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
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
The September 10, 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 5:00 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
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin called for a Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: (CC)
Property Address/Location: 727 Ascot Drive, Vista, CA 92083 Agency Negotiator(s): City Manager John Conley, Assistant City Manager Imelda Huerta Negotiating Parties: Ascot Vista, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:18 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:31 p.m.
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
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Walter Chung stated there was no reportable action taken.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Green led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
2 Mayor Franklin acknowledged the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and asked for a moment of silence to pay tribute to those who lost their lives.
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 were no changes to the Agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Letter of Appreciation to Dick Miller, Inc. for being a “Red, White, & Blue Sponsor” in support of the City’s Independence Day celebration.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Letter of Appreciation to Pastor Michael Houghton and Gerald “Big G” Chidowe of Restore Church for their support of the Buena Creek Navigation Center.
P3. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Proclamation to Jennifer Bradford and Moonlight Studios declaring September 12, 2024 as “Moonlight Studios Day” in the City of Vista.
P4. Presentation by Lieutenant Mark Carpenter on the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office “Rise Above” program.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Becky Rapp thanked the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office for their drug and alcohol youth prevention programs.
• Megan Stuart commended the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office for the “Rise Above” program and spoke of the dangers of e-cigarettes.
• Madison spoke regarding the dangers of smoking and advocated for smoke-free regulations.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the June 2024 check register.
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes: August 27, 2024, Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA) August 21, 2024, Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-150, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the List of Designated Employees Subject to the Provisions of the Conflict-of-Interest Code of the City of Vista Pursuant to Chapter 2.32 of the Vista Municipal Code”; adopted Successor Agency Resolution No. 2024-01, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, Amending the List of Designated Employees Subject to the Provisions of the Conflict-of-Interest Code of the Successor Agency”; and adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2024-12, entitled
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
3 “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District Amending the List of Designated Employees Subject to the Provisions of the Conflict-of-Interest Code.” (CC/SA/BSD)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING – 1248 S. SANTA FE AVE & ADJACENT VACANT
PROPERTY (CC)
Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, introduced the item and gave staff’s presentation with recommendations. Clarence Rich, Code Enforcement Manager, was available for questions.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• The property owners cleaned up the subject property before the Public Hearing. Due to their efforts, declaration of a public nuisance is not appropriate at this time. • Recommend Code Enforcement officers go out to the property more frequently and cite if issues persist.
• California state law limits fines up to $1,000. Mayor Franklin requested a resolution to the California State Legislature to increase the amount of public nuisance fines.
MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING REGARDING THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1248 S. SANTA FE AVENUE AND ADJOINING VACANT LOT (APN 180- 164-31 & 32-00)
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. VISTA CONSERVANCY PROPERTIES, APN 176-370-46 AND 176-310-05 (CC) Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and gave staff’s recommendation.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Request for sidewalk/trail system along Vale Terrace. • Open space to be added to the City’s Climate Action Plan. • One parcel is protected land, but some improvements may be possible.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY GREEN TO DIRECT STAFF TO
PROCEED WITH ACCEPTING THE PROPERTIES.
VOTE: 5-0
D2. YEAR-END CANNABIS REVENUE POLICY (CC)
Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Support for adding a DUI Enforcement Deputy; schedule to be based on DUI data, likely nights and weekends.
• Members of the City Council expressed concern to use cannabis revenue towards on-going projects or staff positions.
• At this time, exact funding source of DUI Enforcement Deputy is unknown but will be allocated in the general fund.
• At a future meeting, discuss Sheriff’s Department data and staffing needs. • Previously approved positions of two Park Rangers and one Sheriff’s Deputy will continue to be funded out of the cannabis revenue.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2024
4 •20% of revenue to be used for one-time projects that are approved by a majority of the City Council.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO DIRECT STAFF
TO PREPARE A CANNABIS REVENUE POLICY ALLOCATING FUNDS AS FOLLOWS: 65% OF REVENUE TOWARDS THE GENERAL FUND,
INCLUDING FUNDS TO COVER PREVIOUSLY APPROVED POSITIONS OF TWO PARK RANGERS AND ONE SHERIFF’S DEPUTY, AND TO ADD A NEW DUI ENFORCEMENT DEPUTY; 15% TOWARDS YOUTH AND
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS; AND 20% TO ONE-TIME PROJECTS
APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THE POLICY WILL INCLUDE A MINIMUM ALLOCATION OF $4,466,396 TO THE GENERAL FUND.
VOTE: 5-0
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced the City of Vista will have a booth at the “Fiestas Patrias” event on September 14 at 1234 N. Santa Fe Avenue; the Moonlight Amphitheatre’s final show of the summer season, “Tootsie,” opens September 11 and runs through September 28.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell reported on the League of California Cities event on September 6th, congratulated Maria Nuñez for her election to President of League of California Cities, and gave an update that pressure will be applied to clean up the Tijuana River Valley.
Councilmember Corrina Contreras encouraged residents to continue to attend and participate at City Council meetings and announced that a public transportation pilot program will be starting in Vista in early 2025.
Councilmember Joe Green thanked San Diego Sheriff’s Captain John Boyce, Finance Director Mike Sylvia, and Code Enforcement Manager Clarence Rich for all of their hard work and encouraged residents to come out to trash pickup every Wednesday with Guerrer@s En Acción Por Un Vista Limpio.
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez promoted Vista’s Cyclovia event on September 29, 2024 from 10am- 2pm in the downtown area.
Mayor John Franklin encouraged residents to attend the first session of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training on September 18 from 6:00-8:00 pm and to participate in the Coastal Cleanup Day at Buena Vista Creek on September 21 starting at 9:00 am.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk