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
OCTOBER 28, 2025
The October 28, 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 4:30 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 (arrived at 4:34), Jeff Fox
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin called for a Closed Session at 4:31 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: (CC)
Property Address: 955 S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA
Agency Negotiator: John Conley, City Manager, Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager, Jonathan Lung, Housing and Homeless Services Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
CS2. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: (CC)
Property Address: 2630 Business Park Dr., Vista, CA
Agency Negotiator: John Conley, City Manager, Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager, Jonathan Lung, Housing and Homeless Services Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:29 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:33 p.m. The Mayor and the City Council convened the meeting in honor of the memory of Major Tyler Braconi.
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
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 2025
2 Chris Mitchell Information Technology Director
Chris Arce Public Works Director
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Walter Chung stated the City Council took no disclosable action on Closed Session Item 1 and that the City Council approved his reporting out on Closed Session Item 2 that the City Council agreed not to pursue the acquisition of 2630 Business Park Dr. for any purpose.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Carter Conlee, Patrick Conlee, and Tommy Schardt, representing Boy Scout Troop 709, 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. A revised Agenda was published prior to the start of the meeting removing Item D4 Navigation Center Location in the Vista Business Park.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Letter of Appreciation to Girl Scout Troop 1180.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Patrick Conlee, declaring October 29, 2025 as “Patrick Conlee Day” in the City of Vista.
P3. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to local heroes Battalion Chief Brendan Halle, Captain Justin Golden, and Firefighter/Paramedics Joseph Gutierrez and Brett Osmus. Firefighter/Paramedics Delaney and Wong-Welch also received recognition but were unable to attend the meeting.
P4. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Fire Marshall Mark Vierow, Assistant Fire Marshall Medi Maldonado, Fire Inspector James Kozakiewicz, and Fire Inspector Chris Topping, declaring October 2025 as “Fire Prevention Month” in the City of Vista.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Becky Rapp spoke about a study regarding the addictive behaviors of cannabis use. • Peggy Walker spoke about Youth Substance Abuse Prevention month. • Madison Rapp spoke about the dangers of cannabis use during pregnancy.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 2025
3 C1. Received the September 2025 check register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
October 14, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA)
October 15, 2025 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-185, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to RAC Construction & Engineering, Inc. for 2025 Pedestrian Mobility Sidewalk Project – E. Indian Rock Road at Nicole Drive (CIP No. 8290).” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-186, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the First Amendment to the Agreement with Interfaith Community Services to Provide Vista Emergency Housing Assistance Program – Category 2 Homeless.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-187, entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Vista and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the United States and Canada, Local No. 122 and Repealing the Provisions of any Resolution in Conflict Herewith.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING – 1820 E. VISTA WAY (CC) Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, and Clarence Rich, Code Enforcement Manager, introduced the item and provided the staff report.
The following members of the public spoke in opposition to the item:
Glen Shurick Scott Burns
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Between June and August 2025, the property received Code Enforcement, Building, and Fire violations citing unpermitted business, accumulated junk and debris, hazardous vegetation, defensible space requirements, and multiple unpermitted construction, and illegal residential use of containers, sheds and vehicles.
• City staff posted notice of the public hearing on October 9. Staff have not been able to directly contact the property owner.
• Property owner is responsible for all issued citations. • Councilmembers expressed concerns with the dwelling being uninhabitable.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2025-188, ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED
CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1820 E. VISTA WAY (APN 171-232-09-00) CONSTITUTES A PUBLIC
NUISANCE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ABATE THE
PUBLIC NUISANCE.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 2025
4 DISCUSSION
D1. PROPOSED OAK DRIVE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND CROSSING GUARD (CC) Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
The following members of the public spoke in favor of the item:
Luis Torres Hadeya Bautista Mirna Casillas Zoila Ramos
Andy Rodriguez Teresa Mota Claudia Carreno Priscilla
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras requested to allocate funding for raised crosswalk and crossing guards.
• The City Council discussed the agreement with Vista Unified School District to provide funding for crossing guards at four (4) locations. It is at VUSD’s discretion what schools have crossing guards.
• The City Council directed staff to communicate with VUSD to receive input regarding the raised crosswalk and potential funding for crossing guards.
• A raised crosswalk is the recommended option for traffic calming at this location. • The City Council directed staff to include the raised pedestrian crossing on the Year End Fund Balance discussion.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO DIRECT STAFF TO
INCLUDE RAISED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT OAK DRIVE AND ISABELLA WAY (N) ON THE YEAR END FUND BALANCE DISCUSSION; RECEIVE INPUT FROM VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT; AND PREPARE
RENDERINGS OF RAISED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AND RAISED
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING WITH BULBOUTS.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D2. DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL (CC) Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and provided staff’s report with Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager.
The following members of the public spoke on the item:
Sharon Larimer Moneca Shelhoop Lev Gershman Epi Tapia
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers expressed gratitude to the Committee members. • Increased parking is the top requested improvement for the Downtown area. The one-way circulation plan would increase the number of street parking spaces. • Deputy Mayor Melendez requested more tree coverage and suggested twinkling lights. • Idea to sell plaques to fundraise for project.
• Directed staff to host an information meeting with local businesses and surrounding residents at the AVO Playhouse.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE
DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS; DIRECTED STAFF BRING
ITEM BACK FOR DISCUSSION WITH CEQA AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS; AND HOST INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS AT THE AVO PLAYHOUSE.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
OCTOBER 28, 2025
5 D3. MOVABLE TINY HOMES (CC)
Deputy Mayor Melendez introduced the item.
Ellen Stone spoke on the subject and answered questions from the City Council.
Bill Cavanaugh spoke in favor of the item:
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
•A Moveable Tiny Home (MTH) is built with traditional dwelling materials, unlike a Recreational Vehicle, and is smaller than a traditional ADU.
•Mayor Franklin stated his concern that MTHs could potentially increase population density and be exempt from development impact fees. He would like to see more limitations to address concerns.
•MTH could be an affordable solution to housing.
•A handful of cities around California allow for MTH. The City Council directed staff to look at existing programs and regulations and to consider what might work for Vista. •MTHs are not included in the State’s definition of ADUs and therefore, the City has more control of zoning overlays and rules and regulations.
DISCUSSED MOVEABLE TINY HOMES AND DIRECTED STAFF TO BRING BACK FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced an open house at Fire Station #6 on November 1 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm; and the Civic Center Art Gallery is hosting a Dia de los Muertos art exhibition.
Councilmember Jeff Fox encouraged residents to attend Novemberfest at Alta Vista Gardens on November 1; Vista Made Showcase on November 12 at the Morris B. Vance Community Room; and a VFFA fundraising event at Inzane Brewing on November 14.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell thanked the staff that worked at Fright Night and Trunk-or-Treat.
Councilmember Corinna Contreras reminded everyone that trash pickup is every Wednesday morning at Luz Duran Park; and NCTD is in discussion with the State regarding testing of hydrogen trains.
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez reported from a recent SANDAG meeting presentation from Lithium Valley.
Mayor John Franklin thanked staff and everyone that came out to the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk