CITY OF VISTA
CONSOLIDATED MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2022
The August 9, 2022, Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, the Community Development Commission of the City of Vista, the Buena Sanitation District, and the Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, was called to order by Mayor Ritter at 3:02 pm in the City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor Ritter, Deputy Mayor John Franklin
Joe Green, Corinna Contreras, Katie Melendez
RECESS, CALL FOR CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ritter recessed the meeting at 3:06 p.m. and called a Closed Session for the following:
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): (CC)
Case Name: Irene Balli-Dumas v. City of Vista et al.
Case Number: 37-2021-00007469-CU-PO-CTL
Venue: San Diego Superior Court
CS2. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): (CC)
Case Name: Frank Zimmerman Collective v. City of Vista et al.
Case Number: 37-2021-00017596-CU-WM-NC
Venue: San Diego Superior Court
CS3. Conference with Legal Counsel —Anticipated Litigation, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): (CC)
Claim received from: Vista Firefighters Association
CS4. Public Employment pursuant to Government Code Section 54957: (CC) Title of Position to be Filled: City Attorney
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ritter recessed the Closed Session at 5:37 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:38 p.m. with all members present.
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Patrick Johnson City Manager
Walter Chung Acting City Attorney
Amanda Lee Assistant City Manager
Ricardo Lopez Sheriff's Captain
Ned Vander Pol Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
John Conley Director of Community Development and Engineering Larry Vaupel Economic Development Director
VISTA CITY COUNCIL(CC) BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT(BSD) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (CDC)
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE VISTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY(SA)JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY(JPFA)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2022
Mike Pacheco Recreation and Community Services Director Kuna Muthusamy Public Works Director
Dolores Gascon Human Resources Director
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BROWN ACT NOTICE
Mayor Ritter stated that, due to convening simultaneous meetings, the Buena Sanitation District Board Members will receive compensation of$147.75 for the District meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager Johnson stated that Item C4, Second Reading of City Council Ordinances Approving Amendments to Title 5 of the Vista Municipal Code and to the Vista Business Park Specific Plan Relating to Commercial Cannabis Cultivation, was removed from the agenda.
CLOSED SESSION
Acting City Attorney Walter Chung stated there was no reportable action taken in Closed Session.
PRESENTATION
P1. Mayor Ritter and the City Council members recognized the 2022 Stars-and-Stripes Sponsors, Dick Miller, Inc. and Tri-City Medical Center.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY GREEN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
C1. Received the May 2022 check register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following minutes: June 28, 2022, Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/SAIBSD) June 22, 2022, Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Received and filed the Treasurer's Cash Report for the month ending May 31, 2022. (CC) C4. This item was removed from the agenda.
C5. Adopted the following: 1) City Council Resolution No. 2022-115, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, accepting grant funds of$7,983 in Fiscal Year 2021 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Funding and amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2021/22 and 2022/23"; and 2) City Council Resolution No. 2022-116, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, approving the Fiscal Year 2021 Urban Area Security Initiative MOU/Grant Assurances." (CC) C6. Designated Councilmember Katie Melendez to serve as the City's primary voting delegate and Assistant to the City Manager Imelda Huerta to serve as the alternate to the 2022 League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting. (CC)
2 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2022
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. ZONING CODE AMENDMENT AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT (SUP) FOR A SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY HOTEL AT 330 MAR VISTA DRIVE (CC)
Mayor Ritter opened the Public Hearing.
Community Development Director John Conley provided the staff report.
Sally Schifman, Vista International Incorporated, presented the project.
The following people voiced their concerns about the project:
Stephanie Snedeker Eric Ray Castro Mike Strawbridge Dennis Constantinou Rosie Barnett Daniel Hopkins City Council Members discussed the following:
• Owner could keep operating the site as a hotel if the SUP is not approved • Other sites that were turned into Single Room Occupancy hotels have shown a significant reduction in calls for service
• The project will have "market rate" rents, but they are more affordable due to unit size • The site is not close to shopping or public transportation; the road is not safe for pedestrian traffic
• The proposed use is better than the current hotel use; improvements will be made to the property and conditions will be in place to regulate operations • As requested by the applicant, the Conditions of Approval will be modified to reflect that the Community Development Director can determine the appropriate height and type of fencing required and the type of sport court can be determined based on interest of residents
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY RITTER, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING AND TO INTRODUCE AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE No. 2022-13, ENTITLED"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18.28
OF THE VISTA DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING A SINGLE-ROOM
OCCUPANCY HOTEL USE";AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2022-117, ENTITLED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH A SINGLE-ROOM OCCUPANCY HOTEL AT 330 MAR VISTA DRIVE", WITH MODIFICATIONS TO EXHIBIT A, CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, SECTION J.
MOTION CARRIED 3-2 (CONTRERAS AND MELENDEZ OPPOSED
DISCUSSION
D1. COMMERCIAL CANNABIS CULTIVATION SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM (CC) City Clerk Kathy Valdez provided the staff report.
The following people voiced their opinions:
Suzanne Hume, Clean Earth4 Kids.org John Bottoroff, Clean Earth4 Kids.org Naeem Miller, CleanEarth4Kids.org Kelly McCormick City Council Members discussed the following:
• Support for conducting a study; consider expanding scope to include other equity issues • Consider having staff gather publicly available information • A consultant will have the expertise to determine what issues need to be researched 3 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2022
• Support for Option One, delaying the implementation of cannabis cultivation until a study is completed to develop a social equity component to the application process
MOTION BY FRANKLIN TO ACCEPT OPTION TWO, USING THE DEPARTMENT OF CANNABIS CONTROLS' GUIDELINES FOR THEIR SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAM.
MOTION BY GREEN TO ACCEPT OPTION ONE, DELAYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CANNABIS CULTIVATION UNTIL A STUDY IS COMPLETED; AUTHORIZING UP TO $100,000 FOR THE STUDY; AND DIRECTING STAFF TO BRING THE RFP FOR THE STUDY TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY RITTER TO ACCEPT OPTION ONE
AND RETURN TO COUNCIL WITH INFORMATION ON THE SCOPE AND COST OF THE STUDY.
VOTE: 5-0
D2. PESTICIDES AND CHEMICALS USED IN CITY PARKS AND STREETS (CC) Councilmember Melendez introduced the item.
The following people voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides and their support of an IPM:
Kelly McCormick John Bottorff, CleanEarth4Kids.org Naeem Miller, CleanEarth4Kids.org Suzanne Hume, CleanEarth4Kids.org Carol Jefferies Kathleen Moscato
City Council Members discussed the following:
• Keeping spaces green and safe for kids
• Proposal for Integrated Pest Management
• Tiered approach for weed removal
In response to City Council member's questions, Public Works Director Kuna Muthusamy provided an overview of chemicals used.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO DIRECT STAFF TO
WORK ON AN IPM PROPOSAL SPECIFIC TO VISTA, INCLUDING COSTS AND STAFF TIME.
VOTE: 5-0
D3. ZONING FOR MOBILE SHOWERS (CC)
Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
City Council Members discussed the following:
• Mobile showers are appropriate for activities such as North County Standdown and Safe Parking projects
• Mobile Showers can already be approved through the Temporary Use Permit (TUP) process • Projects applying for an SUP, may include mobile showers in their proposal • For mobile showers to be included as a category, specific zoning would need to be identified
MOTION BY CONTRERAS TO DIRECT STAFF TO DEVELOP A TUP AND SUP PROCESS TO ALLOW FOR MOBILE SHOWERS, NOT LIMITED TO THE EVENTS/PROGRAMS LISTED IN THE AGENDA REPORT. 4 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2022
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN TO DIRECT STAFF TO
BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CODE AMENDMENTS AND
CONDITIONS TO ALLOW FOR MOBILE SHOWERS IN CERTAIN ZONES WITH THE APPROVAL OF AN SUP FOR CONSIDERATION.
VOTE: 4-1 (RITTER OPPOSED
D4. RESOURCES AND SERVICES FOR UNSHELTERED VETERANS (CC) Deputy Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
City Council Members discussed the following:
• Add a veteran's portion to the Homeless Strategic Plan • Solicit input from program partners and the community on what should be included • Consider permanent supportive housing for veterans and support for direct dependents • Look at funding sources to support veterans
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY GREEN TO DIRECT STAFF TO
RETURN WITH AN AGENDA ITEM TO REVIEW IDEAS DISCUSSED AT THE
MEETING, IDENTIFIED BY STAFF AND PROGRAM PARTNERS, AND SUBMITTED BY THE PUBLIC.
VOTE: 5-0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kelly McCormick encouraged the City Council to adopt a smoke free multi-family housing ordinance.
Suzanne Hume, Clean Earth4 Kids.org encouraged the City Council to adopt a smoke free multi-family housing ordinance and to apply for a 30 x 30 grant.
Naeem Miller, Clean Earth4 Kids.org encouraged the City Council to adopt a smoke free multi-family housing ordinance and to post no idling signs throughout the City.
John Bottorff, Clean Earth4 Kids.org encouraged the City Council to adopt a smoke free multi-family housing ordinance and an ordinance prohibiting flavored tobacco.
REMARKS
Council Members thanked the citizens for their participation in the meeting.
Mayor Ritter made the following announcement:
• The final Movie in the Park is this Saturday, August 13, at Brengle Terrace Park. The movie, SING begins at 8 pm. Details are available online at CitvofVista.com. • Registration is open for the fall Leadership Academy which begins August 31 St. Residents and Vista business owners will gain a better understanding about how the city operates and makes decisions. Information is available online at CitvofVista.com/LeadershipAcademy or you can see our City Clerk Kathy Valdez after this meeting is over. • Palomar Health is offering free blood pressure screenings this Thursday, August 11, at the Vista Library from 1-3 pm. No registration is required.
Councilmember Contreras reminded the audience about her weekly trash pick-up event this Wednesday at 8:00 am at Luz Duran Park.
5 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2022
Councilmember Green announced that the City is being honored for its' Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness.
City Manager Johnson made the following announcements:
• The City will be honored by ICMA, the International City/County Management Association in September, as the recipient of the organization's Program Excellence Award for the City's Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness. The award was in the Community Health and Safety category, which had 22 nominations. Three cities won in this category-one for each population group: Foxborough, Massachusetts (population under 10,000); Oakland Park, Florida (population between 10,000-49,000); and Vista in the population of 50,000 and greater. Vista was of 18 nominations in this category. This is a prestigious honor, and we are proud of this recognition.
• Through a CalFire grant, the Public Works Department along with Urban Corp planted 44 trees along S. Santa Fe Avenue and Monte Vista Drive and at Thibodo Road and Thibodo Court last week. Over the past four years, the City has planted over 600 trees. • The Vista Sheriff's COPPS Unit certified four deputies to patrol on bicycles in the downtown to create a more visible presence. The deputies will patrol the downtown area on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the late afternoon and early evening. Four more deputies are expected to be certified added to the bike patrol in November. • Congratulations to Deputy Fire Chief Bret Davidson on achieving a personal and professional milestone. He was awarded Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing. Deputy Chief Davidson is one of 1,755 Chief Fire Officers internationally designated. Vista now has two Designated Fire Chief Officer's, Chief Ned Vander Pol and Deputy Chief Bret Davidson.
• Ragtime will be starting at the moonlight on August 17.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ritter adjourned the meeting at 9:51 pm., in memory of Edwin (Ed) Estes Sr.
Kathy Valdez, City Jerk
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