CITY OF VISTA
CONSOLIDATED MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 28, 2023
The March 28, 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 5:30 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 Assistant City Manager
John Boyce Sheriff's Captain
Roy Palmer Interim Fire Chief
Craig Usher Deputy Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Patsy Chow Acting Community Development Director
Greg Mayer Acting Engineering Department Director 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 O'Donnell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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
Assistant City Manager Amanda Lee stated there are no changes to the agenda.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
C1. Received and filed attached Treasurer's Cash Report for the month ending January 31, 2023. (CC) C2. Approved the following minutes: March 14, 2023, Consolidated Meeting (CC1CDC1SA1BSD) March 15, 2023, Special Meeting (CC)
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
MARCH 28, 2023
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-38, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, ordering that an engineer prepare a report of the assessments to be levied for the maintenance of improvements of City of Vista Landscaping and Lighting District No. 1"; adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-39, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, ordering that an engineer prepare a report of the assessments to be levied for the maintenance of improvements of City of Vista Street Maintenance District No. 1"; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-40, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, ordering that an engineer prepare a report of the assessments to be levied for the maintenance of improvements of the South Melrose Landscape Maintenance District." (CC)
C4. Confirmed Mayor Franklin's, Deputy Mayor Contreras', and Councilmembers O'Donnell and Green's recommendations for appointments to various commissions, boards, and committees. (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-41, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, adding an additional opportunity for Oral Communication on City Council's agendas." (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-42, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, awarding a Construction Contract with APR Construction, Inc. for the Senior Center Facility Improvements Project." (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. 2023-2024 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (CC) Mayor Franklin opened the Public Hearing.
Homeless Services Program Manager Jonathan Lung introduced Staff Assistant Sergio Sauceda who provided the staff report.
The following members of the public thanked the City Council for their support and provided and overview of their program and the residents served:
Jesica Garcia—Vista Community Clinic
Maggie Lengyel — Mama's Kitchen
Jessie Stein —Voices for Children
Don Stump — Lifeline Community Services
City Council Members thanked the speakers, those that submitted comments, and the CDBG Community Advisory Board for their work.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• CDBG funds only cover a portion of the programs being offered • Advocate for additional funding by sharing grant and other funding opportunities • Work on the Benito Juarez sidewalk project is progressing; a design build bid package is being developed; the project must be completed by 2026
• There are two openings on the CDBG Advisory Board; contact the City Clerk for information on how to apply
2 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 28, 2023
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN A 30-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED 2023-2024 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO SOLICIT COMMUNITY INPUT.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. TRAFFIC CALMING ON PRIORITY STREETS AND PROTECTED BIKE LANES ON MAJOR
ROADS (CC)
Acting Engineering Department Director Greg Mayer introduced Traffic Engineer Sam Hasenin who provided the staff report.
The following members of the public spoke regarding traffic calming:
Danny Garcia BreeAnn Ayala Richard Fisher
Brenton Ayala Katerina Wheeler James Broock
Joe Chavez Elliott Sloan Paul Westberg
Shireen Alafi Sid Rothenberg Jack Pilas
David Clark Bob Marsolais Jason Hubbard
Eric Gulino Kristina Gulino Joe Houde
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Plastic delineators for protected bike lanes are preferred over metal or cement barriers due to cost, less room required, and concerns about injuries
• The placement of speed humps will vary depending on the location of driveways and other road features; the average distance between speed humps is 200 to 400 feet • Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program (RTCIP) funds can be used for regional arterial projects such as the proposed protected bike lanes • The current amount of available Traffic Impact Fees can cover the proposed speed humps • There is enough RTCIP funding available to install the delineators, but not for the installation of asphalt berms; berms can be added in the future if desired; an additional $50,000 (from another funding source) will be required for street sweeping
• Ongoing maintenance costs for protected bike lanes are primarily the repainting of lanes every few years and occasional delineator replacement
• Traffic enforcement is conducted throughout the City at various times; do not feel that there is enough enforcement; residents can request enforcement by contacting the Sheriff's Department • Consider increasing the number of traffic deputies during peak times • In the future, review and discuss options for South Melrose Drive • There are other projects, including traffic signals, that have been identified; can look at priority lists at the April 6 workshop
• Need to increase CIP budget for traffic calming projects
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O'DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO MOVE
FORWARD WITH THE INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON ALTA VISTA DRIVE,
EUCALYPTUS AVENUE, GRAPEVINE LANE, HIGHLAND DRIVE AND VALE VIEW DRIVE USING UTILIZING TRAFFIC IMPACT FEES; INSTALL PROTECTED BIKE
LANES USING FLEXIBLE DELINEATORS USING REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
CONGESTION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS AND REVISIT THE ADDITION OF ASPHALT BERMS IN THE FUTURE; AND ESTABLISH AN ONGOING CIP PROJECT FOR FUTURE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS.
VOTE: 5-0
3 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 28, 2023
D2. VISION ZERO RESOLUTION: OUR GOAL TO END FATALITIES ON OUR STREETS (CC) Councilmember Melendez introduced the item.
Mayor Franklin announced that Nancy Oechsle registered her support for the resolution, but did not wish to speak on the item.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Vision Zero aligns with the City Council's goals and staff's efforts • Having a resolution supporting Vision Zero will help with grant applications • Typically a plan is developed and then a resolution is signed, but it is okay to do the resolution first
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O'DONNELL, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION No. 2023-43, ENTITLED "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,ADOPTING
THE VISION ZERO INITIATIVE, AND ASPIRATIONAL INITIATIVE TO ACHIEVE
ZERO TRAFFIC-RELATED DEATHS OR SERIOUS INJURIES IN THE CITY OF VISTA."
VOTE: 5-0
D3. MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSING (CC)
Assistant City Manager Amanda Lee introduced the item.
Member of the public Joe Houde stated his support for the item and provided suggestions for program requirements.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• This program would set restrictions for properties to keep rent at middle income level and would allow the City to monitor the program
• The program is to convert existing "Class A" (no improvements required) apartment buildings • The City would lose the tax benefit of the property; would need to negotiate a side agreement to ensure that there is a public benefit to the program • Each project should be evaluated individually to ensure there is a public benefit • The project can count toward the City's RHNA numbers if the owner agrees to a 55 year deed restriction
• The City would take possession of the property at the end of the bond life; would negotiate the requirement to have a capitol reserve to ensure the property is kept up • Once a property is converted, no one is evicted; the change happens through natural attrition; could require that those eligible for a lower rent cost be given a reduction • Is a market driven solution; likely won't see any interest for a couple of years due to current bond rates
• Utilities should be included in the calculation of the percentage spent on housing costs • A host fee can be required to help offset the lost tax revenue • Support developing the framework for the program; rent 10% below market rate, 55 year deed restriction; include utilities in housing cost calculations, include monitoring and property up keep, require a host fee, evaluate each project individually
DIRECTED STAFF TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FORA MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM BASED ON THE CITY COUNCIL'S DISCUSSION.
VOTE: NO VOTE
4 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 28, 2023
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Joe Houde spoke regarding the need for more climate action efforts.
Nanci Oechsle suggested that public comments received prior to the meeting be summarized, identifying the number in favor or opposed to an item, or read at the meeting at the request of the submitter.
Mary Davis spoke regarding the City's SANDAG representative and concerns about a conflict of interest in the appointment of the representative.
REMARKS
City Council Members thanked staff, speakers, and everyone that attended the meeting.
Councilmember O'Donnell stated that his March 19 Town Hall and the General Plan Update workshops went well; he encouraged everyone to participate in future opportunities. He also stated Senator Blakespear's cleanup event on Sunday was well attended.
Councilmember Melendez announced that the CEA board will be discussing the hiring of a new CEO who is more local; there is a vacancy on the Community Safety Commission; she and community members advocated for the Emerald Drive project at SANDAG meetings; and that SANDAG provided a letter of support for the Emerald Drive project.
Councilmember Melendez stated that the General Plan workshops were great and that she is looking forward to the April 6 City Council Workshop.
Deputy Mayor Contreras stated she is pushing for a grade separation at Vista Village Drive at North County Transit District and announced that two of the most used bus lines through the Youth Opportunity Pass are in Vista.
Councilmember Green acknowledged Caltrans work at Sycamore and Encina Wastewater Authority's Capital Improvement Projects.
Councilmember O'Donnell and Mayor Franklin praised Caltrans for listening to the City's concerns and moving up the repairs on Sycamore.
Mayor Franklin made the following announcements:
• As you may know, a sink hole developed adjacent to the sidewalk on a portion of Pomelo Drive on March 21. I'm happy to report that our Public Works Department completed repairs on March 24, and the sidewalk has been reopened. The crews worked diligently to complete the repair work in the shortest amount of time possible.
• The City is accepting applications for openings on the Community Safety Commission, the Traffic Commission, and the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee. For more information, visit vistanewscenter.com.
• Maintenance of the Breeze Hill Park ball fields began yesterday. Maintenance work includes fixing of the field lights. We will keep the public updated on this project on the City's website.
The Mayor and City Council members thanked Assistant City Manager Amanda Lee for her service.
Assistant City Manager Amanda Lee made the following announcements:
• On Sunday, March 26, Senator Catherine Blakespear's office organized a Vista cleanup event as part of Clean California Community Days. Volunteers descended upon the Vista Transit 5 CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 28, 2023
Center where they panned out throughout the downtown area to pick up litter. Volunteers picked up 425 pounds of litter in approximately 2 hours. The NAACP Youth Council won an award for picking up the most litter. Thank you to everyone who participated! • There will be two Easter Egg Hunts in Vista on April 8: one at the Vista Optimist Club, and the other at Brengle Terrace Park. Visit vistanewscenter.com for information. • The Vista Sheriff's station will host "Slurpees with the Sheriff Deputies" on Thursday, April 6, from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm at the 7/11 located at 900 North Santa Fe. Attendees will be treated to free Slurpees, sodas, hot cocoa, and swag.
• The Moonlight Amphitheatre's outdoor entertainment schedule kicks off this Friday night with a Selena tribute band. Tickets and information are available at moonlightstage.com.
Assistant City Manager Lee stated it has been a pleasure to work for the City of Vista.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk
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