Westminster council delays creation of Tet foundation, asks staff for cost and staffing analysis

The Westminster City Council stopped short of creating a new nonprofit to raise money for the city's Tet parade, directing staff instead to return with an analysis of the costs and staff time required before moving forward.

The action followed more than two hours of public comment and a heated council discussion about the Westminster Community Foundation's (WCF) troubled history and who should run any new fundraising group.

Why it matters: Speakers on both sides said they want the Tet parade to continue but disagree about how to do it. Several residents urged the council not to use general fund dollars for the parade; others said a community-run nonprofit is the appropriate vehicle. Council members said they do not want another foundation that will be subject to political influence or that lacks governance and continuity.

Council action and context - Councilmember Carlos Manzo made the motion that staff prepare a written estimate of the time, attorney and staff costs, and other…