AGENDA REPORT CityofPoway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
August 5, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk ~
(858) 668-4535 or cgallagher@p~J/ay.org
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Approval of the May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary
The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are:
• May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
The Poway City Council sits as the Poway Planning Commission, the Poway Housing Authority , the Public Financing Authority, and the Successor Agency to the Poway Redevelopment Agency.
Recommended Action:
It is recommended the City Council approve the May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Public Notification:
None.
Attachments:
A. May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Reviewed/Approved By:
~~ K~
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
A~
cMsHazetme
City Manager
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CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
May 6, 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, 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 MayorNice 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.
Mayor Vaus noted agenda Item #10 was pulled from tonight's calendar.
PRESENTATIONS:
Recognition of Fire Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Office Personnel 2 of 8
August 5, 2025, Item #2
ATTACHMENT A
City of Poway - Minutes - May 6, 2025
Recognition of the City of Poway's Participation in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Terri Sorensen, on behalf of the Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps (PNEC), announced the Poway Emergency and Safety Fair scheduled for May 31, 2025, and the Poway Community Chipping Event, scheduled for June 14, 2025.
Joe St. Lucas spoke regarding National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, recognized on May 12, 2025.
Anita Anders spoke in support of the recall or resignation of Counci!member Blain.
Nick Carruthers encouraged empathy, humility, civility and respect at City Council meetings.
Ray Jalisi shared concerns over landscaping plan changes at The Farm and the bond release status for its developer.
Anita Edmondson provided updates on the Recall Tony Blain committee activities.
John Mullin spoke regarding Code of Ethics violations by Councilmember Blain, the pending lawsuit with the City, and in support of the Recall Tony Blain efforts.
Yuri Bohlen provided background on Prop 218 and it's relation to the City's water rate structure and county-wide impacts on water costs stressing no single council member has the ability to lower water rates.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 5 and Items 7 through 9. Motion carried 510 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to approve Consent Calendar Item 6. Motion carried 4/011 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Blain, Maeda, De Hoff, Vaus
None
Pikus
None
None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda
2. Approval of the March 4, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 3 of 8
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City of Poway- Minutes - May 6, 2025
3. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 873 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Amending Chapter 2.18 (Meetings) of the Poway Municipal Code Regarding Physical Attendance at City Council Meetings" Yuri Bohlen spoke in support of Item #3.
4. Approval of Final Tract Map for Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 22-0001 (Harmon Ranch Subdivision); Lennar Homes of California, LLC, Applicant (APNs: 317-500-02, 317-500-03, 317-500-09 through 317-500-14, 317-501-01 and 317-501-02) Yuri Bohlen spoke neutrally on Item #4, discussing state housing mandates and addressing private property rights.
5. Award of Contract to HSCC, Inc., for the Neighborhood Sidewalks Garden Road Project, Bid No. 25-007 and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6. Authorization to Purchase Desktop Computers and Four-Year Warranty from Connection, RFP No. 25-012
7. Acceptance of Irrevocable Offer of Dedication on Claire Drive
8. Acceptance of the Washwater Tank No. 2 Rehabilitation Project with Advanced Industrial Services, Inc., as Complete
9. Award of Agreement to ECS Imaging, Inc. for Laserfiche Cloud Records Management and Professional Software Services
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
10. Ordinance to Amend Poway Municipal Code to Allow Imposition of Administrative Citations and Penalties for Violations of Law
Mayor Vaus noted for the record, the removal of Agenda Item #10 from the meeting calendar.
No action was taken.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
11. Ordinance Amending Poway Municipal Code Chapters 15.24 and 8. 76, to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Consolidate Defensible Space Regulations, and Determination that the Adoption of the Foregoing Amendments by Ordinance are Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3) Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m.
Fire Chief Brian Mitchell introduced the item. Chief Mitchell clarified the Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) map was created by fire service professionals at the state level, not by the Poway Fire Department. He stated the City does not have the authority to request changes to the map's boundaries and state law requires the City to adopt the map by Ordinance within 120 days.
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City of Poway - Minutes - May 6, 2025
After receiving the FHSZ map on March 24, 2025, City staff posted it on the City's website and shared additional information with the community about how it may affect Poway residents and their properties. A public forum workshop was held in City Council Chambers on April 10, 2025.
Senior Management Analyst Jenna Stein presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Stein discussed the recommendations by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). She explained the map is intended to increase public awareness of the wildfire hazard and the impacts on the local community and identifies the geographic area in which the Wildland Urban Interface Building Codes and the minimum requirements for defensible space apply.
In addition to adopting the recommendations, additional administrative changes will be made to the Poway Municipal Code (PMC) to better align with the 2022 California Fire Code, and to consolidate all defensible space requirements into a single section. The administrative changes incorporate the state's minimum requirements for defensible space to provide clarity for residents. She explained one key operational change is being implemented by the City of Poway: the expansion of defensible space requirements within the Wildfire Defensible Space Program (WDSP). This program requires property owners to reduce flammable vegetation within 100 feet of structures. This change aims to reduce wildfire vulnerability and increase community resilience.
Ms. Stein explained the updated FHSZ map provides the City with the legal basis to require fire-resistant building standards and other wildfire safety regulations. Recognizing wildfire as a hazard will raise community awareness and encourage residents to take proactive steps, such as completing a home ignition zone assessment with fire prevention staff or attending wildfire safety and evacuation awareness workshops.
Public Comment:
Christy Winters spoke in opposition to Item #11, citing concerns regarding the data used by state agencies in updating the FHSZ maps.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:48 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Council discussed the requirement to adopt the maps as recommended by OSFM and the potential implications for homeowners' insurance. Council encouraged residents to maintain proper defensible space around their properties, noting wildfire risk can be effectively managed and reduced through a combination of City mitigation and individual homeowner actions. Staff and Council further discussed the maps, highlighting their purpose for long-term planning and reinforcing local building codes to establish higher construction standards aimed at enhancing wildfire resilience.
In response to Council questions, Staff discussed the uncertainty surrounding potential future modifications to California Building Codes as related to high fire hazard severity zones. In addition, staff clarified the City cannot propose reductions to the FHSZ boundaries.
As requested by the Mayor, City Clerk Gallagher titled the Ordinance for introduction. 5 of 8
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City of Poway - Minutes - May 6, 2025
Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff, seconded by Mayor Vaus to introduce Ordinance No. 874 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Amending Chapters 15.24 and 8.76 of the Poway Municipal Code, to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones as Recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Consolidate Defensible Space Regulations," for first reading by title only, schedule the second reading and adoption for May 20, 2025, set an effective date of July 1, 2025, and determine that the adoption of the foregoing amendments by Ordinance are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3). Motion carried 5/0 by following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
STAFF REPORTS:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
12. Pre-Development Conference 25-0002, a Proposal for 16 Multi-Family Units, Phase 2 of the Fairfield Project at 12947 Poway Road, APN 317-490-68
Senior Planner Kevin Parker presented along with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Parker discussed the project site, size and location. He provided background on the Fairfield mixed use project approved in December of 2020. The project consists of 212 market rate units, 11,000 square-feet of commercial space designed for two future restaurants, 10,000 square feet of public park space along Poway Road and other amenities. The proposed multifamily building, known as the Fairfield Project, is an extension of the existing West Village Poway Apartments complex.
Mr. Parker described the project, noting the proposed setbacks, and provided an overview of the conceptual plans. He discussed the proposed site improvements, including a dog park and additional residential parking spaces. The proposed building has two stories with a basement level that provides access to one car garages, on site for commercial spaces and provides 100% commercial frontage along the ground floor facing Poway Road. The completed project, combined with the West Village Poway Apartments complex, will allow a total commercial block face exceeding the 75% minimum requirement of the Poway Road Specific Plan.
Mr. Parker announced a neighborhood meeting for the proposed project, scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2025 in Council Chambers.
Mr. Parker noted the Pre-Development Conference gives Council the opportunity to provide direct feedback to the applicant prior to formal consideration of an application. When the project does come before Council for consideration, there will be a duly noticed public hearing with notification sent to nearby property owners.
Following staff's presentation, Applicants, Ted Boucher, Development Manager, and Ed McCoy, Senior Vice President of Development at Fairfield Residential provided a PowerPoint presentation. They gave an overview of the project and updates on the West Village Poway (Phase 1) development, noting they are actively marketing the restaurant and retail spaces. 6 of 8
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They presented details on Phase II (Fairfield), including elevation plans, interior unit renderings, and a discussion of the shared amenities between the two phases.
Public Comment:
Yuri Bohlen spoke neutrally on Item #12.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council noted no amendments had been requested by the applicant and the proposal is consistent with the PRSP. Council sought clarification on the shared parking arrangement between the two phases of the development (West Village Poway Apartments and Fairfield), as well as the accessibility and availability of the proposed Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. Additional comments addressed provisions for affordable housing, building setbacks, and the inclusion of underground parking. Members of the public were encouraged to attend the upcoming neighborhood meeting and provide feedback.
City Council provided input and direction regarding the request as recommended. No additional action was taken on this item.
WORKSHOPS:
None.
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 - (G.C. 53232(d))
Councilmember Blain highlighted a recent community-led cleanup effort at Tooth Rock Trail and discussed establishing Neighborhood Watch programs to enhance public safety.
Councilmember Pikus provided updates for the 'Sweep the Trails' volunteer event scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025. Additionally, he announced a free water workshop scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Poway Library, sponsored by the Green Valley Civic Association (GVCA). The workshop will address information about regional water management, water costs and water rate adjustments.
Deputy Mayor De Hoff acknowledged Poway's strong reputation and consistently high rankings as one of the safest cities in San Diego County.
Mayor Vaus introduced and welcomed Lieutenant Colin Hebeler as the newest member of the Poway Station, San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
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CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None.
CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Carrie Gallagher , CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
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