VISTA CITY COUNCIL (CC)
CITY OF VISTA
WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
The September 7, 2023, Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, was called to order by Mayor Franklin at 6:01 pm in the City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor John Franklin, Deputy Mayor Corinna Contreras
Katie Melendez, Dan O’Donnell
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT
Joe Green
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
John Conley City Manager
Walter Chung City Attorney
John Boyce Sheriff’s Captain
Gerard Washington Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Patsy Chow Acting Community Development Director
Mike Pacheco Recreation and Community Services Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember O’Donnell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vada Bennett spoke on coyote management strategies.
DISCUSSION
D1. VACANT CITY PROPERTIES (CC)
The following members of the public voiced their opinion:
• Joe Houde asked the City Council to consider the following when setting priorities for each parcel: equity, climate, business incubation, grant application opportunities. • John Helfrich, Tideline Partners, spoke on a proposal for Site No. 11. • Ann Force, North County Climate Change Alliance, asked the City Council to consider community gardens, solar, and adding more trees to Site No. 2. • Jim Riggenbach suggested a park with pickleball courts at Site No. 9.
Assistant to the City Manager Imelda Huerta provided the staff report.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
Site 1: APN 162-511-19, Southwest corner of Ruby Drive and Ravine Road, Northwest of Bub Williamson Park
• Connect site to Bub Williamson Park by hiking trails. • Preservation of natural space.
WORKSHOP MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
2 Site 2: APN 166-150-56, North side of Breeze Hill Road, adjacent to the County Courthouse •Chief Washington presented the City Council the idea for a public safety training facility, partnering with the Sheriff’s Department; it could include public education opportunities and serve as a regional resource.
•Interest in seeing a formal proposal for a training facility; to include a cost-benefit analysis.
Would be more supportive of a facility in a commercial or industrial zoned area. •Maintain some or all of the space as natural green space.
Site 3: APNs 163-151-11, 12, 13, & 14, Northwest corner of Avenida de Benito Juarez and Avenida de la Plaza
•Site currently in design for a public park and will be going out to bid in coming months. •Would like to see sidewalk up to Boys & Girls Club and more lighting.
Site 4: APN 173-340-53, 633 Lynette Circle
•A “pocket park” including dog waste bags/trash receptacle, tree canopy, bench, and solar lighting would be a good location for this site as it is small and oddly shaped.
Site 5: APN 171-250-30, South side of Taylor Street, adjacent to HHW Facility •Support planned use to expand the Public Works yard
•Some funding has already been set aside for this purpose Site 6: APN 176-300-59, East end of Townsite Drive adjacent to Monarch Apartments •Would like this site to be dedicated to affordable housing if easement access can be acquired. •If affordable housing is not possible, keep the site as an enhanced natural space.
Site 7: APNs 175-221-28, 29, 211 Palm Drive
•Site is planned for affordable housing, no changes proposed Site 8: APN 175-223-25, 902 Vista Village Drive
•Site is planned for affordable housing, no changes proposed Site 9: APNs 175-139-02, 13, 14, & 15, 119 Michigan
•Site is planned for public parking.
•Include solar, bicycle parking, and seating.
Site 10: APNs 164-205-36, 37, Southwest corner of Vista Village Drive and N. Santa Fe Ave. •Site is planned for the Inland Rail Trail; include a rest stop with benches and water bottle filling station
Site 11: APNs 175-305-33, 175-305-49, 179-041, 01, 02, 444 S. Santa Fe Ave. •Open to revenue sharing/collaboration with local business to develop outdoor retail popup. •Proposed improvement could attract more foot traffic for the area.
Site 12: APNs 179-023-01, 11, Southwest corner of Guajome St. and Mercantile St. •Planned parking should include solar, functional bike parking and storage. •Site is a good location for “First/Last Mile” connection point.
Site 13: APN 179-022-27, West side of S. Santa Fe Ave, south of Terrace •Such a small site is a challenge; consider use for a dog run or open space.
Site 14: APN 175-323-31, 34, North side of S. Santa Fe at the Pala Vista roundabout •Prioritize beautification of site; include native plants and a seating area.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Franklin stated there are no requests to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:15 pm.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk