Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Resolution Reaffirming Proclamation 2026-01 and Resolution No. 5348, Which Declared the Existence of a Local Emergency, and Resolution No. 5374 Which Declared the Continuing Existence of a Local Emergency.
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From: Sandra Escudero, Interim City Clerk
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Tanya Ramirez, Interim Assistant City Clerk
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, REAFFIRMING PROCLAMATION NO. 2026-01 AND RESOLUTION NO. 5348 WHICH DECLARED THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY ARISING FROM THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INCIDENT AT 12122 WESTERN AVENUE, GARDEN GROVE, AND AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ACTIONS.”
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BACKGROUND
On May 22, 2026, City Manager Christine Cordon, acting in the capacity of the city’s Director of Emergency Services, declared a local emergency (Attachment 1) as authorized by Government Code Section 8630 and Westminster Municipal Code Section 2.48.060(a) in response to a hazardous materials incident - the “Western Incident” - in the neighboring city of Garden Grove. Per Government Code Section 8630(b), the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5348 within seven days to ratify and affirm the local emergency proclamation, Proclamation No. 2026-01.
Government Code Section 8630(c) states that a City Council “shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until the governing body terminates the local emergency.”
On August 17, 2026, at the adjourned August 12 regular meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5374 to reaffirm Proclamation No. 2026-01 and declare the continued existence of a local emergency. The City Council is being asked to again declare the continued existence of the local emergency.
At this time, the chemical incident has not been resolved, and many questions remain regarding resources, reimbursements, and other assistance related to the incident. City Council is requested to adopt the proposed resolution, declaring the continued existence of a local emergency. Currently, the cities of Stanton and Garden Grove have not ended their emergency declarations.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Westminster’s number of evacuees was the third highest among the six cities impacted. Adopting the resolution will help in the instance that any available resources including funding or reimbursements related to the incident become available. If the City Council chooses not to ratify the local emergency, the City may not have access to resources, funding, or any other assistance as it relates to this incident; and all costs incurred may not be eligible for reimbursement if funds become available.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution (Attachment 1)
2. Resolution No. 5348 (Attachment 2)
3. Proclamation No. 2026-01 (Attachment 2B)
4. Resolution No. 5374 (Attachment 3)
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager