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 23, 2025
The September 23, 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 5:00 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 5:00 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: (CC)
Property Address: 444 S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA
Agency Negotiator: John Conley, City Manager, Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager,
Negotiating Parties: Tideline Partners and Gangi Development Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:09 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:09 p.m. The Mayor and the City Council convened the meeting in honor of the memory of Rob Hager.
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
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
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
2 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 there were no changes to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to the Ramos family to celebrate and honor the life of Ethan Ramos.
P2. The Mayor and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to the Rancho Buena Vista High School Theatre Department for their resilience, strength in community, and unwavering commitment to the transformative power of theatre.
P3. The Mayor and Councilmembers presented a proclamation to local heroes Maksym Hutovskyi, Daniel Herrera-Martinez, and Carlos Dias Jr.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Dustin Lawrence spoke about the Del Mar Fairgrounds Open House to discuss the future site plan of the fairgrounds.
• Mary Davis asked the City Council to oppose the Road Use Charge. • Tina Fitzgerald asked the City Council to consider “quiet zones” in North County Transit District’s Sprinter Corridor project.
• Becky Rapp spoke about the effects of cannabis use on human embryos. • Madison Rapp spoke about cannabis use in children and young adults.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the July 2025 check register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
September 4, 2025 Workshop Meeting (CC)
September 9, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
September 9, 2025 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Received and filed Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending June 30, 2025. (CC)
C4. This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-171, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement with GSE Construction Company, Inc. for Design/Build Services for the Raceway Basin and Buena Creek
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
3 Pump Stations Improvements and FOG Abatements Project (CIP Nos. 8320, 8321, 8324 & 8345”; and adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2025-12, entitled “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement with GSE Construction Company, Inc. for Design/Build Services for the Raceway Basin and Buena Creek Pump Stations Improvements and FOG Abatements Project (CIP Nos. 8320, 8321, 8324 & 8345” (CC/BSD)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-172, 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)
C7. This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
C4. COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (CC)
The following members of the public spoke in opposition to the Community safety Commission’s recommendation:
Gary Lewkovich Robert Mendez Michael Nieland Michael Douglas
Mayor Franklin moved to reject the Community Safety Commission’s recommendation. No second was made.
RECEIVED RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMMUNITY SAFETY
COMMISSION.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
C7. AGREEMENT WITH WEST COAST ARBORIST FOR THE EXTREME HEAT AND COMMUNITY
RESILIENCE PROGRAM PROJECT (CC)
Joe Houde spoke on the item.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-173, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS, LLC
FOR THE EXTREME HEAT AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PROGRAM
PROJECT SERVICES.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. APPEAL OF P24-0139, MONTE VISTA RESIDENTIAL (CC)
Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and Chris Winters, Senior Planner, provided the staff report.
Arlene Tendick, Project Representative, gave a presentation.
The following members of the public spoke in opposition of the project:
Teresa Minoux Keith Andrew Nikki Leeds
Scott Martin Jill Martin Hilery Dan
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
4 City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• The Fire Department is confident in the evacuation plan as long as the public adheres to all notices of evacuation.
• City Councilmembers expressed appreciation to the residents that gave public comment. • City Councilmembers expressed frustration that the City is bound by State law for local development; Councilmember Contreras suggested the establishment of an ad hoc committee to look at this issue
• Councilmember Contreras asked for extra education and evacuation drills in development areas in high severity fire zones.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY FOX, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-174, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DENYING
THE APPEAL AND APPROVING A TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP, A SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, AND A DENSITY BONUS TO CONSTRUCT 19
SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON A 6.47 ACRE SITE LOCATED AT 1800 MONTE VISTA DRIVE (APN 181-022-05-00).”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 (CONTRERAS OPPOSED)
PH2. 2024-2025 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT (CC) Johannah Knieff, Management Analyst, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-175, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 2024-2025 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
AND EVALUATION REPORT AND AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE REPORT TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
PH3. ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-
URBAN INTERFACE CODE WITH AMENDMENTS (CC)
Gerard Washington, Fire Chief, introduced the item and Mark Vierow, Fire Marshall, provided the staff report.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 2025-07, ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 16.40 OF THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE FIRE CODE AND ADDING CHAPTER 16.42 OF THE VISTA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE
CODE.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
5 PH4. ADOPTION OF 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODES WITH AMENDMENTS (CC) Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and Nabil Chehade, City Building Official, provided the staff report.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY FOX, TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 2025-08, ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE PARTS 1 THROUGH 6, 8, AND 10 THROUGH 12 OF TITLE 24 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, WITH AMENDMENTS.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. COMMUNITY SAFETY AND DUE PROCESS DISCUSSION (CC)
Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
The following members of the public spoke in favor of the item:
Joe Houde Jaime Romo Donna Layden JC Hammond
Lourdes B. Farhat Esmeralda Gonzalez
Jimenez
Helen Lindner Kevin Williams
Katie Ventura Lilia Zamora Deacon Jose Luis
Maldonado
Luz Godina
Josh Komo Eroz Garcia Vanesa Mendoza Maria Roso
Alondra Alvarez Lilian Serrano Flower Alvarez-Lopez Sid Rothenberg Cipriano Vargas Kathyleen Boyle Kenneth Zuniga Cristian Amador Jeannie Ortiz Clint Carney Gabrielle Jackson Lonna Leghart Tazheen Nizam Lucia Acosta Brianna Farner Evelyn L. Bejarano Andrew Hernandez Martha Alverado Eric Joyce Barbara Garcia Beryl Dagy Deva Robbins Patricia Lupita Hernandez
Jim Carlson Bradlee Zuniga-
Diuguid
The following members of the public spoke in opposition to the item:
Cristina Iacobelli Matthew Menkee Jim Day Gary Lewkovich Jim Kelley Brenda DeAngelis Bonnie Lang Jeff Underdahl
Thom Holland Thomas Moore Richard N Sandra M
William Wells Jeffrey J. McGehee Jill Pacvin Michael Nieland Joshua Tienda Carla Albright Bob Marsolis Wesley Inglis Kimberlee Simmons Jana Madrid Donald Chadwick Tyler P.
Lisa Amanda Buck Lesley Marie Bowden Theresa Freze Demetri Brown Judy Furey Bradley D. Harte Kirk Cumming Twei Reavey
Allen Crestik Chris Crestik Benita Cooper Julian McKnight Frances VanderSchaaf Mary Davis Steve Van De Skaf Robert Mendez Ken Roy Rosie Higuera Mike McKnight James Leon
William Melton
The following members of the public are in favor of the item but did not speak:
Cliserio Montaluo
Juarez
Clarissa Smelser Socorro R. Samantha Aguilar
Juana Martinez Rocio Jimenez Israel Mendez Maribel Aispuro
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
6 Blanca Perez Apolonio Martinez Yesenia Ruiz Sofia Lopez Guadalupe Gonzalez Soledad Sanchez Gabriela Dominguez Gregorio Guzman Rosa Guzman Edvin Cobon Cecilia Perez Maria Jolliff
The following members of the public are in opposition to the item but did not speak:
Eric Scharping Jaclyn Imani McKenzie Lewis Joan Turley
Joe D. Phoges Sandra Marino Norman Anderson Greg Boudreau Junie Barath Robert Rall Amelia Alexander Clara Dan
Chris McFadden
The following members of the public submitted a speaker slip but did not speak and either did not indicate their position or were neutral/no position:
Alejandro Sanchez Linda Gunn Chris Meuse Susan Custer
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Mayor Franklin stated his opposition to the proposed resolution. He stated his opinion that the resolution would make the City a “Sanctuary City”; would send a message to law enforcement that they are not welcome on City property; could have unintended negative impacts by bringing focus to the City from ICE; and that federal rights should be upheld in the federal court of law. • Deputy Mayor Melendez stated her support for the resolution. She stated her opinion that immigrants do not increase crime or waste resources and they do pay taxes; ICE is not following due process laws; and that non-violent immigrants are being violated by federal agencies.
Motion to direct staff to prepare a resolution with Items 1-5 from the agenda report exhibit. • Councilmember Contreras made a motion amendment to strike out language in Item 5, “.. on behalf of the City” and made a second to the motion. Councilmember Contreras stated her support for the resolution. She stated her opinion that the resolution does not deny federal agents from doing their job; requested more public education regarding due process; asked to review the City’s contract with the San Diego Sheriff’s Office. • Councilmember Fox stated his opposition to the resolution. He stated his opinion that the resolution does not have enforcement power; many of the items in the resolution are already State law; and that this item is a federal issue and will need to be handled on the federal level through Congress and the courts.
• Councilmember O’Donnell stated that there are parts of the resolution that he is in agreement with and parts that he is in opposition to. He confirmed with staff that the City does not allow anyone besides staff in non-public areas without prior approval; the City is not aware of any contractor disclosing sensitive data; and sensitive or personal data collected by the City is not shared with outside agencies unless otherwise required. Councilmember O’Donnell made a motion amendment to strike Item 5. The amendment was accepted by the maker and seconder.
Motion by Contreras, Second by Franklin to extend the meeting time to midnight. Motion carried: 5-0 Motion by Melendez, Second by Franklin to extend the meeting time to 12:30am. Carried by consensus.
Motion by O’Donnell, Second by Contreras to extend the meeting to 12:35 am. No vote taken.
Mayor Franklin moved to indefinitely postpone the item, no second received.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4 FROM THE AGENDA REPORT EXHIBIT.
MOTION CARRIED: 3-2 (FRANKLIN AND FOX OPPOSED)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
7 ____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk