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 24, 2026
The March 24, 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 5:31 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
Mike Sylvia Finance Director
Natalie Jacobs Human Resources Director
Chris Mitchell Information Technology Director
Chris Arce Public Works Director
Margaret Hamer Recreation & Community Services Director Matt Atteberry Engineering Division Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell 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. A revised Agenda was published prior to the meeting on March 20, 2026 removing Item D1 Agreement for Concession Services at the Moonlight Amphitheatre.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to Public Arts Commissioners Kari Jobe, Amanda May-Fitzgerald, Susan Stuber, Karrie Winchester, Sarah Spinks, and Ivan Arce, declaring April 2026 as “Arts, Culture & Creativity Month” in the City of Vista.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the City Council via Zoom:
• Jill Bates spoke about creating a new heritage month.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 24, 2026
2 • Madison Rapp spoke about the dangers of cannabis.
• Terri Ann Skelly spoke about the dangers of cannabis.
Eight callers, during Oral Communication and throughout the meeting, were cut off during their comments when they violated Vista Municipal Code Sections 2.12.150.C and 2.12.150.D.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY MELENDEZ, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Received the February 2026 Check Register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
March 10, 2026 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA)
C3. Confirmed Mayor Franklin and Councilmember Contreras’ recommendations for appointments to various commissions, boards, and committees. (CC)
C4. Received Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending February 28, 2026. (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-46, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Public Arts Commission’s Selected Kites Over Vista For Display” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-47, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Arens Group, Inc. for As-Needed Real Property Appraisal Services” and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-48, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Hendrickson Appraisal Company, Inc. for As-Needed Real Property Appraisal Services ” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-49, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with CXT Incorporated for the Purchase of a Restroom Facility for the Wildwood Park Restroom Upgrade Project (CIP No. 8397).” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-50, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving Construction Change Order No. 3 to the Contract with Baker Electric & Renewables, LLC for the Traffic Signal Interconnect for Emerald Drive Poinsettia Avenue and N. Melrose Drive (CIP No. 8294).” (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-51, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with the City of Carlsbad for the Preliminary Design of the Vista/Carlsbad Interceptor Sewer Reach VC3 and Buena Pump Station.” (CC)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-52, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Michael Baker International, Inc. for Engineering Services for the E. Vista Way Raised Median Project (CIP No. 8391).” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 24, 2026
3 C11. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-53, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving and Executing a Sixth Amendment to the Contract with Essenco, Inc. for Catered Meal Services.” (CC)
C12. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-54, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Senior Citizens Affairs Commission 2025-26 Workplan.” (CC)
C13. Received and filed the City of Vista Wastewater Rate Study; received and filed the Buena Sanitation District Wastewater Rate Study; and set a Public Hearing for May 26, 2026 for City of Vista and Buena Sanitation District Sewer Service Charges for Fiscal Years 2026/27 through 2028/29. (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. 2026-2027 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (CC) Jonathan Lung, Housing and Homeless Services Program Manager, introduced the item and Johannah Knieff, Management Analyst, provided staff’s report.
The following members of the public spoke in support of the item:
• Jessica Munoz, Voices for Children • Danni Hickey, Fraternity House • Michael Delgado, Heavy Breathing
Foundation
• Lisa Archibald, Project REACH
• Lisa Turner, Palomar Family Counseling
Services
• Mabi Castro, Lifeline Community Services
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers thanked staff and the CDBG Advisory Board for their recommendations. • Councilmember Contreras requested a list of CDBG Block Grant funded Capital Improvement Projects.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO CLOSE THE
PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN A 30-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD FOR THE PROPOSED 2026-2027 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN TO SOLICIT COMMUNITY INPUT.
VOTE: 4-0-1 (FOX ABSTAINED)
PH2. AMENDMENTS TO VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8.78 SIDEWALK VENDING
REQUIREMENTS (CC)
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item, and Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• The amendments are to make the City’s code consistent with recent changes to the state law regarding sidewalk vendors.
• Councilmember Contreras requested staff to prepare a resource in English and Spanish outlining steps to becoming a sidewalk vendor.
• Mayor Franklin expressed his opposition to the item due to a severability clause making the need for amendments moot.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL, TO CLOSE THE
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 24, 2026
4 PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2026-02, ENTITLED, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 8.78 OF THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING SIDEWALK VENDOR REQUIREMENTS.”
VOTE: 4-1 (MAYOR FRANKLIN OPPOSED)
DISCUSSION
D1. AGREEMENT FOR CONCESSION SERVICES AT THE MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE This item was removed from the Agenda.
D2. JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (CC) Margaret Hamer, Director of Recreation and Community Services, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Fox spoke about the Bobier Elementary Community Center, partnering with VUSD on future projects, and the need for additional pools. • Deputy Mayor O’Donnell requested that all sports fields and gyms be accessible to youth and to make cool zones a priority.
• Councilmember Contreras requested a GIS mapping layer to be added for available facilities for public use and a coordinating calendar.
DISCUSSED CURRENT JOINT USE AGREEMENT WITH VISTA UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND RECEIVED CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION TO DEVELOP A NEW JOINT USE AGREEMENT.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
D3. AVENIDA DE BENITO JUAREZ POCKET PARK (CIP 8336) (CC) Margaret Hamer, Director of Recreation and Community Services, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers discussed options for the existing tree. An arborist recommended removing the tree due to potential root damage during construction of the park. Councilmember Contreras requested a historical review of the tree as it may have significance in the community.
Deputy Mayor O’Donnell suggested removal of tree and installation of a commemorative sculpture or plaque.
• City Councilmembers discussed the name of the park. By consensus, it was agreed to shorten the name to “Benito Juarez Park”. The name will be used temporarily until a permanent one has been chosen.
• Councilmember Contreras requested streetlighting within ¼ mile of the park and grass to be installed instead of artificial turf.
• City Councilmembers discussed the water misting feature and requested staff to look into various options for collecting and/or recycling of water. Deputy Mayor O’Donell requested that the water mister only be in operation when the weather reaches a certain temperature. • Deputy Mayor O’Donnell requested that the curbs surrounding the park be painted red.
REVIEWED THE AVENIDA DE BENITO JUAREZ POCKET PARK PROJECT
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
MARCH 24, 2026
5 AND PROVIDED DIRECTION ON STREET LIGHTING, TEMPORARILY NAMING THE PARK “BENITO JUAREZ PARK”, INSTALL A WATER MISTING STATION,
PREPARE SHADE TREE DESIGN OPTIONS, INSTALL GRASS, EVALUATE CISTERN OPTIONS, AND PAINT CURBS RED.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley thanked the Mayor and City Councilmembers for attending the Employee Awards dinner and wished a happy birthday to City Attorney Walter Chung.
Councilmember Katie Melendez attended a recent Clean Energy Alliance board meeting; and celebrated Black American Garrett Morgan who invented the three-light traffic signal.
Councilmember Corinna Contreras attended the SANDAG board retreat and took public transport to the retreat in Jamul; reported from the retreat of a general consensus in North County to finish the Inland Rail Trail.
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell announced that the traffic signal at Dawson & Melrose will be active starting the following week; he will be hosting an e-bike Townhall on April 19.
Mayor John Franklin acknowledged the City Employee Awards Winners: John Torres, Mayor’s Excellence in Service; Chris Schuchart, Manager of the Year; and Shelby Caughron, Employee of the Year.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk