VISTA CITY COUNCIL (CC) BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT (BSD) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (CDC)
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE VISTA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SA) JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY (JPFA)
CITY OF VISTA
CONSOLIDATED MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2025
The January 14, 2025, 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 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
Corinna Contreras, Dan O’Donnell, Jeff Fox
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin called for a Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): (CC)
Number of Potential Cases: 1
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:10 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:30 p.m.
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
John Conley City Manager
Walter Chung City Attorney
John Malan Sheriff’s Captain
Gerard Washington Fire Chief
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Joe Vacca Community Development Director
Larry Vaupel Economic Development Director
Greg Mayer Engineering Director
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
Natalie Jacobs Human Resources Director
Chris Mitchell Information Technology Director
Chris Arce Public Works Director
Mike Pacheco Recreation and Community Services Director
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Walter Chung stated there was no reportable action taken in tonight’s Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2025
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 that Item P1, “Firefighter of the Year Award” will be moved to the January 28, 2025, City Council meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. This item was removed from the Agenda.
P2. “Quality of Life Study on Melrose Drive” presentation by Maria Jolliff.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Rahel Chiwai asked the City Council to consider authorizing smoke-free housing policies. • Kevin Alvarado spoke regarding broken glass and trash along Adams Avenue and E. Vista Way. • Barabara Gordon spoke regarding the recently released California Department of Public Heath report on cannabis.
• Becky Rapp stated her concerns about cannabis products marketing to young people. • Megan Stuart spoke about January being Substance Use Disorder Month.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY FOX, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the November 2024 Check Register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
December 10, 2024 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
December 4, 2024 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Received and filed the Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending October 31, 2024. (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-01, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of Plymouth Drive and Walker Way” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-02, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of Warmlands Avenue and Independence Way/Queens Way” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-03, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving Change Order No. 1 to the Construction Contract with L.C. Paving & Sealing, Inc. for the Townsite Complete Streets Project (CIP No. 8312)” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-04, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the North Regional Zone Master Interoperable Automatic Aid Agreement for Fire-Rescue Responses and Support Activities” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2025
3 C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-05, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Submittal of the Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Application” (CC)
C9. This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
C10. Approved the installation of speed humps on Crescent Drive between Civic Center Drive and Eucalyptus Avenue. (CC)
C11. This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
C12. Approved the installation of speed humps on Granada Drive between Olive Avenue and City Limits. (SA)
C13. This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
C14. Approved the installation of speed humps on Hacienda Drive between Vale View Drive (E) and Matagual Drive. (CC)
C15. Approved the installation of speed humps on Las Palmas Drive between Vale View Drive and Venus View Drive. (CC)
C16. Approved the installation of speed humps on W. Knapp Drive between N. Santa Fe Avenue and Northcrest Lane. (CC)
C17. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-06, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Application to the Fiscal Year 2025 DOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program Grant” (CC)
C18. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-07, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Amendment to California Department of Aging, Local Aging and Disability Grant” (CC)
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION
C9. SPEED HUMPS ON ALTA VISTA DRIVE (CC)
Rene Umberger spoke in support of the item.
Rachel Beld encouraged more engagement of residents that live up the street from the proposed speed humps.
The City Council discussed the following:
• Recommendation is for four (4) speed humps in a 1,200 foot zone. Councilmembers expressed concern that the density of the speed humps is too high. • Amend recommendation from four (4) to three (3) speed humps.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO APPROVE THE
INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON ALTA VISTA DRIVE BETWEEN CASPER LANE AND HEATHER DRIVE (E).
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2025
4 C11. SPEED HUMPS ON E. INDIAN ROCK ROAD (CC)
Eliza Valdovinos spoke in support of the item.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON E. INDIAN ROCK ROAD BETWEEN TOWNSITE DRIVE AND N. CITRUS AVENUE.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C13. SPEED HUMPS ON GRAPEVINE ROAD (CC)
Neil Bissonnette spoke in support of the item.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE
INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS ON GRAPEVINE ROAD BETWEEN DATE STREET AND OLIVE AVENUE.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. SPEED LIMIT UPDATES (CC)
Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager, introduced the item and Darra Woods, Principal Transportation Mobility Planner, provided the staff report.
Consultant Emily Turner, Fehr & Peers, answered questions from the City Councilmembers.
The following individuals spoke on the item:
• Cristian Martinez did not speak but registered their support of the item. • Neil Bissonnette said that he was unaware of any speed limit changes and would like to have the opportunity to give feedback.
• Ann Pate inquired about the cost of replacing all of the speed limit signs.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras (District 1) and Deputy Mayor Melendez (District 3) were in favor to move forward with staff’s recommendation of the speed limit updates in their own districts. • Mayor Franklin, Councilmember Fox (District 2), and Councilmember O’Donnell (District 4) would like to have community feedback before the speed limits are updated in Districts 2 and
4. • Speed limit updates on streets that border two districts will be left to the discretion of the Traffic Engineering Manager to determine which approval group to include them. • Slower speed limits in school areas.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE
STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION FOR SPEED LIMIT UPDATES ON VARIOUS CITY STREETS IN DISTRICTS 1 AND 3. DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING BACK THE SPEED LIMIT UPDATES ON VARIOUS STREETS IN DISTRICTS 2 AND 4 AT A REGULAR MEETING IN FEBRUARY 2025.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 (FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2025
5 D2. STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS (CC)
Deputy Mayor Melendez introduced the item.
Denise Sims spoke in favor of the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Possible committee or commission consisting of stakeholders, service providers, and those with lived experiences of homelessness.
• City Councilmembers discussed possible ways to allow for the maximum participation at the Standing Committee on Homelessness meetings.
• Possible quarterly “open discussion” meeting.
• Direct staff to provide the City Council options for a community centered group to advise on the Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO DIRECT STAFF TO
PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR A COMMUNITY CENTERED GROUP TO ADVISE ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D3. SUNSET DRIVE SIDEWALK (CC)
Councilmember O’Donnell introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke in support of the item:
Kevin Auen Bart Dixon Cristian Martinez (did not speak)
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Affirm November 14, 2023 approval of the Sunset Drive Sidewalk Project. • Budget not to exceed $1,000,000.
• Sidewalk projects approved before creation of the Pedestrian Project Priority List will be considered as independent projects.
• Councilmember Contreras requested the creation of an urban trail connecting Sunset Drive to the Inland Rail Trail and other parts of Downtown Vista.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FRANKLIN TO AFFIRM THE
NOVEMBER 14, 2023 APPROVAL OF THE SUNSET DRIVE SIDEWALK PROJECT AND BUDGET NOT TO EXCEED $1,000,000. ALL SIDEWALK
PROJECTS APPROVED BEFORE CREATION OF THE PEDESTRIAN
PROJECTS PRIORITY LIST WILL BE CONSIDERED AS INDEPENDENT PROJECTS.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
ORAL COMMUNICATION
• Kimberlee Cross-Purdy requested more park ranger support at Bub Williamson Park and other parks across the City.
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced that the pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace are open, and the skate park at 400 N. Santa Fe Avenue and tennis/pickleball courts at Thibodo Park are closed for maintenance; and City offices are closed on January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2025
6 Councilmember Jeff Fox encouraged residents to attend the January 23rd City Council Workshop meeting.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell reported that the Tijuana River Valley federal funding has been allocated and the project is expected to be completed by 2030; requested that anyone who is planning to donate to the Los Angeles fire relief, to please contact food pantries to check capacity and needs.
Councilmember Corrina Contreras reminded everyone that Guerrer@s En Acción Por Un Vista Limpio’s trash cleanup walk is every Wednesday morning; to contact her with any questions regarding North County Transit District questions or concerns; and the NCTD Microtransit Pilot Program is expected to start in Vista soon.
Deputy Mayor Melendez thanked everyone that came out to the Soroptimist Human Trafficking Awareness Month event.
Mayor John Franklin announced that the City is seeking applications for openings on various Commission, Boards and Committees; registration for the City’s Spring Leadership Academy is underway; and registration is open for the Vista Sheriff’s Office Rise Above Academy.
ADJOURNMENT
Deputy Mayor Melendez adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m. ____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk