CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
March 4, 2025
City Council Chambers
13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway, California
(Per Government Code 54953)
(Meeting Called to Order as City Council/City of Poway Planning Commission/Poway Housing Authority/Public Financing Authority and Successor Agency to the Poway Redevelopment Agency) CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Vaus called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Tony Blain, Jenny Maeda, Christopher J. Pikus, Peter De Hoff, Steve Vaus STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman; City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher; City Clerk Carrie Gallagher; Director of Development Services Julie Procopio; Director of Finance Craig Schmollinger; Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Jodene Dunphy; Director of Public Works Eric Heidemann; Director of Community Services Audrey Denham; Fire Chief Brian Mitchell; Captain Claudia Delgado, Sheriff's Department. (Note: Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councilmember, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and Director of Finance shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy Mayor/Vice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, Assistant City Manager/Assistant Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, City Clerk/Secretary and Director of Finance/Finance Officer.)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Deputy Mayor De Hoff led the Pledge of Allegiance
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Mayor Vaus led a moment of silence.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dale Davis spoke regarding fire mitigation efforts on property bordering his. 1 of 4
City of Poway — Minutes — March 4, 2025
Cynthia Elizondo, speaking on behalf of Friends of Poway Seniors discussed their highly successful partnership with the City of Poway to offer senior programming at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center.
Yuri Bohlen voiced concerns over government waste and fraud as it pertains to Councilmember Blain's conduct.
John Couvrette voiced concerns regarding unlawful and unethical behavior by Councilmember Blain.
John Mullin announced the formation of a committee to recall Councilmember Blain.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 6. Motion carried 5/0 by the following roll -call vote:
Ayes:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Noes:
None
Abstained:
None
Absent:
None
Disqualified:
None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda
2. Award of Agreement to Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. for Asphalt Cold Milling and Operator Services
3. Acceptance of the FY 2024-25 Street Maintenance Project with American Asphalt South, Inc., as Complete
4. Acceptance of the FY 2024-25 Citywide Striping Project with Statewide Stripes, Inc., as Complete
5. Approval of Services for the Replacement of Two Traveling Bridge Cable Reels at the Water Treatment Plant to Westmount Industries
6. City's Investment Report as of December 31, 2024
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
STAFF REPORTS:
7. Approval of a Three -Year Agreement with San Diego Ice to Provide Snow for the Annual Winter Festival Event
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City of Poway — Minutes — March 4, 2025
Director of Community Services Audrey Denham presented the item along with a PowerPoint Presentation. Ms. Denham explained the agreement allows the City to lock in the price and reduce staff time associated with executing annual agreements. Each year, the City purchases 115 tons of snow for the Winter Festival, with San Diego Ice Company providing the lowest cost for snow for the past seven (7) years.
Ms. Denham provided background information on the Winter Festival event. She noted the event is in its eleventh year and is the largest City community event, drawing approximately 10,000 people each year. She discussed various components of the annual event, and the inclusion of activities designed for the special needs community.
Ms. Denham highlighted new additions to the 2025 event and thanked the Community Park team, City staff, City Council, and the Sheriff's Department for their collaboration and support.
She also thanked Kelchlin Construction and other sponsors who donated to the Winter Festival event.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council responded positively to the agreement, noting the length of the agreement and cost benefits of a multi -year deal. Council discussed the popularity of the Winter Festival and thanked Community Services staff for its success year after year.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to approve the three- year Agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents associated with the Agreement between the City of Poway and San Diego Ice Company to provide snow for the annual Winter Festival event. Motion carried unanimously 5/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Noes:
None
Abstained:
None
Absent:
None
Disqualified:
None
WORKSHOPS:
None.
COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 - (G.C. 53232(d))
Councilmember Blain spoke regarding his effort to organize a cleanup at Tooth Rock, he discussed the American Legion Boys State and Girls State leadership programs. 3 of 4
City of Poway — Minutes — March 4, 2025
Councilmember Maeda spoke regarding upcoming City Council appointments to the Budget Review Committee and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, she thanked applicants for their willingness to serve their community.
Mayor Vaus shared information on the Poway Firefighters Foundation Charity Golf Tournament scheduled at Maderas Golf Club on Monday, April 7, 2025.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) City Attorney Fenstermacher provided a report out from the March 24th Closed Session Special City Council Meeting, he stated the City Council voted 4-0, with Councilmember Blain recused, to authorize the City Attorney to defend the City against an application to sue the City in quo warranto Soto v. City of Poway, et. al.
Mr. Fenstermacher noted the City's response to the application had been formally filed with the courts on Monday March 3. In response to Council questioning, Mr. Fenstermacher stated he estimates the financial impact of the complaint to cost the City between $20,000 if the case is rejected to six figures if the case actually goes to litigation.
CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
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