Why Vista’s Mayor Wants a Rival Councilmember Out So Badly 

At every Vista City Council meeting, Mayor John Franklin takes his seat next to Katie Melendez, a councilmember and deputy mayor with whom he has repeatedly clashed over the direction of the city. 

If he has his way this November, he won’t much longer. 

Melendez, a Democrat, is running for reelection against Republican newcomer, and the mayor’s choice, Denisse Barragan. Whoever wins could determine the political dynamics of the council, which currently has the first Democratic majority in Vista’s history with three Democrats and two Republicans.  

Though city councils are nonpartisan, council members’ political views do play a part in policy making. Also, political parties are the most powerful coalitions in local politics, and they can help candidates raise significant resources and include them in broader communications for voters who trust the parties’ endorsements. 

Voice of San Diego interviewed Franklin about the direction of the city and the endorsements he made in the upcoming City Council race, and he didn’t shy away from talking about his disapproval of Melendez. She was an “extremist” who “apologizes for criminals” and someone more “mainstream” was needed. 

For him, “mainstream” likely means another Republican. If Franklin gets his way, the Vista City Council will have much different priorities and a very different voting record than if Melendez can hang on to her seat. 

From 1963 to 2022, Vista’s council had a Republican majority. That changed when Vista residents elected Democrat Dan O’Donnell to the City Council. O’Donnell joined Democrats Corinna Contreras and Melendez to create the city’s first Democratic council majority. 

Since gaining a Democratic majority, Vista’s Council has tended to vote along party lines on many issues dealing with climate, affordable housing, infrastructure and community programs. 

Over the past two years, the council has often voted 3-2, with Franklin and Republican Councilmember Joe Green dissenting. This election could change that. 

Melendez, who was elected to the council in 2020, is now running for a second term.  

Franklin encouraged Barragan to run for the seat in the first place. 

Barragan, he said, better reflects the “mainstream views” of the community.  

“She is a common-sense moderate thinker, not a partisan,” Franklin said. “She’s a homeowner, a business owner and a young leader in our community.”  

Melendez, on the other hand, he called an “extremist,” taking the most issue with her views on law enforcement and public safety. 

Public safety: Franklin told Voice of San Diego that as local businesses deal with theft and vandalism, Melendez has previously implied that some people might be stealing because they need food or supplies. 

“I believe that her views are so far outside the mainstream that voters will reject returning her to office,” Franklin said. “When I’m watching businesses close, to have people elected to the council who apologize for criminals, rather than standing up for employees whose jobs are on the line. It really is incredibly troubling to me.” 

Melendez told Voice via email that she supports reducing such crime by investing in and expanding food programs. 

“One in 3 children in San Diego County face nutrition insecurity. It’s a shame that we, as a local government, don’t do more to provide for people’s basic needs before they take desperate and illegal action,” she said. 

Franklin said Melendez doesn’t prioritize public safety because she has previously voted against hiring new Sheriff’s deputies and has said publicly that she believes law enforcement does not ensure crime prevention. 

“[Melendez] came out of the protest the police movement and got elected during a time of heightened national discord,” Franklin said. “I’d like to get back to people who can work to find the agreement in the middle instead of striving for the furthest extreme.” 

Melendez denied taking part in a “protest the police movement.” 

“The U.S. has a long history of police reform, and I respect the families and leaders who fight for police accountability, but I have never served in what John Franklin calls the ‘police protest movement,’” Melendez said. “My service background includes Americorps where I served people with special needs.” 

He noted that Vista’s ratio of Sheriff’s deputies to residents is lower than the state and national average, saying this is part of the reason theft and vandalism have become increasingly common among small businesses in Vista. 

In 2022, Vista had a ratio of less than one deputy (0.96) per 1,000 residents. According to recent data, California’s statewide average is around 1.97 officers per 1,000 residents. 

Melendez told Voice via email that she previously voted against hiring more deputies using excess cannabis tax revenues, which is what the council was discussing at the time. 

“The use of one-time funds for ongoing personnel and pensions is inappropriate and fiscally irresponsible,” Melendez said. “I’m working with our Sheriff’s department to develop a holistic strategy for public safety, and law enforcement is key to that. If you commit a crime, you must be held accountable. Previous leadership has not put in enough effort toward preventing crime and improving neighborhoods.” 

SANDAG mileage tax & SR 78: Franklin also took issue with Melendez’ previous views on the proposed San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, road user charge, also known as the mileage tax. 

Franklin and Melendez have a contentious history when it comes to SANDAG. In early 2023, the two fought over who should represent the city representative on SANDAG’s Board of Directors. They both wanted the role. 

Ultimately, the council’s Democratic majority prevailed in a vote to change the process of how the council chooses its SANDAG representative to allow a majority of councilmembers, not just the mayor, to decide who is on the board. Then, that same majority chose Melendez. 

As for the mileage tax, some local officials hoped it would both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a funding mechanism for transportation projects. Critics said it would be too expensive for residents, and the idea of tracking drivers would be an invasion of privacy. 

Franklin told Voice that Melendez considered the mileage tax and then later changed her mind about it. 

The SANDAG board ultimately voted to remove the mileage tax from their regional plan.  

“I want a council that’s very clear. My city drives to work and most of them unfortunately work outside the city of Vista … And for the working people of my city, I do not want them to have to pay to drive to work and back any more than they already pay,” Franklin said. 

He added that Melendez is opposed to adding express lanes on State Route 78, something he is in favor of. 

Melendez told Voice via email that, as a SANDAG board member, she ultimately voted against the mileage tax, but she is not opposed to requiring some corporate entities to pay a road user fee. 

“Along with both Republicans and Democrats, I voted against the Road Usage Charge in 2023. We don’t need to raise taxes on working families in order to provide quality infrastructure and services,” Melendez said. “I believe the biggest corporate users of our roads, like Amazon, aren’t paying their fair share for street maintenance.” 

As for the 78, she said she’s currently working with SANDAG CEO Mario Orso to ensure its progress and to guarantee that it is compliant with state guidelines. 

Inclusionary housing: Franklin also disagrees with Melendez on the city’s inclusionary housing policy, which the council adopted in 2022, requiring developers to set aside 9 percent of new market-rate housing units as affordable or pay a fee. 

The council voted 4-1 on the ordinance, with Franklin opposed. 

“It makes it less profitable; builders stop building in areas with large mandates, then the price goes up because you’ve artificially constrained the supply of housing,” Franklin said. “Now what you’ve done is you’ve increased the cost of housing for every renter, renters being probably the people in the bottom 60 percent of income earners.” 

Franklin said he supports a direct subsidy model, where Vista would contribute $3 million worth of land, and in exchange, the developer can create an affordable housing project on that land. 

Melendez told Voice via email that inclusionary housing policies have been successful in other cities like Carlsbad at holding developers accountable. 

“Developers still make a profit, while providing housing at all income levels,” she said. “Our veterans, working families and seniors need housing options they can afford, and we must provide affordable housing to our community.” 

There is one other Vista City Council seat that is up for grabs this November. The District 2 seat is being vacated by Republican Councilmember Green, who is not seeking re-election.  

Two candidates are vying for his spot: Republican business owner Jeff Fox, who is endorsed by Franklin and Green, and Democratic Marine veteran Anthony White.

Correction: This post has been updated to correct that the Vista City Council’s inclusionary housing policy passed 4-1, with Mayor Franklin opposed.

Correction: This post has been updated to remove Jess Jebrail from the District 2 candidate list. He has decided not to run.