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
MARCH 12, 2024
The March 12, 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
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT
Dan O’Donnell
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
John Conley City Manager
Walter Chung City Attorney
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
John Boyce Sheriff’s Captain
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
Deputy Mayor Melendez 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
City Manager John Conley stated there are no changes to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to Captain Eric Kilpatrick, Engineer Joe Denhalter, Firefighter Wes Najarro, Firefighter Brett Osmus, Firefighter Logan Dearborn, and EMT John Espinoza for their outstanding heroism and commitment to public service.
P2. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to Deputy Samuel Anderson, Deputy Jorgen Pedersen, and Deputy Jose Galvan for their outstanding heroism and commitment to public service.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2024
2 P3. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to members of Girl Scouts Junior Troop 1180 and Brownie Troop 1199 proclaiming March 2024, as “National Women’s History Month” in the City of Vista.
P4. Presentation by Israel Hernandez, Associate Director for Advocacy & Community Engagement for AARP and Steve Burrell, local AARP advocacy volunteer, welcoming the City of Vista as part of an age-friendly community network.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Peter Czajkowski voiced concerns regarding the cost of preparing and quality of the Cannabis Equity Report.
The following individuals spoke regarding Short-Term Rental “party house” issues and asked the City Council to consider minimum stay requirements, a “three strikes rule”, and stricter permitting requirements when updating the Short-Term Rental Ordinance:
Bill Froelich Laurie Froelich Anna Strawn Kerry Michel
Terri-Ann Skelly stated the effects of tobacco and cannabis secondhand smoke on the heart and lungs and asked the City Council to consider a smoking ban in public spaces.
Barbara Gordon stated that pesticides found in cannabis products are a harm to human health and the environment.
Becky Rapp spoke to the effects of cannabis and other drugs on mental health.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
C1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-28, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, First Amendment to the Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Street Tree Maintenance Services.” (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes: February 27, 2024, Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA); February 21, 2024, Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-29, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with NV5 West, Inc. for Professional Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Testing, and Construction Inspection Services”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-30, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Vinje & Middleton Engineering, Inc. for Professional Geotechnical Engineering, Materials Testing, and Construction Inspection Services.” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-31, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Initiating Proceedings for the Formation, Levy and Collection of Assessments for the South Melrose Landscape Maintenance District No. 2024-1 for the Fiscal Year 2024/25”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-32, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intention to Provide
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2024
3 for the Formation, Annual Levy and Collection of Assessments for the Maintenance of Improvements, and Calling an Assessment Ballot Proceeding to Submit to the Qualified Property Owners Within Such District the Question of the Levy of the Proposed Assessments for the District, Fiscal Year 2024/25.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-33, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of W. Vista Way and Hill Drive.” (CC)
C6. Approved the installation of speed humps on Cantara Lane between Pomelo Way and Marazon Lane. (CC)
C7. Mayor Franklin announced that this item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. (CC)
C8. Mayor Franklin announced that this item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion. (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-34, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Aquatic Design Group for a Needs Assessment Study for the Way Waterpark”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-35, 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.” (CC)
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
C7. SPEED HUMPS ON MARAZON LANE (CC)
Brandon Rake spoke in opposition to speed humps on Marazon Lane.
Amanda Rigby spoke in favor of speed humps on Marazon Lane.
Laura Felix spoke in favor of speed humps on Marazon Lane.
Deputy Mayor Melendez and Councilmember Contreras spoke in favor of speed humps and the traffic calming petition process.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE
INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON MARAZON LANE BETWEEN
CANTARA LANE AND SUNSET DRIVE.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
C8. SPEED HUMPS ON OAK DRIVE (CC)
Tony Hutchinson spoke in favor of speed humps on Oak Drive.
Elizabeth Shahbazi spoke in favor of speed humps on Oak Drive.
Justin Piro spoke in opposition to speed humps on Oak Drive.
Councilmember Green commended the petitioner for their efforts in obtaining neighborhood petition signatures.
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE
INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON OAK DRIVE BETWEEN E. VISTA WAY AND FOOTHILL DRIVE.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2024
4 DISCUSSION
D1. CANNABIS RELATED SPECIAL EVENTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY (CC) Councilmember Green introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke in favor of the item:
Savana Rubin Joshua Caruso Matthew Raftery
Mor H. Linda
Justin Piro and Gimel Novelozo submitted speaker cards in favor of the item but did not speak.
The following individuals spoke regarding the negative impact of youth cannabis use and asked the City Council to consider various measures to limit youth exposure to cannabis related special events.
Taniah Worthy Maya Howard Kayleen Spencer
Gracee Johnson Carina Esquivel Megan Stuart
The following individuals spoke in opposition of the item:
Peggy Walker Beck Rapp Barbara Gordon Judi Strang
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Is special event vendor participation limited to Measure Z storefronts or could future social equity license holders also participate?
• Limit special events to two (2) days.
• Use Measure Z tax revenue to pay for public service announcement ads for anti-youth cannabis use.
• Zero tolerance policy for event organizers and vendors for violation of rules. • ID scanner to be required as part of event safety plan. • Consideration of tiered permit fee structure based on size and length of special event. • Food and wellness vendors allowed at special events.
• Designated pickup and drop-off rideshare locations.
• Consideration of surrounding businesses when issuing permits to event organizers.
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO DIRECT STAFF TO
BRING BACK A POLICY TO ALLOW FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CANNABIS RELATED EVENTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
D2. CITYWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PROGRAM (CC)
Public Works Director Kuna Muthusamy introduced the item and Public Works Operation Manager Chris Arce provided the staff report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Sustainability upgrades within the parks.
• Major capital improvements, such as roofs, should be included in the budget on a regular basis. • Skatepark restrooms are often closed due to graffiti and maintenance issues. o Install signage in and around restrooms to encourage users to keep clean. Work with Skatepark Coalition to develop signage.
o When restrooms are out of commission, put up sign with date of closure and expected re-opening.
o Rethink design of restrooms. Councilmembers Green and Contreras offered examples of public restroom styles found in other countries.
o Possibility of handwashing stations to be relocated within public view.
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MARCH 12, 2024
5 • Public Works to keep inventory of regularly replaced items.
DISCUSSED AND STATED SUPPORT FOR THE FACILITIES MASTER
PROGRAM LIST; DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING BACK FUTURE RESTROOM FACILITIES DISCUSSION.
NO VOTE
D3. FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT (CC) Director of Finance Mike Sylvia introduced the item and provided the staff report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Support for recommended personnel changes.
• Direct staff to bring updated data on City-wide Compensation after receipt of latest Consumer Price Index data.
• Desire for higher wages for non-managerial and seasonal employees to raise retention rates and be a competitive employer.
• Councilmember Contreras expressed a desire to help employees with transportation costs and workforce housing.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO: RECEIVE AND FILE THE FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-36, 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” AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-37, 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.”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
REMARKS
City Manager Conley announced Moonlight Amphitheatre, Wave Waterpark, and Recreation Division has begun hiring for summer positions; the Recreation Division has added new classes at Jim Porter Recreation Center and Brengle Terrace Park; and congratulated Chris Mitchell as the City’s new Information Technology Director.
Councilmember Contreras announced her appointment to the North County Transit District’s Chair of the Marketing, Service Planning, and Business Development Committee and reminded everyone that Guerrer@s En Acción Por Un Vista Limpio’s trash cleanup walk is every Wednesday morning.
Councilmember Green inquired about digital marketing opportunities at NCTD train stops; congratulated Chris Mitchell on his appointment to IT Director; and thanked the City Council for their support of item D1, Cannabis Related Special Events on Private Property.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2024
6 Deputy Mayor Melendez announced a children’s shoe drive on March 15th coordinated by Operation HOPE and the Soroptimist Club. Please reach out to Deputy Mayor Melendez at [email protected] to donate children and adult sized shoes. Donations will also be collected at the VisTix Ticket Office.
Mayor Franklin invited residents to “Unity with the Community” event hosted by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department on March 23, 2024 from 10:00-2:00 at the Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, 600 North Santa Fe Avenue.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk