Consolidated Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2026
The August 25, 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 5:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor John Franklin, Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell
Corinna Contreras, Katie Melendez, Jeff Fox
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin called for a Closed Session at 5:01 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8: (CC)
Property Address: APNs 217-011-45, 217-011-47, 217-011-15 Agency Negotiator: City Manager John Conley, Assistant City Manager Imelda Huerta Negotiating Parties: Green Oak Ranch
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:26 p.m. and called the meeting to order in Open Session at 5:31 p.m.
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
John Conley City Manager
Walter Chung City Attorney
David LaDieu Sheriff’s Captain
Gerard Washington Fire Chief
Kathy Valdez City Clerk
Imelda Huerta Assistant City Manager
Joe Vacca Community Development Director
Matt Atteberry Acting 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
City Attorney Walter Chung stated there were no reportable actions from Closed Session.
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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.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation to John Malan, declaring August 26, 2026 as “Commander John Malan Day” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation honoring local heroes Alex Landin and Chris Madero.
P3. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a proclamation honoring local hero Jorge Lopez.
Oral Communications
The following members of the public addressed the City Council in person:
•Steve Harvey spoke in opposition to the Sky Haven Apartment project. •Joe Frischmann spoke in opposition to the Sky Haven Apartment project. •Adina Flores spoke about civil rights concerns and City Councilmembers Statements of Economic Interest.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council via Zoom:
•Becky Rapp spoke about the rise of cannabis use disorder. •Judy Stroyer spoke about free speech.
•Peggy Walker spoke about substance abuse prevention.
•CarIos spoke about second and third hand smoke.
•Omer Acikel spoke about concerns regarding a short-term rental property. •Ja’Mondre Black addressed the City Council.
•Madison spoke about cannabis packaging that is attractive towards children.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by O’Donnell, Second by Franklin, to approve the following Consent Calendar.
Motion carried: 5-0
C1. Appointments to Fill Commission Vacancies (CC)
Confirmed the recommendations of appointments to fill vacancies on various Commissions.
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C2. Approval of Minutes (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA)
Approved the August 11, 2026 Consolidated Meeting minutes.
C3. Agreement with RGC General Engineering, Inc. for As-Needed Asphalt, Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Restoration Services (CC)
Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-146, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Agreement with RGC General Engineering, Inc. for As-Needed Asphalt, Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Restoration Services.”
C4. Approval of Partner Agreements for Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Award (CC)
1. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-147, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with Vista Unified School District to Provide Services Related to the Board of State and Community Corrections Grant Award.”
2. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-148, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with the San Diego Association of Governments to Provide Services Related to the Board of State and Community Corrections Grant Award.”
3. Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-149, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving an Agreement with San Diego County Sheriff’s Office to Provide Services Related to the Board of State and Community Corrections Grant Award.”
C5. Agreement with Diamond Designs, LLC for the Brengle Terrace Park Ballfields Renovation Project (CC)
Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-150, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving the Agreement with Diamond Designs, LLC for the Brengle Terrace Park Ballfields Renovation Project.”
C6. Final Map – 1800 Monte Vista Drive (P24-0139) (CC)
Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-151, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving a Final Map for Nineteen Single-Family Homes Located at 1800 Monte Vista Drive (APN: 181-022-05-00).”
Vote: 4-1 (Contreras opposed)
C7. Settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Matthew McComas (CC) Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-152, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Matthew McComas in the Amount of $172,042.50.”
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DISCUSSION
D1. Buena Creek Navigation Center Renewal Options (CC)
Jonathan Lung, Housing and Homeless Services Program Administrator, introduced the item and Catalina Lagan, Management Analyst, provided staff’s report.
The following members of the public spoke in support of the item:
• Andre Weese
• Hannah Gailey
• Daniel Sturman (via Zoom)
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers expressed appreciation to all of the staff at BCNC and how successful the program has become.
• City Councilmembers discussed the need to find a permanent navigation center location.
• Mayor Franklin asked staff to partner with a charitable organization that can help raise funding for the project.
Motion by Melendez, Second by Contreras to direct staff to return to prepare contract amendment for an additional year of funding and to seek partnerships with organizations to raise funding for the project.
Motion carried: 5-0
D2. Street Lighting Assessment Project Update (CC)
London Adams, Management Analyst, provided staff’s repor and Gabe Grewe, Senior Engineer, answered questions from the City Council.
The following members of the public spoke on the item:
• “Call-In-User”
City Councilmembers expressed support for the streetlight project and the new community petition process.
Motion by O’Donnell, Second by Contreras to adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-153, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Adopting City Council Policy 600-14 Establishing a Community Petition Process for Streetlight Installations.”
Motion carried: 5-0
D3. Commission Appointment Process (CC)
Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
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The following members of the public spoke on the item:
•Janis Jones
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
•Deputy Mayor O’Donnell asked staff to draft amendments to the appointment procedures. He stated that he would like to see a set timeline for a Councilmember to appoint a commissioner. If that appointment goes unfilled after the deadline, the appointment will then go to the senior councilmember for appointment.
•Staff noted that the appointment procedure would apply to most commissions, with the exception of Investment Advisory, CVBID, Youth, and Homelessness.
Directed staff to draft amendments to the commission appointment procedures for consideration.
No vote taken.
D4. Movies in the Park Program Expansion at Luz Duran Park (CC) Councilmember Contreras introduced the item.
Margaret Hamer, Director of Recreation & Community Services, and Rob Anderson, Recreation & Community Services Operation Manager, answered questions from the City Council.
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
•City Councilmembers expressed support for movie event being added to Luz Duran Park.
•Staff noted that events at Luz Duran Park have an extra cost of cleaning the artificial turf.
•Mayor Franklin asked staff to look into the cost of purchasing projector, screen, and speakers.
Directed staff to add an additional Movie in the Park event at Luz Duran Park to the annual schedule.
No vote taken.
REMARKS
City Manager John Conley welcomed Vista’s new Sheriff’s Captain, David LaDieu and thanked Commander Malan’s service as the Vista Sheriff’s Office’s Captain.
Councilmember Jeff Fox thanked Commander Malan and wished him well.
Councilmember Katie Melendez thanked the City Council for their comments.
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Councilmember Corinna Contreras continues to advocate for the NCTD grade separation at Vista Village Dr.
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell thanked Commander Malan and is looking forward to working with Captain LaDieu; he thanked staff for their work on the Sunset sidewalk project; and advocated for pool safety for children.
Mayor Franklin encouraged residents to take precautions during the issued Heat Advisory; and announced that the bocce ball courts are closed for renovations and are expected to reopen in October.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk