[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6307489,"mediaKeyId","2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be","parentId",2432901,"title","Residents and council press OCTA on Margie Rice Park repairs; council adds OCTA audit update to future agenda","audioSeconds",981,"startMs",8471000,"endMs",9452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be&start=8471&end=9452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be/thumbnail_8471000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307489/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Residents-and-council-press-OCTA-on-Margie-Rice-Park-repairs-council-adds-OCTA-audit-update-to-future-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307489-f914c7094465e55559c8fbd558f4941f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185351&Signature=YL7vrfmySORJwlrLxu62PuUZ8YjKrAMEb6IFkmp1eA9SsgeXaMMR3NgKhnk1ijLTc1FozMxytvW~Zd8uOXHVqfjzlSdqysjX3GiaP~uvZaY-noZ155B3wEYA7WPYNxvFAkQ9nddBnCM17i0SGjr3x7y0Ep8K5tdFeRJKEMmSycFNT4L3hziShTu6GJVNoiiaEsd2-Uu1uXQi-kHvKJ~Y9gc~5nDd7fNbKjdZ6eusQ5E67WJYPOmCAJCn3X0jlkcEc9D-D~7xVe~A9YaA07YyX94DBaRNYb15lQhf9wOXQUq~3nU9XebT0C05IaVl7uT0mKVocngz3le35GhFk7pNBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Of Westminster, CA","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Public comments and council discussion on Feb. 26 focused heavily on Margie Rice Park, where speakers said work tied to the OCTA 405 project left the park eroded, with ground‑squirrel tunnels, failing ground cover and damaged irrigation.

Resident Tim Hogan told the council OCTA’s contractor reneged on a promised rock blanket for a hillside, instead leaving ground cover that died and failed to be watered. “They dug tunnels and opened holes all over the grass, destroyed the integrity of the new playground mat, and threatened the health and safety of the young children who played,” Hogan said. He urged OCTA to install the rock blanket originally promised, regrade the hill, and restore sod and playground mats.

Resident Debbie Johnson said ground‑squirrel burrows, unsafe playing surfaces and a persistent homeless encampment had limited safe park use and urged the city to prioritize repairs, noting safety concerns for children.

Council discussion acknowledged long-standing problems. Assistant City Manager Adolfo said the city has met with OCTA representatives and their contractor and is pressing for corrective action; he said negotiations could include compensation or contractor replacement. He noted Caltrans and OCTA also have interests because Caltrans cannot resume freeway control until punch-list items across jurisdictions are closed out.

Vice Mayor Manzo and other council members expressed frustration at the project’s pace and urged staff to bring a focused update. The council then voted 5–0 to add an “OCTA audit update” to an upcoming agenda so the issue can be addressed in more detail.

Ending: Council asked staff to continue pressing OCTA and the contractor to finish promised work and agreed to schedule a formal OCTA audit update for a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WM_City Council Meeting_2-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters and council members said Margie Rice Park remains damaged after OCTA work; the council voted 5–0 to add an OCTA audit update to a future agenda and pressed staff to pursue contractor remedies.","taxTitle","Westminster, Orange County, California","taxId",4241,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307494,"Council fills multiple commission seats and approves agency budget items in unanimous votes",186,7159000,7345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be&start=7159&end=7345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be/thumbnail_7159000.jpg","/articles/6307494/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Council-fills-multiple-commission-seats-and-approves-agency-budget-items-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307494-9061997eeb2164fb8a26a2dcb1a1d560/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185351&Signature=YLWmpTEeP0n89jq-RMalMMHH6mnp7vwkwsKkRig-coQ9CtjfSb86aC4579DadDR4EaypmZeZBtVMNJ5VHTlSnM6Di4q1-8N4oENV1RfJSmHweDKesEQ0D5JUhWCoLCRkxuB7nM77juKcl4Cfxr1d~WQR38ke5v4FiBfIE5Bs~3Fuc~DFpX9-dwXpqSccE-tACWYR00HSVEToNZ1-OnkRfXYdsd9UqDNSIMnfAIXvMOQ63~KC67DYtfGuXl61WMyB~4qBJ5fTtM2qy8edefoaU7Xg2uCRKN~d0h31zCYThppcYFCk6eaAEwLgRHEJUPctOvMt3rRkKqupnli~9D9Yjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council completed several routine and appointment votes on Feb. 26, approving a shared water‑board budget contribution, confirming multiple commission and committee appointees, and adopting the remainder of the consent calendar.

The council approved Westminster’s share of the West Orange County Water Board budget for FY 2025–26 and Westminster’s contribution of $300,685; the motion carried 5–0.

The meeting included multiple slate appointments across advisory bodies. Among actions taken and recorded in the meeting minutes:
- Tammy Hamill was appointed to the Citizens Oversight Committee for Measure Y and E (motion carried 5–0).
- Park and Recreation Commission appointments: Grant Harding (appointed by Councilwoman Fan West), Jason Wade Gray (mayor’s appointment), Donald Lank (appointed by Councilmember Mark Nguyen), Tim Hogan (appointed by Councilmember Namquan Nguyen); one district appointment was deferred to a later meeting; motion carried 5–0.
- Planning Commission appointments: Casey Wolbert (District 1 appointment), John Gentile (District 3 appointment); one appointment deferred to the next meeting; motion carried 5–0.
- Cultural Arts Commission appointments: Amy Gremlin (District 1), Ashton Kawe (District 3), Andrew Tran (Vice Mayor’s appointment); remaining seats deferred where noted; motion carried 5–0.
- Traffic Commission appointments: Donald Lank (Vice Mayor Manzo) and Khan Winn (mayor’s nomination), among others; several appointments were recorded as approved and a few deferred; recorded vote was 5–0 on the slate as presented.

Council moved the remainder of the consent calendar (with item 3.4 pulled for discussion) in a single motion; that motion carried 5–0. The midyear budget review (agenda item 3.4) was pulled for separate discussion and later received and filed by a 4–0 vote (one member absent).

All recorded appointment motions and the water-board budget action passed without recorded dissent. Where individual appointments were deferred, council indicated those listings would be returned at a subsequent meeting.

Ending: Council confirmed a slate of advisory‑body appointments and approved routine budget and consent actions; deferred appointments will return to a future agenda for confirmation.","At its Feb. 26 meeting Westminster City Council approved the West Orange County Water Board budget share, confirmed multiple commission appointments, and cleared several consent items; most motions passed unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307499,"Council approves in-person business-license liaison to help applicants using HDL portal",911,6532000,7443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be&start=6532&end=7443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be/thumbnail_6532000.jpg","/articles/6307499/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Council-approves-in-person-business-license-liaison-to-help-applicants-using-HDL-portal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307499-5b0d0d78e4e7c98093779b95b6be7bbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185351&Signature=djYrM4Ck3MPPOvHULOjgiWO30-KvjoR2rkX4EWgGuz51vNIJeo4AtAPh2gcY1bzIEYHsS2jNxeynXozN6j4YzeUqu-H~y~bcsvBZO8osJ3sJmclTkQdXy-s7LoSNbidW-6lWNsz3wTaJH-vJaet0jf4uuNcNIxm1Cl5-a6ogQqR6OZ7PJuHy7rMsBe1sFiLwV47Qu4VysArVU4I295wtXJ6FSezbEqE16wMzTGa0dl1nZ9S0h2vH9jtLXer5PwKdpPxlWn7PlbEtAtca4MggNdlZ0305JzA9Psa8W~yNB2ETe-~qzbt~4ybvAeKIDtjjZG~EY6wfRTLLh~L-bOMDSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council voted 5–0 on Feb. 26 to introduce a staff business-license liaison to supplement business-license administration provided by HDL companies.

Staff described the liaison as a supplementary, in-person option for applicants who need help using HDL’s online portal. The city contracted with HDL for business-license administration in 2021 and has since activated services such as translation and discovery and compliance functions, which staff said have produced additional revenue. The liaison role will be a duty performed by an existing or vacant Community Development management-analyst position; until that position is filled a senior management analyst in the city manager’s office will cover it.

Senior Management Analyst Ryan Sauls presented the proposal, saying staff estimate roughly 1.5 hours per week of liaison time and an annual cost under $5,000, subject to demand. The liaison will be listed on the city’s business-license portal, available by appointment and able to assist applicants at the counter with tasks including scanning documents and entering application information.

Council discussed whether the liaison would speed issuance and how the city coordinates planning, building and public-safety reviews that also affect startup timelines. Councilmember Fan West and others said better customer communication and follow-up would help. Staff said the liaison is intended primarily for applicants unfamiliar with the digital process, first-time business owners, or applicants with language needs.

Council voted to approve the introduction of business license liaison services to be performed by staff; motion carried 5–0.

Ending: Staff will implement the liaison duty within existing staffing; the Community Development management-analyst position will be designated once filled.","Council approved a staff-led business license liaison to assist applicants with HDL-run online licensing; staff said the service will be minimal cost and provided by existing staff until the Community Development management analyst position is filled.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307505,"Westminster projects $2 million increase in general fund at midyear; revenues up, vacancies reduce expenses",602,6080000,6682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be&start=6080&end=6682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be/thumbnail_6080000.jpg","/articles/6307505/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-projects-2-million-increase-in-general-fund-at-midyear-revenues-up-vacancies-reduce-expenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307505-7b160295dfa0c46ab083a1631ddfb422/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185351&Signature=a08K9iEvTvDrkLv8lxhKeLOFy5V4qXB~u~44~vr5P9eZsoT6isxQVbrUyo8jqAtSuV2i0HQcveDpD3PXK8vOeV2ocYIcdzbNspxK9AE8VC5nY6aTzoneWFJmOou6qZQmVPtvC3JeWEi9hKna7YMgyC4TKNSdV5~GFWE2cRL9JjbvwKhp593n69og5bi5VqbjICl~TJ0jIXYsBBjcer8M~JbFH4GnbHkJi~E6ttHgCgPkMJQ-PHqLwTzmFPMjzDOhigULiOxHCtZA0GDPVAwScQ3cEA4kfcncoUh4IbOYQGSzNU6nhZ3Fiv-jZxZ7RzlJa8sE~8dDx~S1acaMxG7QPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff presented a midyear budget review on Feb. 26 showing Westminster’s general fund is projected to end fiscal year 2024–25 with an approximately $2 million increase in fund balance, up from a budgeted $1.9 million deficit.

The presentation focused on the general fund only. Staff said revenues are projected to be about $1.9 million higher than budgeted, mainly from higher charges for service, while sales-tax and transaction-use taxes are projected $455,000 below budget. Expenditures are forecast about $2 million under budget primarily because of salary savings tied to vacancies. As of the Dec. 31 reporting period staff said 34% of general fund revenues had been received.

Key figures presented: budgeted general-fund revenues of $86.6 million; current projections of approximately $88.5 million; budgeted expenditures of roughly $87.0 million and projected expenditures near $85.0 million; projected reserves of $46.3 million at year-end, with an emergency reserve of $14.7 million and $31.6 million unassigned.

Council members asked about the city’s reserve policy and appropriate reserve targets. Finance staff said the city follows Government Finance Officers Association guidance and maintains an emergency reserve target of about 17% and noted separate retiree trust balances (Section 115 trusts) of roughly $5 million each that are not included in the general-fund totals presented.

Council voted to receive and file the budget report; the motion carried 4–0 (one councilmember absent at the vote). Staff recommended no midyear budget adjustments and said the next update will be part of the FY 2025–26 budget process with study sessions beginning in May.

Ending: The council received the midyear report; staff will include updated projections in the upcoming budget study sessions.","City finance staff told council the general fund is projected to end FY 2024–25 with a $2 million increase in fund balance, driven by stronger revenues and salary savings from vacancies; council received and filed the report.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307510,"Westminster council appoints Scott Porter city attorney after closed-session discussion",8810,810000,9620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be&start=810&end=9620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432901-69e65af13ec79d633930d1407041d1be/thumbnail_810000.jpg","/articles/6307510/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-council-appoints-Scott-Porter-city-attorney-after-closed-session-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307510-d7b3343450e67902d7a3d354c0d07e6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185351&Signature=IRmKF-iktsq-f3j92v008W3WEbVrZ3yntpBTpo7c7gHVbccmXQfhmo31ZGbKFxAIc86hm8tacF8l7i5hqjjtk0acyAbMVMvbsJyXtry-5VyZyJ0Fm5eB0j~nPMSsUC~Hw8c~2SUG9nVSJu-Pk8gDX~HdkmhxTKWuMKUXJ-JIyKiznwklszaraOAl4cvAxhnjuCPA4~ZcpgSndn~KwCSn66-9GhGMS59K0w8qnR5K4-lyeTMOIyN2af2fTpVoi0e4cDOFxPHnqYKo-wcDv4pYpUYT76S4TydeXAc2B9~1D3kQ949620w66t~LnHQHAiuRQrksrW~QC6DmREu5NcrUOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council voted 5–0 on Feb. 26 to appoint Scott Porter as the city attorney following a closed-session discussion on a public-employee appointment.

The action came after oral communications before the closed session in which resident Terry Raines urged the council to open the selection to competitive proposals and to avoid appointing attorneys from the Jones & Mayer firm. Raines said the council had earlier voted to issue a request for proposals and asked for a public forum for finalist candidates so residents could weigh in. “When we have bad legal representation, everyone is harmed,” Raines told the council.

City Clerk read the closed-session item into the record as “public employee appointment pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1), title City Attorney.” The city recessed for a closed session and reconvened later in the evening. City Manager reported out that, on a motion by Council Member Mark Nguyen, seconded by Council Member Fan West, the council appointed Scott Porter by a 5–0 vote.

The council did not discuss the terms of Porter’s appointment in open session. Raines had also told the council he had found invoices the city attorney’s previous firm sent to Jones & Mayer that, in his view, suggested an improper selection process. Those assertions were made during public comment and were not resolved in the open meeting record.

The council’s vote followed instructions read into the record and the closed-session authority cited under the California Government Code. The city manager provided the formal report of the closed-session outcome when the council returned to open session.

The appointment is effective immediately as reported; the council did not state additional implementation steps or an effective date in open session.

Ending: The council adjourned the meeting after reporting the closed-session appointment. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025, at 6 p.m.","After a closed session and public comment urging a wider selection process, the Westminster City Council voted 5–0 to appoint Scott Porter as the city attorney.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and council press OCTA on Margie Rice Park repairs; council adds OCTA audit update to future agenda

Council fills multiple commission seats and approves agency budget items in unanimous votes

Council approves in-person business-license liaison to help applicants using HDL portal

Westminster projects $2 million increase in general fund at midyear; revenues up, vacancies reduce expenses

Westminster council appoints Scott Porter city attorney after closed-session discussion