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 24, 2024
The September 24, 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
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Joe Vacca Community Development Director
Greg Mayer Engineering Director
Dolores Gascon Human Resources Director
Mike Pacheco Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Arce Public Works Director
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
Chris Mitchell Information Technology Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Contreras 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 were no changes to the Agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Proclamation to Fire Chief Gerard Washington declaring October 6-12, 2024 as “Fire Prevention Week” and October 2024 as “Fire Prevention Month” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Proclamation to Nancy B. Jones, Ron Holloway, Rusti Dixon, Dave Nichols, Annie Donner, Mary Murphy, Peter Adams, and Jacque Larson declaring September 2024 as “Alta Vista Botanical Gardens 25th Anniversary Month” in the City of Vista.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
2 P3. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Letter of Appreciation to Guerrer@s en Acción por un Vista Limpio volunteers Jovita Serafin, Herlinda Serafin, Brandon Suarez, Obdulia Diaz, Rosa Elvira Diaz Ortega, Ramiro Diaz Ortega, Ruben Diaz, Sebastian Diaz, Maria Martinez, Marlene Zamora, Oswaldo David Venegas, Rigoberto Rodriguez Salado, Kevin Morelia, Michelle Orozco, Miguel Santiago, Santiago Martin Sanchez, Drummond Gonzalez, Rubiely Maldonado, Cara Untalan, John Boyce, and Kevin Lee.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Joe Houde spoke regarding the environmental and financial effects of global warming. • Becky Rapp spoke regarding the dangers of cannabis products packaged like candy. • Megan Stuart asked City Councilmembers to consider supporting a ban on hemp products. • Judi Strang spoke regarding the adverse health effects of starting cannabis use before the age of 21.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the July 2024 check register.
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
September 5, 2024, Workshop Meeting (CC)
September 10, 2024, Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-151, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement with Baker Electric & Renewables, LLC for Design/Build Services for the Civic Center Solar Project (CIP No. 8334).” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-152, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Eagle Paving Company, Inc. for As- Needed Asphalt Concrete Speed Bumps and Berms.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. 2023-2024 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CC) Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager, introduced the item and Johannah Knieff, Staff Assistant, gave staff’s presentation.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-153, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 2023-2024
CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT
AND AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE REPORT TO THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
3 PH2. PROGRAM 8 (SITES USED IN PREVIOUS PLANNING PERIODS HOUSING ELEMENTS) OF THE 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT (P24-0254) (CC)
Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and Patsy Chow, Assistant Director of Community Development, gave staff’s presentation.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• State law mandates the adoption of the ordinance, consequences of not approving the item would include the de-certification of the Housing Element and potential litigation. • Non-Vacant lots identified in the Program 8 are underutilized lots with small buildings or parking lots, mostly concentrated in the Downtown area.
• Zoning maps are being updated to show these properties; will be publicly available. • By-Right developments would not have to go through the CEQA or public hearing process. • Request for public notices to be placed at development sites. • “In Lieu” fees are not allowed at these sites, all developments must have 20% affordable housing units.
• Estimated 15% of project costs saved by developers by eliminating discretionary review. • Incentives are there for potential future developments at identified sites.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-07, ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 18.98 TO THE VISTA DEVELOPMENT CODE REGARDING BY RIGHT APPROVAL TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ADOPTED 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT 2021-2029 AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW.”
DIRECTED STAFF TO PROVIDE ON-SITE PUBLIC NOTICING OF
DEVELOPMENTS.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
DISCUSSION
D1. TREASURY OPERATIONS, CPI/COLA COMPARISON, GENERAL FUND RESERVE POLICY MODIFICATION, AND TREASURER’S CASH REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 (CC)
Mike Sylvia, Director of Finance, introduced the item and gave staff’s presentation.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Cost to bring COLA up to CPI would be about $1.1-1.2 million per year; inflation has outpaced some bargaining groups but not all.
• Negotiations with employee groups will start early next year; will take this into consideration. • Current amount in 115 Pension Trust is higher than 1.5%; staff to determine if an extra payment to CalPERS should be recommended.
• Some revenue is in stocks; will need to be cautious with these in case of any financial crisis.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY GREEN TO RECEIVE AND FILE TREASURER’S CASH REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDING JUNE 30, 2024, AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-154, ENTITLED, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 200-19, USE OF YEAR END FUND BALANCE.”
VOTE: 4-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
4 D2. PROPOSITION 36 (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
Kenneth spoke in opposition of the item.
Armen Kurdian spoke in support of the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Proposition 36 is intended to help law enforcement prosecute drug dealers and combat retail theft.
• High financial implications to Proposition 36 statewide; unknown unintended consequences. • Some reform is needed; additional funding for treatment and other services is needed.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2024-155, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 36, THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG
ADDICTION, AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT.”
VOTE: 5-0
D3. SHERIFF’S DEPUTY FOR GANG ENFORCEMENT TEAM (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item. Sheriff’s Captain John Boyce was available to answer questions from the City Council.
Armen Kurdian voiced support of adding two Sheriff’s deputies.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Gang Enforcement Team (GET) is made up of one (1) Sergeant and six (6) deputies plus two (2) narcotics investigators and one (1) gang investigator. Currently, the deputies are doing a great job, but an additional investigator would help the department. • Current crime numbers in the City of Vista are dropping. • Request for Sheriff’s Department needs assessment to be brought before the City Council. • The City Council will table the discussion and will revisit after the needs assessment and the March 2025 Budget Workshop Meeting.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO TABLE
DISCUSSION OF ADDING A NEW SHERIFF’S DEPUTY FOR GANG
ENFORCEMENT TEAM UNTIL AFTER THE MARCH 2025 BUDGET
WORKSHOP MEETING. DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING A NEEDS
ASSESSMENT, INCLUDING CRIME AND BUDGET DATA, TO CITY COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE BUDGET WORKSHOP.
VOTE: 4-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley encouraged residents to check out Vista’s first Cyclovia event on September 29, 2024, from 10am-2pm in the downtown area; and announced community workshops on the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, Community Development Block Grants, and Age-Friendly Plans to be held in October.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell thanked the Fire Department stakeholders for attending the Fire Department strategic planning meeting and wished City Manager John Conley a happy birthday.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
5 Councilmember Corrina Contreras stated she is looking forward to the Grade Separation Plan kick off and evaluation to begin later this year and wished City Manager Conley a happy birthday.
Councilmember Joe Green thanked Community Development Director Joe Vacca and Assistant Community Development Director Patsy Chow for all of their hard work and wished City Manager Conley a happy birthday.
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez encouraged residents to attend District Attorney Summer Stephan’s Proposition 36 education workshop on September 26, 2024.
Mayor John Franklin praised the volunteers who showed up for the Buena Creek Trail Clean-Up; announced the Fire Department Open Houses each Saturday in October; and publicized free mulch and compost giveaway to Vista residents on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of October, November, and December at Vale Terrace Drive and Williamston Street.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk