CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING
3: 00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER
WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA
May 27, 2026
Mayor Nguyen called the Special Meeting of the City Council/ Successor Agency to the Westminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 3:09 p.m., on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, via In -Person, at the City Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER AMY PHAN WEST, DISTRICT 1
COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS MANZO, DISTRICT 2
VICE MAYOR MARK NGUYEN, DISTRICT 3
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER NAMQUAN NGUYEN, DISTRICT 4
Interim Assistant City Clerk Ramirez announced a quorum of the City Council present.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Christine Cordon
Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
City Attorney Scott Porter
Public Works Director Jake Ngo
Finance Director Erin Backs
Community Services Director Vanessa Johnson
Human Resources Director/ Risk Manager Jodie Griner
Community Development Director Richard Rojas
Business Services Manager Karla Santillan
Economic Development Manager Carina Campos
Interim Assistant City Clerk Tanya Ramirez
Records Coordinator Daisy Guzman
Orange County Fire Authority Administrative Captain Kyle Cain Police Chief Darin Lenyi
Deputy Police Chief Ron Weber
Police Commander Michael Harvey
Police Commander Bill Drinnin
Police Commander Andrew Stowers
Sergeant at Arms Bret Gleason
Police Detective Bryce Burton
Emergency Management Coordinator, Anna Burton
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Vice Mayor Nguyen led the flag salute.
INVOCATION
Mayor Nguyen conducted the invocation.
WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA
May 27, 2026
Resolution Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency and Reaffirming Proclamation No. 2026- 01
The following individual spoke under oral communications:
Tami Hammell, Westminster, spoke regarding the weekend evacuation, expressed appreciation to those involved in the response efforts, including Council Member Manzo and the Westminster Fire Department, for their assistance and service.
2. Lyn Trepesowsky, Westminster, spoke on Agenda Item No. 1 and asked whether the meeting could have been held after regular work hours, requested that the city end all operations related to GNK Aerospace within the City, and commented on Mayor Nguyen' s prayer following the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Colin Edwards spoke regarding the situation that occurred over the weekend, expressed appreciation that the matter had been resolved, thanked the Mayor, City Council, and City staff for their efforts in responding to the incident, and helped with recovery efforts and any other needs of the City.
4. Terry Rains, Westminster, welcomed residents back to their homes following the weekend incident, stated she had contacted the Westminster Police Chief for updates and followed information provided by OCFA. She commended City Manager Cordon and Assistant City Manager Ozaeta for their response to the incident, thanked City staff, first responders, and hazmat personnel for their efforts to keep the community safe, and requested that the Municipal Code be updated to reflect that the City' s Director of Emergency Services is a woman.
Following oral communications, Mayor Nguyen stated that he and the Vice Mayor worked closely with City staff throughout the incident to help ensure residents were able to return home safely.
City Manager Cordon commented on the weekend incident and explained the local emergency proclamation that was issued. She stated that the proclamation serves as a mechanism to allow the City to obtain resources and funding during an emergency and requested that the City Council ratify the proclamation. She thanked City staff and Council
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY May 27, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
Members for their efforts during the incident, noted that two Council Members were among those evacuated from their homes, stated that the City's Emergency Operations Center was activated as soon as the City became aware of the situation, and highlighted the resources and assistance provided to the community throughout the emergency.
District 2 Council Member Manzo asked City Manager Cordon whether residents would be eligible for reimbursement and what resources would be available to assist those affected by the incident.
City Manager Cordon stated that additional information is still being developed regarding available assistance. She noted that residents and businesses needing support may contact City staff, including the Economic Development Manager, who has been reaching out to Westminster businesses, as well as Community Services and the Family Resource Center ( FRC), further stated that the availability of funding is not yet clear however, the City will share any information received with affected residents and business owner.
District 1 Council Member Phan West commented on the incident and acknowledged the fear and uncertainty experienced by residents. She emphasized the City' s commitment to transparency, encouraged the pursuit of available state funding resources, and stated that the City should evaluate its response efforts to identify areas for improvement. She thanked everyone who assisted during the incident and stated that the City will continue to enhance its emergency preparedness efforts.
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 2 Council Member Manzo, to adopt Resolution No. 5348 entitled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING PROCLAMATION NO. 2026- 01 DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY ARISING FROM THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INCIDENT AT 12122
WESTERN AVENUE, GARDEN GROVE, AND AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ACTIONS."
The motion carried, 4-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, M. NGUYEN, PHAN WEST, MANZO
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: N. NGUYEN
ABSTAIN: NONE
2. Designation of Authorized Agents for Applications Filed with the California Governor' s Office of Emergency Services to Obtain Federal and State Assistance Under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
City Manager Cordon explained that the item is a designation update to revise the signature authority and signature line.
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY May 27, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
District 2 Council Member Manzo requested an amendment to the document to replace the reference to the City Manager as ' him' with ' him' or ' her'.
City Attorney Porter stated that the amendment could be made and confirmed with MayorNguyenthat staff's recommendationis for the three designeesto be the City Manager, Police Chief, and Assistant City Manager.
Mayor Nguyen confirmed that he could modify his motion to include all three designees: the City Manager, the Police Chief, and the Assistant City Manager.
District 1 Council Member Phan West suggested adding Mayor Nguyen as one of the designees.
Mayor Nguyen stated that it was not necessary to include him as a designee.
City Attorney Porter explained that the designation is a staff function and recommended that staff perform the task.
District 1 Council Member Phan West inquired whether staff would report the findings to the Mayor.
City Attorney Porter clarified that the matter involves state paperwork and that the City would receive the related documentation, making staff the appropriate designees to complete the task rather than the Mayor.
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 1 Council Member Phan West, to adopt Resolution No. 5349 entitled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING
AUTHORIZED AGENTS FOR APPLICATIONS FILED WITH THE CALIFORNIA
GOVERNOR' S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO OBTAIN FEDERAL AND STATE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT," designating the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Police Chief as the authorized agents for the City of Westminster application( s) for federal disaster assistance funding for the next three years.
The motion carried, 4-0, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, M. NGUYEN, PHAN WEST, MANZO
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: N. NGUYEN
ABSTAIN: NONE
Mayor Nguyen stated that he has been working with City staff and the City Manager throughout the incident, thanked staff for their efforts and dedication to assisting residents, expressed appreciation to residents for their patience, and thanked OCFA for their
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY May 27, 2026
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
response and safe return.
District 2 Council Member Manzo thanked the Police Department and OCFA for their hard work during the incident, expressed appreciation to the City Manager for her efforts, and thanked the community for its patience.
Vice Mayor Nguyen thanked City staff, volunteers, and residents for their cooperation and compliance with the evacuation orders.
3. ADJOURNMENT
They Regular Meeting of May 27, 2026 has been canceled. Mayor Nguyen adjourned the City Council Special Meeting at 3:37 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 to a Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
ATTEST:
TANYA RAMIREZ
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
TANYA RAMIREZ
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
CITY COUNCIL/ SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE
WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA
May 27, 2026
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