Public Works Delivers for Vista

The City of Vista's Public Works Team, August 2025

Public Works: 2024/25 Highlights of Accomplishments

The City of Vista's Public Works Department plays a vital role in keeping our community safe, beautiful, and functional. From maintaining the streets we drive on, to caring for our parks and open spaces, to ensuring reliable wastewater and facilities infrastructure, Public Works touches nearly every part of daily life. Their work may not always make the headlines, but it forms the backbone of Vista's quality of life.

This year, Public Works delivered an impressive range of projects and services that reflect the department's dedication to stewardship, innovation, and community pride. Here are a few highlights of their accomplishments.

Park Maintenance Division

Vista's parks are at the heart of community life, and the Park Maintenance Division worked hard to keep them safe and inviting:

• Responded to 204 service requests from the community.
• Expanded recreational opportunities by converting two tennis courts into eight new pickleball courts at Brengle Terrace Park.
• Resurfaced tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts at both Thibodo Park and Brengle Terrace Park.
• Upgraded 37 citywide Calsense Irrigation Control Systems for more innovative water use.
• Installed new lighting and planters to enhance Main Street.
• Extended basketball fencing at Luz Duran Park, slurry-sealed and re-striped the parking lot, and repaired pavement at Brengle Terrace Park.
• Drainage improvements were installed at Thibodo Park to reduce erosion.

Facilities and Utilities Maintenance Division

The Facilities and Utilities teams kept Vista's facilities running smoothly and infrastructure up to standard:

• Completed 1,653 facilities service requests and 573 utilities service requests.
• Repaired 187 traffic signal issues, processed 3,622 Dig Alert requests, and repaired 200 streetlights.
• Oversaw major facility upgrades, including roof replacements at the Wave Waterpark, a chimney repair at the Adobe, fire alarm replacement at Jim Porter Rec Center, and exterior improvements at Rancho Buena Vista's Rotunda Building.
• Installed security cameras at the Civic Center's Safe Parking Area and electrical upgrades at Thibodo Park.
• Supported the opening of the VisTAY House with facility improvements.
• Provided ongoing support for banners, landscaping, and right-of-way weed abatement covering 151,000 square feet.

Streets and Stormwater Maintenance Division

This team ensures the streets are safe and Vista is prepared for storms:

• Responded to 1,011 street service requests and 592 graffiti removal requests.
• Staffed 35 special events and handled 138 after-hours emergency calls.
• Completed 115 traffic engineering work orders.
• Delivered major paving at Highway 78 on- and off-ramps at Vista Village Drive.
• Removed overgrown vegetation in critical drainage channels and performed stormwater permit maintenance.
• Improved community aesthetics with monument cleaning and vegetation management.

Wastewater Maintenance Division

The Wastewater team safeguards public health and the environment through constant upkeep of the sewer system:

• Completed 6,790 work orders and 61 service requests.
• Cleaned 1.32 million feet of sewer pipe - equivalent to 250 miles.
• Used closed-caption TV inspection to film 240,000 feet (45 miles) of pipe.
• Performed 12 sewer line spot repairs and responded to 49 after-hours emergencies.
• Staffed community pride projects such as installing new kites for the Kites Over Vista program.
• Celebrated the recognition of Wastewater Worker III, Gerardo Oliveros, who was named Collections System Person of the Year in January 2025.

Fleet Maintenance Division

Keeping the City moving, Fleet Maintenance serviced both City and Fire Department vehicles:

• Completed 634 work orders and serviced 184 vehicles.
• Dispensed over 167,000 gallons of fuel and replaced 210 tires.
• Supported City operations with the purchase of 14 new vehicles.

Administration Division

The Administration team managed programs, funding, and community engagement:

• Launched the Community Mulch and Compost Giveaway Program, which is now a monthly staple.
• Hosted the inaugural Public Works Open House in May 2025.
• Secured state grant funding, including $14,172 through the Used Oil Payment Program and $25,138 from the Beverage Container Recycling Payment Program.
• Purchased a Kubota tractor using CalRecycle Local Assistance Grant funding.
• Rolled out organic waste collection at City facilities.
• Achieved Green Business Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council of California in July 2025.

Why Public Works Matters

The accomplishments of 2024/25 show how deeply Public Works is woven into Vista's community fabric. The department's work encompasses not only maintaining infrastructure, improving safety, supporting recreation, protecting the environment, and enhancing the daily lives of all residents, but also promoting community engagement and fostering a sense of belonging.

Every repaired streetlight, resurfaced court, cleaned mile of sewer, or landscaped park is a direct investment in Vista's future. Public Works ensures that our City continues to thrive as a safe, sustainable, and welcoming place to live, work, and play.