ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D4
Prepared by: Joshua Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager Meeting Date: April 14, 2026 Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion
SUBJECT: STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT PROJECT UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION: Receive an update on the Street Lighting Assessment Project.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety, Fiscal Responsibility, and Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: On January 13, 2026, adopted City Council Resolutions: No. 2026-05, approving a goods purchase contract with Fonroche Lighting America Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385), No. 2026-06, awarding a construction contract to Select Electric, Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385), and No. 2026-07, approving Construction Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Select Electric, Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385) (Vote: 5-0).
On November 12, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-191, 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 (Vote: 5-0).
Please reference Exhibit 1 for a comprehensive list of prior City Council actions.
COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION PRIOR ACTION: On February 12, 2026, the Community Safety Commission unanimously voted to assign scores to requested street light locations to establish a prioritization list (Vote: 5-0, Vargas absent, one vacancy).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Since the City Council initially directed staff to proceed with the 12-light pilot program, the Street Lighting Assessment Project has continued to advance. The pilot was completed in March 2025 and included installations along Cocapah Street, Tatum Street, Spires Street, and Onley Drive. The pilot lights have now been in operation for nearly one year and continue to perform as intended, with no equipment failures or maintenance issues identified by staff.
In November 2025, the City Council further demonstrated its commitment to the program by allocating an additional $500,000 to support the expansion of the solar lighting initiative.
Building on the success of the pilot and the additional funding allocation, the City Council approved Phase 2 of the project on January 13, 2026. This phase includes the installation of 97 additional solar streetlights AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Directed staff to utilize criteria recommendation from the Community Safety Commission, move solar streetlights from Salina Court to East Drive, and develop a solar streetlight petition process that can be used for both requests and to oppose streetlights. Vote: 5-0
ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D4
Prepared by: Joshua Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager Meeting Date: April 14, 2026 Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion
SUBJECT: STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT PROJECT UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION: Receive an update on the Street Lighting Assessment Project.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety, Fiscal Responsibility, and Climate and Environmental Responsibility.
PRIOR ACTION: On January 13, 2026, adopted City Council Resolutions: No. 2026-05, approving a goods purchase contract with Fonroche Lighting America Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385), No. 2026-06, awarding a construction contract to Select Electric, Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385), and No. 2026-07, approving Construction Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Select Electric, Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385) (Vote: 5-0).
On November 12, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-191, 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 (Vote: 5-0).
Please reference Exhibit 1 for a comprehensive list of prior City Council actions.
COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSION PRIOR ACTION: On February 12, 2026, the Community Safety Commission unanimously voted to assign scores to requested street light locations to establish a prioritization list (Vote: 5-0, Vargas absent, one vacancy).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Since the City Council initially directed staff to proceed with the 12-light pilot program, the Street Lighting Assessment Project has continued to advance. The pilot was completed in March 2025 and included installations along Cocapah Street, Tatum Street, Spires Street, and Onley Drive. The pilot lights have now been in operation for nearly one year and continue to perform as intended, with no equipment failures or maintenance issues identified by staff.
In November 2025, the City Council further demonstrated its commitment to the program by allocating an additional $500,000 to support the expansion of the solar lighting initiative.
Building on the success of the pilot and the additional funding allocation, the City Council approved Phase 2 of the project on January 13, 2026. This phase includes the installation of 97 additional solar streetlights AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
04/14/2026 D4 Page 1 of 5
MEETING DATE: April 14, 2026 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT PROJECT UPDATE
throughout the City. Engineering staff is currently coordinating construction and installation under the approved contracts.
As installations have progressed, the City has received a substantial number of additional streetlight requests from both residents and staff (see Exhibit 2).
To ensure a fair, objective, and transparent process for evaluating future installations, staff presented the matter to the Community Safety Commission. The Commission recommended establishing a point-based prioritization system to include:
•High crime rate (2 points)
•High collision area (1 point)
•No existing lighting (1 point)
•High pedestrian activity (1 point)
•No sidewalks (1 point)
•No crosswalk or stop signs (1 point)
•Route to public transportation and/or city center (1 point) Staff recommend utilizing this framework to prioritize Phase 3 installations and ensure that available funding is directed toward locations demonstrating the greatest need. Staff also recognize that new lighting installations may affect adjacent residents and are committed to proactive community outreach. Prior to installation, nearby property owners will be notified in a manner consistent with standard traffic construction notifications. This approach is intended to promote transparency, provide advance awareness, and offer an opportunity for residents to share feedback regarding considerations such as aesthetics and fixture placement.
The City will continue to promote the program and accept requests through established communication channels, including the Our Vista Newsletter, social media, email, requests via verbal communication, and the City’s website.
FISCAL IMPACT: A total of $1,073,838 remains within the project budget. After completing Phase 2 of the program, it is estimated that 70 solar streetlights can be installed for Phase 3.
EXHIBITS:
1.Prior City Council Actions
2.List of Current Streetlight Requests
04/14/2026 D4 Page 2 of 5
STREETLIGHTING ASSESSMENT PROJECT
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
On January 13, 2026, adopted City Council Resolutions: No. 2026-05, approving a goods purchase contract with Fonroche Lighting America Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385), No. 2026-06, awarding a construction contract to Select Electric, Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385), and No. 2026-07, approving Construction Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Select Electric, Inc. for the Solar Streetlight Project (CIP No. 8385) (Vote: 5-0).
On November 12, 2025, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2025-191, 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 (Vote: 5-0).
On February 25, 2025, received an update on the Street Lighting Assessment Project (CIP No. 8385) (Vote: No Vote Taken).
On June 11, 2024, the City Council received an update on the Street Lighting Assessment Project.
Directed staff to install solar lights in the identified 66 locations, allocate the remainder of funds for additional solar light, and organize a community workshop for input on potential locations of lights around residential, commercial, and parks. Directed City Attorney to investigate recourse against SDG&E (Vote: 5-0).
On May 14, 2024, discussed the Street Lighting Assessment Project and directed staff to begin pilot program of 12 solar streetlights; continue to work with SDG&E to evaluate 45 existing wood electrical poles for new streetlights; initiate design and construction of 21 new concrete pole electric streetlights; and return to the City Council within 30 days to report (1) options for retrofitting traditional concrete poles with solar power; (2) ability to connect solar streetlights to electrical power; and (3) experience of the City of Los Angeles Solar Light Program (Vote: 4-0, Green absent).
On October 5, 2023, discussed the status of the City's Climate Action Plan and provided direction to staff (No vote taken).
On October 11, 2022, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2022-151 awarding a contract to STC Traffic, Inc. for City lighting assessment and consulting services (Vote: 4-0, Green absent).
On September 28, 2021, adopted City Council Resolution no. 2021-168, amending the operating budget for fiscal years 2021/22 and 2022/23 (Vote: 3-2, Contreras and Melendez opposed). On
September 14, 2021, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2021-140, amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2021/22 and 2022/23, with the revised appropriation of the $275,000 allocated for one Sheriff's Deputy to the Lighting Landscape and Maintenance line item (Vote: 3-0, Ritter and Green absent).
On August 24, 2021, discussed priorities for allocating excess cannabis revenues and approved funding for the following: 1) cannabis decoy and enforcement operations, 2) youth cannabis prevention and early intervention, 3) youth scholarships, 4) increased lighting in neighborhoods, 5) increased park restroom maintenance and 6) addition of one Sheriff's deputy and two Park Directors/Enforcers (Vote on items 1-5, 5-0; Vote on item 6:
3-2, Contreras and Melendez opposed).
04/14/2026 D4 Page 3 of 5
EXHIBIT 1
Address or Cross Street (where you are requesting the streetlight)/Dirección o cruce de calle (donde solicita la farola) 1 Orange street / Citrus ave
2 1002 Anza Ave (c/o Anza & Smith @ property address)
3 1025 Bartlett Dr
4 1027 Bartlett Drive, Vista CA 92083
5 1134 Woodrail Dr. Vista, Calif. 92083
6 1176 Tres Ninos Corte
7 1217 Cinchona St and also along the street are some dark areas 8 1225 maryland drive, vista 92083
9 1284 Amador Ave vista ca 92083
10 The Circle
11 130 The Cir Vista CA 92084
12 1343 Tower Dr
13 1700 block of Rush Avenue
14 1829 Watson way, vista
15 309 N Melrose Dr Vista, CA
16 321 N Melrose drive in front of Melrose Park condos to olive and around to bus stop 17 345 N Melrose Dr (Melrose Condominiums)
18 355 N Melrose
19 404 Hillway Dr/cross with Peach Grove Lane
20 525 durian street
21 526 Huff Street
22 548 Lado de Loma drive
23 715 Bozanich Cir Vista Ca 92084 - cross street is Crescent 24 800 N Citrus and Townsite
25 932 Warmlands Avenue
26 Warmlands Ave and Vista Grande dr
27 964 Wellpott place (cul de sac)
28 Along Guajome next to Mercantile
29 Around the intxn. of The Circle and Massachusetts Ave/E California; N Citrus, E Indian Rock & the intxn. of E Indian Rock & Townsite Dr. 30 Bartlett Drive/ East Drive , Vista
31 Beaumont Circle / Beaumont Drive
32 Bonair rd/ Monte Mar Rd
33 c/o W Vista Way & Nettleton
34 Capri Drive (along City of Vista "Conservancy" Trail) 04/14/2026 D4 Page 4 of 5EXHIBIT 2
35 Dolphin Circle
36 E. California & N. Citrus
37 East side of N Melrose Dr. between 309 and 387 N Melrose Dr 38 East Vista Way & Taylor St
39 Eddie dr/ Lado de loma
40 Edna way
41 Eklund court/Tower
42 Elm
43 Gannet Drive
44 Hampton Ct and Richard Ln (see email request)
45 Hillway Dr cross with Peach Grove Lane
46 Mynah Pl-Vista (a very dark culdesac)
47 N MELROSE DR BETWEEN COPPER AND OLIVE ALSO RIGH IN OLIVE TOWARDS BUS STOP 48 N Melrose drive between copper and olive
49 North Melrose drive in front of Melrose condos
50 On Copper St and Plymouth area
51 Pala vista drive and mercantile st
52 Penguin Cir. and Swallow Dr
53 Smith dr and Frances
54 Smith Dr, / Newport Terrace/ Lonsdale
55 Star Lodge 1915 W Vista Way
56 Sycamore between Brookhaven and Shopping Center area (see pic) 57 TEELIN, KELLEEN & LAGEN OFF INDIAN ROCK
58 The turn off onto Marlin Dr from Eucalyptus Ave (the streetlights are only on 50% of the time at night) 59 walking path by the library
60 West Connecticut
04/14/2026 D4 Page 5 of 5