[{"_1":2,"_115":-5,"_116":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,73,83,93,105],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":43,"_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":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6181944,"mediaKeyId","5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f","parentId",5110751,"title","Orange County Fire Authority urges Westminster families to treat drowning as preventable at council meeting","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5940000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f&start=5940&end=5940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f/thumbnail_5940000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181944/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Orange-County-Fire-Authority-urges-Westminster-families-to-treat-drowning-as-preventable-at-council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181944-a216bcbed870860c15ba40152a18f998/orig.mp4?Expires=1769727235&Signature=IH9CEQTyJtOPD1yZc8COJInxoh6J4ooHZACcTUtkN65L~02AIt9jHZSq5Pes9W26auGv7EMhxVOV0ybWoA5kXxQEJW7kDkK4zoz~-ioYeX7-Vko4OBnbT606vcwB9i0F25gDWqPLZaQt2lSjGt~-wiFcQtSkrF-Y7~a4kLZCx6aWtiLUPwCz3daGpYKuMCDCT-AoEAwfig531YceM6-RZ5oslJh-q5DPej~v-nt2Q3Chg3uEpjG18Log6jg3HTXXcZNv~ZZvND78qPo6bQ5Gt-7Sv6BzbQUsykQ0VlZUh67GQ0Zv-bSK8Aw7Gau4oejth7J9ViFsgvIAt0lzA8AR5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Westminster, CA","date","2025-06-26T05:58:05Z","article","Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) officials briefed the Westminster City Council on June 25 about a year‑to‑date rise in drownings and urged community action on water safety, highlighting active supervision, barriers, swimming lessons and CPR as central prevention measures.

Chief Craig Covey said OCFA has seen a sharp number of drownings in recent months and recounted a near‑tragedy on May 10 when an off‑duty lifeguard and a CPR‑trained bystander revived a seven‑year‑old who had been submerged with no pulse. “Drowning is preventable,” Chief Covey said, and he emphasized that many drownings occur silently and in seconds. OCFA urged parents and caregivers to designate a “water watcher” whose sole task is to supervise children near water and to avoid distractions such as phones.

The presentation emphasized three prevention pillars commonly recommended by aquatic safety programs: active adult supervision (water watchers), physical barriers (fencing and self‑closing gates), and formal classes (learn‑to‑swim plus CPR training). OCFA staff highlighted statistics that a large share of drownings occur in backyard pools and spas and that small children can drown in inches of water.

OCFA also said it would partner with the city and police on fireworks safety over the Fourth of July period and previewed community outreach and inspections of permitted booths and fireworks sales. The presentation included a testimonial from a family that experienced a near drowning and emphasized the emotional and life‑altering consequences for families.

Councilmembers thanked OCFA for the outreach and asked staff to amplify materials about pool safety, lifeguard availability and CPR training. OCFA said it would provide outreach materials for city channels and engage with schools and parks programs for summer safety.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WM City Council Meeting_6-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","OCFA presented drowning‑prevention guidance to the Westminster City Council and public, stressing active adult supervision, barriers around pools, swimming lessons and CPR.","taxTitle","Westminster, Orange County, California","taxId",4241,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":74,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":75,"_40":41,"_42":76,"_44":76,"_45":77,"_47":78,"_49":79,"_51":80,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":81,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":82,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6181949,"Westminster council approves $900,000 open purchase order for smart water meters and software",15358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f&start=15358&end=15358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f/thumbnail_15358000.jpg","/articles/6181949/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-council-approves-900000-open-purchase-order-for-smart-water-meters-and-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181949-eca4d4c536ba128e9e6ae651085df33d/orig.mp4?Expires=1769727235&Signature=LrZN-15Y52OYA9nTCAv5aB54EQZ1wwV8qyVaKAIPo0Spn-uhfj11Qzuqvpscu7WOlx8hbm0VG6tmpFh8~JClDbGsesGndkfQDx~yXAohpkrT127gX7K2LCQOEnvA-ExVUfhc1w-DF03NCLHStslCYTNixasWZX8vu6tGly05xtu1jiqZzb~~4jGVB8hSrbcqvwcXnuC7SmpDhhxTSpUI5HUKE0pB5~tChmS3MLm-8l1M5wy3Zca6FobeGS3KMikx4OR47GYufXJvYyCcEKEb5ucPabdxTD0FYp~~eG2mV3YgNXAGlpMtBizP2oCh6WYTkQJdzc4MG4OVsDu918TZ2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council on June 25 approved an open purchase order in fiscal year 2025–26 for water meters and related Ultrasonic meter‑reading hardware and parts in the amount of $900,000 and authorized a five‑year software agreement for meter reading in the amount of $58,450.

Staff said the purchase continues a multi‑year meter replacement program intended to replace aging meters with ultrasonic or advanced metering devices to improve billing accuracy and reduce field reads. City staff reported approximately 21,000 meters system‑wide; roughly 6,000–7,000 have been replaced to date. The current award represents the next tranche of replacements; staff estimated the full program will take about six years to complete if the city self‑installs rather than contracting all work.

Councilmember questions focused on customer cost and timing. Staff said the program is a city capital and operational responsibility and that property owners are not charged for meter replacement. The city estimated the program will save several million dollars compared with full external contractor installation because city crews will perform much of the work.

Action: Council approved the open purchase order to AquaMetrics Sales Company (AquaMetrics) for devices and parts and approved a five‑year software agreement for meter‑reading operations. The council authorized a 10% contingency amount for potential change orders. The motion carried 4‑0.","Council authorized an open purchase order of up to $900,000 for water meters, Ultrasonic meter reading devices and parts, plus a five‑year meter‑reading software agreement of about $58,450, to continue a multi‑year meter replacement program.",{"_32":84,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":85,"_40":41,"_42":86,"_44":86,"_45":87,"_47":88,"_49":89,"_51":90,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":91,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":92,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6181953,"Westminster council adopts fund‑balance policy, directs contributions to pension/OPEB trusts and adopts FY2025–26 budget",16893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f&start=16893&end=16893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f/thumbnail_16893000.jpg","/articles/6181953/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-council-adopts-fundbalance-policy-directs-contributions-to-pensionOPEB-trusts-and-adopts-FY202526-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181953-b4b42ed1ad9f58824005bedf183fe366/orig.mp4?Expires=1769727235&Signature=OYQo67mMU2MT5lHBhzhNOfeO-da6LfCFlOac7lz2gYI~We9pQP-tgyvU9k4t-4xcALmE2hTN5mN~J7opntGI--sCb2G0a94cr4pNkDBN9L4gwPHMnnI7GZRRY0D1GgTX9v359MM71VGNVThsCb2Z1XtdkyOzrg456PZ5gEPMZnZ4FBBoDeUOjypJ~qFyMkrCr0UedZHK6gKDzWmanFRHVRz9Ub1j-W12f~18jB0s3T0yF6jASQBm2IzTA729Xx4aw1uFEWs9s8kjVBDYaiw-hi3EbH2lZaIccJt2Lg4ZnmXENPse6sjrZdh9dv7fBLd~k7R0dHFGvBIMZdCrtLKNVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council adopted a revised fund‑balance policy and approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 25, directing staff to use a portion of audited surpluses for pension and post‑employment benefit trusts.

Under the new policy the council set the emergency reserve target at 17% of general fund expenditures, established a 10% “budget uncertainty” reserve and a 5% “infrastructure contingency” reserve. The council also included a mechanism to transfer a portion of audited general‑fund surpluses to Section 115 trusts used to prepay pension and OPEB liabilities.

Staff said the change is intended to formalize priorities for the city’s fund balance and to create a predictable approach for using one‑time surpluses. The finance presentation included a worked example using fiscal year 2023–24 numbers: a hypothetical surplus of $7.1 million would be allocated to the emergency contingency, the budget uncertainty and an infrastructure contingency before leaving an unassigned balance for future years. The policy as presented would also recommend directing up to 20% of an audited surplus to the city’s pension (PARS) Section 115 trust and 10% of surplus to the OPEB Section 115 trust, if the council chooses to do so at the time of the audited closing.

Staff said Westminster’s outstanding unfunded pension liability is about $146 million (as of June 30, 2024) and annual pension payments are projected to rise from about $14 million to $18 million in coming years. The city currently holds about $6.2 million in pension trust assets and the same amount in the OPEB trust. Finance staff noted transfers to Section 115 trusts would occur only after council approval and only following an audited surplus year.

In a companion action, the council adopted the FY2025–26 budget and enacted a set of personnel and salary schedule updates, including new positions discussed in study sessions earlier in the spring; staff said the general fund remained balanced with the adopted changes. Council also approved updated internal service fund reserve guidance, maintaining a $500,000 minimum and adding an inflation factor for future years.

Councilmember comments emphasized the long‑term fiscal risks of pension and OPEB liabilities and supported a measured, multi‑year approach to building trust reserves. The council adopted the fund balance policy and budget by formal resolutions; the budget adoption included the council direction to bring future transfers to the Section 115 trusts as a council action in the post‑audit period.","Council approved a revised fund balance policy that creates new dedicated reserves for budget uncertainty and infrastructure and authorized transfers to pension and OPEB Section 115 trusts when audited surpluses occur; the full FY2025–26 budget was also adopted.",{"_32":94,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":95,"_40":96,"_42":97,"_44":98,"_45":99,"_47":100,"_49":101,"_51":102,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":103,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":104,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6181960,"Westminster approves updated fees but pauses RV, special‑event changes for separate study",8384,10926000,19310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f&start=10926&end=19310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f/thumbnail_10926000.jpg","/articles/6181960/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-approves-updated-fees-but-pauses-RV-specialevent-changes-for-separate-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181960-9735d08af95479efaeda14e9a448ed78/orig.mp4?Expires=1769727235&Signature=bYbgemuzmkK-EBEsn~g0NOCpjygC-dQQtNZBVvzNgOlWIhHH0nGOV8X~PyYn95epkDQCugNtiKewpFwwLOPJ2y4lScUiZLsTcJ~XMIwGnUhVosaxqfsPIrormDaAdW6qXyiGCOmfhZeS~S31j5Km5oxFzUVZOPtkP4pKdKn3T~MreJHCkpmmIqTVXylXje~P3gkEkCsCSwoh-wab-5QiRPP5XMeL8l~5iutiot25NM4hhLch3F8j8kuV9vxm8dWlZUn-7wPkgcghleKubHbhnbJ28Y5jb6dU5enMvCN8I~EfvFUxSIv~ylao6PNVIIJvF0dupDeZFH9zocxMuU74jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council on June 25 adopted a revised city‑wide fees and fines schedule based on a consultant study, while amending the action to return later with additional analysis of RV permits and special‑event permit fees.

The study, prepared by a consultant, recast city services as discrete cost‑recovery items and proposed fee changes across planning, public works and public safety. Staff and the consultant told the council the review identified the full cost to deliver many services and that the council must decide which services to subsidize with tax dollars.

Eric Johnson of the consultant explained the methodology: staff and consultants calculated fully allocated hourly rates for positions, matched time estimates per service, and converted those to per‑service fees. Johnson said the goal was to align fees with the cost of providing the service and to identify where taxpayers currently subsidize services.

Key changes and council direction included the following:
• Credit‑card processing: staff and the consultant recommended a 3% charge on transactions over $500 to recover merchant fees; staff estimated around $200,000 in potential revenues if implemented.
• Special‑event permits: the study calculated a staffing cost of roughly $1,480 for a “simple” special event and $2,520 for a “complex” event. Staff recommended leaving the application fee at $100 for now but councilmembers asked staff to study a higher fee and deposit structure to better reflect actual costs and potential cleanup deposits.
• Parking and vehicle fines: the consultant proposed limited fine increases, including raising the fine for large vehicles parked on city streets from $47 to $80 and increasing a street‑sweeping citation from $47 to $55. The council asked staff to produce a clearer multi‑city comparison for parking fines and enforcement outcomes.
• RV parking permit: the council amended the resolution to add a placeholder RV permit fee entry set to $0 and directed staff to return with a study on a potential RV permit fee and options to establish a tiered enforcement scheme. Police and code‑enforcement staff explained enforcement can use California Vehicle Code provisions (including towing/booting after repeated violations) and that documenting repeated offenses is feasible but will require some operational steps.

Public comment included both support and concern. Tony Buie, a long‑time resident, said he supported the archway but warned fee increases should not be a “big burden” on the city. Roger Mindram urged against charging any tax dollars for a cultural gateway, and several speakers urged a cautious approach to fee increases.

Council action: Vice Mayor Manzo moved, and Mayor Wynne seconded, an amendment to the consultant resolution to include s151 (RV permit) set at 0 and to direct staff to return with detailed studies on the RV permit fee and special‑event permit fees. The motion to adopt the fee schedule with that amendment passed 3‑1; Councilwoman Fan West voted no and asked for additional multi‑city comparisons before approving some parking and fine increases.

Staff said the fee updates will be included in the city’s next biennial review cycle and that implementation of some items, such as the credit‑card surcharge, requires IT work and phased steps. The council also instructed staff to bring a study session on special‑event permit fees and deposits and to propose a compliance plan for RV permit enforcement options in coordination with the police department.","Council adopted a revised city fee schedule after a consultant study, approving credit‑card processing fees and other updates while directing staff to return with studies for RV parking permits and special‑event permit fees.",{"_32":106,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":107,"_40":41,"_42":108,"_44":108,"_45":109,"_47":110,"_49":111,"_51":112,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":113,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":114,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6181965,"Westminster council authorizes study, design‑build process for Little Saigon archway",9795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f&start=9795&end=9795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110751-bb463221d7916cd4ac5588186d9e954f/thumbnail_9795000.jpg","/articles/6181965/Westminster/Orange-County/California/Westminster-council-authorizes-study-designbuild-process-for-Little-Saigon-archway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181965-8d87e9afa9f4c7692d6a9c8ee9bdeff7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769727235&Signature=RzOcZf8T~NEPITKXZcO0OQvZE3JPiPjlKoyjctUUTRracU0GlzTqkS8ggfUMJ2hwzreICkzh8D8c6oQsRO1fzCfrvIENiepL-nWmchqtSwhiEkVutofxKNc~bJ13XDl~WiXbb8Ku7v1XK5BIHqFJ4J4OWhcbCWWv80xlaYIDIdBZFCr9Xxv4Bc9QguvNzgG3-5Ifk084FyXUrk-fQ4uAFlpf6P6j1qaJmKqQfII5kATGvGPWWNp~pNliuX~ua0sErb5GRd~xTpk29~WxE7ZpSRhggA~16cmwpeAu4jKyXtsUSllMMb5RgcyJOw4rHjOtU9k2Nxw0WKaVNal5ckeReg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster City Council voted 4‑0 on June 25 to direct staff to hire a consultant and begin a design‑build selection process for a Little Saigon welcome archway.

The motion — made by Councilwoman Fan West and seconded by Councilmember Wynne — follows weeks of public advocacy and a packed public comment period in which multiple community members urged the council to move the project forward as a cultural landmark.

The archway initiative drew dozens of speakers at the meeting. “This new welcome archway will not only honor our rich cultural heritage, it will also become a proud landmark that boosts tourism, drive economic growth, and increase the visibility of Westminster as a premier destination,” said Gigi Vo, a community member representing Little Saigon. Duke Nguyen, who described himself as a second‑generation Vietnamese American born and raised in Westminster, told the council, “I support in believing that this archway will bring a lot of vitality, a lot of culture, and a lot of people to visit the city.”

Councilmembers framed the vote narrowly. Mayor (City of Westminster) said the motion would only initiate a feasibility study and update technical work already completed two years earlier, and that a later return to the council would include a cost estimate, funding sources, and public outreach on final design. Vice Mayor Manzo noted that the county had “initially gave us a million dollars for that, and we still have it. It's in the bank,” and urged local businesses to help support the project.

Several speakers also cautioned about public funding. Resident Roger Mindram said he opposed use of general tax dollars for the arch, saying it could be perceived as a “vanity project” and urging private donations instead. Others called for a fast‑track design‑build procurement so the community could see results quickly.

Council action: the council first agreed to move agenda item 9.1 ahead of public hearings so members could hear community comment; after public comment the council approved a second motion to direct staff to retain a consultant and initiate a design‑build selection process. Staff said the initial step will be an update of prior technical work and a feasibility study; a separate design outreach process and cost estimate will follow, and no construction will begin without additional council approvals.

Councilmembers said the study will revisit prior technical work the city received with a county RFP two years ago and update traffic, foundation and constructability analyses. The council also noted it expects staff to return with a full funding plan and public‑outreach schedule before committing construction dollars.

Community members and councilmembers asked that the design phase include public outreach and that the city be explicit about what funding sources will and will not be used. Vice Mayor Manzo said he believes the archway would benefit the city economically and culturally, but reiterated that the study must show costs and funding sources before the council commits to construction.

The council’s directive does not authorize construction funds and does not set a design for the archway. Staff said consultants will be selected from a shortlist and that any recommended contract or construction award will return to the council for separate approval.","After hours of public comment, the Westminster City Council voted unanimously to hire a consultant and start a design‑build selection to study a Little Saigon welcome archway, directing staff to return with cost, funding and outreach plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Orange County Fire Authority urges Westminster families to treat drowning as preventable at council meeting

Westminster council approves $900,000 open purchase order for smart water meters and software

Westminster council adopts fund‑balance policy, directs contributions to pension/OPEB trusts and adopts FY2025–26 budget

Westminster approves updated fees but pauses RV, special‑event changes for separate study

Westminster council authorizes study, design‑build process for Little Saigon archway