
7. Terry Rains, Westminster, commented on the funds spent for TheaterDNA' s report, and stated that residents are requesting the mayor to consider TheaterDNA' s recommendations.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 11, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING/ STUDY
SESSION
District 1 Council Member Phan West entered the meeting at 4:32 p.m.
Following oral communications, Mayor Nguyen stated that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and clarified that he did not know the individuals referenced in Oral Communications.
2. Study Session — Multi- Cultural Community Center at the Westminster Rose Center prepared by TheatreDNA.
Senior Management Analyst Hunter provided a brief overview and introduced Founding Principal and Project Director Benton Delinger and Assembly Arts Non- Profit Management Specialist Teresa Koberstein with TheaterDNA.
Assembly Arts Non- Profit Management Specialist Koberstein provided a brief presentation regarding a recap, goals, timelines, and process regarding a Request for Proposal ( RFP) for a Multi- Cultural Center.
Founding Principal and Project Director Delinger stated that a range is being provided to the City when evaluating the RFPs in order to allow for discussions with those who submit proposals.
Mayor Nguyen commented that he would like to know additional information regarding operator types and models that were presented, and if costs can be recovered.
Founding Principal and Project Director Delinger explained the difference among the three model types and noted that management fees would be collected.
District 2 Council Member Manzo stated he would prefer an operator who is more community- driven rather than profit- driven.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen exited the dais at 4:52 p.m.
Founding Principal and Project Director Delinger explained the difference between non- profit organizations and profit- driven operators.
Discussion ensued regarding non- profit and profit driven operators.
District 1 Council Member Phan West commented on the funds that will be spent on renovations, expressed support for the assessment prepared by TheaterDNA, and urged the Mayor to recommend staff move forward with the RFP process.
Mayor Nguyen commented that the presentation was not complete.
Founding Principal and Project Director Delinger continued with the presentation.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 11, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING/ STUDY
SESSION
District 2 Council Member Manzo asked who would be responsible for the cost of the facility improvements.
Founding Principal and Project Director Delinger responded that the matter could be discussed during the negotiation of contract terms.
District2 CouncilMemberManzoaskedwhetherthey had lookedinto chargingfor parking and requested information on how they arrived at the recommendation provided to the City Council and how they compared to other counties and operators.
FoundingPrincipaland ProjectDirectorDelingerrespondedthat they were tryingto finda balanceanddeterminehowthe facilitycouldbecomecost-neutralwhileutilizing City resources, notingthat the ballroomportionof the facilityhad not beenreceiving highutilizationbutthe theaterportionhadhighutilization, andaddedthatthe Citywas not benefiting financially.
District 2 Council Member Manzo commented that he agreed with the assessment in regards to continuing to operate with Friends of the Rose Center Theater with an increase on the monthly fees to help pay for cost of utilities, questioned how Friends of the Rose Center Theater compared to operators in other counties.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen returned to the dais at 5:08 p.m.
Assembly Arts Non- Profit Management Specialist Koberstein explained how different cities in Los Angeles County operate their facilities and generate revenue and added that the difference between was that the other operators held more events and performances that brought more revenue to their city than the Rose Center Theater.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen exited the dais at 5:09 p.m.
District2 CouncilMemberManzostatedtaxpayerfundshadalreadybeenspenton a prior assessment, and the City did not proceed with that recommendation. He expressed concern about allocating additional funds for another assessment, and recommended that the City pause further action until staff meets with the Westminster School District to discuss the District' s proposal.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen returned to the dais at 5:09 p.m.
Mayor Nguyen requested that the TheaterDNA representatives continue with their presentation and stated that the City cannot reverse course at this time, as the agreement with TheaterDNA remains in effect for the RFP process.
Discussion ensued regarding the timeline of the RFP process.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 11, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING/ STUDY
SESSION
Mayor Nguyen stated he would like TheaterDNA representatives to clarify what steps they need to take to release the complete RFP to receive submittals.
Senior Management Analyst Hunter explained the next steps required to proceed with opening the RFP process to receive submittals.
Assistant City Manager Ozaeta stated that one of the benefits of working with a consultant is that they can distribute the RFP to contacts they are familiar with and help reach a wider audience.
District 1 Council Member Phan West motioned to approve as is and continue City Attorney Porter reported that the item is to provide direction only. No roll call vote was taken as the motion was not necessary.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nguyen adjourned the City Council Special Meeting/Study Session at 5:17 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 to a Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
TANYA RAMIREZ
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
zi021V411,
MAYOR
ATTEST:
NYA( AMIREZ
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FEBRUARY 11, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING/ STUDY
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