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
AUGUST 27, 2024
The August 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
Dolores Gascon Human Resources Director
Larry Vaupel Economic Development Director
Mike Pacheco Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Arce Public Works Director
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
Chris Mitchell Information Technology Director
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager John Conley stated there were no changes to the Agenda.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Katie 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.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Letter of Appreciation to Humanity Showers and its volunteers Jordan Verdin, Karen Knieff, Jeana Ison, Dave Benz, Debbie Martin, Carl Almquist, Bhong Vartanian, and Mike Pursel.
P2. Presentation by Amanda Rigby and members of Vista’s local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Mike Reid, Arthur Lopez, Lee Standley, Randy Baker, and Thom Holland.
P3. Presentation by Dr. Gene Ma of Tri-City Medical Center.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 27, 2024
2 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Joe Houde spoke regarding climate change and increasing the tree canopy within the City. • Danny Orsburn spoke regarding code enforcement issues with 812 Frances Dr. • Carol Jefferies spoke regarding vacant retail space in the downtown area, the unused café located in the Civic Center lobby, request for additional cool zones in the city, more public restrooms, and a request for safety improvements at Eucalyptus Ave. and Civic Center Dr. • Amanda Rigby gave her condolences to the family of San Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar. • Jim Riggenbach spoke regarding the problems with decision making when using misinformation.
• Judi Strang spoke regarding the adverse effects of cannabis on youth. • Madison spoke regarding the adverse effect of cannabis on youth.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY GREEN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-142, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Accepting Grant Funds from the CalTrans Sustainable Transportation Grant FY24-25 and Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024- 25 and 2025-26.” (CC)
C2. Approved the following minutes of August 13, 2024, Consolidated Meeting. (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
C3. Mayor Franklin announced that this item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-145, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Wave Waterpark Roof Replacement.” (CC)
C5. Designated Councilmember Dan O’Donnell to serve as the City’s primary voting delegate and Councilmember Joe Green and City Manager John Conley to serve as the alternates to the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Business Meeting. (CC)
C6. Adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2024-11, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Directions of the Buena Sanitation District, Authorizing and Approving the Summary Vacation of a Portion of a Public Sewer Access Easement at APN 183-122-73-00.” (BSD)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-146, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with Townspeople for the Visat Housing Innovation Pilot Program.” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-147, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Rec Consultants, Inc. for Professional Engineering Design Services for Sewer Capacity Improvements (CIP Nos. 8381 & 8382)”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-148, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 27, 2024
3 C9. Mayor Franklin announced that this time was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
C3. CIP NO. 8339 & 8358 FOOTHILL/OAK AND BOBIER/CALLE JULES ROUNDABOUTS PROJECT – SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH DICK MILLER, INC. (CC) Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager, gave a staff presentation and recommendations.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Crosswalks at Bobier Dr./Calle Jules will have rapid flashing beacons activated by a push button.
• Design of Foothill Dr./Oak Dr. roundabout is to allow for emergency response vehicles and busses.
• Bobier Dr./Calle Jules roundabout will allow for a safer pedestrian crossing point.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-143, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH DICK MILLER, INC. FOR DESIGN/BUILD SERVICES FOR THE FOOTHILL/OAK AND BOBIER/CALLE JULES ROUNDABOUTS PROJECT (CIP NOS. 8339 & 8358)”; AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-144, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED
CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024/25 AND 2025/26.”
MOTION CARRIED: 3-2 (FRANKLIN AND GREEN OPPOSED)
C9. NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF SURPLUS LAND IN THE CITY OF VISTA PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE § 54220, ET SEQ. (APNS 175-305-33, 175-305-49, 179-041-01, AND 179-041-02) (CC/CDC)
Joe Houde requested a mini forests be planted on the surplus land.
Mayor Franklin explained that this item is a procedural notice pursuant to the California Surplus Land Act.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-149, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE § 54220 ET SEQ. THAT THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 444 SOUTH SANTA FE AVENUE (APNS 175-305-33 AND 179-041-02), VISTA CALIFORNIA IS DESIGNATED AS SURPLUS LAND AND NOT NECESSARY FOR THE CITY’S
USE AT THIS TIME, FINDING THAT SUCH DECLARATION IS EXEMPT
FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND APPROVING RELATED ACTIONS”;
AND ADOPT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RESOLUTION
NO. 2024-04, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE § 54220
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 27, 2024
4 ET SEQ. THAT THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 444 SOUTH SANTA FE AVENUE (APNS 175-305-33 AND 179-041-02), VISTA CALIFORNIA IS DESIGNATED AS SURPLUS LAND AND NOT NECESSARY FOR THE CITY’S
USE AT THIS TIME, FINDING THAT SUCH DECLARATION IS EXEMPT
FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND APPROVING RELATED ACTIONS.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. PICKLEBALL COURTS AT THIBODO PARK(CC)
Councilmember O’Donnell introduced the item.
Mike Pacheco, Director of Recreation and Community Services, was available to answer City Council questions.
The following members of the public spoke regarding pickleball at Thibodo Park:
Christine Bauer Catherine Parkhurst Dean Delavara Stephen S.
Debbie Gomez Bob Brazier Jelena Delabasic Mor H.
Stephanie Goldscht Aleksander Petrovic Barb
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Keep the Thibodo Park pickleball courts open until a new suitable location is found. • Give appropriate notice to the public when new court location is identified. • Adjust hours of courts to Monday-Thursday 9:00 am to 8:30 pm, Friday-Sunday 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and expanding the hours during the summer to 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. • Due to the topography of the area, it is very difficult to mitigate the sound. • Possible fees for non-residents to use pickleball courts. • As part of the Parks Master Plan, a future fee study will be conducted and will ask for community input.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO DIRECT STAFF TO
STAY THE PICKLEBALL COURT CLOSURE AT THIBODO PARK UNTIL APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE SITE IS LOCATED AND OPENED; GIVE
ADEQUATE PUBLIC NOTICE WHEN FUTURE PICKLEBALL LOCATION IS SELECTED; AND ADJUST HOURS OF PLAY TO MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:00 A.M. - 8:30 P.M., FRIDAY-SUNDAY 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY- SATURDAY 8:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. DURING THE SUMMER.
VOTE: 5-0
D2. CANNABIS DISPENSARY HOURS OF OPERATION AND SPECIAL EVENTS ON CITY
PROPERTY (CC)
Councilmember Green introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke in opposition to cannabis events on City property:
Barbara Gordon Megan Stuart Judi Strang
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Expand retail cannabis hour to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. • Any future cannabis special events on City property will strictly adhere to state rules and guidelines.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 27, 2024
5 • Special events to have adequate ridesharing and law enforcement.
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO DIRECT STAFF TO
BRING BACK ORDINANCES EXPANDING RETAIL CANNABIS DISPENSARY HOURS OF OPERATION FROM 6:00 A.M-10:00 P.M. AND CANNABIS RELATED SPECIAL EVENTS ON CITY PROPERTY.
VOTE: 5-0
D3. EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS (CC)
Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
The following members of the public spoke in support of educational scholarships:
Josiah Andino-Cregar Taylen Hall Lanae Branch Aniyah Ezell Gabrielle Jackson Shiloh Strawbridge Maleata Hall
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Willingness to hear ideas for academic scholarships
• Benefits of funding already existing scholarship programs for Vista students instead of creating new program.
• Scholarship recipients to include Vista residents attending college/university, technical schools, and trade schools.
DIRECTED STAFF TO RESEARCH EXISTING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
FOR VISTA STUDENTS AND BRING BACK IDEAS FOR SUPPORTING
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
D4. CONDUCT OF EFFICIENT MEETINGS (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke in opposition of a City Councilmember speaking time limit:
Joe Houde Carol Jefferies Gloria Bradley Lora O’Connor Lisa De Jesus Gabrielle Jackson Shiloh Strawbridge Chris Reese Mike Thompson
Nanci Oechsle was neutral on the item but asked if the Mayor could “call to question” when an item’s discussion goes on for too long.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Mayor Franklin detailed his idea as each member of the Council would receive 5 minutes to speak, with unlimited rounds and the final speaker would receive an unlimited amount of time. • Limits on speaking time could hinder Councilmember line of questioning. • Proposal of a meeting end time of 10:30 p.m. with any un-heard items moving to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
• Meetings may be extended past 10:30 p.m. with a 4/5 vote.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FRANKLIN TO APPROVE ENDING FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BY 10:30 P.M. WITH ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS TO BE MOVED TO THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA; THE MEETING MAY BE EXTENDED PAST 10:30 PM WITH A 4/5 VOTE OF
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 27, 2024
6 THE CITY COUNCIL.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced the Wave Waterpark’s season ending on Labor Day, September 2; Vista Rod Run is August 31 in downtown Vista Main Street from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and encouraged residents to participate in an online survey to address the needs of the senior community at itsyourvista.com.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell thanked everyone that reached out to him regarding pickleball at Thibodo Park and everyone that came to his townhall meeting regarding the Burlington Coat Factory space and expressed his condolences to the family of Officer Machitar and the law enforcement community.
Councilmember Corrina Contreras promoted Vista’s Cyclovia event on September 29, 2024 from 10am-2pm in the downtown area; announced the relocation of the bus stop on North & Bobolink.
Councilmember Joe Green thanked Mayor Franklin for bringing Item D4 and thanked staff members Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager, and Daniel Sturman, Homeless Services Manager Analyst, for their hard work.
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez expressed condolences to the family of Officer Machitar and thanked staff and the public.
Mayor John Franklin announced registration is open for the City and Vista Sheriff’s Office’s 8-week leadership program called “Rise Above”. The City of Vista lowered its American flag to half-mast today to honor the San Diego Police Officer who tragically lost their life in the line of duty.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m. in the memory of San Diego Police Officer Austin Machitar.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk