VISTA CITY COUNCIL (CC)
CITY OF VISTA
WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 3, 2025
The April 3, 2025, Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, 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
Corinna Contreras, Dan O’Donnell, Jeff Fox
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
John Conley City Manager
Walter Chung City Attorney
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
Joe Vacca Community Development Director
Larry Vaupel Economic Development Director
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Frank Pierce, General Manager of North County Ford.
DISCUSSION
D1. UPDATE TO THE VISTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CC) Larry Vaupel, Director of Economic Development, introduced the item and provided staff’s presentation. Erik Bruvold, San Diego North Economic Development Council; Cait Kelly, Connect Foundation; and Khaleda Atta, San Diego Workforce Partnership, each gave a presentation.
The City Council and staff discussed the following:
• San Diego North Economic Development Council (SDNEDC) will bring back data of youth unemployment. SDNEDC will be hosting job fairs aimed at high school graduates who need their first career job.
• Small business owners may reach out to the Small Business Development Center for advisement and resources. SDNEDC is connected to a network of brokers that work with small businesses with the goal to obtain the most affordable leases. • Innovate 78 is a regional cooperation program with strategic opportunities to leverage assets regionally.
• Many small businesses are starting their venture virtually. The most common questions vetted from potential small business owners are about the permitting process. • The City can support entrepreneurs by expanding infrastructure in coworking spaces and as Artificial Intelligence advances, to have infrastructure to support advancements. • Mayor Franklin asked staff to research rebate on sales tax for companies that move to Vista.
• Staff anticipates more communication with the Vista Brewer’s Guild.
WORKSHOP MINUTES
APRIL 3, 2025
2 •Vista Business HUUB is a program that will be launching in 2025 and is a free online support and training community to all City of Vista businesses.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk