SYLVIA MENDEZ addressing the Westminster City Council in 2018 (OC Tribune photo).

A grant worth $1.5 million will be coming to the City of Westminster to construct the Mendez Freedom Trail honoring the key court case that ended racial segregation in California public schools.

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Westminster City Council there is an agenda item calling for approval of an agreement between the City of Westminster and the California Department of Parks of Recreation for the allocation of the funds.

The trail is located along the west side of Hoover Street between Garden Grove Boulevard and Bolsa Avenue and will feature art and “interpretive panels” telling the history of the Mendez v. Westminster School court casein 1946 that ended the separation of Mexican and “white” students into separate schools.

Not only did the case end segregation in California schools, it also served as a precedent for Brown v. Board of Education, which declared school segregation illegal across the United States in 1954.

Also on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting are:

• a review of the city’s contract with CityNet for homelessness support services and possible alternatives;
• the addition of a full-time animal control position;
• a request for an ordinance making it illegal to possess a catalytic converter without proof of ownership;
• a request to extend the deadline for decisions on the design and location of the controversial Quang Tri Monument.

The meeting will be conducted in-person and via teleconference/web conference with a closed session at 5 p.m. and the open session at 7 p.m.