Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Continued from the April 9, 2025 Regular Meeting - Request to Establish a Tet Foundation.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen
Prepared by: Christine Cordon, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Consider the request to establish a Tet Foundation and provide direction.
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BACKGROUND
At the April 9, 2025 City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Manzo made a motion, seconded by District 1 Council Member Phan West, to direct staff to bring the item back with additional information, including cost, regarding the proposed creation of a Tet Foundation.
The cost to create the Tet Foundation would be approximately $5,000. This is inclusive of the cost to draft and file the articles of incorporation, request IRS charitable 501(c)(3) status, and to draft proposed bylaws.
This estimated amount could increase if there were substantial requested revisions to the documentation, if there were follow up requests to provide legal guidance on how to implement the bylaws, or requests to provide advice to the foundation.
Mayor Nguyen originally requested an item to be placed on the agenda to consider establishing a Tet Foundation.
Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an important and widely celebrated cultural component of the community. The City of Westminster produces an annual Tet Parade, where members of the public gather for a celebration along Bolsa Avenue in the heart of Little Saigon.
Producing the Tet Parade can be a costly endeavor, and funding for the event is comprised of general funds and in-kind and monetary sponsorships.
In 2023, the Westminster Community Foundation was established as a mechanism for donations and fundraising for community efforts, including the Tet Parade. While the Westminster Community Foundation raised some funds for the 2024 Tet Parade, funds were not contributed through the Westminster Community Foundation for the recent 2025 Tet Parade, leading to a noticeable decrease in revenues to fund the event.
Mayor Nguyen is requesting the City Council to consider establishing a Tet Foundatio0n that would focus on fundraising for the Tet Parade and other Tet-related cultural efforts. He states that allowing a separate foundation to focus on fundraising efforts for the Tet Parade would provide a pathway for those wishing to donate to a non-profit, but also ensuring there is a year-round effort to minimize costs to the city for the parade and other Tet functions without burdening staff or taxpayers.
At this time, there is no concept being presented regarding the composition of the foundation board, bylaws, or other components; and Mayor Nguyen us requesting that the City Council provide input regarding the vision for this foundation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Establishing a Tet Foundation would direct the efforts of the foundation to a focused mission. If the City Council would like to move forward with establishing a Tet Foundation, staff would need to present a subsequent agenda item, incorporating any recommendations and direction from the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. April 9, 2025 Staff Report
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager