IN JUNE 2019, the Westminster City Council approved a new, controversial policy on how items can be a placed on agendas (File photo).

A look at the process for having an item placed on the agenda of the Westminster City Council will go before that body when it meets on Wednesday.

Councilmember Kimberly Ho is requesting, “clarification and direction regarding the delay or control of items placed on the agenda by someone other than the requester and who can essentially delay a completed item that is ready to be considered.”

According to current policy, the mayor may place an item on an upcoming agenda, or a councilmember with the support of a majority of the council. If not approved by a majority of the council, the matter may not be brought back for consideration for six months, unless “there is urgency as determined by new legislation, litigation or policy.”

In June 2019, the above policy was approved by the city council on a 3-2 vote. The majority of Mayor Tri Ta and councilmembers Kimberly Ho and Chi Charlie Nguyen voted in favor, with Councilmember Tai Do and then-Councilmember Sergio Contreras opposed.

Ta said that some proposed agenda items have been “divisive” and the discussion about them not “efficient.” Contreras said, “This sounds like totalitarianism. This is extreme.”

The council will meet in virtual format with a closed session at 6:30 p.m., with the regular session at 7 p.m.