Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the Westminster Community Foundation.
End
From: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Requested by: Council Member Amy Phan West
Prepared by: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Provide direction only. No action.
BACKGROUND
At the September 11, 2024, City Council regular meeting, Councilwoman Amy Phan West (District 1) requested a study session to discuss the Westminster Community Foundation (“WCF”).
Presently, there are four active members serving on the WCF:
|
Member |
Appointed by |
Term Expiration |
|
Dominic Le |
Mayor Nguyen |
January 2026 |
|
Duy Hong |
Mayor Nguyen |
January 2025 |
|
Camilla Overbeek |
Vice Mayor Ho |
January 2025 |
|
K.C. Wolbert |
Councilwoman Phan West |
January 2026 |
Since the WCF’s first meeting on July 19, 2023, a total of 16 resignations have occurred:
|
Member |
Appointed by |
Resigned |
|
David Johnson |
Council Member Manzo |
September 2023 |
|
Jared Sichel |
Councilwoman Phan West |
September 2023 |
|
Theresa Nguyen |
Councilwoman Phan West |
September 2023 |
|
Annie Choy |
Vice Mayor Ho |
October 2023 |
|
Topaz Tran |
Councilwoman Phan West |
December 2023 |
|
Frank Barry |
Vice Mayor Ho |
January 2024 |
|
James Mai |
Councilwoman Phan West |
January 2024 |
|
Dao Tran |
Council Member Nguyen |
March 2024 |
|
Thomas Tran |
Mayor Nguyen |
April 2024 |
|
Tien Chu |
Mayor Nguyen |
August 2024 |
|
Julie Diep |
Council Member Manzo |
September 2024 |
|
John Gentile |
Vice Mayor Ho |
September 2024 |
|
Hauwie Tieu |
Council Member Nguyen |
September 2024 |
|
Jackie Bong Wright |
Council Member Manzo |
September 2024 |
|
Chau Lam Nguyen |
Council Member Nguyen |
September 2024 |
|
Han Yin |
Councilwoman Phan West |
September 2024 |
The City has received a total of $40,000 in sponsorships from the WCF, as presented to the City Council at the January 6, 2024, City Council regular meeting. Of this amount, $15,000 was obtained from three (3) 2024 Tet Parade Gold Sponsors by the WCF, and $25,000 was directly contributed by the WCF. Furthermore, the WCF recently paid $550 to the City to participate as a Vendor at the upcoming Fall Festival; the WCF is currently requesting a refund of the $550.
Additionally, the City does not have access to the WCF’s current financial records as the WCF functions as a private non-profit entity separate from the City of Westminster.
The WCF’s current Bylaws are attached for reference (Attachment 1).
Since the September 11 City Council meeting, staff has received an email from WCF Chair Dominic Le (Attachment 2) regarding the status of the foundation, as well as an email from former WCF Board Member David Johnson (Attachment 3). As stated by the City Council on September 11, both current and former members of the WCF are encouraged to attend the study session on September 25 to address their concerns regarding the WCF or submit their comments in writing prior to the meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
This item is being presented to the City Council to provide information regarding the WCF and its current status. This information will allow the City Council to have a discussion and consider any necessary actions to address the WCF’s ongoing operations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Westminster Community Foundation Bylaws.
2. Email from Dominic Le (WCF President)
3. Email with attachment from David Johnson (former WCF Member)
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager