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Council directs staff to draft ordinance forming homelessness commission, keeps standing committee
Summary
The council voted unanimously to ask staff to draft an ordinance to create a seven‑member homelessness commission, set alternating monthly meetings with the existing standing committee, and appoint Councilmember Fox as an ex‑officio member; staff will report back on staffing needs and costs.
The Vista City Council on March 26 directed staff to prepare an ordinance to form a seven‑member homelessness commission and to continue a standing committee on homelessness, with the new body and the committee meeting in alternating months.
The standing committee — chaired by Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez and Mayor John Franklin as the other named member — recommended the hybrid model after several meetings. Under the council’s direction, the standing committee will meet in even months, the homelessness commission in odd months and the council will continue two semiannual strategic‑plan workshops (March and September) to review partner reporting.
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez moved the proposal and Mayor Franklin seconded the motion; the council voted unanimously. The action included direction to reschedule standing committee meetings to the fourth Thursday of each month (from the third Thursday) to better align staff reporting timelines, and to appoint Councilmember Jeff Fox as an ex‑officio member of the standing committee.
Councilmembers said the hybrid approach balances council oversight and community participation. Members emphasized the need for clarity on staffing and cost: several councilmembers asked staff to return with an estimate of additional staff time or budget required to support a commission and the increased cadence of meetings. City Manager John Connolly told the council staff could implement the structure but that it would require additional staff time; staff agreed to provide a staffing and cost estimate when the ordinance is returned for council action.
Councilmembers and staff said the commission should include community stakeholders, people with lived experience and sector representation (for example, service providers and business leaders), and recommended the mayor and deputy mayor continue as the named council leads for the standing committee while the ordinance is drafted.
The council’s motion carries implementation steps: staff will draft an ordinance prescribing commission seats, mission and appointment process, schedule meeting dates and return with an analysis of staff capacity and any needed budget adjustments.
