Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Request for a Resolution of Censure, Based on Actions of Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen.
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publichearing
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Council Member NamQuan Nguyen
Councilwoman Amy Phan West
Prepared by*: Christian L. Bettenhausen, City Attorney
*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
Consider the request to discuss certain alleged comments and actions made by Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen and provide direction to staff regarding the preparation of a resolution of censure.
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BACKGROUND
This item was requested by Council Member NamQuan Nguyen (District 4) and seconded by Councilwoman Amy Phan West (District 1).
The purpose of the item is to discuss certain statements and actions which Council Member Nguyen and Councilwoman Phan West allege were made or taken by Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, and which they believe warrant the issuance of a resolution of censure.
Council Member Nguyen and Councilwoman Phan West have jointly prepared the following list of statements and actions, which are being presented word-for-word with only minor formatting or grammatical changes. They ask the City Council to consider each of the incidents listed, and then provide direction on whether a resolution of censure should be prepared.
The allegations from Council NamQuan Nguyen and Councilwoman Phan West concerning Mayor Nguyen are as follows:
1. Confidential Information. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen violated the confidentiality of closed session information by “leaking” confidential info to his so-called YouTuber “SPEAKER” to attack his political opponents.
2. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen constantly engaged in personal arguments with residents while conducting City business.
3. While conducting City business, Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen engaged in arguments and name calling with Council Member Kimberly Ho (then Vice Mayor Ho) by calling her “you hèn too.” The name calling was conducted in Vietnamese which translates to calling here “coward” in Vietnamese. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen (then Vice Mayor Nguyen) has demonstrated conduct unbecoming.
4. Nepotism: conspired with Vice Mayor Kimberly Ho in 2019 to appoint each other’s children in Westminster City Commission, committing nepotism and exessive family influence.
5. Abuse of authority: Mayor Nguyen abuses his authority at the City Council hearing by inappropriately shutting down disscussion and introduction of other council members’ agenda items which he personally opposes which is no different than censoring the right to free speech.
6. Threatening and extorting: Mayor Nguyen has threatened and politically extorted Councilwoman Amy Phan West with an exchange that if Councilwoman Amy Phan West just agree to comply with his wishes and follow his agenda then she will be spared from punishment.
7. Mayor Nguyen has shamelessly stolen other council members’ ideas by placing his name on the report instead of the name of the council members that initiated the item.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Based on the preceding, Council Member Namquan Nguyen and Councilwoman Amy Phan West ask the City Council to:
A. Consider ordering a resolution of censure be prepared against Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen; and
B. That the resolution of censure includes a statement that the Council expresses the strongest possible disapproval and disavowal of Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen’s statements and actions; and
C. Consider ordering a resolution of sanction be prepared against Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen.
ATTACHMENTS
1. None.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager