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)
CITY OF VISTA
CONSOLIDATED MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2023
The March 14, 2023, 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 Franklin at 5:00 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
RECESS, CALL FOR CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin recessed the meeting at 5:01 p.m. and called for 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: In re: Craig Usher
Case Number: 21-156833
Venue: CA Department of Industrial Relations, Worker’s Compensation Division
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:09 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:30 p.m. with all members present.
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
Walter Chung City Attorney
John Conley City Manager
Amanda Lee Assistant City Manager
John Boyce Sheriff’s Captain
Roy Palmer Interim Fire Chief
Craig Usher Deputy Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Patsy Chow Deputy Director of Community Development/City Planner 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 Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Walter Chung stated there was no reportable action taken.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2023
2 BROWN ACT NOTICE
City Clerk Kathy Valdez 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 John Conley stated there are no changes to the agenda.
PRESENTATION
P1. Todd Huffman, Pipeline Digital Media, provided a presentation on the Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
C1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-26, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California amending regular meeting dates for 2023.” (CC)
C2. Approved the February 28, 2023, Consolidated Meeting Minutes. (CC/CDC/SA/BSD)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-27, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, approving the Eighth Supplemental Agreement with the Vista Fire Protection District for fire inspection services.” (CC) C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-28, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, establishing an all-way stop at the intersection of Anza Avenue and Via Felicidad.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-29, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, establishing an all-way stop at the intersection of Hacienda Drive and Hideaway Terrace.” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-30, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, authorizing application for FEMA, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant funding.” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-31, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, approving the Fiscal Year 2022 State Homeland Security Program Funding and amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2022-23”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-32, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, confirming the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Annual Report for the Central Vista Business Improvement District and levying the assessment for Fiscal Year 2023/24.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. CENTRAL VISTA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL LEVY (CC) Mayor Franklin opened the Public Hearing.
Economic Development Director Larry Vaupel provided the staff report.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2023
3 City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• The levy amount has not changed
• A big event is being planned to commemorate the City’s 60th Anniversary • The Advisory Board did not recommend expanding the BID area, but may look at it in the future
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-33, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 ANNUAL REPORT FOR
THE CENTRAL VISTA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND LEVYING THE ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/24.”
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
PH2. AMENDMENTS TO VMC CHAPTER 3.56, TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSE (CC) Mayor Franklin opened the Public Hearing.
City Clerk Kathy Valdez provided the staff report.
Members of the public voiced their opinions in favor of the amendments:
Socorro Ramirez Socorro Ramirez Estella Chamu
Rhiannon Riecke, Vista Community Clinic Miguel Castillo, S.T.A.Y. Club Nathalya Gonzalez, S.T.A.Y Club Erica Leary, NCPC
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• The fine should be increased to $1,000, the maximum allowable • All fines collected should be allocated for youth purposes (scholarships, prevention, education, etc.) • Investigate distancing requirements for any type of store that sells tobacco products
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 2023-7, ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 3.56 OF THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSES AMENDING CHAPTER 3.56 OF THE
VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSES WITH AN INCREASED FINE OF $1,000 FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION. DIRECTED STAFF TO ALLOCATE ALL FINES COLLECTED TO YOUTH PURPOSES (I.E. SCHOLARSHIPS, PREVENTION SERVICES).”
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
PH3. 2023 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AMENDMENT NO. 3 (CC) Mayor Franklin opened the Public Hearing.
Finance Director Mike Sylvia introduced Budget Manager Sara Taylor, who provided the staff report.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• The projects are not part of a Safe Routes to School program, but the location of schools was considered in identifying the areas for improvements
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2023
4 MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-34, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE TRANSNET LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023 THROUGH 2027”; AND ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-35, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022/23 AND 2023/24.”
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA (CC) Councilmember Melendez introduced the item.
Erica Leary, Vista Community Clinic, voiced her opinion in favor of revising Oral Communication times.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Establish a short period for Oral Communication at the beginning of the meeting and then another Oral Communication time at the end of the meeting for anyone that has not yet spoken • Limit the number of speakers to 10 for the first portion of Oral Communication • Place the first portion of Oral Communication after the Consent Calendar • Whether or not to limit the amount of time per speaker if a lot of requests to speak are submitted • Whether or not to allow a speaker to give their time to another speaker
DISCUSSED THE ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
AND DIRECTED STAFF TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW FOR TEN SPEAKERS
FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION AFTER THE CONSENT CALENDAR IN ADDITION TO
PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
VOTE: NO VOTE
D2. SHORT TERM RENTALS (CC)
Councilmember Melendez introduced the item.
The following members of the public voiced their opinions in favor of establishing regulations:
San Gordon Omar Aakel Alexandra Martin Kimberly Jackson Jessica Solano Juan Alvarez Kyme Dang Jonathan Love
Heidi Ventura Mark Pejcha Lee Thatcher Ali Pieper
Jace Pilas Emily Vacarro Mo
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Establish a simple permit process
• Consider the following when establishing the permit process:
o Limit the number of short-term rentals one person can have and/or that can be in any one district or in the City
o Different regulations for different types of buildings, owner occupied properties, and/or based on frequency of rentals
o How to address noise
o Establish a penalty scheduled; three strikes and the permit is revoked
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2023
5 o Parking requirements
o Minimum stay requirements
o 24-hour contact to be provided
o Noticing of neighbors
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is not being collected on unregistered rentals • Whether a prohibition on smoking should be included (City Attorney Walter Chung stated it is unlikely that it could be included; not all Council members were in support of the idea)
DISCUSS ESTABLISHING SHORT-TERM RENTAL RULES AND PROVIDED
DIRECTION TO STAFF
VOTE: NO VOTE
D3. FISCAL YEAR 2022/23 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT (CC) Finance Director Mike Sylvia introduced the item.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• The Civic Center solar project is in the design phase • There was a change to the agenda report shortly after it was posted; the Council Aide positions were removed and the agenda report was re-posted
• Funding needs to be included in the budget for interpretation services; reward staff if they are used to provide interpretation
• The Code Enforcement Ticket Writers are advance smart devices that process and print tickets • The Wave Water Park slides will be open for the summer
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-36, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2021/22 AND 2022/23, AND AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022/23 AND 2023/24”; AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-37, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING THE CITY-WIDE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION INDEX, AND REPEALING THE PROVISIONS OF ANY RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.”
VOTE: 5-0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mary Davis, Watch Dog Activist, San Diego, stated she believes there was a conflict of interest regarding the vote on the SANDAG appointments.
REMARKS
City Manager Conley made the following announcements:
• Thanks to the Public Works team and the City’s contractor for last week’s completion of the replacement of the fields at the Vista Sports Park. The fields are reopened, as has the trail at the park. The public is welcome to come check out the new fields and enjoy all the amenities that the park offers.
• I’m happy to announce that not only are the seniors enjoying the new salad bar at the senior center, but they are also loving the culture caravan program. Of the nine excursions that were
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2023
6 recently announced, all but one is sold-out. Culture Caravan is our excursion program that takes our seniors on one-day trips to destinations in the region. You can find out more about it at city of vista dot com, forward slash culture caravan.
•Outdoor entertainment at The Moonlight is returning later this month. Our first outdoor concerts of the year start on March 31 with two weekends of shows. You can get the line-up at moonlight stage dot com.
City Council Members thanked staff, speakers, and everyone that attended the meeting.
Councilmember O’Donnell announced he is hosting a Town Hall meeting on March 19 at 12:30 pm at the Thibodo House.
Councilmember O’Donnell gave a shout out to the Public Works staff, recognized his wife and others in honor of International Women's Day, stated he would be playing in Operation HOPE’s golf tournament, and wished everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Councilmember Melendez wished everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Councilmember Melendez reported on the SANDAG Board Retreat and stated that the CEO said the I- 78/I-5 interchange is a priority for SANDAG. She asked that community members call in to the Transportation Committee meeting on Friday at 10:30 to state their support for the Emerald Corridor project, even though it was not recommended for funding.
Deputy Mayor Contreras encouraged community members to call in to the SANDAG meetings and to continue to come to the City Council meetings.
Councilmember Green congratulated John Conley on his appointment as City Manager, stated he is looking forward to the Operation HOPE golf tournament, and encouraged individuals to attend the General Plan Workshop in District 2 on March 20.
Mayor Franklin recognized his wife, mother, and all women in honor of International Women’s Day.
Mayor Franklin made the following announcement:
•The City is beginning the process of updating its general plan and we need and welcome the public’s participation in this process. A series of workshops in each council district begin Monday.
We have created an engagement website for this topic where the public can provide input and share ideas on the future development of Vista. The general plan includes goals and policies concerning land use, open space, conservation, housing, circulation, noise, and safety. The public can visit vista 2050 dot com to help guide the future of Vista and get information on next week’s workshops.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:52 pm.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk