Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Acceptance of the State of California Job’s First Regional Investment Initiative Grant, administered by Charitable Ventures on behalf of Orange County Business Council (OCBC).
End
From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Approve the acceptance of the 2025 Jobs First Grant Award of $250,000; and
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement on behalf of the City; and
C. Convert the Little Saigon Outreach Coordinator class specification from a 20-hour part-time position to a Full-time (Grant-Funded) position during the implementation of the Jobs First Grant; and
D. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, REVISING RESOLUTION NO. 5311, AMENDING THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2023, THROUGH AND INCLUDING JUNE 30, 2026”; and
E. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, REVISING RESOLUTION NO. 5289, AMENDING THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE PART-TIME EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2023, THROUGH AND INCLUDING JUNE 30, 2026”; and
F. Amend the adopted Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget by designating grant revenues of $250,000 and increasing budgeted expenditures in the City Manager’s Department Funds by $250,000 toward implementation of the grant-funded project.
end
BACKGROUND
In the fall of 2020, the City commissioned a study to develop implementable strategies focused on the economic vitality and cultural significance of Little Saigon. The study, Little Saigon: Blueprint for Investment ("Blueprint," Attachment 1), seeks to build upon existing district assets and identify key improvements that will retain and attract diverse businesses and visitors to Little Saigon. With over 700 businesses, $938.6 million in annual sales, and the status of an elite cultural hub for the Vietnamese community, ensuring this area stays viable is of critical importance.
The Blueprint addressed the consequential challenges facing Little Saigon. After extensive research and multiple meetings with the Little Saigon Advisory Committee made up of diverse local stakeholders, recommendations were made to further develop the area into an economic and cultural destination.
A summary of the recommendations from the Blueprint is as follows:
• Appoint a Little Saigon community outreach leader
• Establish management entities for Little Saigon
• Develop a Little Saigon district brand and logo
• Design and implement a comprehensive marketing strategy
• Establish a civic art program
• Create a Little Saigon pop-up activation program
• Pilot a soap-and-water improvement block program
• Support the creation of shared parking
• Increase street furniture and landscaping on Bolsa Avenue
In June of 2025, the City of Westminster applied to the State of California’s Jobs First Initiative-Catalyst Funding, administered regionally through the Orange County Business Council (OCBC). The grant opportunity focuses on Job Creation and Economic Vitality and aims to build equitable and sustainable economies in the region. The initiative seeks to accelerate economic development projects in certain sectors, including tourism. The Jobs First grant provides an opportunity to work on the next steps of implementation of the Little Saigon: Blueprint for Investment.
On July 25, 2025, the city’s application was approved by OCBC for funding in the amount of $250,000 along with 17 other organizations across the county (Attachment 2). The project submitted is described below including key milestones, initiatives, timelines for implementation, and approved use of funds according to the grant guidelines. Execution of the agreement (Attachment 3) is necessary to accept the funding.
Westminster’s Jobs First Project Description: Westminster’s Little Saigon Blueprint for Economic Vitality and Quality of Place
The City of Westminster, home to the largest Vietnamese population per capita outside Vietnam, plans to advance the Little Saigon Blueprint. This project supports long-term economic growth, cultural recognition, job creation, and revitalization in a heavily disinvested area.
The implementation term of the Jobs First grant begins September 1, 2025, and runs through September 30, 2026. Grant funds were approved by OCBC to be allocated in the following areas:
1. Project Leadership Coordination: $89,223
The City will recruit and hire a culturally competent full-time coordinator to serve as the primary liaison between the City, Little Saigon businesses, and community groups. Reporting to the Economic Development Manager, the Coordinator will lead outreach, branding, and training efforts in partnership with strategic organizations. They will provide small business support, oversee economic development initiatives, and ensure culturally relevant engagement with translation services. Together with the Economic Development Manager, they will uphold business-friendly practices and enhance support for the Little Saigon business community. The Little Saigon Outreach Coordinator position was approved as a part-time position; however, due to the difficulty hiring a qualified individual at a part-time level and with the additional grant funding staff is requesting a change in the position to full-time benefited, limited term, subject to grant funding availability for an anticipated period of up to 1 year as defined in the updated job classification (Attachments 4-6).
2. Redevelopment and Beautification: $75,000
• The City will develop a pilot “Soap & Water” program recommended through the Blueprint and aims to implement this program before the annual Tet Parade held in Westminster’s Little Saigon during Q1 2026.
• With the funds allocated for this section, the City will conduct a Streetscape Needs Assessment and evaluation with a landscape architect to determine improvements needed to street furniture, lighting, and potential art installation in line with the branding of Little Saigon.
3. Establish Public-Private Partnerships: $10,000
The City will formalize partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), led by the City Attorney, with nonprofits, chambers of commerce, school districts, and higher education institutions to support workforce development through Career Technical Education (CTE).
4. Strategic Marketing & Community Engagement: $75,777
The City will conduct community engagement and outreach activities to gain input from the community on the development of cohesive branding, streetscape design concepts, signage, potential art installations, marketing collateral, and logo elements, and develop marketing plans. If necessary, funds will be used to coordinate the design concept with the independent archway project design and the landscape architect; this does not fund the design of the archway, but simply ensures coordination of designs for a cohesive look.
FISCAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the State of California’s Jobs First Grant will require an amendment to the Adopted Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget as outlined below and remaining unused grant funds will carry over to Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to be expended through the term ending September 30, 2026.
|
Account No. |
Description |
Total |
|
Expense Accounts |
|
100-11500-40000 |
Salaries |
$ 89,223 |
|
100-11500-43090 |
Contract Services |
$ 135,000 |
|
100-11500-44020 |
Special Department Expense |
$ 25,777 |
|
Revenue Accounts |
|
100-11500-34294 |
I/GVT - State - Other |
$250,000 |
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff will begin project planning and implementation steps once the grant award has been accepted by the City Council and the adopted budget is amended as proposed.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Little Saigon: Blueprint for Investment
2. Jobs First Award Notification
3. Agreement with Charitable Ventures for the Jobs First Grant Award
4. Little Saigon Community Outreach Coordinator Job Description
5. Draft Resolution amending the salary schedule for the Management, Administrative, and Confidential Employees
6. Draft Resolution amending the salary schedule for Part-Time Employees
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager