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
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
The February 11, 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 Labor Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: (CC) Agency Representatives in Attendance: John Conley, City Manager, Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager, Walter Chung, City
Attorney, Natalie Jacobs, Human Resources
Director
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:30 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
John Malan Sheriff’s Captain
Gerard Washington Fire Chief
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
Kallison Leahy Assistant 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
Councilmember Fox led the Pledge of Allegiance.
02/25/2025 C2 Page 1 of 5
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
2 BROWN ACT NOTICE
Assistant City Clerk Kallison Leahy 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 Sergeant Adam Milligan, the Vista Area Detective Unit, COPPS Deputies, GET Deputies, Crime Analysts Ashley Harris and Doree Racicot, and Office Assistants Dawon Kim and Yael Verduzco for their outstanding heroism and commitment to public service.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Nathanial Blank and Leah Nohrenberg declaring February 12, 2025, as “Nathanial Black and Leah Nohrenberg Day” in the City of Vista.
P3. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to members of the North San Diego County NAACP Branch #1086 Alycia Rankin, Debbie Matthews, Naeem Miller, Chaz Newton, Alijah Rankin, Taylen Hall and Lanae Brach, declaring February 2025, as “Black History Month” in the City of Vista.
P4. Shannon Ayala, Partner with Davis Farr, LLP, presented the City’s Fiscal Year 2023/24 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Yusel Miller thanked the City Council and staff for the Black History Month proclamation and for recognizing diversity in the City of Vista.
• Joe Houde spoke on the hazards of eucalyptus trees and a program to give away free oak saplings.
• Gary Duffield thanked the City Council for the conversion of extra pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace.
• Laurie Froelich raised concerns about a short-term rental in her neighborhood. • Becky Rapp spoke regarding a recent study linking cannabis and brain function. • Kelly McCormick spoke regrading youth substance use prevention. • Megan Stuart spoke about the risks of vaping cannabis. • Madison spoke regarding the profit focused business model of Big Tobacco.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the December 2024 check register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
January 23, 2025 Workshop Meeting (CC)
January 27, 2025 Special Joint Meeting (CC)
January 28, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA) 02/25/2025 C2 Page 2 of 5
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
3 C3. Received and filed the Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending November 30, 2024. (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-16, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Construction Contract to GEM Industrial Electric, Inc. for the Wiivay Park Project (CIP No. 8338)” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-17, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Agreement with Climatec, LLC for HVAC Updates at Fire Stations 1, 5, and 6 and Technical Services for Fire Stations 1, 5, and 6 and Public Works Building A” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-18, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing an Application to Purchase Tax-Defaulted Property from San Diego County” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-19, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing the City Manager to Sign Encampment Resolution Funding Program Documents on Behalf of the City of Vista” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2024-20, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Letter of Agreement Between the City of Vista and the Vista Firefighters Association and Repealing the Provisions of Any Resolutions in Conflict Herewith” (CC)
DISCUSSION
D1. WAVE WATERPARK ASSESSMENT (CC)
Mike Pacheco, Director of Recreation and Community Services, and Angela Palasik, Waterpark Manager provided the staff report. Consultant Justin Caron, Aquatic Design Group, gave a presentation and answered questions from the City Councilmembers.
The following individuals spoke on the item:
Dave Spence Miles Romney Mike Markov
Anna Potratz Krystal De Leeuw Judy Ritter
Jacob Bell Kyle Smethurst Nathan Sleeper
Michael Sather Eric Carnottam Blake Dorse
Hayden Vasile Suzette Loy Kaj Burgan
Colin Beld Rachel Beld Angela Livingston
Carrie Thomas Tarina Peterson James Major
Ross Maniaci Diana Bailon (Spoke under Oral Communication)
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• The City Council has no intention of selling the Wave Waterpark. • Direct staff to purchase two (2) new chlorinators for pool systems. • City staff has been approached by an investor to engage interest in leasing the property to a private operator. Mayor Franklin stated that he took a meeting with the investor. Deputy Mayor Melendez and Councilmember Contreras stated they had no prior knowledge of the investor and have not taken any meetings with any investors.
• Deputy Mayor Melendez, and Councilmembers O’Donnell and Fox expressed concern for leasing to a private operator, Councilmembers stated that they were open to a Request for Proposals (RFP) to lease the property to a private operator. Councilmember Contreras stated her opposition to any private operation of the waterpark. 02/25/2025 C2 Page 3 of 5
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
4 • Request to examine footprint of waterpark and to come up with options to add various aquatic amenities.
• Increase profitability and accessibility by lowering price point, offering discounts, increase hours of operation, expand season, and higher competitive wages. • Mayor Franklin asked staff to create a list of non-negotiable items, such as keeping sports team practice times and waterpark staff, for any potential contract negotiations. • Councilmembers expressed strong support of local school and club swimming, water polo, and other aquatic sports teams who hold practice at the waterpark. The Wave Waterpark does not have a pool large enough to hold CIF events and requested that staff explore options to install a pool of CIF standard size.
• Creation of volunteer group to help operate and/or fundraise for the Wave Waterpark. • Hold a workshop meeting to obtain community input.
• Request for more information on future maintenance costs of the facility. • Request for further information on staff recommended options: Option 1: Improve/Restore the Wave Waterpark with a Phase Approach; Option 2: Repurpose the Wave Waterpark; Option 3:
Lease Property to a Private Owner.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY FOX, TO DIRECT STAFF TO PROVIDE COST ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDED OPTIONS 1, 2 & 3; SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP MEETING; AND CREATE A LIST OF NON-NEGOTIABLE ITEMS FOR POTENTIAL LEASING CONTRACT.
MOTION FAILED: 2-2-1 (FRANKLIN, FOX IN FAVOR; MELENDEZ, CONTRERAS OPPOSED; O’DONNELL ABSTAINED)
DIRECTED STAFF TO PURCHASE TWO (2) NEW CHLORINATORS FOR POOL SYSTEMS.
APPROVED BY CONSENSUS
D2. SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE UPDATE (CC)
Captain John Malan and Commander John Boyce gave staff’s presentation.
The following individuals spoke on the item:
Yusef Miller Sarah Spinks Katie Norris
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Request for further information on the SafeStreets program and transparency measures that will be taken.
• Deputy Mayor Melendez requested data to support the need for position budgeting. • Request for information on the contributing factors to reduce in crime in the City.
Mayor Franklin stated that due to the meeting time limit, this item will be continued to the February 25, 2025 regular meeting of the City Council.
D3. PUBLIC ARTS MASTER PLAN (CC)
Mayor Franklin stated that due to the meeting time limit, this item will be placed on the February 25, 2025 regular meeting agenda.
02/25/2025 C2 Page 4 of 5
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
5 D4. CIVIL RIGHTS COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS (CC)
Mayor Franklin stated that due to the meeting time limit, this item will be placed on the February 25, 2025 regular meeting agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 10:31 p.m.
____________________________________
Kallison Leahy, Assistant City Clerk
02/25/2025 C2 Page 5 of 5