Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Request to Hang Flags of the Former Republic of Vietnam Along Three Major City Streets Annually During the Lunar New Year Celebration and Black April Commemoration.
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen;
Council Member NamQuan Nguyen
Prepared by*: Christine Cordon, City Manager
*Staff reports prepared by staff on behalf of members of the City Council do not reflect the opinions of staff and are generated in collaboration with the requesting council member(s).
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council consider the request to hang flags of the former Republic of Vietnam on light poles along Bolsa Avenue between Magnolia Street and Brookhurst Street, Magnolia Street between McFadden Avenue and Westminster Boulevard, and Brookhurst Street between McFadden Avenue and Westminster Boulevard annually for one week prior and one week after the Lunar New Year and Black April; and provide direction for placement of the flags.
BACKGROUND
This item was requested by Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen and seconded by Council Member NamQuan Nguyen (District 4).
The Vietnamese culture is a large component of the Westminster community and Little Saigon is recognized worldwide as the largest population per capita of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam.
Since 2019, the City of Westminster has held an annual Black April ceremony to commemorate the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 and to honor the lives of the South Vietnamese and American soldiers who perished during the war. Other private Black April ceremonies are also held throughout the city on or near April 30th annually.
For over a decade a Tet parade was held in the heart of Little Saigon along Bolsa Avenue to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Recently, the Tet parade became a City-sponsored event and is the largest Vietnamese Tet parade in the nation. This year’s parade will be held on February 10, 2024 as a City event once again.
With these two events holding cultural significance in the community, Mayor Nguyen and Council Member Nguyen are requesting that flag of the former Republic of Vietnam be hung on light poles along the following streets annually for one week prior and one week after the Lunar New Year and Black April (Attachment 1):
• Bolsa Avenue between Magnolia Street and Brookhurst Street
• Magnolia Street between McFadden Avenue and Westminster Boulevard
• Brookhurst Street between McFadden Avenue and Westminster Boulevard
Black April is April 30th annually, and the Lunar New Year date changes every year.
The flag of the former Republic of Vietnam is characterized by three horizontal stripes of red (gules) upon a field of gold (or yellow). This flag is the officially recognized flag of the Vietnamese people overseas by the Westminster City Council and is the flag that must be displayed at any city-controlled or city-sponsored Vietnamese American event, per City Council Resolution No. 3750 adopted in 2003 (Attachment 2).
Flags are made of a synthetic blend and measure 2” x 5” each. The approximate cost is $2,500 each event but may increase over time due to inflation.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost to install and remove the signs is approximately $2,500 currently per event. The cost would currently be paid through the General Fund. However, through Tet parade sponsorships and/or requests through alternative sources such as the Westminster Community Foundation, another non-profit groups, or community partners, this cost can be offset.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The Vietnamese culture is one that resonates with many in the Westminster community. By allowing these flags to be affixed along the designated streets, the Little Saigon area can honor the history of the former Republic of Vietnam and provide encouragement and pride for the many Vietnamese people who made sacrifices and escaped oppression for a better life. Mayor Nguyen and Council Member Nguyen request these flags to be displayed for Lunar New Year and Black April. If approved, this action will be implemented as a Council policy.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Maps
2. Resolution No. 3750
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager