Quang Tri back on the agenda

The long-running drama over the Quang Tri monument returns on Wednesday, July 27 when the Westminster City Council takes up the matter of its location.

At the last council meeting – after considerable discussion and debate – approval was given for the design and depiction of the monument, which is intended to memorialize the success of South Vietnamese troops (with American help) in repelling North Vietnamese invaders.

However, where to place the monument remains controversial. Some residents want to locate it in the Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in the Westminster Civic Center, where there is already a memorial to South Vietnamese and U.S. military who died in the war.

Others prefer a location in a more traditional park, considering the monument’s 34-foot width. Still others think the offer by the Westminster Memorial Park (a private cemetery) on Beach Boulevard to host the monument is the best choice, while many have voiced objections to having it on private land.

Other items on the agenda include:

• consideration of a report on short-term rentals and the city’s current ban on such businesses
• consideration of a report on commercial cannabis regulations and the city’s current ban on such businesses
• consideration of an amendment with consultant Placeworks worth up to $450,000 to help finalize and implement the Westminster Mall specific plan for reviving the aging shopping center.

The council will meet in person and via teleconference/web conference with a closed session at 5 p.m. and the open session at 7 p.m.

Council chambers are located at 8200 Westminster Blvd.