Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Approved Special Event Permit Application President Ngo Dinh Diem Memorial Society and Coalition of the Republic of Vietnam Veteran Associations in Southern California to hold a Memorial for President Ngo Dinh Diem on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park, 14180 All American Way.
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From: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Approve the amendment to the special event permit, extending the approved event hours on November 1, 2026, to conclude at 10 p.m.
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BACKGROUND
At the City Council Meeting on October 14, 2026, the Mayor and City Council approved the Special Event Permit from President Ngo Dinh Diem Memorial Society and Coalition of the Republic of Vietnam Veteran Associations in Southern California to hold a Memorial for President Ngo Dinh Diem on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park, 14180 All American Way from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (includes set up and clean up time). The event was to take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The anticipated number of participants is 300. The applicant has requested an extension of the approved event hours to 10 p.m. to provide additional time for planned memorial activities and associated programming. The extended hours would allow the organizers greater flexibility in coordinating the event's activities and accommodating participants throughout the day. All event activities, including cleanup, must be completed by 10:00 p.m.
Since the Westminster Municipal Code does not grant staff the authority to significantly modify event times previously approved by the City Council, this request is being presented to the Mayor and City Council for consideration and approval of the change.
President Ngo Dinh Diem Memorial Society and Coalition of the Republic of Vietnam Veteran Associations in Southern California has successfully hosted the Memorial for President Ngo Dinh Diem without any reported issues. As the request is limited to an extension of the approved event hours, the application did not require additional routing or staff review for conditions, and the applicant was not assessed an additional processing fee. All previously approved conditions of the Special Event Permit will remain in effect, and appropriate City staff will be notified of the revised event hours upon approval.
The event consists of use of flags, event signage, banners with commercial copy, and speakers. The applicant will use amplified sound, utilize a generator for electrical needs, and have canopies.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council approve the event’s time change for the Special Event Permit Application for the Memorial for President Ngo Dinh Diem at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park, extending the approved event hours to 10 p.m., including cleanup, subject to all previously approved conditions of approval.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Updated Special Event Permit Application from Applicant.
2. Staff Report from the October 14, 2026 Council Meeting.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager