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
APRIL 22, 2025
The April 22, 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, Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, and Joint Powers Financing Authority 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
John Malan Sheriff’s Captain
Gerard Washington Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
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 that there were no changes to the Agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Issac Ontiveros of West Coast Arborists, declaring April 25, 2025 as “Arbor Day” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Fire Chief Gerard Washington declaring May 3, 2025, as “Wildfire Community Preparedness Day” in the City of Vista.
P3. In recognition of Small Business Week, Vista Chamber of Commerce CEO Rachel Beld, gave a presentation.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 22, 2025
2 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Krysta Reinebold voiced concerns regarding the Farmer’s Cup event at Brengle Terrace Park and negative effects on the surrounding neighborhood.
• Dominique Guzman voiced concerns regarding the Farmer’s Cup event at Brengle Terrace Park and negative effects on the surrounding neighborhood.
• Becky Rapp spoke on the long-term effects of cannabis use. • MaryAnne Kelly spoke on the health effects of secondhand smoke. • Barbara Gordon spoke about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. • Madison Rapp spoke about the harms of cannabis on young adults. • Judi Strang spoke about allergic reactions to cannabis smoke.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received and filed Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending February 28, 2025. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
April 3, 2025 Workshop Meeting (CC)
April 8, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-60, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Spear & Associates, Inc. for As- Needed Engineering Survey Services.” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-61, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending City Council Policy No. 400-06.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-62, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intent to Set a Public Hearing for Collection of Delinquent Property Related Administrative Citation Charges.” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-63, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intent to Set a Public Hearing for Collection of Delinquent Solid Waste Charges.” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-64, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Engineer’s Report on the City of Vista Landscape and Lighting District No. 1 Assessments for the 2025/26 Fiscal Year, Declaring Its Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments, and Setting the Date for Public Hearing”; adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-65, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Determining the Cost of Services and the Amount of Assessment to be Imposed on All Assessable Property Within the City of Vista Street Maintenance District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2025/26 Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 and Setting the Date for Public Hearing”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-66, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Engineer’s Report on the City of Vista South Melrose Landscape Maintenance District Assessments for the 2025/26 Fiscal Year, Declaring Its Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments, and Setting the Date for Public Hearing.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 22, 2025
3 C8. Received and filed a combined City of Vista and Buena Sanitation District Sewer System Management Plan. (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-67, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Recognizing May 4 – May 10, 2025, as Small Business Week in the City of Vista.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. 2025-2029 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND 2025-2026 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (CC)
Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager, introduced the item and Johannah Knieff, Management Analyst, provided staff’s report.
The following individuals spoke in support of the item:
Jessica Munoz, Voices for Children Caroline Theiss-Aird, Fraternity House Danni Hickey, Fraternity House, Michaelle House Jared Hernandez, CSA San Diego County Josh Komo, Pilgrim United Church
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• In the event that HUD awards lower than anticipated funds, Townspeople will not receive an award. If HUD awards a higher funding amount, the increased funding will be distributed to all applicants.
• City Councilmembers thanked the CDBG Advisory Committee members.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN A 30-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED 2025-2029 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND THE 2025-2026 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO SOLICIT COMMUNITY INPUT.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH2. CODE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 18.52, SIGN REQUIREMENTS, TO ALLOW A-FRAM SIGNS IN VISTA BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AND SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 14 AND
CONSIDER A WAYFINDING SIGN CONCEPT FOR TASTING ROOMS (CC) Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
The following individuals spoke in support of the item:
James Valles, Burtech Family Vineyard Rachel Beld, Vista Chamber of Commerce
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Request for future discussion on comprehensive wayfinding program to include points of interest, historical locations, and public art.
• A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued for a contractor to develop a wayfinding program and design for tasting rooms.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-01 ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 18.52 OF THE VISTA DEVELOPMENT CODE TO UPDATE SIGNS
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 22, 2025
4 ON PRIVATE PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW FOR PORTABLE
SIGNS IN THE VISTA BUSINESS PARK SPECIFIC PLAN AND SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 14”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH3. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND DEFENSIBLE SPACE ORDINANCE (CC) Gerard Washington, Fire Chief, introduced the item and provided staff’s report along with Bret Davidson, Deputy Fire Chief.
The following individuals spoke in support of the item:
John Ploetz, Vista Fire Protection District Kimberlee Cross-Purdy
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• SDG&E is responsible for undergrounding wires.
• Request for staff to compile a list of tree trimming contractors for public distribution. • Staff will continue to provide public education related to fire issues.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FOX, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 2025-02 ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 8.60 OF
THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND DEFENSIBLE SPACE WITHIN THE CITY OF VISTA.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. CITYWIDE FACILITIES MASTER PROGRAM – UPDATE (CC)
Chris Arce, Director of Public Works, introduced the item and Aldo Hernandez, Operations Manager, gave staff’s report.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO APPROVE
PROPOSED UPDATES TO CITYWIDE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
PROGRAM.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced a planned power outage occurring on April 25 at the Civic Center; the Creek to Bay Cleanup event is April 26; and encouraged residents to attend the Parks Master Plan Workshop on April 24.
Councilmember Jeff Fox shared Japanese Buddhist Cultural Festival on April 26 at the Vista Buddhist Temple, and Vista Historical Society & Museum will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May
3. Councilmember Dan O’Donnell encouraged residents to attend the Parks Master Plan Workshop on April 24 and if anyone is struggle with addiction, they can call the National Helpline for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services at 800-662-4357.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 22, 2025
5 Councilmember Corrina Contreras encouraged residents to attend the Downtown Committee meeting on April 29 in the Community Room and is excited for the launch of NCTD+ in Vista on May 19.
Deputy Mayor Melendez reported out from the Clean Energy Alliance Conference.
Mayor John Franklin announced the Vista Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Patrol is seeking volunteers; the musical “Grease” will be performing at the Moonlight Stage Productions from April 30-May 17; and the Vista Historical Society & Museum is presenting a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 3.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk