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
AUGUST 12, 2025
The August 12, 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
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 Fox 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 Item C6 Support of California Assembly Bill 1127 is removed from the Agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Daryl McFarland and members of the Rotary Club, proclaiming August 13, 2025, as “Rotary Club of Vista Day” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Postmaster Robert Somsen to honor the United States Postal Service on its 250th Anniversary.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 12, 2025
2 P3. Dr. Georg Matt and Dr. Lydia Greiner of San Diego State University Center for Tobacco and the Environment, gave a presentation on tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis waste in San Diego County.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Janis Jones spoke about cigarette litter and clean-up efforts in the City of Vista. • Mark O’Connor spoke about cigarette litter clean-up efforts and mitigation measures around the City of Vista and San Diego County.
• Phil Church thanked Councilmembers Fox and O’Donnell for their community research regarding the bike lanes on S. Melrose Dr., and resident petitions regarding traffic calming measures.
• Carol Jefferies spoke about e-waste from vapes.
• Barbara Gordon spoke about health risks of cannabis use. • Megan Stuart spoke about the health risks of cannabis use while pregnant and breast feeding. • Peggy Walker spoke about proper disposal of e-cigarettes. • Becky Rapp spoke about a multi-family housing smoke-free policy. • Madison Rapp spoke about cannabis use disorder in children and teens.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the May 2025 and June 2025 Check Registers. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
June 24, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
June 18, 2025 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Received and filed Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending May 31, 2025. (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-140, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing and Approving the Summary Vacation of a Portion of a Limited Building Zone Easement Dedicated on Map No. 16296.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-141, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement to the Agreement for Shared Use of Facility with Vista Irrigation District.” (CC)
C6. This item was removed from the Agenda.
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-142, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Rick Engineering Company for Professional Services for the Trash Capture BMP Device Analysis (CIP No. 8343).” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-143, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement with DBX, Inc. for Design/Build Services for the Three Traffic Signals Project (CIP Nos. 8375, 8375 & 8377)”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-144, entitled “A Resolution of the City
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 12, 2025
3 Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26.” (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-145, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Construction Contract to L.C. Paving & Sealing, Inc. for the West Vista Way Pedestrian Improvement Project (CIP Nos. 8340 & 8379).”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-146, 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.” (CC)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-147, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with OPS212, LLC for City Facility Janitorial Services” (CC)
C11. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-148, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Accepting Grant Funds of $48,340 in Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Funding and Amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/26.” and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-149, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Fiscal Year 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative MOU/Grant Assurances.” (CC)
C12. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-150, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with Life Line Emergency Vehicles, Inc. to Remount and Refurbish One ALS Ambulance.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. APPEAL OF P24-0139, MONTE VISTA RESIDENTIAL (CC)
Joe Vacca, Community Development Director, introduced the item and Chris Winters, Senior Planner, provided the staff report. Arlene Tendick, California West, project applicant/developer, gave a presentation. Robert Thorne, CEO of developer California West Communities, addressed the City Council.
The following individuals spoke on the item.
Penny Harrington Jennifer Benitez Keith Andrew
Oscar R. Vass Frances Browne Scott Martin
Merrill Leeds Nikki Leeds Frank Sloat
Kenneth Zuniga Nicolet Ramirez Jacob Aldridge
Charlie Bachmeier Jennifer Ponchetti
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• When considering the appeal, the City Council must make written findings specific to the appeal and that the finding is a detriment to public health and safety and cannot be overcome. • Councilmember Contreras stated her concern with the project’s location adjacent to a moderate fire hazard severity zone and asked staff to conduct a further review for fire safety concerns. • The City has hired a consultant to review and update the Standards of Cover; the project is underway.
• City Councilmembers discussed the process of continuing the public hearing and the probability of different findings from further review of the project. • The project has been reviewed by the Fire Marshall and all conditions identified have been included in the Conditions of Approval.
• The proposed Conditions of Approval meet the standards of a project in a moderate fire hazard zone.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 12, 2025
4 • Any standards that took effect after review of the project would not be applicable to the project. • Traffic analysis was conducted during peak hours.
• Staff to conduct further review of fire safety concerns and to bring item back for consideration no later than September 23, 2025.
• Mayor Franklin stated his opposition to continuing the item due to his belief that no new information will be found by the Fire Department. He sympathized with residents’ frustration for development approval standards set by the State.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 AND DIRECT STAFF TO RE-ANALYZE THE FIRE SAFETY REVIEW OF THE PROJECT.
MOTION CARRIED: 3-2 (MAYOR FRANKLIN AND FOX OPPOSED)
DISCUSSION
D1. WAVE WATERPARK (CC)
Mike Pacheco, Director of Recreation and Community Services, introduced the item and Angela Palasik, Waterpark Manager, provided the staff report. The City’s consultant, Justin Caron, Principal / CEO, Aquatic Design Group, answered City Council Member’s questions.
The following individuals spoke on the item.
Angela Lorenzo Peggy Ramsig Carol Jefferies
Dianne Woelke Kenneth Zuniga Thom Holland
Sid Rothenberg Kellyanne Ingels Sharon Larimer
Ross Maniaci
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Council is not considering closing the Wave Waterpark. • Mayor Franklin stated his opposition to spending Proposition L revenues on the Wave Waterpark.
• Mayor Franklin and Councilmembers discussed the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contract operator of the Wave Waterpark. Directed staff to bring RFP “options” for City Council to discuss further before issuance. Councilmember Contreras stated her opposition to issuance of an RFP.
• To reinstate lap swim, staff will need to hire two (2) lifeguards. Historically, lap swim is open to the public from 6:00-8:00 am, Monday, Wednesday and Friday year round except for one month when the Waterpark is closed for maintenance.
• Staff is unaware of other cities that operate a waterpark through a contracted operator. • City Councilmembers expressed desire to keep the Wave Waterpark operational and in good repair. Staff recommendation is to pay for overdue repairs that would keep the Waterpark operational for the next 10 years; a funding source and plan beyond that has not been identified. • Staff to look at options to expand Waterpark services and generate revenue. • Deputy Mayor Melendez wishes to see the establishment of a Wave Waterpark foundation.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY FOX, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-151 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 DIRECT STAFF TO REINSTATE LAP SWIMMING.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
AUGUST 12, 2025
5 D2. CITYWIDE SIDEWALK PRIORITIZATION PLAN (CC)
Darra Woods, Principal Transportation Mobility Planner, introduced the item and provided a portion of the staff report.
The following individual spoke on the item:
Jed Hubbard
Due to the meeting time limit, this item was partially heard; it was continued and will be placed on the next city council agenda.
D3. VISTA TRANSIT CENTER GRADE SEPARATION STUDY (CC)
Due to the meeting time limit, this item was not heard; it will be placed on a future City Council agenda.
REMARKS
No remarks were heard due to the meeting time limit.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk