City employees must cover up

All Westminster city employees will be required to wear “personal protective equipment” as a result of an emergency request at Wednesday’s meeting of the city council.

Councilman Sergio Contreras urged that the requirement be made in order to protect city workers – especially those in constant close contact with the public – from the coronavirus.

Contreras asked if an emergency item was needed to be added to the agenda, but was told by City Attorney Richard Jones that Interim City Manager Sherry Johnson had the authority to issue such a mandate, which she said she would do.

It was unclear whether the PPE requirement included full body covering or facemasks, or both. The decree would include the city either purchasing the equipment or reimbursing those who have already bought their own.

Also at Wednesday night’s meeting, the council:

• approved the award of a contract for McFadden Avenue street improvements from Beach Boulevard to Magnolia Street
• approved a cooperative agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority and three other cities for traffic signal synchronization along Edinger Avenue.

The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for April 22.