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Council approves one-year agreement to bring UVSA Tet Festival back to Garden Grove Park
Summary
After debate over transparency and past financial concerns, Garden Grove authorized a one-year agreement allowing the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations (UVSA) to stage the 2025 Tet Festival at Garden Grove Park; council required annual review and oversight provisions.
The Garden Grove City Council approved a one-year agreement with the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations (UVSA) to host the 2025 UVSA Tet Festival at Garden Grove Park, authorizing the city manager to execute a one-year contract and requiring a year-by-year review.
Deputy Director Janet Pelayo summarized the staff report and said the festival would be responsible for reimbursing city costs, complying with insurance and permitting requirements, and conducting a financial review acceptable to the city. UVSA representatives, including Eric Ngo, described governance changes—expense authorization thresholds, monthly audits, and bylaw amendments—designed to improve transparency after prior years’ problems.
Council members voiced broad support for bringing the festival back to Garden Grove but urged caution and accountability. One council member said leadership and the board should be present to answer questions; staff confirmed the agreement would be limited to a one-year term so each newly seated council can review future proposals.
Council action: the motion to approve the agreement carried (motion received: 6 yes votes, 1 abstention). The city will authorize a one-year agreement and require UVSA to submit a financial review and return for annual consideration.
Why it matters: The UVSA Tet Festival is a large cultural event with regional draw and grant/distribution implications for community nonprofits; the council adopted a limited-term agreement and transparency conditions to monitor outcomes.
Provenance: staff report and UVSA presentation (written communications and discussion) were heard on the record and debated by multiple councilmembers before the vote.
