VISTA — The Vista City Council was divided over its support of a statewide proposition to codify women’s reproductive rights in the state Constitution, replacing a resolution in support of the ballot proposal with a substitute that ultimately failed.
The Vista City Council voted on Sept. 27 to replace a resolution presented by Councilmember Katie Melendez in support of Proposition 1 for a substitution from Councilmember Joe Green, which instead stated that city officials standby California state law protecting reproductive freedoms.
Green said he aimed for a resolution to assure “residents of Vista that they have nothing to fear in the event there’s an unplanned pregnancy.”
“And they need help,” Green said. “We need to be able to assure them that we still protect them as their elected officials. Our jobs are public safety, infrastructure, business development — and a woman’s right to choose or rights, in general, are part of public safety.”
The substitute resolution failed with 2-2-1, with Melendez abstaining.
Four members of the public, including mayoral candidate Cipriano Vargas, president of Vista Unified School District, spoke in favor of the resolution of support at the public meeting. The city also received one letter in support and one in opposition to the council backing a “YES” vote on Proposition 1 in the general election on Nov. 8.
“This proposition will ensure full freedoms regarding free health care decisions for the women of our state,” said Jocelyn Ahlers. “No woman should have to divulge her most private decisions to persuade legislators that she deserves bodily autonomy. Please elect to support the passage of Prop one on behalf of the Vista populace.”
Green argued that the Melendez resolution was too “political” and a controversial topic that didn’t represent the whole community.
Melendez’s proposal found that “On June 24, 2022, in the historic and far-reaching decision, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, which guarantees that federal constitutional protection of abortion rights.”
Melendez said she brought the letter of support forward to show unity for women’s health, not just access to abortions.
“I think this is really important,” Melendez said, “not just for women who want to access abortions and contraceptives, but any woman of childbearing age who wants to have adequate medical treatment and not be seen as an incubator. At the end of the day, I think that’s what we all deserve.”
However, Melendez’s colleagues disagreed.
Mayor Judy Ritter said that she is, overall, not in support of Proposition 1. Franklin, who seconded Green’s motion, agreed that the city could educate the public but should not take a stance on a topic that “voters have strong feelings about.”
“I believe it is far-reaching to overturn Roe v. Wade,” Councilmember Corinna Contreras said. “I believe that the substitution motion is kinda sad. As a resolution, it doesn’t hold any kind of resolve of the council.”
Other Business
In other business, Vista city staff are looking into the possibility of a middle-income housing policy that would convert units into affordable, deed-restricted homes.
On Sept. 27, the Vista City Council directed staff to explore a policy that would encourage housing redevelopment into middle income affordability.
The move follows a similar one by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to increase the availability of workforce housing, or those making 80% to 120% of the area median income.
According to John Conley, the city’s community development director, most of Vista’s rental stock is market rate. The policy would aim to expand affordability options to those who do not qualify for lower-income programs and units.
