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
MARCH 10, 2026
The March 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 5:32 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
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 Schuchardt GIS Manager
Chris Arce Public Works Director
Margaret Hamer Recreation & 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 there were no changes to the Agenda.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation congratulating Vista Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Matt Doyle on being named Administrator of the Year.
P2. Fire Chief Gerard Washington and Battalion Chief Bret Davidson gave a presentation on Vista Fire Rescue Vegetation Management.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Joe Houde spoke about concerns regarding the climate action plan in the General Plan Update.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2026
2 • Michael Pawelski spoke about concerns of the proposed City logo. • Deborah Brandt spoke about the declining affordability of fire insurance. • Debbie Yates spoke about concerns of the proposed City logo. • Marjorie Bramwell spoke about concerns for the potential updates to the jail. • Madison Rapp spoke about the long-term consequences of cannabis use. • AJ Noll spoke about concerns of the proposed City logo. • Becky Rapp spoke about concerns of cannabis use on brain development.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Approved the following meeting minutes:
February 24, 2026 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA) February 18, 2026 Special Meeting (CC)
C2. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-36, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop the Intersection of Postal Way and Santa Fe Place.” (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-37, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop the Intersection of the Circle and E. Orange Street (W).” (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-38, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Establishing an All-Way Stop the Intersection of Washington Street and N. Indiana Avenue.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-39, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, awarding a construction contract to Palm Engineering Construction Company, Inc. for the Via Centre Sewer Improvements Project (CIP No. 8381)” and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-40, 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)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-41, 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, and Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26.” and adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2026-03, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27, and Amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2024/25 and 2025/26.” (CC/BSD)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-42, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Agreement with APR Construction, Inc. for Shade Structure Installation Project.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2026
3 PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. FEES FOR RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES (CC)
Margaret Hamer, Recreation & Community Services Director, introduced the item, and Sydney Roff, Management Analyst, provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Lap swim membership is eligible for Youth Scholarship. • Staff have reached out to Silver Sneakers to inquire if they will cover lap swim fees and are waiting to hear back. In case of denial, Councilmember Contreras requested staff to agendize item for potential subsidy program.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-43,
ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED
CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING REVISIONS TO THE
RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES FACILITY RENTAL AND
PROGRAM FEES.”
VOTE: 5-0
PH2. NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING – 165 EUCALYPTUS AVE (CC) Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, introduced the item and provided staff’s report with Clarence Rich, Code Enforcement Manager.
Jeff Laird spoke in support of the nuisance abatement.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers expressed disappointment in the developer for not abating issue earlier. • The City Manager is authorized to abate the nuisance at earliest opportunity. The abatement order will need to be posted for 30 days, on the 31st day, abatement can start. Staff will need to coordinate utility shutoff and contractors to raze the building.
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY FOX TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-44,
ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED
CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 165 EUCALYPTUS AVE (APN 175-306-11-00) CONSTITUTES A PUBLIC
NUISANCE AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ABATE THE
PUBLIC NUISANCE.”
VOTE: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLE BAN AT CITY FACILITIES AND EVENTS (CC) Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, introduced the item and Cassidy McCarthy, Climate Action Plan Program Manager, provided staff’s report.
The following individuals spoke in support of the item:
Joe Houde Travis Krahel Mark Wall
Mark O’Connor Janice Jones Helen Lindner
Sarah Spinks
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2026
4 City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers thanked staff and the Environmental Commission for their work • City Councilmembers discussed concerns regarding enforcement of the ban and what penalties will be implemented. Staff will focus on outreach and education for vendors that violate the ban. • Alternative beverage containers (i.e. aluminum or boxed water bottles), are expensive and may not always be a reasonable option. Staff to provide information on alternatives. • The City Councilmembers discussed mobile water stations and additional permanent water fountains.
• Limit the ban to plastic beverage bottles less than one liter in size. • City Councilmembers recommended an exception be made for selling plastic beverage bottles at youth sporting events and fields.
• Mayor Franklin stated his opposition for banning plastic beverage bottles on venue rentals for vendors.
• Concern about impacting larger events in the City. The City Manager stated the ban would only apply to the City’s booth and other City sponsored booths at events, not private vendors.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO
PREPARE ORDINANCE TO BAN THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE-
USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES LESS THAN ONE LITER IN SIZE ON
CITY PROPERTY WITH EXCEPTION MADE FOR YOUTH SPORTING
EVENTS, BAN THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC
BEVERAGES BOTTLES AT CITY-AFFILIATED EVENTS, AND NO CITY
FUNDS SHALL BE USED TO PURCHASE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOTTLED BEVERAGES FOR THE CITY’S OWN GENERAL USE EXCEPT IN CASES OF EMERGENCY OR DISASTER RELIEF.
VOTE: 4-1 (MAYOR FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
D2. SUPPORTING STATE FUNDING FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES UNDER PROPOSITION 36 (CC)
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell introduced the item.
City Councilmembers stated their support and the need for funding for services.
MOTION BY O’DONNELL, SECOND BY MELENDEZ TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-45, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
SUPPORTING STATE FUNDING FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES UNDER PROPOSITION 36.”
VOTE: 5-0
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley wished Councilmember Melendez a happy birthday, welcomed Aaron Schulze as the City’s new Economic Development Manager and congratulated Shelby Caughron on her promotion to Cultural Arts Program Manager.
Councilmember Jeff Fox congratulated the Boys & Girls Club on their successful gala.
Councilmember Katie Melendez invited residents to come out to Vista Unified School District board meeting workshop on March 11 at 5:00 pm.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2026
5 Councilmember Corinna Contreras reminded everyone that trash pick-up is every Wednesday at Luz Duran Park.
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell announced Encina Wastewater Authority’s “Clear Project”; Cal Cities is on social media; SDG&E extended super off-peak hours through the entire year; happy women’s history month; happy St. Patrick’s Day; and encouraged residents to try the new restaurant, Masa Madre.
Mayor John Franklin announced that Vista Fire Fighters will be in the community of March 11 as part of their annual boot drive supporting the San Diego Burn Institute; and the County of San Diego is currently seeking community input for its Hazard Mitigation Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk