CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
April 15, 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 (via teleconference), Jenny Maeda, Christopher J. Pikus, Peter De Hoff (via teleconference), Steve Vaus
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; 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; Fire Chief Brian Mitchell; Captain Claudia Delgado, San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
(Note: Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councilmember, 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:
Councilmember Maeda led the Pledge of Allegiance
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Mayor Vaus led a moment of silence.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
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City of Poway — Minutes — April 15, 2025
Michael Camacho, representing San Diego Art Matters, spoke in recognition of Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month in April.
Brenna Maienschein, representing A -List Theater, spoke in recognition of Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month in April.
Dave Grosch reflected on his tenure and responsibilities as a Poway Councilmember and voiced concerns over Councilmember Blain's behavior.
Peter Neild provided updates regarding his neighborhood representation project.
Yuri Bohlen shared an overview and details about his attendance at a town hall meeting with Assemblymember Carl DeMaio.
John Mullin provided an overview of Brown Act violations committed by Councilmember Blain and concerns over the Councilmember's conduct.
John Couvrette provided updates on Recall Tony Blain committee activities.
Anita Edmondson spoke about Councilmember Blain's violations of the Code of Ethics and expressed her support for the Recall Tony Blain campaign.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Maeda to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 3 and 5 through 9. 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
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Maeda to approve Consent Calendar Item 4. Motion carried 4/0/1 by the following roll -call vote:
Ayes:
Blain, Maeda, De Hoff, Vaus
Noes:
None
Abstained:
Pikus
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 EKI Environment & Water, Inc. for Preparation of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan Update, RFP No. 25-009
3. Award of Agreement to The Arc of San Diego for Parks Ground Maintenance Services
4. Authorization to Purchase City Hall Servers Utilizing NASPO ValuePoint Purchasing Program Contract #7-15-70-34-002 from Nth Generation Computing, Inc. 2of7
City of Poway — Minutes — April 15, 2025
5. Set Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of FY 2025-26 Solid Waste Rate Increase for EDCO Waste and Recycling Services
Yuri Bohlen spoke neutrally regarding Item #5.
6. Award of Contract to Mansfield Oil of Gainesville, Inc. for Various Fuels Utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract No. 121522-MNF
7. Award of Agreement to United Site Services of California, Inc. for Portable Toilet Services; RFP No. 25-010
8. Resolution No. 25-006, Approving a 6% Increase in the Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program Traffic Mitigation Fee for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26, as required by the TransNet Ordinance
9. Award of Contract to Sunbelt Controls, Inc., for the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Controls Replacement Project, RFP No. 21-013, and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
At this juncture, Mayor Vaus reordered the agenda to hear Staff Report Item #11 prior to Ordinances for Introduction.
STAFF REPORTS:
11. Water Infrastructure Improvement Program Update
Robert Weber presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. He explained Poway's water supply comes from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) as untreated water which is then treated at the Lester J. Berglund Water Treatment Plant (WTP) prior to being distributed throughout the City.
Mr. Weber provided an overview of the City's water -related facilities. He noted the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program (Program) is the largest series of capital projects the City has undertaken since incorporation. He noted collectively the program will improve the resiliency and redundancy of Poway's water infrastructure system and provide safe and reliable water service to Poway residents for generations to come.
He presented slides showing the Clearwell Bypass Project and updates on the Clearwell Replacement Project and remaining projects related to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program. He stated the bypass project is operationally successful and was completed under budget in November of 2022, with the construction of temporary bypass tanks, temporary pump station to supply those tanks and a permanent 36-inch below ground pipeline from the treatment plant out to the distribution system.
Mr. Weber then discussed the current phase of the project, replacement of the Clearwell. His presentation included project and design status, updates on the project timeline and details regarding the construction management contract. He noted construction for this phase of the project is 50% complete and staff anticipate commissioning of the new Clearwell facility in late Spring 2026. Mr. Weber shared slides highlighting the construction's progress. 3 of 7
City of Poway — Minutes — April 15, 2025
The presentation included information on the final two projects known as the Treated Water Facilities Projects. Status updates and an overview of the scope of the projects were shared, including the completion of design work and the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a future negotiated water purchase agreement with the Ramona Municipal Water District (MWD). Final design is anticipated for late 2025. Other related projects include two Interconnections with the City of San Diego. Mr. Weber concluded his presentation with an 18-month look ahead of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program.
Public Comment:
Yuri Bohlen spoke in support of Item #11.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. The Council responded positively to the progress of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program, acknowledging the project was long overdue and expressing satisfaction with the work completed and currently underway.
Councilmember Pikus suggested water rates in Poway are competitive to those of other San Diego cities and asked staff to confirm. City Attorney Fenstermacher concurred and further advised Council that only agendized items could be discussed and noted water rates were not agendized for this evening.
This was an informational item. No action was taken.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
10. Ordinance to Amend Poway Municipal Code Regarding Conduct During Physical Attendance at City Council Meetings
Mayor Vaus introduced the item noting this is a Council -Initiated item originally introduced at the April 1, 2025 Regular City Council meeting.
Deputy Mayor De Hoff presented the item; he described the proposed Ordinance as straightforward, he stated a councilmember listed as present during roll call should be required to fulfill their duties and if they fail to do so, should not receive credit for their attendance.
He explained an important aspect of serving as a Councilmember involves addressing constituents and being held accountable for their decisions. He added that although not meant to be easy, the discomfort is an effective check to the exercise of governmental power.
The issue, he explained, is a sitting Councilmember leaving the dais during meetings and thus abdicating their responsibilities to the public. He described the behavior in question as unprecedented in Poway, unprofessional and unacceptable for any Councilmember. The proposed Ordinance is intended to return to basic standards and normalcy to the legislative process. The proposed Ordinance also includes provisions for medical emergencies. In addition, any request for recess or recesses shall be granted, unless the quantity or duration would materially disrupt the meeting. Leaving the dais without permission would therefore be considered an absence from the meeting without permission.
Public Comment.
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City of Poway — Minutes — April 15, 2025
Joe St. Lucas spoke neutrally on Item #10 and shared concerns regarding remote participation by teleconference.
Yuri Bohlen spoke in support of Item #10. He thanked Councilmember Blain for his military service but questioned his upcoming deployment as voluntary in order to avoid attending City Council meetings.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council responded favorably to the proposed ordinance, describing it as straightforward and grounded in both common sense and common courtesy.
Members emphasized the importance of public comment as a cornerstone of local governance and expressed concern that leaving the dais undermines the voices of Poway voters.
Additionally, Council addressed emails sent by Councilmember Blain, disputing his claims and expressing concerns over his threats to meddle in upcoming elections and other potential Brown Act violations.
As requested by the Mayor, City Clerk Gallagher titled the Ordinance for introduction.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to introduce Ordinance No. 873 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Amending Chapters 2.18 (Meetings) of The Poway Municipal Code Regarding Physical Attendance at City Council Meetings," for first reading by title only, waive further reading and schedule the adoption of the Ordinance at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Motion carried 4/1 by following roll -call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
STAFF REPORTS:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Blain
None
None
None
12. Resolution to Adopt a City Council Policy Requiring all City Council Vacancies Occurring Within the First 18 Months of a Four Year Term to be Filled by Special Election Mayor Vaus introduced the item, identifying it as a Mayor -Initiated item from the April 1, 2025 Regular City Council meeting. Mr. Vaus explained vacancies occurring early in a four-year term differ from those occurring later, noting late -term vacancies lead to costly, short-term elections and can leave constituents unrepresented for extended periods due to state - mandated election timelines. Early -term vacancies, when filled by election, allow the winner to serve the remainder of the term. He is seeking approval of a resolution requiring all vacancies within the first 18 months be filled by election. 5of7
City of Poway — Minutes — April 15, 2025
Public Comment:
Joe St. Lucas spoke neutrally on Item #12 and inquired on hypotheticals regarding the timing of potential vacancies.
Yuri Bohlen spoke in support of Item #12. He inquired on the potential for a run-off election in certain cases due to an unscheduled vacancy.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council discussed the proposed time frame to require a special election or appointment, and concerns over district representation during a vacancy. Council discussed scenarios which could trigger a special election.
Council clarified that because of this policy being more narrowly tailored than as written in Government Code (§ 36512(c)), it cannot be adopted as an amendment to the Poway Municipal Code (PMC). However, Council may adopt a resolution and City Council policy stating vacancies occurring within the first 18 months be filled by election.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to approve Resolution No. 25-007 entitled "A Resolution of The City Council of The City of Poway, California, Adopting a City Council Policy to Fill City Council Vacancies Occurring Within the First Eighteen Months of Office by Special Election." Motion carried 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 Maeda provided an update on the League of California Cities. She noted they have partnered with lawmakers to sponsor 5 new bills in addition to actively opposing SB79 which would require cities to approve higher density residential projects up to 7 stories high near public transit stops. She encouraged residents to voice their opinions by contacting their local representatives.
Councilmember Pikus provided updates for the 'Sweep the Trails' volunteer event scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025 and announced he will attend the Garden Road Elementary School Leadership Awards program scheduled for April 23, 2025. 6of7
City of Poway — Minutes — April 15, 2025
Mayor Vaus requested Council consensus for the following:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus to consider a Municipal Code amendment to add financial penalties for Councilmember violations including the Brown Act, attorney/client privilege, use of City email for political purposes, and violations of the Poway Municipal Code (PMC) pertaining to conduct of the City Council. Motion carried 4/1 by following roll -call vote:
Ayes:
Blain, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Noes:
Maeda
Abstained:
None
Absent:
None
Disqualified:
None
Mayor Vaus requested this item be agendized for the May 6, 2025, Regular City Council meeting.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
City Manager Hazeltine requested Council consideration and consensus to place an item on a future agenda relating to the discussion of guidelines and establish guard-rails to manage the overwhelming number of email communications received from Councilmember Blain at a future City Council Meeting.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus to consider request as presented. Motion carried 510 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Noes:
None
Abstained:
None
Absent:
None
Disqualified:
None
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None.
CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
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