CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
July 1, 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: Jenny Maeda, Christopher J. Pikus, Peter De Hoff, Steve Vaus
Absent: Tony Blain
Councilmember Blain joined the meeting at 7:01 p.m., via teleconference from the location noted on the Agenda.
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, San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
(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.
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City of Poway — Minutes — July 1, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Steve Wickens thanked staff for traffic safety enhancements on St. Andrews Drive, including newly painted lines and the installation of rumble edges.
Cathy Pieroni requested the City include statistical analysis regarding water affordability for Poway customers in their upcoming Cost of Service Study (COSS).
Yuri Bohlen voiced concerns regarding Councilmember Blain's conduct and Brown Act Violations and called for his resignation.
John Mullin shared emails from Councilmember Blain detailing repeated threats of legal action against residents.
Anita Edmondson voiced concerns regarding Councilmember Blain's unethical and abusive behavior and provided Recall Tony Blain committee updates.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 2. 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. Approval of the June 12, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
STAFF REPORTS:
None.
WORKSHOPS:
None.
COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS:
3. Public Discussion of Investigative Reports
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Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman introduced the item. She stated in January 2025, the City received personnel complaints from City Manager Chris Hazeltine and City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher against Councilmember Tony Blain. Councilmember Blain also submitted complaints against both City Manager Hazeltine and City Attorney Fenstermacher.
On February 4, 2025, Council met in Closed Session to determine next steps. The City had a legal obligation to investigate the complaints.
Ms. Kaserman explained the City hired Special Counsel with the firm of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, not affiliated with the City Attorney's firm (Rutan & Tucker), to advise the City Council specifically on this matter and to oversee the investigation.
As reported out of the February 4 Closed Session, the Council provided direction to hire an outside investigator to conduct an independent investigation of the three personnel complaints. The investigation has concluded. Assistant City Manager Kaserman explained the investigator evaluated the complaints against the City's applicable personnel policies, including the Workplace Bullying Policy. The structure of the complaints and findings mirrors this policy.
A Special City Council Meeting was held on June 12, 2025, to review the investigative findings.
Council directed the executive summaries of the reports be publicly released and included as part of a Council Initiated item on the July 1, 2025, Regular City Council meeting.
Ms. Kaserman highlighted specific language included by the investigator in each summary noting he was given full discretion to conduct the investigation as he deemed necessary, unrestricted access to all requested witnesses and documents, and no person interfered or attempted to influence the findings in each summary.
Mayor Vaus invited City Attorney Fenstermacher and City Manager Hazeltine to offer additional comments, noting the investigation had substantiated their complaints.
City Attorney Fenstermacher addressed the Council regarding the findings of the investigation. He emphasized the seriousness of the behavior described in the report, noting the complaints he filed against Councilmember Blain were sustained.
Mr. Fenstermacher encouraged interested members of the public to review the full investigative summaries, citing their detail and length. He stated the report confirms repeated instances of bullying and abuse directed at him by an elected official. He further shared the impacts of this conduct have been personal and significant.
Mr. Fenstermacher highlighted the following key points from the report: 1) the conduct in question was not based on "he said, she said" allegations, but largely on written communication from Councilmember Blain himself, primarily emails, making the findings clear and indisputable; 2) a specific April 2025 email contained demonstrably false and defamatory statements. The investigator himself concluded the email included knowingly false claims made with malice, including allegations related to campaign contributions, which were found to be untrue.
He concluded by noting the matter was not political in nature, but deeply personal and difficult, and expressed appreciation to Council for authorizing the investigation and for their support. 3 of 6
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City Manager Hazeltine addressed the investigative findings into personnel complaints involving Councilmember Blain. He expressed the experience had been personally and professionally difficult, and the day was not one of relief, but of continued concern.
Mr. Hazeltine emphasized the investigation validated each of his claims, while none of Councilmember Blain's counter -complaints were sustained. He shared the emotional impact of revisiting the detailed documentation, describing the process of reliving the events as deeply challenging.
Mr. Hazeltine stated Mr. Blain's conduct intensified following his election to office. After much deliberation, he made the difficult decision to file a formal complaint once the situation became untenable. He noted Mr. Blain's conduct persisted throughout the investigation and beyond its formal end date, prompting him to submit several hundred pages of emails as additional material to this item in order to document its continuation.
Mr. Hazeltine explained during the investigation, contact between the involved parties was restricted. Communication responsibilities were shifted to Assistant City Manager Kaserman, who then became the target of similar abusive behavior. He expressed deep appreciation for her professionalism and resilience throughout the process.
Mr. Hazeltine also discussed previous efforts to address the situation, including an amendment to his employment contract and to the Poway Municipal Code. He explained these measures were intended to protect staff but were not successful, citing continued and repeated violations by Mr. Blain.
Mr. Hazeltine emphasized his duty as City Manager is to protect employees and to formally address misconduct. He acknowledged the Council's prompt and unanimous action in authorizing the investigation and expressed gratitude for their support, professionalism, and empathy throughout the process.
He concluded by acknowledging the investigator's report may not fully capture the severity of the conduct since it focused exclusively on complaints related to personnel policies. In addition to abusive behavior, the documented communications included defamatory, libelous, and slanderous content made with malice. He called for accountability and thanked Council and Staff for their continued support and dedication to maintaining a respectful and professional work environment in Poway.
Public Comment:
The following individuals spoke on Item #3:
Vanessa Springett addressed Councilmember Blain's abusive behavior and supported Recall Tony Blain efforts.
MJ Mohamad, speaking on behalf of Poway Teamsters Local 911, offered support for City Staff and City Management.
Yuri Bohlen addressed Councilmember Blain's conduct and requested he refrain from sending unsolicited emails moving forward.
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Anita Edmondson addressed concerns regarding Councilmember Blain's legal liability to the City and supported Recall Tony Blain efforts.
John Mullin discussed the consequences of Councilmember Blain's actions and the reputational harm caused to City staff.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council discussed the scope, findings, and consequences of the investigation, which concluded Councilmember Blain engaged in repeated patterns of abusive, insulting, and unjustified behavior toward City staff. Council concluded the complaints were substantiated through a comprehensive, independent review including over 2,000 pages of documentation. Council emphasized they while they provided direction to hire an outside investigator, they had no role in selecting the investigator or influencing the process or findings.
Councilmember Blain characterized the investigation as politically motivated. He asserted it was an attempt for Mayor Vaus to maintain his seat on the City Council. He commented he was elected by voters to counteract corruption and term limits would be coming forward. He called for Mayor Vaus's resignation and claimed no wrongdoing occurred on his part. He claimed that while the report may demonstrate he can be abrupt and rude, it did not demonstrate anything illegal from an HR perspective.
Council affirmed the legitimacy of the investigation and its conclusions. Councilmembers expressed deep concern over the work environment created by Councilmember Blain, referencing ongoing impacts to staff and the City and described his behavior as shameful.
Council highlighted the professionalism and restraint demonstrated by staff despite Councilmember Blain's ongoing behavior.
Council outlined the known and unknown financial impacts of Councilmember Blain's behavior and expressed concern regarding his retaliatory complaints and public statements, including unsubstantiated and defamatory allegations against staff, and cautioned such actions could result in significant legal and financial consequences.
Council concluded that the severity of the findings warranted public accountability and affirmed their commitment to a safe and respectful workplace. Mayor Vaus explained that unlike a city employee who can be fired if they violate City policies or aren't performing their job, the voters of District 2 hold the power to remove Councilmember Blain from office. He thanked City Manager Hazeline and City Attorney Fenstermacher for serving with dignity, grace, and professionalism and apologized on behalf of the City Council for how they have been treated by Councilmember Blain. The Mayor further stated that he was supportive of a second resolution of censure based upon the findings of the personnel investigation.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to 1) accept and agree with the report and its findings; and 2) consider a formal Censure of Councilmember Blain at the July 15, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting. Motion carried 4/1 by the following vote:
Ayes: Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Noes: Blain
Abstained: None
Absent: None
Disqualified: None
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 - (G.C. 53232(d))
City Attorney Fenstermacher asked Councilmember Blain if he was still present at the posted teleconference meeting location, as he was seen leaving the meeting location at 7:52 p.m., Councilmember Blain confirmed he was no longer present at the noticed teleconferencing location, first claiming he was driving, but then stating that he was in the parking lot. City Attorney Fenstermacher advised Councilmember Blain that he needed to return to the posted teleconference meeting location if he wished to continue making comments. Councilmember Blain said he would do so, but he officially exited the teleconference meeting platform at 8:20 p.m. and did not return.
Councilmember Pikus highlighted Poway's upcoming Independence Day festivities including its two firework shows and the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Old Poway Park.
Deputy Mayor De Hoff shared details of Poway's upcoming Independence Day festivities and noted having attended the Poway ham radio operators National Field Day event, hosted by Poway Amateur Radio Society (PARS) and Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps (PNEC) on June 28th, 2025 at Lake Poway Park.
Mayor Vaus shared details about Poway's upcoming Independence Day celebrations and fireworks displays. He noted he will be attending the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Old Poway Park and provided details regarding a special tribute honoring Roger Mohling for his contributions to Old Poway Park.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
City Manager Hazeltine thanked the City Council for their support and accepted the Mayor's apology on behalf of the Councilmembers physically present at the meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None.
CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
411 611, lq,;� 7
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
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