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
JUNE 10, 2025
The June 10, 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 4:00 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 4:00 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: (CC)
Agency Representatives Attending Closed Session:
John Conley, City Manager; Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager; Walter Chung, City Attorney; Beverly Roxas, Assistant City Attorney; Natalie Jacobs, Human Resources Director; Mike Sylvia, Finance Director; Gerard Washington, Fire Chief Employee Organization(s):
Vista City Employee Association (VCEA); Vista Chief Officers’ Association (VCOA), Vista Fire Fighters Association, Local 4107 (VFFA), and Vista City Maintenance Association (VCMA)
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 4:56 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:30 p.m.
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 Contreras led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
2 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.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Aaron Garcia spoke regarding reducing tobacco litter around the City of Vista. • Phil Church spoke about concerns of the restrooms at Buena Vista Park and the citizen’s petition process for stop signs and speed humps.
• Kimberlee Cross-Purdy spoke about the illegal use of fireworks around the City of Vista and requested to utilize Smart Streets technology.
• Dawn Taylor spoke about banning smoking in residential apartment buildings. • Katrina Preece spoke about local cannabis businesses targeting advertising to young adults and the health effects of cannabis use.
• Megan Stuart spoke about supporting Assembly Bill 762 regarding the sale and distribution of disposable vapes.
• Terri-Ann Skelly spoke about local cannabis businesses targeting advertising to young adults. • Barbara Gordon spoke about public health concerns of cannabis use to young adults. • Becky Rapp spoke about the dangers of cannabis impaired driving. • Madison Rapp spoke about cigarettes and vape litter and asked to strengthen smoke-free policies.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received and filed the April 2025 Check Register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
May 27, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-95, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025/26.” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-96, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Delegating Investment Authority to the City Treasurer for Fiscal Year 2025/26, Per City Council Policy 700-07.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-97, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with Jewish Family Service of San Diego to Provide Safe Parking Operator Services”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-98, 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.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
3 C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-99, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with San Diego Rescue Mission, Inc. to Provide Homelessness Outreach, Housing Navigation, and Housing Stability Services”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-100, 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.” (CC)
C7. Received the operational update from Operation HOPE-North County for the month of April.
C8. Adopted Community Development Commission Resolution No. 2025-01, entitled “A Resolution of the Community Development Commission of Vista, California, Approving the Third Amendment to the Ground Lease of Costco Wholesale Corporation.” (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-101, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget of the Encina Wastewater Authority in Accordance with the Revised Basic Agreement of the Encina Joint Powers Authority”; and adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2025-05, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Vista, California, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget of the Encina Wastewater Authority in Accordance with the Revised Basic Agreement of the Encina Joint Powers Authority.”
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-102, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Operating Budget”; adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2025-06, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Operating Budget.”; adopted Community Development Commission Resolution No. 2025-02, entitled “A Resolution of the Community Development Commission of the City of Vista, California, Approving the Fiscal Year 2025/26 and 2026/27 Operating Budget”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-103, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the City-Wide Classification and Compensation Index, and Repealing the Provisions of Any Resolutions in Conflict Herewith”
C11. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-104, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Final Map for 34 Single-Family Homes Located at 560 and 622 S. Melrose Drive and APN 166-280-61-00.” (CC)
C12. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-105, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Public Arts Commission Recommended Mural at Invita Head Spa, in Accordance with Vista City Council Policy 400-04, Artworks in Public Places.” (CC)
C13. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-106, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Public Arts Commission Recommended Mural at Shaks Mediterranean Bistro, in Accordance with Vista City Council Policy 400-04, Artworks in Public Places.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
4 PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT SEWER SERVICE CHARGES (CC/BSD) Sara Taylor, Finance Manager, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-107
ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING LIENS ON ASSESSOR’S
PARCELS WITHIN THE CITY OF VISTA TO BE COLLECTED WITH THE GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 TAX ROLL FOR UNPAID SEWER SERVICE CHARGES”; AND BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-07 ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING LIENS ON ASSESSOR’S PARCELS
WITHIN THE DISTRICT TO BE COLLECTED WITH THE GENERAL
PROPERTY TAXES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 TAX ROLL FOR
UNPAID SEWER SERVICE CHARGES.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH2. LEVY OF DELINQUENT MANDATORY TRASH CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 (CC) Matt McDonald, Finance Manager, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FOX, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-108
ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING LIENS ON ASSESSOR’S
PARCELS WITHIN THE CITY OF VISTA TO BE COLLECTED WITH THE GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 TAX ROLL
FOR DELINQUENT REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE FEES AND
COLLECTION CHARGES.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH3. LEVY OF DELINQUENT FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 PROPERTY RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE
CITATION CHARGES (CC)
Matt McDonald, Finance Manager, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Certified Mail costs and any citation charge fees incurred by the City are included in the levy.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-109, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING LIENS ON ASSESSOR’S
PARCELS WITHIN THE CITY OF VISTA TO BE COLLECTED WITH THE GENERAL PROPERTY TAXES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 PROPERTY
TAX ROLL FOR DELINQUENT PROPERTY RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE CITATIONS.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
5 PH4. LEVY OF ASSESSMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 (CC) Mike Sylvia, Finance Director, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025- 110 ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL
ASSESSMENT LEVY OF THE CITY OF VISTA LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. 1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26”; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-111 ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING
FOR THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LEVY OF THE CITY OF VISTA STREET MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26”; AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-112 ENTITLED, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LEVY
OF THE CITY OF VISTA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH5. FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES ORDINANCE (CC)
Gerard Washington, Fire Chief, introduced the item and Bret Davidson, Deputy Fire Chief, provided the staff report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers thanked Fire Department staff for their dedication and hard work to the community.
• The CalFire Fire Hazard Severity Zone map is updated approximately every 5-7 years based on CalFire resources.
• Request to discuss strategic ways to address prioritization for undergrounding utility wires. • Expanding communication with residents on fire prevention and emergency response.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-03 ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 8.63 OF THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. FISCAL YEARS 2024/25 AND 2025/26 CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET MID-CYCLE
UPDATE (CC/BSD)
Mike Sylvia, Finance Director, introduced the item and Sara Taylor, Finance Manager, provided the staff report.
Sid Rothenberg spoke on the item.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
6 City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras stated the community center at Luz Duran park is not on the current list, but that planning for the project should start.
• Staff are reviewing the design for raised medians on E. Vista Way, including the ability to make u-turns, and will communicate with businesses in the area. • Senior Center Azalea Room restroom renovations are projected to be completed in 6 months. • All new traffic signals will be equipped with Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). Staff will be applying for grant funding for signal improvements on those that do not have APS.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FOX TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-113 ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024/25 AND 2025/26”; AND ADOPT BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 2025-08 ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT, AMENDING THE CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024/25 AND 2025/26.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D2. AGREEMENT WITH INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR ADMINISTRATION OF VISTA EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – CATEGORY 2 HOMELESS PROGRAM (CC)
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item and Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager, provided the staff report.
Hannah Gailey spoke on the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Recipients of VEHAP monies must be a Vista resident and prove loss of housing by supportive documentation. All funds awarded to Interfaith for this program will stay in Vista. • Interfaith has experience managing this type of program • Request to track what other support services and/or public aid VEHAP applicants are receiving.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-114 ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE VISTA EMERGENCY HOUSING
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – CATEGORY 2 HOMELESS PROGRAM.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D3. SPEED HUMP POLICY (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
The following individuals spoke on the item.
Terry Constantine LDF (via Zoom)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2025
7 City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
•Staff to revise policy to include petition process for speed humps, stop signs, and speed tables.
Staff will review location and data and determine best traffic calming option for the area. •Staff to develop a prioritization process for petitions received and a rolling application/approval process.
•At present, there are 17 active petitions and an additional 13 petitions that have not returned neighborhood signatures.
•Request for neighborhood approval threshold to rise from 51% to 60%. All active/pending petitions will be “grandfathered” in at 51%.
•Request for applicable Councilmember to be notified when a petition is received by staff.
MOTION BY FOX , SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO BRING
BACK REVISED POLICY TO INCLUDE PETITION PROCESS FOR SPEED HUMPS, STOP SIGNS, AND SPEED TABLES; RAISE THE THRESHOLD OF NEIGHBORHOOD APPROVAL TO 60%; CREATE A PRIORITIZATION
PROCESS; AND ESTABLISH A ROLLING APPLICATION/APPROVAL PERIOD FOR PETITIONS.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
•Mary Gilman spoke regarding Vista Crop Swap at Brengle Terrace Park.
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley made a statement regarding the Pepper Tree Frosty project and encouraged residents to visit vista.gov/peppertree for project updates.
Councilmember Fox reported from North County Dispatch JPA, there was a 9% increase in calls, and encouraged residents to come out to Rhythm & Brews on June 28.
Councilmember O’Donnell thanked San Marcos for hosting the recent CalCities meeting; and stated that any resident can contact him by email at [email protected].
Councilmember Contreras announced that the launch of NCTD+ in Vista is going well and weekly trash pick-up continues on Wednesdays.
Deputy Mayor Melendez thanked youth volunteers for their recent trash cleanup efforts in the Downtown area.
Mayor Franklin announced a free paper shredding, e-waste drop-off and compost giveaway event on June 14 at the Civic Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk