CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
CLOSED SESSION
3:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nguyen called the Special Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Nestminster Redevelopment Agency Meeting to order at 3:10 p.m., on Thursday, July 23, 2026, via In-Person/Teleconference, at the Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
VICE MAYOR, DISTRICT 3 MARK NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 2 CARLOS MANZO
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT4 NAMQUAN NGUYEN
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1 AMY PHAN WEST
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Christine Cordon
Assistant City Manager Adolfo Ozaeta
City Attorney Scott Porter
Finance Director Erin Backs
Police Chief Darin Lenyi
Deputy Chief Ron Weber
Public Works Director Jake Ngo
Interim Assistant City Clerk Tanya Ramirez
Records Coordinator Daisy Guzman
Sergeant at Arms Bret Gleason
Interim Assistant City Clerk Ramirez read the Closed Session title into the record:
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council will recess to a Closed Session for the following purpose:
1. Conference With Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d) (2) Number of Potential Cases: One (1)
*The discussion is regarding a letter from the County of Orange to the Westminster City Attorney's office dated August 4, 2025, requesting the City return funds for the Little Saigon Archway.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR CLOSED SESSION
There following individuals spoke under oral communications, via in-person, on closed session items only:
1. Ngan Nguyen urged the City Council not to return the funds previously received for the Little Saigon Archway, provided a brief history of Little Saigon, and explained the archway will honor the community's legacy of future generations.
2. Gigi Vo requested the City Council not return the funds designated for the Little Saigon Archway, and added that the funds should be invested in the City to complete the project as it is a symbol to the Vietnamese-Americans.
3. Tina Cao, Westminster, echoed previous speakers in urging the City Council to retain the funding for the Little Saigon Archway, listen to the residents, and move forward with the project.
4. Monique Nguyen echoed previous speakers in urging the City Council to retain the funding for the Little Saigon Archway and to move forward with the project.
5. Minh Vu, Westminster, echoed previous speakers in urging the City Council to retain the funding for the Little Saigon Archway, expressed hope that the County Supervisor Janet Nguyen would keep her promise to provide funding to the City, and stated that residents look to the project moving forward.
6. Terry Rains, Westminster, commented on the letter sent more than a year ago and expressed frustration with the County's request that the City return the funds to the District 1 Supervisor's office, stated that the City had likely already spent money on preliminary concepts and research for the project, questioned whether the request reflected a lack of support for the continued growth of Little Saigon and local tourism, and urged the City Council to work with the County to allow the City to retain the funding. Ms. Rains also commented that the item's return to Closed Session suggested that the City Attorney had not successfully negotiated the previous agreement; additionally, she stated that she did not support any of the designs presented in the staff report and provided the City Council with an alternative design for consideration.
7. Lewis Pham spoke in support of the Little Saigon Archway and commented that the Vietnamese community is no longer supportive of District 1 Supervisor Janet Nguyen due to her request to return the funds.
There were no members of the public wishing to speak via Zoom.
The Mayor and the City Council entered Closed Session at 3:29 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
RECESS The Mayor and the City Council exited Closed Session at 3:54 p.m.
OPEN SESSION
3:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Nguyen called the Special Meeting of the City Council/Successor Agency to the Boulevard, Westminster, California
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
VICE MAYOR, DISTRICT 3 MARK NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 2 CARLOS MANZO
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT4 NAMQUAN NGUYEN
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1 AMY PHAN WEST
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
Community Services and Recreation Director Vanessa Johnson Finance Director Erin Backs
Public Works Director Jake Ngo
Community Development Director Richard Rojas
Police Chief Darin Lenyi
Deputy Chief Weber
Economic Development Manager Carina Campos
Business Services Manager Karla Santillan
Senior Management Analyst Shaunna Hunter
Interim Assistant City Clerk Tanya Ramirez
Records Coordinator Daisy Guzman
Sergeant at Arms Bret Gleason
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 JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
District 4 Council Member Nguyen left the dais at 3:55 p.m.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen returned to the dais at 3:55 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY/CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Porter announced the Mayor and City Council met in Closed Session and took no reportable action.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
The following individuals spoke under oral communications on agenda items only:
1. Emily McCullum, IONNA, spoke in support of the Letter of Intent with Caltrans regarding the Maintenance Agreement for Agenda Item No. 1, provided background on the company, expressed excitement about opening one of its largest sites in the City, stated that the project will include 11 electric vehicle chargers and convenience store, and expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the City on the project.
2. Monique Nguyen commented on a petition being circulated in support of the Little Saigon Archway, stated that the archway would benefit the City by attracting tourists and generating money.
3. Loan Nguyen, Westminster, spoke in support of placing a transient occupancy tax measure on the ballot and urged the City Council to consider an increase of four percent or higher, spoke in support of the Little Saigon Archway, Agenda Item No. 1, stated that the funding previously provided to the City should remain with the City for the Little Saigon Archway project, commented that she did not favor any of the designs included in the staff report, and recommended that the item be brought back with new design options.
4. Terry Rains, Westminster, expressed frustration regarding the City placing the Little Saigon Archway in Closed Session and the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on a Special Meeting held during work hours, commented on and in opposition of the County's request that the City return funds, stated that she had completed the online survey for the TOT, and provided feedback regarding the survey's format and presentation, stated that she did not support increasing the TOT to 14 percent, and regarding Agenda Item No. 3, the Little Saigon Archway, she commented that she was not in favor any of the designs presented in the staff report and provided an alternative design to the City Council.
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There were no members of the public wishing to speak via Zoom.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Letter of Intent Regarding the IONNA Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Project at 6260 Westminster Blvd.
Assistant City Manager Ozaeta provided a brief report.
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 2 Council Member Manzo, to authorize staff to issue a letter of intent confirming the City's intent to work towards formalizing right-of-way maintenance agreements to facilitate the existing project at 6260 Westminster Boulevard.
The motion carried, 4-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, M. NGUYEN, MANZO, N. NGUYEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PHAN WEST
ABSTAIN: NONE
Consideration of a Resolution Submitting the Westminster City Services Measure to the Voters at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election to Seek Voter-Approval of an Increase to the City's Transient Occupancy Tax.
Finance Director Backs introduced Adam Sonenshein, FM3, who provided a brief report on the survey.
District 2 Council Member Manzo asked for clarification regarding the statement that overall public feedback was not favorable, he questioned the value of comparing the proposed increase to surrounding cities, and asked Mr. Soneshein, to elaborate on the survey responses as the presentation indicated the proposed 12 percent increase received more favorable responses from participants than the 14 percent increase and requested additional context regarding those findings.
Mr. Sonenshein responded that, from the residents' perspective, the comparison to surrounding cities may not be particularly compelling as that residents are more concerned with understanding how the proposed increase would affect public safety than with how it compares to surrounding cities. He further explained the survey results, comparing residents' responses to the proposed 12 percent and 14 percent increases and providing additional context for the differences in public support.
Mayor Nguyen asked Mr. Sonenshein for additional information and questioned the proposed percentage increases.
Mr. Sonenshein responded and explained the results of the survey received from residents with both a 12 percent and a 14 percent increase, and commented that the City cannot campaign or advocate for the measure, City can only provide factual information to the residents. Mr. Sonenshein clarified that the data presented to the
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Council reflects residents' responses to the survey questions and the priorities - identified from those responses.
Vice Mayor Nguyen asked what the cost is to place the measure on the ballot.
City Manager Cordon stated the cost is minimal because the City is consolidating with the County and the cost is shared among other cities that also have measures on the ballot.
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 4 Council Member Nguyen, to adopt a Resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, SUBMITTING THE RELATED ACTIONS" at 12 percent.
City Manager Cordon stated staff recommends revising a line in the ballot description that is not included in the current ordinance. The revision would need to be added to the motion, with the ordinance subsequently revised to reflect the survey City Attorney Porter provided clarification regarding the percentage differences - between the resolutions and ordinances included in the staff report.
District 2 Council Member Manzo questioned the use of the term "short-term rentals" as they are not allowed in the City.
Finance Director Back clarified that the wording had been removed from the resolution.
City Attorney Porter stated that the correct language is included in the staff report and resolutions.
Special Counsel Mark Mandell stated the "short-term rental" language was removed from the ballot question to ensure accuracy, noted that the ordinance would be presented to the voters as a ballot measure and explained that, as a tax measure, placement on the ballot requires a majority vote of the Council.
Discussion ensued regarding the language to be replaced in the resolution, and percentage.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen requested clarification regarding why the language was being replaced. -
City Manager Cordon responded that the changes were based on the survey results.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 4 Council Member Nguyen, to adopt a Resolution entitled, , "A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, SUBMITTING THE
WESTMINSTER CITY SERVICES MEASURE TO THE VOTERS AT THE
NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED ACTIONS" at 12 percent and to replace "providing youth/senior programs" with "addressing speeding/unsafe driving."
Mayor Nguyen asked when the survey was completed and why the 14 percent tax rate was selected.
City Manager Cordon stated that staff compared the percentages with those of surrounding cities and provided alternative options, including a higher tax rate, to gauge residents' views and provide Council with a baseline for consideration, and commented that any future changes to the tax rate will have to be placed on a ballot.
Mayor Nguyen asked whether other cities were placing a tax rate increase on the ballot.
City Manager Cordon responded by identifying other cities and the tax percentages they are considering.
Discussion ensued regarding potential tax percentages.
City Attorney Porter stated that members of the public watching via Zoom could not hear the meeting and requested a recess per SB 707.
Mayor Nguyen recessed the meeting at 4:53 p.m.
Mayor Nguyen reconvened the meeting at 5:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
MAYOR CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
VICE MAYOR, DISTRICT 3 MARK NGUYEN
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 2 CARLOS MANZO
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT4 NAMQUAN NGUYEN
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBER, DISTRICT 1 AMY PHAN WEST
City Attorney announced the participants viewing via Zoom are able to hear and participate in the meeting.
Mayor Nguyen stated he does not support a tax increase and expressed concern that the proposed increase would place a burden on residents.
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
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Substitute motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, to adopt a Resolution entitled, "A
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, SUBMITTING THE WESTMINSTER CITY SERVICES MEASURE TO THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED ACTIONS" at 10 percent alid replace "providing youth/senior programs" with "addressing speeding/unsafe City Attorney reminded the Council that a super majority vote is required to adopt the measure and place it on the ballot.
Vice Mayor Nguyen asked if Mayor Nguyen would compromise and amend his motion to 11 percent.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen stated that residents who completed the survey favored a 12 percent tax increase and asked Mayor Nguyen to consider moving forward with the 12 percent rate, commenting that voters may not approve the increase at a lower rate.
Vice Mayor Nguyen stated he would modify his original motion to increase the tax rate to 11 percent.
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Nguyen, to adopt a Resolution entitled, "A
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, SUBMITTING THE WESTMINSTER CITY SERVICES MEASURE TO THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED ACTIONS" at 11 percent and to replace "providing youth/senior programs" with "addressing speeding/unsafe driving."
District 4 Council Member Nguyen did not agree with the modified motion and rescinded his second. The Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Motion was made by Vice Mayor Nguyen, seconded by District 4 Council Member Nguyen, to adopt a Resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, SUBMITTING THE
WESTMINSTER CITY SERVICES MEASURE TO THE VOTERS AT THE
NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND TAKING CERTAIN RELATED ACTIONS" at 12 percent and to replace "providing youth/senior programs" with "addressing speeding/unsafe driving."
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CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
The motion carried, 4-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, M. NGUYEN, MANZO, N. NGUYEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PHAN WEST
ABSTAIN: NONE
3. Update to the Little Saigon Archway Design Concepts.
Senior Management Analyst Shaunna Hunter provided a brief report and introduced Oscar Johnson, MIG, to provide further information on the project.
Oscar Johnson continued the presentation by sharing the feedback received from the community regarding the project and presented three design concepts developed for the Little Saigon Archway and provided an overview of each concept.
Rick Corsini, Corsini Stark Architects, explained the design concepts and the reasoning behind the selection of materials used in the project.
District 2 Council Member Manzo questioned the style of Concept 3 and questioned how the sign would hang in the middle.
Mr. Johnson explained that one design concept includes a fifth column, while the other does not.
Mr. Corsini explained the equipment and support system that would be used to hold up the three-dimensional sign, noting that it would be suspended by cables and differ from a traditional archway.
District 2 Council Member Manzo questioned if the concepts were developed through community engagement and whether the concepts had been presented to the community for their input on the design.
Senior Management Analyst Hunter stated the ideas and components within the concepts were presented at a community meeting.
District 2 Council Member Manzo explained the importance of community input on the project, stated that he is not in favor of the concepts presented and recommended that the proposals be taken back to the community for additional feedback, and suggested that revisions be made based on the community's input before the item returns for Council consideration.
Mayor Nguyen thanked the consultants for their presentation, agreed with District 2 Council Member Manzo regarding the importance of community outreach and public input, and supported additional community engagement and gather feedback before
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
moving forward with the project. -
Assistant City Manager Ozaeta responded to Mayor Nguyen's comments, stating that statt could return to the community for additional outreach and implement broader public engagement efforts to gather additional community input, clarified that Concept 3 is not an archway and requested Council's direction on whether Concept 3 should be presented to the community as proposed.
Discussion ensued regarding the clarification that Concept 3 was not an archway and Council's request for additional community input before moving forward with the project.
Mayor Nguyen confirmed with staff on direction to reach out to community input and provide an update to Council and to receive and file the report.
Reaffirmation/Reconsideration of Placement of Agenda Item Regarding Letter to County Supervisor Nguyen at June 24, 2026 Meeting.
City Manager Cordon provided a brief background, stating that District 4 Council Member Nguyen was erroneously omitted from the roll call vote and bringing the item back to allow Council Member Nguyen an opportunity to vote. -
City Attorney Porter explained the procedure to motion and to reconsider for discussion.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen commented that he did not vote on the item and requested that the record be corrected to reflect his intended vote.
Motion was made by Mayor Nguyen, seconded by Vice Mayor Nguyen to reconsider the placement of an agenda item from the June 24, 2026 meeting to consider the request for financial assistance from County of Orange First District related to recovered funds.
The motion carried, 4-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, M. NGUYEN, MANZO, N. NGUYEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PHAN WEST
ABSTAIN: NONE
City Attorney Porter explained the process and commented that the City Council can discuss the item and to reconsider placing the item at a future meeting. -
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
District 4 Council Member Nguyen stated he was the seconder on this item, but was not given the opportunity to vote, commented he was not in favor of sending a letter, and asked for direction from the City Attorney.
District 2 Council Member Manzo requested clarification, stating that there was no vote to approve to send a letter, only to approved placing the item on the agenda for discussion.
City Manager Cordon clarified the vote before the City Council is to consider to place the item on the agenda for discussion of writing the letter and context.
Motion was made by District 4 Council Member Nguyen, to direct staff at the August 12, 2026 Regular Meeting to draft a letter to County of Orange First District to request for financial assistance.
District 2 Council Member Manzo commented that this discussion should take place when District 1 Council Member Phan West is present, as the item was requested by her and is on the agenda at her request.
City Manager Cordon stated that the Council could defer the item to the August 12, 2026 meeting and request to revote and noted that staff's direction was to return to correct the vote in order to have accurate minutes.
Discussion ensued regarding the options of deferring the item, conducting a revote, and providing clarification.
City Attorney Porter asked the Council how it would like to proceed so that he could assist in developing a solution.
District 4 Council Member Nguyen stated he does not want to have the letter drafted or sent.
Motion was made by District 4 Council Member Nguyen, to not discuss this item at any future meeting.
Mayor Nguyen commented that the Council should reconsider the item and conduct a revote, noting that the outcome may have been different if all Council Members had voted and added that the Council Member who requested to have the item on the agenda should be present to also discuss.
District 2 Council Member Manzo commented that it is only fair to wait and discuss the item with District 1 Council Member Phan West, who requested to place the item on the agenda, and to allow District 4 Council Member Nguyen to reaffirm his vote.
The motion failed due to a lack of a second
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA WESTMINSTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY JULY 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Discussion ensued regarding the appropriate action to take regarding the item.
Motion was made by District 4 Council Member Nguyen, seconded by Vice Mayor Nguyen, to return to the August 12, 2026 meeting to consider the request for financial assistance from County of Orange First District related to recovered funds and to revise the June 24, 2026 minutes to reflect District 4 Council Member Nguyen's vote as a "No."
The motion carried, 4-0-1, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: C. NGUYEN, M. NGUYEN, MANZO, N. NGUYEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: PHAN WEST
ABSTAIN: NONE
COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 6:04 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026 to a Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
TANYA RAMIREZ
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
CHI CHARLIE NGUYEN
MAYOR
ATTEST:
a da
ansa
TANYA RAMIREZ
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY CLERK