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
DECEMBER 12, 2023
The December 12, 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
John Conley City Manager
Walter Chung City Attorney
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
John Boyce Sheriff’s Captain
Gerard Washington Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Joe Vacca Community Development Director
Greg Mayer Engineering 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
Boy Scout Troup 709 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
Chuck Marino, North Hills Baptist, provided the invocation.
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 Discussion Item D1, Vista Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Christmas Parade Funding, has been removed from the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to Carter Kristofferson Conlee declaring December 13, 2023, as “Carter Kristofferson Conlee Day” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Council presented a Letter of Appreciation to Chris Arens, Traci Bailey, Captain Jeff Bauer, Sal Castaneda, Battalion Chief Sam Craig, Deputy Chief Bret Davidson,
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
DECEMBER 12, 2023
2 Derek Fried, Deputy Chief Robert Ford, Jeff Gazdayka, Maia Hodge, Captain Brendan Hammes, Justin Hennen, Brent Nogle, Domonic Puccio, Roxanne Rauto-Shin, Jeffrey Reyes, Michael Saldana, Jacob Shumate, Marouf Suliman, Adrian Valdez, Ian Wong-Welch, and Division Chief Steven Wecklich for their contribution to the success of the City of Vista’s Emergency Medical Technician Program.
P3. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation recognizing Deputy Amba, Deputy Barr, Deputy Gillett, and Deputy Ebanks as heroes for their outstanding commitment to public service.
P4. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation recognizing Firefighters Ian Wong- Welch and Zachary McCreary as heroes for their outstanding commitment to public service.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Anthony White spoke regarding the need for affordable housing and trauma informed care when working with the unhoused population.
Sid Rothenberg thanked the City Council and staff for improvements made to the women’s restroom at the Senior Center and invited everyone to attend the Center’s Jingle and Mingle event on Friday evening.
Barbara Gordon spoke about the risks of high potency marijuana and its risk factor for mental health.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the October 2023 check register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following minutes: November 14, 2023 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JA); November 15, 2023 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Received and filed the Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending September 30, 2023. (CC)
C4. Introduced and adopted City Council Ordinance No. 2023-114, entitled “An Ordinance of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending Chapter 2.12 of the Vista Municipal Code Regarding City Council Workshop Dates and Times” and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-203, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Setting Regular Meeting Dates for 2024.” (CC)
C5. Directed staff to post a notice of scheduled vacancies for 2024 – the Local Appointments List – with an application deadline of February 5, 2024 and a deadline of April 22, 2024, for youth applicants. (CC)
C6. Confirmed Vista Unified School District’s recommendation of appointment to the Community Safety Commission and Mayor Franklin’s recommendations to fill unscheduled vacancies on the Youth Commission.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
DECEMBER 12, 2023
3 C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-204, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc. for As- Needed Asphalt Concrete Crack Repair.” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-205, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Construction Contract to Fordyce Construction, Inc. for the 2023 Pedestrian Mobility Sidewalk Project – Avenida De Benito Juarez from W.
California Ave. to W. Connecticut Ave. (CIP No. 8290).” (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-206, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing the Submittal of an Application for the Department of Pesticide Regulation Alliance Grant Program,” and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-207, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing the Submittal of an Application for the Western IPM Center Annual Grant Program 2024.” (CC)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-208, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Purchase of One Life Line Ambulance” (CC)
C11. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-209, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Curbside Café and Public Works Bldg-C Roof Replacement Project.” (CC)
C12. Adopted Successor Agency Resolution No. 2023-1, entitled “A Resolution of the Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, Approving a Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS 24-25) Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177 and Taking Certain Actions in Connection Therewith,” and adopted Successor Agency Resolution No. 2023-2, entitled “A Resolution of the Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, Approving the Administrative Budget Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177 and Taking Certain Actions in Connection Therewith.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF S. SANTA FE AVENUE (CC)
Engineering Manager Greg Mayer introduced the item and Right-of-Way Agent William Tuck provided the staff report.
Deputy Mayor Contreras stated there is a need for improved pedestrian safety and crossing in this area.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023- 210, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, VACATING A PORTION OF S.
SANTA FE AVENUE.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
Mayor Franklin announced that this item was removed from the agenda.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
DECEMBER 12, 2023
4 D2. ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT REGULATIONS (CC)
Councilmember O’Donnell introduced the item and stated he wanted the City Council to discuss amending the City’s regulations to allow for three bedrooms and the development of pre-approved plans for ADUs.
Sid Rothenberg requested that the City Council require applicants to notify neighbors of their intent to add an ADU.
Natasha Serrano stated her support for pre-approved plans and additional staff to process applications.
Lisa De Jesus spoke in favor of allowing for three bedrooms and the offering of pre-approved plans.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• The State does not allow municipalities to require neighbor notifications • Pre-approved plans would help expedite the review and approval process, however there are still factors that impact the length of time required (such a topography) • Pre-approved plans would save applicants money
• Support for allowing three bedrooms
• Consider charging a nominal fee to recoup costs of developing pre-approved plans
DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING BACK PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY
DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW FOR THREE BEDROOMS IN AN ADU
AND A PLAN FOR DEVELOPING PRE-APPROVED ADU PLANS.
NO VOTE
D3. APPOINTMENTS OF OFFICIALS TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES (CC/BSD) City Clerk Valdez introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke in support of appointing Councilmember Melendez as the Representative to the SANDAG Board of Directors:
Kathleen Boyle Jim Riggenbach Nanci Oechsle
Jim Bottorff Suzanne Hume
Mayor Franklin and Councilmember Green stated the Mayor should serve as the SANDAG Representative because he is the only member of the City Council that is elected by the entire City; in addition to there being a difference of opinion on many items related to SANDAG.
Deputy Mayor Contreras, Councilmember Melendez, and Councilmember O’Donnell stated that Councilmember Melendez should continue to serve as the Representative based on the work she has done since being appointed.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY GREEN, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-211, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
APPOINTING A REPRESENTATIVE (CONTRERAS) AND AN ALTERNATE (MELENDEZ) REPRESENTATIVE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH SAN DIEGO COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT BOARD (NCTD;
ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-212, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING A REPRESENTATIVE (GREEN) AND AN
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE (MELENDEZ) TO THE BOARD OF
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
DECEMBER 12, 2023
5 DIRECTORS OF THE REGIONAL SOLID WASTE ASSOCIATION (RSWA)”; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-213, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING A REPRESENTATIVE (O’DONNELL) AND
AN ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE (GREEN) TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH COUNTY DISPATCH JOINT POWERS
AGENCY (NORTH COMM)”; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-214, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING A
REPRESENTATIVE (FRANKLIN) AND ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES (CONLEY, GASCON, HOLBROOK) TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CALIFORNIA JOINT POWERS INSURANCE AUTHORITY (JPIA)”; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-215, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA,
CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING A REPRESENTATIVE (MELENDEZ) AND AN ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE (O’DONNELL) TO THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE”; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-216, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING
TWO REPRESENTATIVES (FRANKLIN, GREEN) AND TWO ALTERNATE
REPRESENTATIVES (KNATZ, MAYER) TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ENCINA WASTEWATER AUTHORITY”; AND ADOPT BUENA
SANITATION DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-9, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BUENA
SANITATION DISTRICT, APPOINTING TWO REPRESENTATIVES
(FRANKLIN, GREEN) AND TWO ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES (KNATZ,
MAYER) TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ENCINA WASTEWATER AUTHORITY.” CONFIRM THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS TO THE
AGENCIES NOT LISTED ABOVE, BUT SHOWN ON EXHIBIT 1.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-217, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING
A REPRESENTATIVE (MELENDEZ) AND FIRST AND SECOND
ALTERNATIVE REPRESENTATIVES (O’DONNELL, FRANKLIN) TO THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS (SANDAG).”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-1, FRANKLIN OPPOSED
DIRECTED STAFF TO POST THE CHANGES ON THE WEBSITE ON
CALIFORNIA FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION (FPPC) FORM 806 IN COMPLIANCE WITH FPPC REGULATION 18705.5.
D4. APPOINTMENT TO DEPUTY MAYOR (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
Councilmember Green stated he would like to serve as Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Franklin made a motion to appoint Councilmember Green as Deputy Mayor.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
DECEMBER 12, 2023
6 Deputy Mayor Contreras stated Councilmember Melendez should serve as Deputy Mayor since it is the last year of her term and she has not served in the position.
Councilmember O’Donnell stated his support of appointing Councilmember Melendez.
The following individuals spoke in support of Councilmember Melendez serving as Deputy Mayor:
John Bottorff Suzane Hume
The following individual spoke in support of appointing Councilmember Green as Deputy Mayor:
Allison James
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPOINT
COUNCILMEMBER MELENDEZ AS DEPUTY MAYOR FOR A ONE-YEAR
TERM.
MOTION CARRIED: 3-2, FRANKLIN AND GREEN OPPOSED
D5. FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT (CC) Finance Director Mike Sylvia provided the staff report.
City Council Members and staff discussed the following:
• Interest in the tree waterbag program and desire to expand if it’s working well • Salaries of Mayor and City Council members
• Need to look at costs associated with maintaining and running The Wave; have a future discussion item about The Wave
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN, TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-218, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023/24 AND 2024/25, AND AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2022/23 AND 2023/24”; ADOPT BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-10, ENTITLED “A
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BUENA
SANITATION DISTRICT, AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR
FISCAL YEARS 2023/24 AND 2024/25,” AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-219, 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”.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
REMARKS
City Manager Conley made the following announcements:
• The City’s next traffic safety community meeting will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Morris B.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
DECEMBER 12, 2023
7 Vance Community Room here at the Civic Center. Tomorrow’s discussion centers around traffic safety in District 3. The last traffic safety community forum will be held on February 1 for District
4. For more information, visit the calendar at cityofvista.com. • The Wave Waterpark’s Penguin Plunge is back this year on Saturday, December 16, from 1 pm to 3 pm. The Wave’s icy-cold slide tower will be open for free! There are prizes for those who participate. Visit thewavewaterpark.com for information. • Visit Winterfest on Main Street this Sunday in downtown Vista from 10 am until 3 pm. The City and the Vista Fire Department will have booths, and you can meet the firefighters and visit with City staff. Winterfest features Santa, live music, a gift market, and more. Visit discovervista.com for information.
• Except for the Recreation office, VisTix, and the McClellan Senior Center, offices at the Civic Center are closed for the holidays from December 22 through January 1, 2024. All City facilities are closed from December 25 through January 1. These hours do not affect emergency services. City parks will be open throughout the holiday closure period.
Councilmember O’Donnell announced there is a Chamber mixer at Co-Lab tomorrow, reported on the CalCities meeting, and thanked staff for putting boulders around the softball fields.
Councilmember Melendez thanked the City Council for appointing her to serve as Deputy Mayor and stated she will work with the Mayor and the City Council members to meet the City Council goals.
Deputy Mayor Contreras stated the new Executive Director for North County Transit District will be announced soon.
Councilmember Green announced that Encina rates will be increasing due to significant increases in construction costs.
Mayor Franklin made the following announcements:
• Join the Vista City Council for the grand opening ceremony of Pala Vista Park this Saturday at 10 am. The Council will have a short ceremony, and then Vista’s 18th Park will officially open.
The park is located at 234 Pala Vista Drive.
• Everyone is invited to the McClellan Senior Center on Friday, December 15, from 5 to 7 pm for their holiday event, Holly Jingle and Mingle, with live music and holiday treats. • The City’s official holiday event, Jingle Terrace Live, is now open nightly at the Moonlight Amphitheatre through December 23. This year, the event has been expanded with live entertainment and more light displays in the amphitheatre. This event is free. • For more information on these events, visit the City’s calendar at cityofvista.com.
Mayor Franklin suggested the City Council look at time limits or other means to help make the meetings shorter.
The Mayor and City Council members wished everyone happy holidays.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:22 pm in honor of the memory of Jim Malone.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk