VISTA CITY COUNCIL (CC) BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT (BSD) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (CDC)
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE VISTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SA)
CITY OF VISTA
CONSOLIDATED MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
The February 27, 2024, 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 Katie Melendez
Joe Green, Corinna Contreras, 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
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.
INVOCATION
Doug Sohn, Vista Baha’i Faith, gave 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 there are no changes to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to Sadie O’Neill, Gianna Hofer, Ella Jones, and Alexis McCauslin from Vista High School Spirit competitive dance and cheer team proclaiming February 28, 2024, as “Vista High School Spirit Team Day” in the City of Vista.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Joe Houde asked that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy California which keeps SB 1137 intact.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
2 Barbara Gordon stated that February is Hearth Health Month and noted that smoking, including marijuana, contributes to high blood pressure.
Judy Strang stated the Department of Cannabis Control released an advisory recalling a high potency vape cartridge which is identified as having been sold at four stores in Vista and suggested the City send out enforcement staff to ensure the products have been removed from the shelves.
Emerald Carroll spoke in support of Upwards Child Care and CDBG funding for their Boost program.
Becky Rapp stated recent investigations show that products from dispensaries may contain pesticides and asked that the industry be held responsible.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the January 2024 check register.
C2. Approved the meeting minutes of February 13, 2024, Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA).
C3. Received and filed the Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending December 31, 2023. (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-12, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Carollo Engineers, Inc. to Update the Sewer Master Plan (CIP No. 8344)”; Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-13, 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”; and Adopted Buena Sanitation District No. 2024-1, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2022/23 and 2023/24.” (CC/BSD)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-19, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Submittal of the Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-20, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with NV5, Inc. for Professional Services for As-Needed Stormwater and Environmental Monitoring Support.” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-21, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing and Supporting the Submission of Priority City Projects for State and Federal Funding Consideration.” (CC)
C8. Mayor Franklin announced that this item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
C8. 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM (CC)
When asked why he removed the item from the Consent Calendar, Mayor Franklin stated he is not comfortable with some of the language in the platform.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
3 Deputy Mayor Melendez and Councilmember Contreras stated their support for the universal healthcare item added to the platform.
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND LEGISLATIVE POLICY OBJECTIVES.
MOTION CARRIED: 3-1-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED, GREEN ABSTAINED)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. CENTRAL VISTA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL LEVY (CC) Director of Economic Development Larry Vaupel introduced the item and provided the staff report.
Julie Lowen stated the downtown needs more help than the CVBID can provide and that she is willing to pay a levy to develop a plaza in the area.
City Council Members discussed the following:
• The CVBID Advisory Board and other downtown groups are doing a great job creating events in the area
• Hearing good things about what’s happening downtown
• Increase circulation to the area (e-bikes, walking, transit) • Better connect areas A, B, and C
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-23,
ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/25
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE CENTRAL VISTA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND LEVYING THE ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH2. SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO 2019-2020 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR REALLOCATION OF CARES ACT FUNDING (CC) Housing Program Manager Eric Bunge introduced the item and Staff Assistant Sergio Sauceda provided the staff report.
Councilmember Contreras stated this program will allow staff to stabilize individuals who have a communicable disease in a hotel and then move them to the navigation center.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023- 24, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE CDBG-CV ACTION PLAN SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2019-2020 ANNUAL
ACTION PLAN, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL AND REALLOCATION OF THE CDBG-CV FUNDS PLAN TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
4 DISCUSSION
D1. COMMERCIAL CANNABIS EQUITY ASSESSMENT REPORT (CC)
City Clerk Kathy Valdez introduced the item.
Kyle Tankard, SCI Consulting Group, provided a presentation on the assessment.
Terrie Best thanked Kyle for the opportunity to provide input and encouraged the City Council to apply for the next level of State grant funding.
Armand King commended the City Council for taking on this initiative, encouraged the City to continue to work with stakeholders to implement a good program, and asked that the City Council consider consumption lounges.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Arrest numbers were low due to data being limited to the past seven years • Specific areas identified by the study should be included as part of the eligibility requirements • Support for:
o fee waivers
o grants (not loans)
o set aside 25-40% of licenses for equity applicants
o include ownership requirements that protect equity applicants • Look at additional cannabis businesses including consumption lounges and cultivation • Capital and operating funds will be needed by equity applicants • Apply for State and other grants; partner with the Chamber and/or other interested groups • Support record expungement program
• Continue to work with stakeholders; outreach to impacted areas • More details on arrest data would be helpful
• Some concern about fee waiver/deferral and investment of City funds in cannabis businesses
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-25, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE CITY OF VISTA CANNABIS EQUITY ASSESSMENT”; DIRECTED STAFF
TO DRAFT A CANNABIS EQUITY PROGRAM TO BE BROUGHT TO A FUTURE MEETING FOR APPROVAL.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
Mayor Franklin announced that, unless there were any objections from the City Council, Item D4 will be taken next since there are several people in the audience that want to speak on the item.
D4. AVO THEATER (CC)
Deputy Mayor Melendez introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke in favor of increasing the use of the Avo and provided recommendations on what they would like to see:
Joe Houde Rebecca Zynda, Classical Academy Sid Rothenberg Colby Karzen Jim Ellis Jason Beckwith
Rachel Beld, Vista Chamber of Commerce
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
5 City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• An operator/plan for the Avo should be determined through an RFP process • Not in support of selling the venue; leasing is okay
• Support increasing the use of the facility
• Maintain the Moonlight Youth Theater’s ability to use the facility • Consider the draw the theater has and the benefit to the downtown rather than just the revenue generated from rental fees/a lease
• Look at short term and long term vision for the Avo
• Establish a stakeholder committee to help determine long and short term plans • Look at current fee structure; separate rates for Avo and Club M; consider unused subsidy for the Moonlight to support the Avo
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-26, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GENERAL FUND GRANT GF2325-0
CITY OF VISTA, FOR THE AVO PLAYHOUSE REHABILITATION & ADA UPGRADES PROJECT” AND DIRECTED STAFF TO CREATE A
STAKEHOLDER GROUP AND UTILIZE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
PROCESS.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D2. EFFECT OF INFLATION ON CITYWIDE COMPENSATION (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
Nate Woods, Moonlight Stage employees, encouraged the City Council to provide Moonlight stage employees with industry standard wages.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Important to look at lower level non-management positions and ensure they are making a living wage; look at temporary and seasonal employee compensation • Look beyond inflation to retain employees
• Salary studies are generally done at the time of negotiations; some done on an as needed basis • Look holistically at all employees; agreements may include a “me too” clause • When City revenue goes up due to inflation, look at impact of inflation on compensation • Over the last two years, employees have received 11% increase, will be at 13% after July 1 • Look at whether other cities have adjusted compensation to match inflation • Compensation is an ongoing cost that has to be maintained; need to ensure it is sustainable
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY GREEN TO DIRECT STAFF TO
BRING BACK INFORMATION ON WHEN SALARY SURVEYS WERE LAST
DONE, WHEN THEY WILL BE DONE AGAIN, THE COST FOR SALARY
SURVEYS, AND A COMPARISON OF INFLATION AND CITYWIDE
COMPENSATION.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D3. OLIVE AVENUE PROTECTED BIKE LANES (CC)
Principal Engineer Husam Hasenin introduced the item and gave the staff report.
Joe Houde spoke in favor of the item.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
6 City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Support for the project; increased safety
• Will be included as an “Add to Bid;” when the contract is brought back for approval, funding options will be provided
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO APPROVE THE
INSTALLATION OF PROTECTED BIKE LANES ON OLIVE AVENUE.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D5. AB 1999 (IRWIN) SUPPORT RESOLUTION (CC)
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell introduced the item.
Joe Gabaldon, SDG&E, spoke in opposition to AB 1999.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• AB 1999 over turns AB 205; the City Council adopted a resolution opposing the fixed energy charges authorized in AB 205
• Fixed rate tiers established on an income-graduated basis are being replaced by a $5 (for CARE program participants) or $10 fee (for all others)
• Solar customers must pay the fee as well, pay for connections • The income-based tiers included in AB205 do not encourage conservation and decrease the benefits of solar
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2023-27, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 1999.”
MOTION CARRIED: 3-1-1 (MAYOR FRANKLIN OPPOSED; CONTRERAS
ABSTAINED)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
REMARKS
Councilmember O’Donnell commended Public Works staff and the Community Improvement Team for their work cleaning up the duck pond after the storm, and reminded the audience that there is a meeting regarding assessment districts tomorrow.
Councilmember Contreras reminded everyone that Guerrer@s En Acción Por Un Vista Limpio’s trash cleanup walk is tomorrow morning.
Councilmember Green announced there are two new locations for great tacos, Primo’s on E. Vista Way and Frida’s Taco’s on S. Santa Fe Ave; and gave a shout out to the RBV Soccer Team.
Deputy Mayor Melendez reported on the first Standing Committee on Homeless meeting and announced that meetings will be held the third Thursday of the month at 8:30 am; thanked residents that came out to the Community Meeting for the Emeral Drive Complete Streets Project; and announced that March is Shoe the World Day, Operation HOPE and the Soroptimist Club are collecting shoes.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
7 Mayor Franklin announced the South Melrose Tree Trimming and Landscape Maintenance Assessment Community Meeting on February 28th starting at 6:00 at the Hyatt Place and encouraged all residents to take the City Council goals survey which can be found at vistanewscenter.com.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk