ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: C9
Prepared by: Cassidy McCarthy, CAP Program Administrator Meeting Date: May 27, 2025 Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION 2025-2027 WORKPLAN
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- , approving the 2025-2027 Environmental Commission Workplan.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Climate and Environmental Responsibility; and A Cleaner, More Beautiful Vista.
PRIOR ACTION: None.
PRIOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ACTION: On April 23, 2025, the Environmental Commission voted to approve their 2025-2027 Workplan and recommended it for City Council approval. (Vote: 5-0, Tapia and Serafin absent).
On March 26, 2025, the Environmental Commission discussed their new 2025-2027 Workplan.
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The Environmental Commission was established in April of 2024 with the purpose of promoting and supporting the City’s climate and environmental responsibility goals and to advise the City Council and the City Manager on matters relating to environmental health, environmental conservation, environmental justice, and environmental sustainability in the City, per Vista Municipal Code
2.50 (Exhibit 2).
The Environmental Commission discusses current environmental matters and environmental initiatives they would like to see happen in Vista. The Environmental Commission developed and approved their 2025-2027 Workplan (Exhibit 3) and are seeking the Council’s approval to pursue work on these items.
The items on the workplan will also be supplemented by any ongoing City programs, projects, or policies that relate to environmental matters in the City.
The purpose of this workplan is to keep the commission focused on Council approved initiatives and to provide direction and guidance for the commission. The items from this work plan will be worked on by the commissioners, then brought forward during commission meetings to formulate recommendations for the City Council. The commissioners will then vote upon a recommendation to Council and city staff will present the recommendations to the council for consideration, discussion and final approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Approve above recommendation, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-85. Vote: 4-1 Franklin opposed.
MEETING DATE: May 27, 2025 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: Environmental Commission 2025-2027 Workplan
EXHIBITS:
1.City Council Resolution No. 2025- , approving the 2025-2027 Environmental Commission Workplan.
2.VMC 2.50 Environmental Commission
3.Environmental Commission 2025-2027 Workplan
05/27/2025 C9 Page 2 of 6
00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 2025-2027 ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMISSION WORKPLAN
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. The Environmental Commission was established in April of 2024 with the purpose of promoting and supporting the City’s climate and environmental responsibility goals and to advise the City Council and the City manager on matters relating to environmental health, environmental conservation, environmental justice, and environmental sustainability in the City
B. Part of the powers and duties of the Environmental Commission is to develop an annual work plan and presentation to the City Council.
C. The Environmental Commission developed a 2025-2027 Workplan which contains environmental initiatives they would like to work on and see happen in the City of Vista.
2. Action.
A. The 2025-2027 Environmental Commission Workplan is approved by City Council and the Environmental Commission.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on May 27, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20250519101901
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
05/27/2025 C9 Page 3 of 6
EXHIBIT 1
Vista Municipal Code
2.50 (1) (Vista 12/14/23)
Chapter 2.50
Environmental Commission
Sections:
2.50.010 Purpose
2.50.020 Establishment, Composition and Additional Qualifications
2.50.030 Powers and Duties
Section 2.50.010 Purpose
The purpose of the Environmental Commission is to promote and support the City’s climate and environmental responsibility goals and to advise the City Council and the City Manager on matters relating to the environmental health, environmental conservation, environmental justice, and environmental sustainability in the City (hereinafter referred to as environmental matters).
Ord. No. 2023-13, Added 11/14/23)
Section 2.50.020 Establishment, Composition and Additional Qualifications An Environmental Commission of the City of Vista is established, with membership, powers and duties as provided in this chapter and other ordinances of the City of Vista. The Environmental Commission shall be a standing commission consisting of seven members. All members of the Commission shall be voting members.
Ord. No. 2023-13, Added 11/14/23)
Section 2.50.030 Powers and Duties
The duties of the Environmental Commission shall be as follows:
A. To act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Manager or their designee relating to environmental matters.
B. To develop an annual work plan and presentation to the City Council.
C. To review and provide recommendations on staff updates to the City of Vista Climate Action Plan.
D. To explore and suggest outside funding to accomplish the City’s climate and environmental responsibility goals.
E. To promote and stimulate public interest in environmental matters.
F. To provide a public forum for citizens to communicate their complaints, concerns, requests, and suggestions relating to environmental matters. Staff shall consider and evaluate complaints, concerns, requests, and suggestions expressed by citizens during Environmental Commission meetings.
To review and provide recommendations to the City Council on all environmental matters referred to it by the City Council.”
Ord. No. 2023-13, Added 11/14/23)
05/27/2025 C9 Page 4 of 6EXHIBIT 2
Environmental Commission Workplan 2025-2027
# Commission Projects Focus
Areas
Additional
Staff Time
Required
Council
Goals
1 Recommend expanding Polystyrene Ban (VMC 11.08) to include retailers and banning sale of foam products, not limiting to food service providers 1, 6 High 5 2 Recommend adding an Ordinance on banning the Intentional Release of Balloons 1, 6 High 4B 3 Research and recommend adding Anti-littering signs and encouraging Adopt a Block Program in areas with high littering activity 3, 6 High 4A, 4B
4 Review Tree City USA Application & Support Tree City USA commitments 4 Med 5 5 Evaluate the State's Bag Ban and what other Cities have done to expand upon the State law to make recommendations on Vista's policies 1, 6 Med 5
6 Research and evaluate Plastic Bottle Bans in state legislation and what other Cities have in place, to make recommendations on Vista's policies 1, 6 Med 5
7 Review and provide recommendations for 2025 Tree Giveaway Program 4 Low 5F 8 Review and provide recommendations for 2025 Bike Safety Training and Giveaway Program 8 Low 8 9 Research and evaluate smoking and vaping reduction plans and programs in state and local legislation to make recommendations on Vista's policies 3, 6 Med 5 10 Research and provide recommendations to make City's Special Events & Facilities Rentals compliant with local ordinances and more environmentally friendly 1, 3, 5 Med 5 11 Review and provide recommendations for the 2026 Climate Action Plan Update 2 Low 5 12 Provide environmental education at city-sponsored events (Cyclovia, Earth Day, Coastal Clean Up etc.) 5 Low 5
05/27/2025 C9 Page 5 of 6EXHIBIT 3
Commission Focus
Areas
1 Solid Waste Reduction
2 CAP Update Review
3 Beautify Vista
4 Greening Vista
5 Sustainability Outreach
6 Litter Abatement
7 Energy Efficiency
8 Sustainable Transportation
Relevant City Council Goals
4 A Cleaner, More Beautiful Vista
4A Increase litter cleanup activities
4B Eliminate visible blight, illegal graffiti, junk and debris 4C Continue to work with Caltrans to improve the on/off ramp areas 4D Implement beautification projects in neighborhoods that are neglected 4E Enhance the public right-of-way where possible
5 Climate and Environmental Responsibility
5A Establish Certified Cool Zones
5B Ensure high enrollment rate in our Clean Energy Alliance 5C Pursue grant funding for climate and environmental responsibility 5D Increase the solar at City facilities
5E Increase the number of electric vehicles charging station 5F Create more tree canopies, community gardens, pocket parks, etc. 5G Encourage more food pantries to deal with food resiliency
8 Traffic: Continue to enhance mobility and safety, improve the flow of traffic for all forms of travel, reduce congestion, and improve our roads and sidewalks
05/27/2025 C9 Page 6 of 6