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
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
The February 10, 2026, 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 Dan O’Donnell
Corinna Contreras, Katie Melendez, 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: 952-958 Postal Way, Vista, CA
Agency Negotiator: City Manager John Conley, Assistant City Manager Imelda Huerta, Housing and Homeless Services Manager Jonathan Lung
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:12 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:31 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
Joe Vacca Community Development Director
Greg Mayer Engineering Director
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
Chris Mitchell Information Technology Director
Chris Arce Public Works Director
Margaret Hamer Recreation & Community Services Director Joshua Sino Cruz Assistant to the City Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Contreras 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.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager John Conley stated there were no changes to the agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
Consultant Jonathan Foster, Davis Farr, LLP, gave a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Annual Compensation Financial Report.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Gayle Martin requested for the Senior Center to be added to the list of available facility rentals; and requested that event rentals be added to the list of services at the Senior Center. • Marjorie Bramwell asked about handicap parking in the Eucalyptus parking lot; requested more funding to the Senior Center.
• Madison Rapp spoke about dangers of cannabis impaired driving. • Becky Rapp spoke about community safety threats of cannabis use. • Terri-Ann Skelly voiced concerns about cannabis and tobacco on youth. • Michael Conrad Pawelski spoke about concerns of the proposed City logo. • Debbie spoke about the proposed City logo and requested a pause on the implementation to receive more community input.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the December 2025 check register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
January 27, 2025 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA) January 21, 2025 Special Meeting (CC)
January 26, 2025 Special Meeting (CC)
C3. Received the Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending November 30, 2025. (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-19, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Appointing a Representative and First and Second Alternate Representatives to the Board of Directors of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)” (CC) (Vote: 4-1, Mayor Franklin opposed)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-20, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Agreement with the ARC of San Diego for Park Litter Abatement Services.” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-21, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Application to the Fiscal Year 2026 USDOT Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program Grant.”
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-22, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with Firestone Builders, Inc. for Design/Build Services for the Building C Improvements Project (CIP No. 8363)”; and adopted
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
3 Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2026-01, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Approving an Agreement with Firestone Builders, Inc. for Design/Build Services for the Building C Improvements Project (CIP No. 8363).” (CC/BSD)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-23, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with Firestone Builders, Inc. for Design/Build Services for the Building C Improvements Project (CIP No. 8363).”
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-24, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the First Amendment to the Contract with Blink Network, LLC for Electric Vehicle Equipment for the City-Wide Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Project (CIP No. 8902)” (CC)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-25, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing and Supporting the Submission of Priority City Projects for State and Federal Funding Consideration.”
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. FEES FOR RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES (CC)
Margaret Hamer, Director of Recreation & Community Services, introduced the item and Sydney Roff, Management Analyst, provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Consider different open gym admission rates for children vs adults, pricing for family memberships, and/or punch cards. Requested staff to adjust pricing for open gym rates. • Pricing structure for the Wave Waterpark lap swim; consider lower prices, punch cards, and discounts for seniors. Look into automatic payment renewals for users. • Support for the new “Cove Cabanas” at the Wave Waterpark. • Councilmembers Contreras requested a scholarship program for seniors.
DIRECTED STAFF TO AMEND THE FEE SCHEDULE AND CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO A FUTURE DATE.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
DISCUSSION
D1. MOVABLE TINY HOMES PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS (P25-0150) (CC) Joe Vacca, Director of Community Development, introduced the item and Patsy Chow, Assistant Director of Community Development, provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Mayor Franklin agreed with staff’s recommendation of no rounded-corner windows but would like circle windows to be allowed.
• City Councilmembers discussed the requirements for fire sprinklers. Councilmember Contreras asked for fire sprinklers to only be required if the movable tiny home (MTH) is in a CalFire Severity Zone. Councilmembers requested the Fire Department to review proposed guidelines and provide input.
• Councilmember Contreras requested that the Townsite Specific Plan be added to allowable areas within the City.
• City Councilmembers discussed placement of MTH on properties in relation to different setback requirements. Deputy Mayor O’Donnell requested renderings of the placement of a MTH on
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
4 different properties in relation to various setback scenarios. • Deputy Mayor O’Donnell voiced concerns about MTH becoming short-term rental properties. • City Councilmembers discussed an ordinance establishing MTH regulations vs MTH being categorized as ADUs and the regulatory implications of each option. • Directed staff to have the Planning Commission review the item and provide recommendations for City Council consideration.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO
HAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW THE ITEM AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D2. SEWER RATES PROPOSED FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026/27 TO 2028/29 (CC) Ken Knatz, Sewer Engineering Manager, introduced the item and provided staff’s report. Sanjay Garg, Water Resources Economics, provided consultant’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Sewer rates last increased in 2023 and the last sewer rate study was conducted in 2017. • City Councilmembers acknowledged that a rate increase will not be welcomed by residents, but is necessary to keep up with rising costs. Directed staff to agendize sewer rate discussion in 3 years.
• Lifeline Sewer Rebate Program is a City program that allows for a 30% reduction to residents that fall within or below the San Diego County Area Median Income limit. City Councilmembers directed staff to increase funding to the Rebate Program by $25,000 as part of the next operating budget discussion. Staff was directed to place a QR code for the program on the sewer rate increase notice.
• Mayor Franklin stated his opposition to the 5.5% increase for City of Vista customers, and stated that he would instead like to see a 4.9% increase. Deputy Mayor O’Donnell asked staff to bring back a graph scenario of the 4.9% compared to the 5.5%.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO
FINALIZE THE SEWER COST OF SERVICE RATE STUDY REPORT USING THE PROPOSED INCREASE OF 5.5% FOR CITY OF VISTA CUSTOMERS AND 4.0% FOR BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT CUSTOMERS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026/27 THRU 2028/29; ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-26, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING COLLECTIONS
OF ALL FUTURE FISCAL YEAR SEWER SERVICE CHARGES ON THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROPERTY TAX ROLL”; AND ADOPT BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-01, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT, APPROVING COLLECTIONS OF ALL
FUTURE FISCAL YEAR SEWER SERVICE CHARGES ON THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROPERTY TAX ROLL”
VOTE: 5-0
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO
INCREASE FUNDING FOR LIFELINE SEWER REBATE PROGRAM BY
$25,000 AS PART OF THE NEXT OPERATING BUDGET DISCUSSION.
VOTE: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2026
5 REMARKS
City Manager John Conley announced Vista Civic Center offices, the McClellan Senior Center and the Jim Porter Recreation Center are closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of President’s Day holiday.
Councilmember Jeff Fox announced that February 11 is the Vista Chamber of Commerce mixer at The Film Hub.
Councilmember Katie Melendez encouraged residents to attend the opening of Kelly Clark’s art exhibit on February 12 at the Civic Center.
Councilmember Corinna Contreras reminded everyone that trash pick-up is every Wednesday at Luz Duran Park.
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell reported from CalCities that District Attorney Summer Stephan gave a presentation on Prop 36; anyone may call 211 for community resources.
Mayor John Franklin announced the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is holding a public forum to discuss the future modernization of the Vista Detention Facility on February 17 at the Morris Vance Community Room; the Vista Fire Rescue Department will be conducting free blood pressure screenings at the “Love Your Heart” event February 11 at the McClellan Senior Center and Vista Library; and encouraged residents to apply for the Environmental Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk