CITY OF VISTA
WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 7, 2023
The March 7, 2023, Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, was called to order by Mayor Franklin at 2:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor John Franklin, Deputy Mayor Corinna Contreras
Joe Green, Katie Melendez, Dan O'Donnell
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Walter Chung City Attorney
Amanda Lee Acting City Manager
John Boyce Sheriff's Captain
Roy Palmer Interim Fire Chief
Brett Davidson Deputy Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
John Conley Director of Community Development and Engineering Dolores Gascon Human Resources Director
Larry Vaupel Economic Development Director
Mike Pacheco Recreation and Community Services Director Kuna Muthusamy Public Works Director
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Green led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
C1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-25, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, appointing John Conley as City Manager." (CC)
DISCUSSION
D1. FISCAL YEARS 2023/24 AND 2024/25 OPERATING BUDGET OVERVIEW (CC) Finance Director Mike Sylvia introduced the item.
Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager of Research and Consulting, Government Finance Officers Association, presented on the long-term analysis and stress test of general fund revenues versus expenditures.
Budget Manager Sara Taylor provided the operating budget overview.
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)
WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 7, 2023
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Cannabis revenue allocated to the general fund can be budgeted for specific items (i.e. law enforcement, parks, etc.); cannabis equity study may help identify how funds should be allocated
• Potential impact on cannabis revenue if/when neighboring cities (and the County) allow for cannabis retail
• Interest (Contreras) in knowing how landscaping, tree trimming, and similar professional services are spent geographically
• Best practice for reserves is 20-35%; Vista has 35%; other cities in the region have 15% -45%; consider reducing to 30%
• Positions funds by grants or one-time funding sources and when those funding sources end (two positions; 1.5 to 2 years; seeking additional funding); Discover Vista Ambassadors funded through ARPA (ends in 2 years)
• If there has been any discussion about consolidating north county fire departments; some east county cities consolidated through Hartland so there is only one Fire Chief while maintaining their own fire departments; want to hear from fire department and its members • The City has a Structural Deficit Reserve fund in addition to the general Reserve fund; important to show both; identify what is liquid
• Health care rates continue to increase; City Council should consider supporting universal health care (Contreras, O'Donnell)
• Explore allowing for cannabis consumption lounges; bring forward at a future meeting (Contreras, Green, O'Donnell)
• Consider establishing a salary reserve fund for raises and increased staffing needs • Look at capitol projects that would be revenue generators in the future
RECEIVED A REPORT ON THE OPERATING BUDGET PREPARATION FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023/24 AND 2024/25 AND PROVIDED DIRECTION TO STAFF.
VOTE: NO VOTE
D2. 2022-2024 CITY COUNCIL GOAL UPDATES (CC)
Acting City Manager Amanda Lee introduced CAP Manager Kaitlyn Elliott-Norgrove, who introduced the item. Department Directors and key staff presented on their departments' accomplishments.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Awareness of domestic violence and family crisis issues is addressed through social workers working with the unhoused population; the Sheriff's Department is looking at how they can address this as well
• The Climate Action Plan implementation plan will be coming forward soon; there will be annual updates thereafter
• Vegetation abatement on county and protected areas requires additional approval steps and often have restrictions on what can be done; grants are generally sought for these sites • The temporary site for Fire Station 3 (during the construction of the new fire station) is close by and will not impact response times
• Electronic charging stations are planned for many of the fire stations; will be available to the public and fire personnel; looking into electric vehicles and solar for fire stations • Increasing the tree canopy and identifying locations for tree planting • May need to allocate additional funds for playground resurfacing due to significant price increases
• The Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment will include site analysis of parks and seek community input on the amenities desired
2 WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 7, 2023
• The youth basketball program has flourished under the contracted vendor • There is a shortage of fire works providers; the City has been unable to secure a provider for the 41h of July; staff are looking into a drone show for Independence Day • Promoting community meetings regarding the General Plan Update • Look at connections between day camps and economic development goals; look to address child care issues in the future
• Assess whether a roundabout or a traffic signal should be installed at Calle Jules; seek community input; discuss at a future meeting
RECEIVED THE 2022-2024 CITY COUNCIL GOAL UPDATES AND PROVIDED DIRECTION TO STAFF.
VOTE: NO VOTE
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Franklin stated there are no requests to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 6:38 pm.
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Kathy Valdez, Cit Clerk
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