City of Chula Vista
Regular City Council Meeting
MINUTES
Date:
Location:
May 13, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA
Present: Deputy Mayor Chavez, Councilmember Fernandez, Councilmember Inzunza, Councilmember Preciado, Mayor McCann
Also Present: Deputy City Manager Chase, City Attorney Verdugo, City Clerk Bigelow, Deputy Director of City Clerk Services Turner
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda. _____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Clerk Bigelow called the roll.
Councilmember Preciado joined the meeting at 5:01 p.m.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE Led by Mayor McCann.
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
4.1 Administration of Oath of Office to Councilmember Preciado as a Member of the California Coastal Commission
Mayor McCann administered the oath of office.
Councilmember Preciado made remarks.
4.2 Presentation of the 2025 Sustainability Champion Awards Environmental Services Manager Medrano and Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski presented the awards.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 5.1 through 5.4)
John Acosta, Chula Vista resident, spoke in opposition to item 5.4.
Moved by Mayor McCann
Seconded by Councilmember Preciado
2025-05-13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
To approve the recommended actions appearing below consent calendar Items 5.1 through 5.4. The headings were re ad, text waived. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (5): Deputy Mayor Chavez, Councilmember Fernandez, Councilmember Inzunza, Councilmember Preciado, and Mayor McCann
Result, Carried (5 to 0)
5.1 Approve Meeting Minutes
Approve the minutes dated: May 6, 2025
5.2 Waive Reading of Text of Resolutions and Ordinances Approve a motion to read only the title and waive the reading of the text of all resolutions and ordinances at this meeting.
5.3 Speed Limit Adjustments: Adopt an Ordinance Establishing the Speed Limits at Olympic Parkway Between Hunte Parkway and Olympic Vista Road, and Olympic Parkway Between Olympic Vista Road and Wueste Road Adopt an Ordinance establishing the speed limits at the following segments: (1) decrease the existing spe ed limit on Olympic Parkway between Hunte Parkway and Olympic Vista Road from 50 mph to 45 mph, (2) decrease the existing speed limit on Olympic Parkway between Olympic Vista Road and Wueste Road from 45 mph to 40 mph, and amending Schedule X of the Regist er maintained in the office of the City Engineer to reflect the established speed limits. (Second Reading and Adoption)
Item 5.3 heading:
ORDINANCE NO. 3593 OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA DECREASING THE SPEED LIMITS AT THE FOLLOWING SEGMENTS: (1) DECREASE THE
EXISTING SPEED LIMIT ON OLYMPIC PARKWAY BETWEEN HUNTE PARKWAY AND OLYMPIC VISTA ROAD FROM 50 MPH TO 45 MPH AND (2) DECREASE
THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT ON OLYMPIC PARKWAY BETWEEN OLYMPIC VISTA ROAD AND WUESTE ROAD FROM 45 MPH TO 40 MPH; AND
AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER MAINTAINED IN THE OFFICE
OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO REFLECT THE ESTABLISHED SPEED LIMITS (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION)
5.4 Investment Report: Quarter Ending March 31, 2025
Receive the investment report for the quarter ending on March 31, 2025.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Acosta, Chula Vista resident, spoke regarding the Hatch Act and the RICO Act.
S. Hodge, Chula Vista resident, expressed appreciation for the City Council and City staff.
2025-05-13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Delia Dominguez Cervantes, Chula Vista resident, spoke in support of the City opposing the closure of two California gas refineries.
Cheryl expressed concern regarding illegally placed campaign signs.
7. ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Consider Items Removed From the Consent Calendar, if Any There were none.
7.2 Presentations: Presentation from San Diego Community Power Regarding 2025 Operations
Karin Burns, CEO for San Diego Community Power gave a presentation on the item.
John Acosta, Chula Vista resident, spoke in opposition to the item.
The meeting was recessed at 5:55 p.m. and resumed at 6:05 p.m.
7.3 Campaign Contributions: Consider Revisions to Municipal Code Chapter 2.52 Regarding Various Provisions of the Campaign Contribution Ordinance City Clerk Bigelow and City Attorney Verdugo gave a presentation on the item.
John Acosta, Chula Vista resident, spoke in opposition to the item.
City Council discussion ensued.
There was a consensus of a majority of the City Council to request the City Clerk and City Attorney return with a revised ordinance for consideration for f irst reading with the following provisions:
Set the contribution limit for City Council district seats at $800 per person Set the contribution limit for Citywide seats (i.e., the Mayor and City Attorney) at $1,200 per person
Make no changes to the existing limits for contributions from Political Party Committees
Allow contributions from “Organizations,” as currently defined in the Municipal Code
Make no changes to the existing limits for loans a candidate may make to their own campaign
Require loans and debts to be repaid within 12 months of the election Increase the penalty for intentionally filing a false complaint to $2,500
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS (CONTINUED)
There were none.
9. CITY MANAGER’S REPORTS
There were none.
10. MAYOR’S REPORTS
Mayor McCann reported on attendance at recent events and made community announcements.
2025-05-13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
10.1 Consider Adopting a Resolution Condemning Antisemitism The following members of the public spoke in support of the item:
Liza Tacher, Chula Vista resident
Sarai McMahon, Chula Vista resident
John Sorrentino, Chula resident, representing New Covenant Tabernacle Rachel Perez, Chula Vista resident
Cheryl, Chula Vista resident
Ariel Broudy, Chula Vista resident
Tina Bernard
Lara Stone
Liat Cohen-Reeis
Noy Nehardea
Ryan Pernicano
Martha
Linda, Chula Vista resident
Oz Laniado
The following members of the public spoke expressing a neutral position on the item:
John Acosta, Chula Vista resident
Jenne Frederickson, Chula Vista resident
Moved by Mayor McCann
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Chavez
To adopt Resolution No. 2025 -063, as amended to include the following:
"WHEREAS, the City of Chula Vista condemns any local school district curriculum, State or Federal legislation, that denies teaching the atrocities of the Holocaust" The heading was read, text waived. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (5): Deputy Mayor Chavez, Councilmember Fernandez, Councilmember Inzunza, Councilmember Preciado, and Mayor McCann
Result, Carried (5 to 0)
Item 10.1 heading:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-063 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA
VISTA RECOGNIZING THE GROWING PROBLEM OF ANTISEMITISM IN THE
UNITED STATES, ADOPTING THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE (“IHRA”) WORKING DEFINITION OF
ANTISEMITISM AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT THE
IHRA WORKING DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM IS AVAILABLE AS AN
EDUCATION RESOURCE FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS TO ADDRESS
ANTISEMITISM AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION DIRECTED
TOWARD ANYONE WITHIN CHULA VISTA
The meeting was recessed at 7:57p.m. and resumed at 8:03 p.m.
2025-05-13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
11. COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS
Councilmembers reported on attendance at recent events and made community announcements.
At the request of Councilmember Fernandez, there was a consensus of the City Council to make a referral to the City Attorne y and City Manager to research the City’s Tobacco Retail Ordinance and provide options to strengthen the regulations and potentially reduce the number of licenses.
11.1 Deputy Mayor Chavez: Consider Adopting a Resolution in Support of the State of California's Lawsuit Challenging Federal Tariffs Mayor McCann stated he would abstain from participating in discussion and voting on the item due to a potential conflict of interest related to his service in the military and he left the dais during the discussion and voting on the item.
Moved by Deputy Mayor Chavez
Seconded by Councilmember Inzunza
To adopt Resolution No. 2025-064, the heading was read, text waived. The motion was carried by the following vote:
Yes (4): Deputy Mayor Chavez, Councilmember Fernandez, Councilmember Inzunza, and Councilmember Preciado
Abstain (1): Mayor McCann
Result, Carried (4 to 0)
Item 11.1 heading:
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-064 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA
VISTA EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE LAWSUIT FILED BY THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AND GAVIN NEWSOM, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS
GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, CHALLENGING FEDERAL TARIFFS THAT
THREATEN THE ECONOMIC STABILITY OF THE BORDER REGION
12. CITY CLERK'S REPORTS
City Clerk Bigelow provided remarks on Municipal Clerks Week and highlighted recent events held in celebration of the occasion.
13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
There were none.
14. CLOSED SESSION
Pursuant to Resolution No. 13706 and City Council Policy No. 346 -03, the City Attorney maintains official minutes and records of action taken during closed session.
City Attorney Verdugo announced that the City Council would convene in closed session to discuss the items listed below.
The meeting was recessed at 8:27 p.m. and resumed in closed session at 8:33 p.m. with all members present.
2025-05-13 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
14.1 Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of case:
(1) Arturo Castanares v. City of Chula Vista, San Diego Superior Court, Case No. 37-2021-00017713-CU-MC-CTL
(2) Trevor Thurgood v. City of Chula Vista, et al., San Diego Superior Court, Case No. 24CU015725C
Action: No Reportable Action
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: Tyshar Turner, Deputy Director, City Clerk Services
_________________________
Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk