Consolidated Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
The September 8, 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 4:03 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 4:04 p.m. for the following:
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(1): (CC)
No. of cases: Two
RECESS, OPEN SESSION, AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Franklin recessed the Closed Session at 5:24 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 Schuchardt GIS Manager
Chris Arce Public Works Director
Margaret Hamer Recreation & Community Services Director
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Franklin stated there were no reportable actions from Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Contreras led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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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 Jacqueline Vervins and other members of the Santa Margarita chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, declaring September 17-23, 2026 as “Constitution Week” in the City of Vista.
P2. The Mayor and City Councilmembers presented a Letter of Appreciation to Guerrer@s en Acción por un Vista Limpio volunteers.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the City Council in person:
• Sara Gengler gave support for council members.
• Darcy Thompson spoke about civic education.
• Caroline Theiss-Aird thanked the City for the recent infrastructure improvements and thanked the Fire Department for their response to the Brengle Fire. • Barbara Garcia thanked the Fire Department for their response to the Brengle Fire; thanked school staff for communication during the extreme heat advisory; and thanked City staff for their communications.
• Carol Jefferies spoke about traffic calming measures and requested more cool zones with longer hours.
• Gabrielle Jackson spoke about maintenance of private easement streets. • Ann Pate spoke about 165 Eucalyptus Ave.
• Gayle Martin spoke about streetlight and traffic calming. • Rachel Beld spoke thanked the Fire Department for their response to the Brengle Fire and invited residents to come out to Vista’s Fiestas Patrias on September 13 at the Linda Rhoades Rec Center.
• Phil Church thanked the Fire Department for their response to the Brengle Fire and commented about the notification system; and spoke about traffic calming issues.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Melendez, Second by O’Donnell, to approve the following Consent Calendar.
Motion carried: 5-0
C1. Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Review (CC/BSD/SA) This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
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C2. Approval of Minutes (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA)
Approved the following meeting minutes:
August 25, 2026 Consolidated Meeting (CC/CDC/BSD/SA/JPFA)
C3. CIP Nos. 8262 & 8313: Slurry Seal Project 2026 – Construction Change Order No. 1 (CC)
Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-155, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Approving Construction Change Order No. 1 to the Contract with Eagle Paving, LLC for the Slurry Seal Project 2026 (CIP Nos. 8262 & 8313).”
C4. CIP 8398 – The Wave Concrete Deck Replacement Project – Award of Contract (CC)
Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-156, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Awarding a Contract to Prestige Prime Engineering for the Wave Concrete Deck Replacement Project (CIP No. 8398).”
C5. Fiscal Year 2026/27 SB 1 Road Repair and Accountability Act Project List Amendment (CC)
Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-157, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Adopting the Amended Fiscal Year 2026/27 SB 1 Road Repair and Accountability Act Project List.”
C6. Settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Grant Valstad (CC) Adopted City Council Resolution No. 2026-158, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Settlement of the Workers’ Compensation Claim of Grant Valstad in the Amount of $100,000.”
Item Removed from the Consent Calendar
C1. Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Review (CC/BSD/SA)
The following members of the public spoke on the item:
• Adina Flores
• Caller ending in -1415 (via Zoom)
Motion by Melendez, Second by O’Donnell, to approve the following:
1. Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-154, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Amending the List of Designated Employees Subject to the Provisions of the Conflict of Interest Code of the City of Vista Pursuant to Chapter 2.32 of the Vista Municipal Code and Directing Staff to Review the Code in Even-Numbered Years and Submit Any Required Changes to the City Council Prior to October 1.”
2. Adopt Successor Agency Resolution No. 2026-01, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of the Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, Amending the List of Designated Employees Subject to the Provisions of the Conflict of Interest Code of the
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City of Vista Pursuant to Chapter 2.32 of the Vista Municipal Code and Directing Staff to Review the Code in Even-Numbered Years and Submit Any Required Changes to the City Council Prior to October 1.”
3. Adopt Buena Sanitation District Resolution No. 2026-11, entitled, “A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Buena Sanitation District, Amending the List of Designated Employees Subject to the Provisions of the Conflict of Interest Code of the City of Vista Pursuant to Chapter 2.32 of the Vista Municipal Code and Directing Staff to Review the Code in Even-Numbered Years and Submit Any Required Changes to the City Council Prior to October 1.”
4. Direct the City Manager/District Manager/Executive Director to sign, and the City Clerk/Secretary/Clerk of the Board to file, the 2026 Local Agency Biennial Notices for the City of Vista, the Successor Agency to the Vista Redevelopment Agency, and the Buena Sanitation District.
Motion carried: 5-0
DISCUSSION
D1. Vista Economic Development Strategy (VEDS) (CC)
Aaron Schulze, Economic Development Manager, introduced the item and provided staff’s report with London Adams, Management Analyst.
The following members of the public spoke on the item:
• Rachel Beld
• Judy Stroyer (via Zoom)
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers thanked the committee for their input. • Councilmember Melendez would like to see VEDS highlight arts and culture and requested that Goal 1 be amended to include other industrial areas around the City.
• Councilmember Contreras would like to see more workforce opportunities. • Deputy Mayor O’Donnell asked staff to prioritize hotel projects that are currently pending with the City and asked staff to highlight milestones of businesses through social media.
• Councilmember Fox asked for a list of business anniversary dates.
Motion by Fox, Second by O’Donnell to adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-159, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Adopting and Implementing the Vista Economic Development Strategy” and amending Goal 1 to include other industrial areas.
Motion carried: 5-0
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D2. AVO Playhouse Priority Maintenance (CC)
Margaret Hamer, Recreation and Community Services Director, introduced the item and provided staff’s report with Shelby Caughron, Recreation and Community Services Operations Manager.
The following members of the public spoke on the item:
• Bill Hornung
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers expressed gratitude towards the stakeholder feedback. • City Councilmembers discussed the maintenance list and would like to prioritize safety upgrades and audio/visual upgrades.
• Councilmember Melendez supports the Public Arts Commission’s idea to have volunteers paint the exterior.
• Deputy Mayor O’Donnell requested that the sign be moved to the Vista Historical Museum to be preserved.
• Councilmember Contreras requested that when the seating is replaced, to allow for enough room in the front of the stage for dancing.
• Mayor Franklin would like to see successful programming at the AVO prior to making all of the improvements.
• City Councilmembers discussed the reissuance of a RFP for an operator.
Discussed the AVO Playhouse Maintenance list and directed staff to bring back for discussion as part of the Year End Fund Balance.
No vote taken.
D3. Luz Duran Park Improvements (CIP No. 8351) (CC)
Margaret Hamer, Recreation and Community Services Director, introduced the item and Gabe Grewe, Senior Engineer, provided staff’s report.
The following member of the public spoke in favor of the item:
• Magaly S (via Zoom)
City Councilmembers and staff discussed the following:
• City Councilmembers are in support of applying for the grant and requested staff to ask for the highest funding award available.
• District 1 is in need of a “cool zone” and a new community center would be a great addition to the area.
• City Councilmembers agreed that if the grant is not received, there is support for a community center building with an occupancy greater than 10.
Motion by Contreras, Second by O’Donnell to adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-160, entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the Chartered City of Vista, California, Authorizing Submission of an Application to the Community Resilience Centers Grant Program.”
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Motion carried: 5-0
D4. Thibodo Park Pickleball Courts Hours of Operation (CC) Deputy Mayor O’Donnell introduced the item.
Margaret Hamer, Director of Recreation & Community Services answered questions from the City Council.
Motion by O’Donnell, Second by Franklin to adjust Thibodo Park Pickleball Court hours to 9:00 am – 8:30 pm Monday through Sunday, year round.
Vote: 5-0
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the City Council in person:
• Siarhei Manakov spoke about the streetlight petition process. • Aleta Dirdo spoke about the Friends of the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe concerns that there is discussion of removing the fountain at the Adobe. • Jan Zelasko spoke about the Friends of the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe efforts to expand public hours of the Adobe.
• Marjorie Bramwell spoke about opposition to the Vista detention center renovation. • Diego Emoreno spoke about traffic calming measures.
The following members of the public addressed the City Council via Zoom:
• Barbara Gordon spoke about harmful products sold by tobacco retailers. • Becky Rapp spoke about Assembly Bill 2249.
• Madison Rapp spoke about cigarette butt litter.
• Caller ending -1415 spoke about the United Nations Agenda for the 21st Century.
REMARKS
Councilmember Jeff Fox reported from North County Dispatch JPA and encouraged residents to attend Fiesta Patrias on September 13 at Linda Rhoades and the SoCal KPop Anime Fest on September 19 in downtown Vista.
Councilmember Katie Melendez encouraged residents to attend the Viking Festival September 19-20; thanked those who showed up for the presentations; and wished her family peace.
Councilmember Corinna Contreras thanked the public and fellow City Councilmembers.
Deputy Mayor Dan O’Donnell gave an Encina project update; congratulated Carlsbad Pet and Feed on their anniversary; and announced the season’s last Movie in the Park is September 12 at Brengle Terrace Park.
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Mayor Franklin encouraged residents to take part in the City of Vista’s September 11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11 at 9:00 am at the Vista Civic Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Franklin adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
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Kathy Valdez, City Clerk