[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6307490,"mediaKeyId","2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443","parentId",2432900,"title","Residents press Westminster council for rules on e‑bikes and improvements to worn parks","audioSeconds",82,"startMs",1594005,"endMs",1676345,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443&start=1594&end=1676","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443/thumbnail_1594005.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307490/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Residents-press-Westminster-council-for-rules-on-ebikes-and-improvements-to-worn-parks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307490-4184c3fe76df2cadb0c2e168d2d57113/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138056&Signature=RUZTJeZB8702XmuOyPPjpUUHBzz-I77zjnXekZX36ZXd1V3eJVFH471cw4FLMJnq7pH57A2fL22YaHY6T-dYYYZYWkKhGC4E1TdyDPIlc9nTlutgE0onNOwsSLCVs8GZLKdCpw4qfgyHP0TWITfYVM84wMjm38xTfKSeQ50XQpgWmfJ-A9X45g-O0uxLgi67IcEd5qfQ1UubnPOUklukjVhlleEETBkBS4kHrqeybo9wUrwluprsXFM3zQUmPhKEzmUWesfcSTVLkRvkOoFeuoOdS2xDvwwUEqcX2yFvrADJFpe7bQxZQowGFPS60Pvw~R~kq6f~7iVsZOO7g9BaDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Of Westminster, CA","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents at the Feb. 12 Westminster meeting urged the City Council to take steps on e‑bike safety and park maintenance after a string of near misses and visible park deterioration.

Michael Varangia, a resident who said he frequently travels Magnolia, described a social‑media report of a near collision involving a teenager on an electric bicycle traveling on the sidewalk and asked the city to consider regulations including age limits and helmet requirements. “We need to really do something to keep them off the sidewalks, get some type of regulations to control this,” Varangia told council members.

Deputy Chief Weber of the Westminster Police Department said the state’s bicycle rules apply to e‑bikes and that the department already enforces helmet and bike‑lane requirements where applicable. He noted some neighboring jurisdictions have adopted sidewalk‑riding prohibitions or clearer signage and said there is ongoing discussion at the regional level about age limits for certain e‑bike classes. “There are a few things that we could probably do to make it a little stronger,” Weber said.

Tim Hogan, a Parks Commissioner, described near‑miss incidents at Chica Park, including a child nearly struck by a 14‑year‑old operating an e‑bike. Hogan said he is coordinating with schools and police to expand safety education and suggested pilot programs for licensing or registration through schools. “We need to do that — it’s getting heavier, faster and more dangerous,” he said.

Residents also raised park‑maintenance concerns. Roger Mindrum and Terry Raines noted problems at Frank Fry Park — including bare, churned turf, gopher holes and frequent vandalism — and asked for a public meeting in the neighborhood to discuss remediation. Parks staff reported they are aware of the condition, attribute some problems to repeated vandalism and high trash volumes, and said they will investigate re‑sodding, gopher abatement and additional maintenance or signage.

Council and staff response: Council members asked staff to explore policy options and return with recommendations. Vice Mayor Monzo and others recommended more signage and enforcement where statutes allow; Councilmember West asked staff to bring an update on homelessness and street vendors at a future meeting as related operational issues. Parks staff said they will review Frank Fry Park conditions and report back with remedial options.

No new ordinance or regulation was adopted at the meeting; council requested staff follow up with options for regulation, education and enforcement that could be brought back for council consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WM_City Council Meeting_2-12-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents and parks commissioners urged the council to act on public‑safety concerns about increasingly powerful electric bicycles on sidewalks and to address maintenance and vandalism problems at Frank Fry and other parks.","taxTitle","Westminster, Orange County, California","taxId",4241,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307495,"Council approves tow‑rotation policy, IT data‑center purchase and CalPERS waiver; closed session orders city‑attorney RFP",0,3531540,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443&start=3531&end=3531","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443/thumbnail_3531540.jpg","/articles/6307495/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Council-approves-towrotation-policy-IT-datacenter-purchase-and-CalPERS-waiver-closed-session-orders-cityattorney-RFP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307495-004e46b97da9f08c9af8e04ffb735bad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138056&Signature=feLl7vfWZVDkX9VEslvDvUoXD0OYl0XCUX3R2wzgx3RCoPWaYSDQ~xxuzAFRYF7WrO4NKFqV43xthAbsbwgDVGgC9GEMtMET00HXq4dRh2Srd6kDKR3rBza~~Y93jUgQSenQ83JBGhQPNBrjWEhAGFcAm11qu~oE6mtcO0a7HRVUpgqmdQTc-ZN1Sb2pZ7h1qgDu-bkhQQqH7bh1sZo8ZQIF0uGgc3o9k0-GO60yot3dFKLa5HWxlbRM-hfA~4GYKEp6OxBX7cggxNMlM-vHXZ-kvUO97W7vR6MEl9~dvmYCjD48swFUMLusJ7twfONULTujcCC86bSGXAO3nJzgKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Westminster City Council took four formal actions on Feb. 12, 2025, approving procedural and procurement items and directing an administrative review of city legal services.

Tow services rotation: The council approved a tow‑service agreement template to establish a rotational program for qualified tow providers so police can quickly obtain towing services for collisions and abandoned vehicles. The policy passed on a 5–0 roll call. Staff said the city currently uses a temporary agreement while prior local providers ceased operations; the Police Department identified Country City Towing (currently in the city) and noted two additional firms working under temporary arrangements — B & D Towing (Santa Ana) and Russell’s Towing (Stanton) — and described an open‑enrollment vetting process to select permanent rotation participants. The vote authorizes staff to implement the template and run the enrollment process.

IT data‑center equipment and implementation: The council approved a purchase using the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA) contract and a professional services agreement with Cross Connect Engineering to replace the city’s aging virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and servers. The motion authorized a funding request of $625,701 from the Information Systems fund balance and carried 5–0. Staff said the project will install a hyperconverged cluster (separate clusters for general city staff and the police department), restore centralized snapshot/restore capability to reduce outage recovery time and improve cyber‑resilience, and include approximately $59,000 in professional services plus an ongoing manufacturer support estimate of roughly $60,000 per year.

CalPERS 180‑day waiting‑period exception: The council unanimously adopted a resolution granting an exception to the 180‑day CalPERS waiting period to permit immediate rehiring of retired Westminster Police Department officer Stuart DeJong to assist with traffic investigations. Staff cited increased traffic fatalities and difficulty recruiting experienced investigators as the rationale for the exception. The resolution passed 5–0 after a brief council comment.

Closed‑session action — city‑attorney services: In closed session the council voted unanimously to direct staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for city attorney services. The council instructed that the incumbent, Christian Bentonhausen, continue to serve while the city evaluates alternative firms. City staff later reported the motion carried unanimously (5–0).

Votes at a glance
- Tow‑service agreement template (Rotational tow program): motion approved 5–0 (Fan West, District 3 member listed as Wynne, District 4 member listed as Wynne, Vice Mayor Monzo, Mayor listed as Wynne — roll‑call recorded as unanimous). Notes: template establishes vetting, open‑enrollment and rotation; temporary providers in place: Country City Towing, B & D Towing (Santa Ana), Russell’s Towing (Stanton).

- IT data‑center equipment and professional services with Cross Connect Engineering: approved 5–0. Funding: $625,701 from Information Systems fund balance; ongoing maintenance estimated at approximately $60,000 per year; project will replace aged VDI/hyperconverged servers and restore centralized snapshot/restore capability.

- Resolution approving exception to CalPERS 180‑day wait for rehiring (City Attorney/Police retiree rehiring process): approved 5–0. Subject: immediate rehiring of retired officer Stuart DeJong as a CalPERS annuitant to address traffic investigation staffing shortages.

- Closed session: motion to issue an RFP for city attorney services and to retain incumbent counsel during the evaluation process: carried unanimously in closed session; reported action: RFP to be issued; incumbent Christian Bentonhausen to continue while alternatives are evaluated.

Council members and staff emphasized these were operational items intended to improve police response, replace aging IT infrastructure affecting productivity and cybersecurity, and to address immediate staffing or legal‑services needs. No appeals or legal challenges were announced at the meeting.","At the Feb. 12 Westminster meeting the council approved a rotational tow‑service agreement template, authorized an information‑technology data‑center purchase and professional services agreement, adopted a CalPERS 180‑day waiver to rehire a retired traffic investigator, and in closed session voted to issue an RFP for city attorney services.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307500,"Westminster studies draft 2025–29 consolidated plan; council hears options for housing, parks and homelessness",3090,1223925,4314629,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443&start=1223&end=4314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2432900-ffc4e510c2a9210ace1caeff4ede5443/thumbnail_1223925.jpg","/articles/6307500/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-studies-draft-202529-consolidated-plan-council-hears-options-for-housing-parks-and-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307500-5b30f0959d216e36511bbf8e855e8a38/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138056&Signature=eSfj05Hn9S4cOalZAFvpi7u8o3p-m96jTAgsQ2ffzSiSLwE-Q9b09Be--Q-0TX5aNXHb4FtOJmdhWSqWM-aeAEbeL4gO945IBzevt-hlSoBEAdFNU00NUEYZ0sVmUxCURFzCHe0ag7gvYY7Z2Nvn70vRZhXVT8-IMOPukTjcCsuzW0VGBXT3GgVOiOQDwxkGtQOwKXirhYn~XaRqpDR6iX154hXgRrrBxR3DHuplH8HZRl3yStE-Llrz2DUj9RTnxQmqLkehk7UaDcZRfUNj-fZbAsrOSDf~Tz3nlho3p91V3MTPdUppSvOhECk7aNHwYroS0ooMSNB1FK~LfaQ4qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a special study session on Feb. 12, 2025, Westminster staff and consultants briefed the City Council on development of the city’s five‑year Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2025–2029, which sets priorities for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds.

The presentation, led by Michael San, the city’s housing specialist, explained that Westminster typically receives about $1 million annually in CDBG and roughly $400,000 in HOME funds and noted limits on how those funds may be used. Veronica Tam and Jamie Powers of Veronica Tam & Associates joined the meeting to describe outreach results and proposed priority areas.

Why it matters: The Consolidated Plan determines how Westminster directs limited federal housing and community development dollars. Decisions shape whether money goes toward affordable rental assistance, rehabilitation grants, park and street improvements in low‑ and moderate‑income neighborhoods, or social services for special‑needs populations.

Michael San summarized federal eligibility rules and program caps, explaining CDBG requires projects to meet one of three national objectives and caps public‑service spending at 15% of the annual allocation. “CDBG funds are probably the most flexible in terms of what activities you can use it for, but it’s also most stringent because there are a lot of strings attached,” San said. He noted HOME dollars may be used for new construction of affordable housing but that the program’s small local allocation limits what can be achieved without additional leverage.

Consultant Veronica Tam reviewed outreach the consultant team conducted, including a community survey with roughly 73 responses and stakeholder meetings with local nonprofits and service providers. Respondents rated street and alley repairs, parks and recreation, and health facilities among the top public‑improvement priorities; housing respondents emphasized homeownership assistance, housing code enforcement and rental assistance.

Council members pressed staff on several operational details. Councilwoman Fan West asked whether unspent public‑service set‑asides could be repurposed; Tam replied that unspent public‑service set‑asides cannot be reused for public services the following year because of the cap, but unspent funds can be allocated to other eligible activities such as affordable housing or public improvements. Vice Mayor Monzo asked for a list of stakeholder organizations; staff said participants included the Westminster Family Resource Center, Families Forward, Human Options, Realtor Commission, NeighborhoodWorks Orange County and Fair Housing Foundation.

Council members also discussed past programs. Staff reported the city’s 2020–22 multifamily rental rehab pilot was not successful because property owners were unwilling to accept deed restrictions and rent limits. By contrast, rental assistance (including one‑time CARES Act CDBG allocations during the COVID emergency) had been used effectively; staff said most Housing Division inquiries relate to rental assistance requests.

Staff highlighted specific program rules and constraints: up to 20% of CDBG may be used for planning and administration, and HOME administration is capped at roughly 10%. Tam described the HUD definition of urgent need (an event within the prior 18 months that cannot be funded by other means) and noted the city’s low‑ and moderate‑income areas cover more than half of Westminster, giving flexibility in siting physical improvements.

Council direction: No formal action was required or taken at the study session. Council members offered initial priorities and asked staff to return with draft language for the five‑year Consolidated Plan and the annual action plan scheduled later in the spring. Council members also asked for follow‑up detail on: (1) the number of survey and stakeholder responses and a list of participating agencies; (2) performance data for current 2020–24 projects (to be provided in the upcoming Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report due in autumn); and (3) options for reusing funds currently budgeted for programs that have had low take‑up, such as the multifamily rehab pilot.

The city indicated a draft Consolidated Plan will be released for public review in April and considered for adoption in May. Staff told the council the city does not yet have its 2025 HUD allocations but plans for funding levels based on prior years’ awards.","City staff and consultants briefed the City Council at a study session on federally required five‑year Consolidated Plan covering use of CDBG and HOME funds; council asked for more detail on outreach, past program results and priorities including rental assistance, park improvements and services for seniors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Westminster council for rules on e‑bikes and improvements to worn parks

Council approves tow‑rotation policy, IT data‑center purchase and CalPERS waiver; closed session orders city‑attorney RFP

Westminster studies draft 2025–29 consolidated plan; council hears options for housing, parks and homelessness