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