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
APRIL 23, 2024
The April 23, 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 Deputy Mayor Melendez at 4:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor John Franklin (arrived 4:33), Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez Joe Green, Corinna Contreras
CLOSED SESSION
Deputy Mayor Melendez called for a Closed Session at 4:31 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Labor Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: (CC)
Agency Representatives: John Conley, City Manager, Walter Chung, City Attorney, Dolores Gascon, Human Resources Director, Anna
Semenov, Principal Human Resources Analyst, Gerard
Washington, Fire Chief
Employee Organization: Vista Chief Officers Association (VCOA)
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:31 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor John Franklin, Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez
Joe Green, Corinna Contreras, Dan O’Donnell (appeared remotely via Zoom)
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
Deputy Mayor Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 23, 2024
2 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 members presented a proclamation to Captain John Boyce and other Sheriff’s Department personnel proclaiming May 1, 2024 as “Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Day” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Council members presented a proclamation to Rancho Minerva Middle School Principal Cindy Anderson, faculty, and students proclaiming May 9, 2024, as “Rancho Minerva” in the City of Vista.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Sid Rothenberg spoke regarding the new dishwasher installed at the Senior Center. • Terri Ann Skelly spoke regarding the effects of cannabis on the heart, lungs, and mental health. • Becky Rapp spoke regarding the social equity cannabis program.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY GREEN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received and filed Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending February 29, 2024. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes: April 4, 2024, Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA); April 9, 2024, Workshop Meeting (CC).
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-45, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intent to Set a Public Hearing for Collection of Delinquent Property-Related Administrative Citation Charges.” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-46, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intent to Set a Public Hearing for Collection of Delinquent Solid Waste Charges.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-47, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Engineer’s Report on the City of Vista Landscape and Lighting District No. 1 Assessments for the 2024/25 Fiscal Year, Declaring Its Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments, and Setting the Date for Public Hearing;” Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-48, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Determining the Cost of Services and the Amount of Assessment to be Imposed on All Assessable Property Within the City of Vista Street Maintenance District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2024/25 Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 and Setting the Date for Public Hearing;” Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-49, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Engineer’s Report on the City of Vista South Melrose Landscape Maintenance District Assessments for the 2024/25
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 23, 2024
3 Fiscal Year, Declaring Its Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments, and Setting the Date for Public Hearing;” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-50, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Construction Contract to SRK Engineering, Inc. for the ARPA City Wide CMP Replacement Project – Phase 2 (CIP No. 8239).” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-51, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan, Authorizing the Submittal of the Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Authorizing the City Manager to Approve and Execute All Documents Related to the Implementation of Said Plan.” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-52, 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.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. APPEAL OF P23-0298, QUICK QUACK CAR WASH (CC)
Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and Michael Ressler, City Planner, provided the staff report.
Gina Austin, Attorney for Appellant, gave a presentation. Justine Schlaefi and D’Arcey Ciccone, subject matter experts for Appellant, provided findings in support of Appellant's appeal.
Joe Houde spoke in opposition to the car wash as he stated his belief that it goes against the City of Vista’s Climate Action Plan.
Barret Bradley, representative for Applicant, Newmark Merrill Companies, Inc., replied to Appellant’s remarks. Kimberly Foy, Attorney for Applicant, and Shankar Ramakrishnan, subject matter expert for Applicant, provided findings in support of Applicant.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Applicant agrees to and meets all required Conditions of Approval. • Proposed car wash does not exceed VMT and does not violate City’s Climate Action Plan • Consider future zoning question of whether to group future car wash businesses and create “car wash island” or spread facilities throughout the City.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-53, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DENYING THE APPEAL AND APPROVING A SPECIAL
USE PERMIT AND A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE A 3,363 SQUARE FOOT DRIVE-THROUGH CAR WASH TO
INCLUDE VACUUM STATIONS AND ASSOCIATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS O
APPROXIMATELY ONE-ACRE OF VACANT LAND LOCATED AT THE
NORTHEAST CORNER OF BUSINESS PARK DRIVE AND POINSETTIA
AVENUE (APN 221-661-03-00).”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 23, 2024
4 DISCUSSION
D1. GARAGES FOR NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES (CC)
City Councilmember Green introduced the item.
Bill Cavanaugh spoke in opposition to the item.
Francis Dumler voiced the opinion that the regulations should stay the same.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Open to looking at options that consider home size, acreage, and/or zones/geographical locations.
• Direct staff to bring back more information and suggestions for zoning code updates and changes.
• In the future, look at the City’s parking requirements
DIRECTED STAFF TO REVIEW CURRENT CODE REQUIREMENTS AND
BRING BACK SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
D2. UNAUTHORIZED ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item. City Attorney Walter Chung provided an overview of the City of San Diego ordinance and Vista Municipal Code related to unauthorized encampments.
The following spoke in opposition to an ordinance on unauthorized encampments:
Anthony White Natalie Raschke Hagan Kelley Levi Giafaglione Rachel Hayes Julie Porter Richard Siaba John Brady
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Include requirement that enforcement of ban is limited to when individual refuses offered open shelter bed.
• Consider voluntary participation in rehabilitation program as alternative to prosecution. • Vista Municipal Code 9.20.020 prohibits encampment on public property but does not include requirement of offer of shelter.
• Effect of Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court case ruling; direct staff to wait to bring back draft ordinance for discussion after ruling has been issued. • Monetary fines issued for violation of encampment ordinance with potential of jail time. • City Attorney has ability to negotiate plea bargains with encampment ban offenders. • Definition of “camping;” concern about infringing on people’s right to use park. • Concern of violating private property rights.
• Support for prohibiting camping around schools.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY GREEN TO DIRECT STAFF TO: BRING BACK AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING CAMPING WITHIN TWO (2) BLOCKS OF A HOMELESS SHELTER, TWO (2) BLOCKS OF A SCHOOL, AND 250
YARDS OF A PLAY STRUCTURE OR RECREATION FIELD IF A BED IS OFFERED AND REFUSED; BRING THE ORDINANCE BACK ONCE THE
SUPREME COURT HAS ISSUED ITS RULING ON CITY OF GRANTS PASS, OREGON V. JOHNSON.
VOTE: 4-1 (CONTRERAS OPPOSED)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 23, 2024
5 D3. POLICY STATEMENT ON HOMELESSNESS (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
The following spoke in opposition to the proposed policy statement on homelessness:
Michael Bronner Holly Herring Natalie Raschke Richard Siaba John Brady Rachel Hayes Levi Giafaglione
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO TABLE DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED POLICY STATEMENT ON HOMELESSNESS.
VOTE: 3-1-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED, MELENDEZ ABSTAINED)
REMARKS
City Manager Conley announced the City’s Residential Free Tree Giveaway Program; Vista Unified School District’s Family Bike Education Night on April 24, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at the Vista Innovation Center; and the City’s Traffic Safety Workshops on April 25 and April 30.
Councilmember O’Donnell congratulated the Sheriff’s Deputies and staff and students of Rancho Minerva for receipt of their proclamations.
Councilmember Contreras will be bringing North County Transit District to the May 14 City Council meeting to give a presentation on “quiet zones”; NCTD is progressing with the Sorrento Valley Coaster Station; reminded everyone that Guerrer@s En Acción Por Un Vista Limpio’s trash cleanup walk is every Wednesday morning; and the first Environmental Commission is April 24.
Councilmember Green thanked the Sheriff’s Deputies for their service.
Deputy Mayor Melendez thanked the attendees of the CEA townhall; expressed gratitude to One Safe Place for all that they do; and announced the North County Transit District Resource Fair at the Vista station on April 26.
Mayor Franklin congratulated the City of Vista’s Stormwater team for organizing and hosting the annual Creek to Bay Cleanup; and acknowledged the amazing crew of volunteers at the McClellan Senior Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 9:54 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk