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
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
The September 9, 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 5:34 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 5:00 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: (CC)
Property Address: 2630 Business Park Drive, Vista, CA
955 S. Santa Fe Ave, Vista, CA
Agency Negotiator: John Conley, City Manager, Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager,
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:31 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:34 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 Schuchardt Information Technology Manager
Chris Arce Public Works Director
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Walter Chung stated there was no reportable action taken in tonight’s Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember O’Donnell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 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 there were no changes to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Jacqueline Berzins, Chair of the Santa Margarita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s America250! Committee, declaring September 17-23, 2025, as “Constitution Week in the City of Vista”.
P2. Joe Gabaldon, San Diego Gas & Electric Senior Public Affairs Manager, gave a presentation regarding Wildlife Safety & Public Safety Power Shutoff.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Roxan Labbe spoke about roundabouts on North Avenue and Los Angeles Drive and bike lanes along Melrose Dr.
• Terri-Ann Skelly spoke about the Start Smart program offered in Vista high schools. • Peggy Walker spoke about concerns of growth of cannabis businesses in the City. • Madison Rapp spoke about cannabis use in connection to housing instability. • Becky Rapp spoke about the effects of cannabis use on mental health. • Megan Stuart spoke about World Suicide Prevention Day and protection of the mental health of young adults and adolescents.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Fox announced that he is recusing himself from Item C8.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-161, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Revising the Calendar of Regular Meeting Dates for 2025 to Change the October 2, 2025 Meeting Start Time to 6:00 p.m. and the November Regular Meeting to Wednesday, November 12, 2025.” (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
August 26, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
August 20, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-162, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of E. East Drive and N. Citrus Avenue” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-163, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of S.
Emerald Drive and Emerald Hollow Drive.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
3 C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-164, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of Foothill Drive and Warmlands Avenue.” (CC)
C6. This item was removed from the agenda for discussion.
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-165, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Final Map for Ten Attached Condominium Dwelling Units on a 0.73-Acre Site Located at 619 Civic Center Drive (APN 175-322-43-00).” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-166, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27.” (CC)
Vote: 4-0, Councilmember Fox recused himself from this item.
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-167, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Submittal of the FEMA DR-4856 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Sub-Application for a California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Shovel-Ready Agua Hedionda Defensible Space Project.” (CC)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-168, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Submittal of the FEAM DR-4856 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Sub-Application for a California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Shovel-Ready Hacienda Fuel Mitigation Project.” (CC)
C11. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-165, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Calling on the California State Legislature to Repeal Sections 57 and 58 in AB 130 (Statutes of 2025), and Urging Further Study of Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) on Housing Affordability and Local Development in the City of Vista.” (CC)
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
C6. SPEED HUMP REMOVAL AT 972 EUCALYPTUS AVENUE (CC)
The following members of the public spoke in opposition of the item:
Bret Ayala Jerame Case
Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager, provided the City Council with background information on the installation of the speed hump.
NO MOTION WAS MADE TO APPROVE REMOVAL OF THE SPEED HUMP IN FRONT OF 972 EUCALYPTUS AVENUE.
DISCUSSION
D1. SPEED HUMP POLICY UPDATES (CC)
Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Staff evaluates request from resident and provides recommendation to the Traffic Commission. • After evaluation, staff will direct resident to appropriate traffic calming measure. If resident
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
4 wants to continue with initial requested measure, staff will let the Traffic Commission know that it is not a recommended action.
• Councilmember Contreras requested petitions that do not meet the 60% petition threshold to be included in the City Council’s Weekly Update.
• Councilmember O’Donnell requested signage of “speed humps” and “speed bumps” to be corrected.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-165, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 600-07, CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D2. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE WAVE WATERPARK (CC)
Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
Frank Parks spoke on the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras is in opposition to issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP); Deputy Mayor Melendez and Councilmember O’Donnell expressed being open to considering an RFP but at a later time; Mayor Franklin and Councilmember Fox are in favor of an RFP. • Mayor Franklin stated that he would require any potential future operator to maintain affordable ticket prices for Vista residents and pool access for school groups. • The Wave has been operating with a subsidy every year since it opened. Due to COVID, 2020 was the highest subsidy but has been decreasing each year since. • Recently approved funding by the City Council will replace outdated equipment with new energy efficient equipment.
• Councilmembers discussed re-evaluating operating needs after upgrades have been completed.
• Councilmembers discussed setting contract time limits of operator in potential RFP. • Potential grant funding is available and the City’s Grant Writer is monitoring all available grant opportunities.
• Deputy Mayor Melendez directed staff to agendize a discussion item to form a committee for the Wave.
DISCUSSED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE WAVE WATERPARK.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
REMARKS
Councilmember Jeff Fox reported from NCDJPA meeting and announced Fiestas Patrias will be at Linda Rhoades Recreation Center on September 14.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell congratulated Councilmember Fox on his appointment as the Cal Cities primary delegate; reminded residents to maintain the 5-foot fire zone around their home; and announced that Encina Wastewater Authority approved facility updates.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
5 Councilmember Corinna Contreras reminded everyone that trash pickup is every Wednesday morning at Luz Duran Park; stated the NCTD+ program in Vista has been a great success; and encouraged any resident that would like to talk about an issue to please reach out to her directly.
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez reported SANDAG will be in session on September 12 and CEA will be in session later this month; and encouraged anyone struggling with mental health issues to seek services.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk