Issues

As a former social worker, Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez has provided effective leadership on homelessness in Vista and has initiated several solutions:

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• Secured $5 Million from the State of California for a New Homeless Shelter in Vista

• 100% Affordable Housing for Homeless Seniors

• Holding Developers Accountable with Inclusionary Housing Requirements

• Safe Parking Program for people sleeping in their cars

• Rental Assistance Program for low-income families

• Homeless outreach and mental health services

• 100% Renewable Energy options through Clean Energy Alliance (CEA)

• Established single-use plastic ordinance

• Established Community Choice Energy and joined the Clean Energy Alliance

• Banned toxic pesticides (Dithiopyr and Glyphosate) around public parks, historic downtown and around schools
  Introduced cigarette waste mitigation effort.

• Protected public land from over-development

• Established Biological Preserve near sensitive ecosystems

• Initiated solar panel installation on the City of Vista Civic Center

• Added new Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

• Established new parks

• Planted nearly 1,000 trees throughout Vista

Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez has been fearless in protecting our community and enhancing public safety:

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• Improved response times for the Vista Fire Department by introducing a new program to include 12 new firefighter/paramedics and 2 new ambulances.

• Hired additional Sheriff Deputies including a new motor deputy for traffic enforcement

• Established new park ranger position

• Created Traffic Calming Program for safer neighborhood streets

• ​ Improved infrastructure including street lights, crosswalks, and speed humps
   

• Established punitive ordinance against Tobacco Sales to Minors

• Established restrictions on Short-Term Vacation Rentals (AirBNB) in neighborhoods

• Established inclusive hiring policies for City of Vista

• Defended the right to public comment and established new oral communication sessions

• Held community workshops, town halls, and neighborhood meetings

• Created Age Friendly City Plan for Seniors

• Works closely with community stakeholder groups including: seniors, students, people of faith, minority groups, business owners, non-profits, and all constituents