New Fire Chief for the City of Vista
The City of Vista is pleased to announce the appointment of Gerard Washington as the next Chief of the Vista Fire Department, effective August 14, 2023. Following interviews that included a community stakeholder group and City leadership and staff, City Manager John Conley selected Washington to lead the Fire Department’s 87 employees. Washington is coming to Vista from Milwaukee, where he served as the Fire Chief of the Menomonee Falls Fire Department.
Washington comes to the City of Vista with 32 years of experience, including working as the Assistant Fire Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department, where he led diversity and inclusion initiatives for fire cadet and firefighter recruitment, receiving national attention. Washington also led the Fire 20/20 initiative, a program funded by the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on building effective service delivery to multicultural communities. GET MORE DETAILS
City Council Meets August 8
The City Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers at the Civic Center. The meeting is open to the public, and participation is welcome in person or virtually. Meeting highlights include:
The Council will make the following presentations:
- The Council will recognize Dick Miller, Inc. as the lead sponsor of the 2023 Independence Day Celebration;
- A letter of appreciation from the Council will be presented to Vista resident Scott Raitt for his contribution to the 2023 Independence Day Celebration;
- The Council will present a proclamation that declares August 2023 as “American-Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month” in the City of Vista.
Council discussion items include:
- Tobacco retail licensing (the Council will discuss the number of tobacco retail licenses in the City of Vista);
- American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Rental Assistance Program (the Council will discuss a resolution that approves the reallocation of unused American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funds to provide a Rental Assistance Program);
- Age-Friendly Action Plan (the Council will discuss preparing an Age-Friendly Action Plan and provide direction to staff).
The public is welcome to provide input on discussion items or any item not on the agenda during the Oral Communications section of the meeting. Input can be made in person or virtually via Zoom. Instructions for participating on Zoom are on the agenda’s first page below.
City Council Meeting – Tuesday, August 8, 5:30 pm – Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista READ THE AGENDA
Reminder: Cannabis Equity Assessment; Survey Now Open
The City of Vista is beginning to develop a local cannabis equity program designed to remove barriers to entry into the legal cannabis industry for individuals and communities impacted by cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs. In 2023, the City was awarded grant funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions to conduct a cannabis equity assessment. The purpose of the cannabis equity assessment is to understand how cannabis criminalization has impacted communities in Vista and to develop recommendations and policies to inform the development and implementation of the City’s cannabis equity program. GET MORE DEATAILS & TAKE OUR SURVEY
Final Free “Movies in the Park” Event on August 12!
The final “Movies in the Park” event will be Saturday, Aug. 12, and will feature “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible. Rated PG-13. GET MORE DETAILS
Movies in the Park -FREE Event
Saturday, Aug. 12 at 8 pm Brengle Terrace Park Ball Fields- 1200 Vale Terrace Drive, vISTA
August City Meetings
City Council – Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 5:30 pm – Click here for the Agenda
Vista Fire Protection District Meeting -Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 10 am- Click here for the Agenda
Community Safety Commission Meeting– Thursday, Aug. 10, at 5:30 pm –Click here for the Agenda
Joint Dinner Meeting with the City Council and the Senior Citizens Affairs Commission – Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 6:30 pm- The agenda is to be posted 72 hours before the meeting.
City Council -Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 5:30 pm – The agenda is to be posted 72 hours before the meeting.
“Kids in the Garden” Class at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens
Located within Brengle Terrace Park, Alta Vista Botanical Gardens presents its next “Kids in the Garden” class on Saturday, Aug. 12, with the theme “Water is Wonderful.” Join Farmer Jones as kids learn how water is used, how water can be saved, and how we can have fun with water. Admission is $5 per adult and youngster. GET MORE DETAILS
Homeless Resource Fair
The County of San Diego’s Homeless Court program will host a Homeless Resource Fair on Friday, Aug. 18. The following resources will be available:
- Homeless Court Access (attorney will be present to assist)
- DMV Services and Birth Certificates
- Child Support Services
- Department of Rehabilitation
- Detox/Substance Abuse Treatment
- Department of Homeless Solutions & Equitable Communities (public assistance, housing navigation, and resource information)
The City of Vista will also provide information on homeless services and resources.
Homeless Resource Fair – Friday, Aug. 18, 9 am-2 pm -Vista Transit Center Parking Lot, 40 Olive Avenue, Vista GET MORE DETAILS
Free Emergency Pet Kit Giveaway
Supervisor Jim Desmond’s office invites you to stop by to receive a complimentary emergency pet kit and microchipping voucher. Kits are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Emergency Pet Kit Giveaway
Saturday, Aug. 19, 9 am-noon – Buena Vista Park, 1601 Shadowridge Drive, Vista GET MORE DETAILS
City of Vista | 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084
