VISTA — Shortly after reappointing Katie Melendez as the city’s primary representative on the SANDAG board of directors for another year, the Vista City Council altered course this week and agreed to instead appoint Corinna Contreras.
The SANDAG board comprises elected officials representing all 18 cities in the county, as well as the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and oversees the agency’s $1 billion-plus budget.
On Dec. 9, during the council’s annual discussion about appointments to regional boards and commissions, the City Council agreed in a 4-1 vote to re-appoint Melendez as the primary representative to SANDAG, with Councilmember Dan O’Donnell as first alternate and Councilmember Jeff Fox as second alternate.
Melendez has served as the primary representative for the city of Vista since 2023.
However, on Jan. 27, Contreras asked the council to reconsider the designation and instead appoint her as the primary. She also currently serves as the primary Vista representative on the North County Transit District board of directors.
“I know that we only just spoke about this and we only just did these appointments … I’ve had some different changes with my professional experience, and I think at this point for me, I have a really incredible background in mobility and advocating for our city, and I would be honored if the council would approve me to be the primary on SANDAG,” said Contreras, who is also running for California’s redrawn 48th Congressional seat.
The rest of the council, except for Mayor John Franklin, supported the appointment. Melendez said she would serve in whatever role the council saw fit, and was designated as first alternate.
Melendez said she believed Contreras would be a great advocate for Vista on the board and help to hold the organization accountable.
“I think these roles are best served by members who are highly motivated. Anytime the city of Vista is represented on a board of larger membership of other cities or the county, we have to have representation with a strong voice, and I’m open to seeing what your advocacy looks like on the board,” Melendez said.
O’Donnell said he would be willing to give up his seat as a first alternate, noting that he has increased career and family duties as well as additional responsibilities as the city’s deputy mayor.
Fox will remain as the second alternate. He expressed frustration with SANDAG over the continued delays in major North County projects, such as the widening of state Route 78, and said Vista needs strong representation.
“I think it is important to have somebody advocating for North County up there. I think we get oft forgotten when it comes to San Diego County organizations … We put a lot of money into SANDAG and it would be nice if we got any semblance of that back,” Fox said.
The city will confirm the new appointments in a resolution at an upcoming meeting.
