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 28, 2025
The January 28, 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, Joint Powers Financing Authority, and Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Mayor Franklin at 5:34 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
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
John Conley City Manager
Amanda Guy Assistant 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember O’Donnell 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 Certificates of Appreciation to Jingle Terrace Park major sponsors, Eagle Paving, March and Ash, and Freddie’s Place Animal Hospital & Urgent Care.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented “Firefighter of the Year” award to Frederick “Fritz” Eibel.
P3. Fire Prevention and Preparedness presentation by Fire Chief Gerard Washington and Deputy Chief Bret Davidson.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 28, 2025
2 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Joe Houde spoke regarding prevention measures to address climate concerns. • Megan Stuart spoke about the link between alcohol and cancer. • Becky Rapp spoke about the lack of monitoring regarding the use of pesticides on cannabis products.
• Judi Strang spoke regarding the increase in emergency room visits for cannabis consumption. • Madison spoke regarding the mental and physical health impacts of cannabis.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-09, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2023/24 and 2024/25, and Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26” (CC/JPFA)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
January 14, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
January 15, 2025 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-10, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Kompan California, Inc. for Equipment and Installation for the Wiivay Park Project (CIP No. 8338)” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-11, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Construction Contract to Coastal Pool Construction, Inc. for the Lazy River Replaster Project (CIP No. 8390)” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-12, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the Memorandum of Understanding with SANDAG for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Reimbursement.” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-13, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Giving Notice of Intention of the City Council to Levy an Annual Assessment of the Central Vista Business Improvement District, and Fixing a Date and Time of a Public Hearing to Consider the Annual Levy.” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-14, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Mark Gray in the Amount of $60,320.00” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-15, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract for Services with FireStats, LLC for Statistical Analysis Consulting Services” (CC)
C9. Approved the 2025 Legislative Platform and Legislative Policy Objectives.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 28, 2025
3 DISCUSSION
D1. EUCALYPTUS TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (CC)
Chris Arce, Director of Public Works, introduced the item and Yale Jeffery, Park Maintenance Division Supervisor, provided the staff report.
The following individual spoke on the item:
• Joe Houde requested a risk assessment done on the trees and to replace any felled trees with native trees or plants.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Supportive of Environmental Commission’s recommended Option #4 (Trim and inspect 267 Eucalyptus trees on Alta Vista, Eucalyptus, Vale View and Ocean View every 2 years. Biennial expense of $58,000).
• Assessment and maintenance of trees is to mitigate risk to property and safety hazards. • The City’s current tree maintenance program is split into quadrants with each quadrant maintained once every four years.
• Request for the tree maintenance program to be brought back to the City Council for reassessment and funding renewal in two years.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
ESTABLISHING A EUCALYPTUS TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AND
DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING THE PROGRAM BACK FOR REVIEW IN TWO YEARS.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D2. PROTECTED BIKE LANES ON S. MELROSE DRIVE WITHIN OCEANSIDE (CC) Greg Mayer, Director of Engineering, and Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager, provided the staff report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Request for staff to send a formal letter to the City of Oceanside requesting partnership with the protected bike lanes.
• Concern with City of Oceanside’s current road maintenance of this section of S. Melrose Dr. • Request for staff to contact regional elected officials for support. • Signage to be placed at beginning and end of City of Vista’s limits on S. Melrose Dr.
DIRECTED STAFF TO SEND LETTERS TO CITY OF OCEANSIDE AND
REGIONAL ELECTED OFFICIALS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTECTED BIKE LANES WITHIN THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE’S PORTION OF S. MELROSE DRIVE.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced that the pickleball courts at Thibodo Park are closed for maintenance through February 2 and thanked residents for the patience.
Councilmember Jeff Fox informed residents that he will be out of town in the next week but is available through email.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JANUARY 28, 2025
4 Councilmember Dan O’Donnell commented that the City pickleball court hours will be shortened until the summer months and congratulated Fritz Eibel on his award of Firefighter of the Year.
Councilmember Corrina Contreras reminded everyone that Guerrer@s En Acción Por Un Vista Limpio’s trash cleanup walk is every Wednesday morning.
Deputy Mayor Melendez has various upcoming boards and commission meetings and will report out at the next meeting.
Mayor John Franklin wished a happy 62nd birthday to the City of Vista; announced the State of the City video can be streamed on YouTube; and promoted the Vista Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Program.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk