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
JUNE 23, 2026
The June 23, 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 5:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor John Franklin
Corinna Contreras, Katie Melendez, Jeff Fox
COUNCIL MEMBER ABSENT
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell
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
Patsy Chow Assistant 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Melendez 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 to Parks & Recreation Commission members Debbie Piper, Rachel Beld, Letha McWey, and Shunya Wade, and Recreation & Community Services staff, declaring July 2026 as “Parks and Recreation Month” in the City of Vista.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2026
2 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the City Council in person:
• Patty Taylor spoke regarding safety concerns on Spyglass Circle when golfers do not use the golf cart path.
• Omer Acikel spoke about enforcement regulations on Short Term Rentals.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council via Zoom:
• Justin Searcy spoke about concerns of the pickleball court noise levels at Thibodo Park. • Madison Rapp spoke about a study regarding youth cannabis consumption. • Becky Rapp spoke about opposition to a potential law to allow drive-through cannabis sales. • Judi Strang spoke in opposition to kratom being sold in local convenience stores.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY MELENDEZ, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
C1. Received and filed the May 2026 Check Register. (CC)
C2. Approved the following meeting minutes:
June 9, 2026 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA)
C3. Received and filed Treasurer’s Cash Report for the month ending April 30, 2026. (CC)
C4. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-110, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to AdminSure, Inc. for Third-Party Administration of Workers’ Compensation Claims.” (CC)
C5. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-111, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Ascent Environmental Inc. for Professional Consulting Services for the Climate Action Plan Update.” (CC)
C6. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-112, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Vortex Services, LLC dba Sancon Technologies for the Sanitation Manhole Rehabilitation Project (CIP No. 8244)”; and adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2026-09, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District Awarding a Contract to Vortex Services, LLC dba Sancon Technologies for the Sanitation Manhole Rehabilitation Project (CIP No. 8244).” (CC/BSD)
C7. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-113, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Scheidel Professional Corporation dba Scheidel Engineering for Professional Services for the North Santa Fe Avenue Sewer Capacity Improvements Project (CIP No. 8394).” (CC)
C8. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-114, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Granting an Easement for Electrical Facilities to San Diego Gas & Electric on APNs 175-272-10 and 175-272-11 and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Easement.” (CC)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2026
3 C9. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-115, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Contract with Downstream Services, Inc. for As- Needed Large Diameter Sewer Line Cleaning and CCTV Inspection Services”; and adopted Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2026-10, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Approving a Contract with Downstream Services, Inc. for As-Needed Large Diameter Sewer Line Cleaning and CCTV Inspection Services.” (CC/BSD)
C10. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-116, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Calling and Giving Notice that a General Municipal Election Will Be Held on November 3, 2026, for the Election of Certain Officers, and Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the county of San Diego Consolidate the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election to Be Held on the Same Date, Pursuant to Section 10403 of the Elections Code.” (CC)
C11. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-117, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Public Arts Commission’s Recommendation to Install Five Murals for Public Display in Five Different Locations.” (CC)
PUBLIC HEARING
PH1. AMENDMENTS TO VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.12 (CC) Walter Chung, City Attorney, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY FOX TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, INTRODUCE AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 2026-06, ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING CHAPTER 2.12 OF THE VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE CITY COUNCIL.”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
PH2. COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE RATES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026/27 THROUGH 2030/31 (CC)
Leslie Webb Blanco, Administrative Programs Manager, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
City Clerk Kathy Valdez announced that one protest letter was received by the close of the public hearing.
Hazan Albert R. Jr. spoke in opposition to the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• The current franchise agreement with EDCO allows for Consumer Price Index inflationary increases and tipping fees.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-118, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA,
ESTABLISHING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE RATES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2026/27 THROUGH 2030/31.” MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2026
4 PH3. COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT 2025 WEED ABATEMENT CHARGES (CC) Josh Sino Cruz, Management Analyst, introduced the item and provided staff’s report. Fire Chief Gerard Washington answered questions from the City Council.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• The Fire Department is working on a program with California Conservation Corps (CCC) to provide assistance to those who are financially unable to abate their properties. • Fire Department staff will provide a presentation on the CCC programs at a future meeting.
MOTION BY FOX, SECOND BY CONTRERAS, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-119, ENTITLED, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND CONFIRMING A REPORT AND ACCOUNT FOR
ABATEMENT OF WEEDS, SHRUBS, DEAD TREES, AND WASTE MATTER FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26, AND ORDERING THE ASSESSMENT OF UNPAID CHARGES.”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
DISCUSSION
D1. REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION (CC)
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers stated their support for allowing for a 400 word candidate statement.
MOTION BY CONTRERAS, SECOND BY FRANKLIN, TO ESTABLISH THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WORDS, 400, TO BE PERMITTED IN A CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT OF
QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE OFFICES OF MAYOR AND MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION; AND ADOPT CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026-120, ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION.”
MOTION CARRIED: 4-0 (O’DONNELL ABSENT)
D2. PROCESS TO RESOLVE A TIE VOTE FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION (CC)
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers stated their support for allowing a tie vote to be determined by lot due to the high cost of holding a stand-alone election.
DISCUSSED THE PROCESS TO RESOLVE A TIE VOTE FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND ELECTED TO TAKE NO ACTION, ALLOWING THE DECISION TO BE DETERMINED BY LOT.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2026
5 D3. PROP L RESERVE UPDATE (CC)
Mike Sylvia, Director of Finance, introduced the item and provided staff’s report.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Councilmember Contreras asked staff about plans for a community center at the Vista Sports Park. Staff stated that a community center was originally included in the proposal but due to budgetary limitations, was cut from the project. Councilmember Contreras requested a future agenda topic on a community center at the Vista Sports Park. • Maintenance of buildings funded by Prop L is included in the Facilities Master Plan; Prop L funds should be prioritized for this purpose. Look at long term projections of costs. • Compose a City Council Policy for future Prop L reserve strategy.
DISCUSSED THE PROP L RESERVE BALANCE AND DIRECTED STAFF DEVELOP A POLICY ESTABLISHING A PROP L RESERVE STRATEGY FOR CONSIDERATION.
NO VOTE TAKEN.
D4. PROCLAMATION FOR CHRISTIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH (CC) Mayor Franklin introduced the item.
James Fox spoke in opposition to the item.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• Mayor Franklin stated that the proposed proclamation does not acknowledge one faith over another.
• Councilmember Melendez said that prior City Councils’ presented proclamations to ethnic groups but not religious groups. She acknowledged the comprehensive history of Christianity in the United States and the forced conversion of Native Americans in the name of Christianity. • Councilmember Contreras did not believe that the proposed proclamation is appropriate for the City Council and did not recall any past religious-based proclamation. Asked staff to identify prior religious-group proclamations.
• Councilmember Fox acknowledged the numerous faith-based groups in the City and would like to honor their community volunteer efforts.
Contreras made a substitute motion to table the discussion prior to the following vote. No second was received.
MOTION BY FRANKLIN, SECOND BY FOX, TO AGENDIZE A PROCLAMATION FOR CHRISTIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.
MOTION FAILED: 2-2 (FRANKLIN AND FOX IN FAVOR, CONTRERAS AND MELENDEZ OPPOSED, O’DONNELL ABSENT)
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley wished Councilmember Fox a happy birthday.
Councilmember Jeff Fox will be attending an economic development conference in Denver.
Councilmember Katie Melendez encouraged residents to reach out to Clean Energy Alliance with any questions or concerns on their energy bill; encouraged residents to participate in the Independence Day celebration activities; and wished Councilmember Fox a happy birthday.
CONSOLIDATED MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2026
6 Councilmember Corinna Contreras wished Councilmember Fox a happy birthday; reminded everyone that trash pick-up is every Wednesday at Luz Duran Park; encouraged residents to participate in the Independence Day celebration activities; and continues to advocate for the Inland Rail Trail.
Mayor Franklin announced the City is offering a free e-bike safety training class on July 11; the next free Movie in the Park is July 11 at the Brengle Terrace Park; and invited residents to attend the Independence Day Celebration on July 4 at Brengle Terrace Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk