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
APRIL 14, 2026
The April 14, 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 3:30 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, Jeff Fox, Katie Melendez (appeared remotely via videoconference due to illness)
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin recessed the meeting at 3:31 p.m. and called for a Closed Session for the following:
CS1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code Section 54957): (CC)
Title of Position of Employee Being Evaluated: City Attorney
CS2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(1)): (CC)
Facts and circumstances might result in litigation not yet known to plaintiffs.
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:10 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:33 p.m.
Motion by Franklin, Second by Fox, to allow Councilmember Melendez to participate in the meeting remotely for just cause. Motion carried: 4-0
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 Mitchell Information Technology Director
Chris Arce Public Works Director
Margaret Hamer Recreation & Community Services Director
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin stated there were no reportable actions from Closed Session.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2026
2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Fox led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Franklin convened the meeting in honor of the memory of Alan E. “Spike” Harvey.
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 recognizing the following recipients of the 2025 City of Vista Employee Awards:
• John Torres, Mayor’s Excellence in Service
• Chris Schuchardt, Manager of the Year
• Shelby Caughron, Employee of the Year
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to EDCO General Manager Matthew Cleary and Vista Field Representative Chris Spielmaker declaring April 2026 as “Earth Month” in the City of Vista.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the City Council in person:
• Scott Guerrero spoke about the lack of bathrooms at the Brengle Terrace pickleball courts. • Tammie Young spoke about a potential shelter location.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council via Zoom:
• Barbara Gordon spoke about intoxicating hemp products on the market. • Becky Rapp spoke about the health risks of cannabis consumption. • Madison Rapp spoke about the public safety risks of high THC products. • Terri Ann Skelly spoke about impact of secondhand tobacco and cannabis vapor. • Trina Preece spoke about the negative effects of drug use in teens and young adults. • Peggy Walker spoke about protecting communities from cannabis harms. • Claudia spoke on concerns about secondhand smoke.
• Rufina Carreon spoke on concerns about secondhand smoke.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY FOX, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
C1. Approved the following meeting minutes:
March 24, 2026 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA) March 18, 2026 Special Meeting (CC)
April 2, 2026 Workshop Meeting (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2026
3 C2. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-55, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Construction Contract to L.C. Paving & Sealing, Inc. for the 2026 Pedestrian Mobility Sidewalks – Sunset Drive Sidewalk Project (CIP No. 8290) (CC)
C3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-56, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Rick Engineering Company for Professional Services for the Avenida De Benito Juarez Pocket Park Project (CIP No. 8336) (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-57, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for Professional Consulting Services for the Sustainable Mobility Plan (CIP No. 8384)”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-58, 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)
C5. This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-60, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Results of a Request for Proposals for Banking Services and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.” (CC)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-61, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intent to Set a Public Hearing for Collection of Delinquent Solid Waste Charges.” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-62, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Declaring Its Intent to Set a Public Hearing for Collection of Delinquent Property Related Administrative Citation Charges.” (CC)
C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-63, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Ordering the Preparation of and Approving an Engineer’s Report on the City of Vista Landscape and Lighting District No. 1 Assessments for the 2026/27 Fiscal Year, Declaring Its Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments, and Setting the Date for Public Hearing”; adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-64, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Ordering that an Engineer Prepare a Report of Assessment to be Levied, Determining the Cost of Services and the Amount of Assessment to be Imposed on All Assessable Property Within the City of Vista Street Maintenance District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2026/27 Pursuant to the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 and Setting the Date for Public Hearing”; and adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026- 65, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Ordering the Preparation of and Approving an Engineer’s Report on the City of Vista South Melrose Landscape Maintenance District Assessments for the 2026/27 Fiscal Year, Declaring Its Intent to Levy and Collect Assessments, and Setting the Date for Public Hearing”. (CC)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-66, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Promissory Note Secured by a Deed of Trust for a $500,000 Loan to LLJ Cross Park, LLC, to Facilitate Demolition of the Existing Structures Located at 165 Eucalyptus Avenue (APN 175-306-11-00).” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2026
4 ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
C5. FINAL MAP – 2123 N. SANTA FE AVENUE (P21-0300) (CC) Patsy Chow, Assistant Director of Community Development, introduced the item and Amy Harrison, Assistant Engineer, provided staff’s report.
Arlene Tendick and Lisa Sanders, representatives from project developer Lennar, answered questions from the City Council.
Mary Cottle spoke in opposition to the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras stated her opposition to the project and made a motion to reject the final map.
• City Councilmembers posed questions to staff and developer representatives raised by a resident regarding various issues. Many of the issues have been addressed and/or resolved.
Mayor Franklin directed staff to investigate any loose wiring on utility poles at the project site. • Fencing plans to block traffic headlights have been submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval.
• Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC&Rs) will get recorded with the final map.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY FOX TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-59 ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A FINAL MAP FOR FORTY-SIX SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES LOCATED AT 2123 N. SANTA FE AVENUE (APN: 159-240-07-00).”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 (CONTRERAS OPPOSED)
DISCUSSION
D1. AGREEMENT FOR CONCESSION SERVICES AT THE MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE (CC) Margaret Hamer, Director of Recreation and Community Services, introduced the item and Sydney Roff, Management Analyst, provided staff’s report.
The following members of the public spoke on the item:
• Rachel Beld, Vista Chamber of Commerce
• Kasey Swinford, DLS Events
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Definition of “local vendor” and ability to include consideration for local vendors in future RFPs. • Benefit of periodic surveys of season ticketholders to get feedback on concession performance. • Appreciation for Bread & Cheese Eatery and their partnership. • Staff will review the contract with DLS Events, LLC in one year and consider amendments before any contract extension is offered.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-67 ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN AGREEMENT
WITH DLS EVENTS LLC FOR CONCESSION SERVICES AT THE MOONLIGHT AMPHITHEATRE.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2026
5 D2. AMENDMENT TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM CONTRACT (CC) Natalie Jacobs, Director of Human Resources, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
Michael Saldana spoke in support of the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers thanked staff and the members of the VFFA.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO ADOPT CITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-68 ENTITLED “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, STATING ITS INTENTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S
SAFETY CONTRACT WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
RETIREMENT SYSTEM (CALPERS), TO DESIGNATE FIRE PREVENTION EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 20434.”
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
D3. PENSION FUNDING STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS UNFUNDED ACTUARIAL LIABILITIES (CC) Mike Sylvia, Director of Finance, introduced the item and Mike Meyer, Vice President of NHA Advisors, gave the item’s presentation.
Jim Kelley spoke on the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers discussed different investment strategies. • Mayor Franklin stated his support for more aggressive investments and to move $20,000,000 out of the City’s emergency fund to the Section 115 pension trust; Councilmember Contreras stated she is not in favor of moving funds out of the emergency fund. • City Councilmembers asked staff to gather further information from investment advisors and to bring back for discussion as part of the Year End Fund Balance.
DIRECTED STAFF TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION FROM INVESTMENT
ADVISORS AND BRING BACK FOR DISCUSSION AS PART OF THE YEAR END FUND BALANCE.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
D4. STREET LIGHTING ASSESSMENT PROJECT UPDATE (CC)
Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, introduced the item and provided staff’s report. Gabe Grewe, Capital Projects Manager, answered questions from the City Council.
Jeanne Chick spoke in opposition to street lights being installed on Salina Court..
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras requested moving the solar streetlights proposed for Salina Court to East Drive.
• Support for using the criteria recommendations from the Community Safety Commission. • Immediate neighbors are notified via door hangers and a sign at the site of the proposed light prior to installation beginning .
• Need for a petition process to both request and oppose streetlights.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
APRIL 14, 2026
6 MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY FOX TO DIRECT 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.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0.
D5. THE CIRCLE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS (CC)
Councilmember Contreras introduced the item. Husam Hasenin, Traffic Engineering Division Manager, provided staff’s report.
The following members of the public spoke in support of the item:
•Priss Fuentes
•Teresa Delgado (via Zoom)
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
•Councilmember Contreras proposed installation of sidewalks on N. Indiana Avenue from E.
Orange Drive to Washington Street, installation of high visibility crosswalks and installation of speed bumps in alleyway as proposed by staff. Requested staff to review traffic control measures at the intersection of The Circle and N. Indiana Avenue. •City Councilmembers expressed support for Councilmember Contreras proposal. The sidewalk improvement project is currently #8 on the CDBG Capital Improvement Project list but will now move to the top priority position.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY O’DONNELL TO DIRECT STAFF TO INSTALL SIDEWALKS ON N. INDIANA AVENUE FROM E. ORANGE DRIVE
TO WASHINGTON STREET, INSTALL HIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALKS, AND INSTALL SPEED BUMPS IN ALLEY AS PROPOSED BY STAFF; AND TO
REVIEW TRAFFIC CONTROL MEASURES AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CIRCLE AND N. INDIANA AVENUE.
MOTION CARRIED: 5-0
REMARKS
Councilmember Corinna Contreras reminded everyone that trash pick-up is every Wednesday at Luz Duran Park.
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell announced that the sidewalks on Sunset are scheduled to be installed in the summer and he will be hosting an E-Bike Townhall meeting on April 19.
Mayor John Franklin announced that the City is celebrating Earth Month with a tree planting event on April 18, free mulch and compost event on April 17, and a Buena Vista Creek Trail cleanup event on April 25.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
____________________________________
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk