By Jacob Wilson/Garden Grove Journal
More than a month since its last meeting, the Westminster City Council will have a busy night Wednesday when it votes on almost two dozen agenda items.
Foremost among the items were severance and early retirement plans for recently laid-off city employees.
If approved, the severance plan will give former workers between two weeks and 12 weeks of pay depending on employment time. And previously insured employees will still receive their health insurance benefits for six months.
Some long-term employees may be able to choose a voluntary early retirement program.
Employees who choose early retirement will receive a lump sum payment of roughly three months of salary but will not continue to receive full health insurance. Instead, they will receive retiree health benefits.
Combining continued health insurance, severance packages and the early retirement program, the cost to the city may exceed $500,000.
But the layoffs will save the city up to $3 million annually, according to city staff.
In other business, the council also voted on an ordinance creating tougher restrictions and penalties for parking oversized commercial and recreational vehicles on city streets.
Also, the council considered three new parking restrictions for all vehicles: one at Trask Avenue and Chestnut Street, another at Hood Drive and Goldenwest Street and a third at University Street and Vallecito Drive.
The council will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8200 Westminster Blvd.
