CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
October 7, 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
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 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.
PRESENTATIONS:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine convened a special presentation recognizing Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman for her nine years of dedicated service to the City of Poway and congratulating her on her appointment as the next City Manager for the City of Santee. He expressed pride in Kaserman's professional accomplishments, commending her leadership, integrity, and contributions to the organization since joining Poway. He presented a 1 of 5
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commemorative plaque acknowledging her service and conveyed appreciation for her personal and professional impact on the City and staff.
Council expressed their appreciation for Ms. Kaserman's long-standing service, versatility, and leadership across numerous roles within Poway's city government. Council commended her professionalism, integrity, and commitment to excellence, noting her calm demeanor, collaborative spirit, and humility in prioritizing results over recognition.
In closing, Mayor Vaus presented the Mayor's Medallion to Ms. Kaserman in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the City of Poway, expressing pride in her achievements and extending best wishes for success in her new role with the City of Santee.
Ms. Kaserman expressed heartfelt appreciation to the City Council, staff, and community, reflecting on nearly ten years of meaningful service with the City of Poway. She reflected on her long-held aspiration to become a city manager and noted that the transition was made difficult by the many strong relationships and deep sense of family she found within the organization.
Ms. Kaserman acknowledged the privilege of working alongside dedicated colleagues, City leadership, and engaged community members throughout her tenure and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community. •
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Anita Edmondson spoke regarding the November 4, 2025 Special Municipal Recall Election, urged support for the recall of Councilmember Blain, and bid farewell to departing Assistant City 1 ..
Manager Wendy Kaserman.
Roberta McCoy shared concerns over conditions of and resurfacing efforts on Poway Road.
Peter Neild spoke regarding the preservation of Poway's hilltop conditions and scenic views.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 3. Motion carried 41011 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
Blain
None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda
2. Fourth Amendment to Facilities Use and Lease Agreement Between the City of Poway and Poway-Midland Railroad Volunteers, Inc., for Use of Certain Facilities at Old Poway Park and Crosthwaite Yard and City of Poway's Lease of Poway-Midland Railroad Volunteer-Owned Rolling Stock
David Blake, representing the Poway-Midland Railroad Volunteers, spoke in support of Item #2.
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3. Award of Contract to Tyler Technologies for Software as a Service (SaaS) License Model for the Existing On-Premises Tyler Applications
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
4 . Amendment to Poway Municipal Code to Regulate Electric Bicycles City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher presented the item. He explained the proposed ordinance was prepared at the Council's direction following the September 16, 2025 Regular City Council meeting presentation by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office and in response to an increase in community complaints regarding e-bike use . The ordinance aligns with Assembly Bill (AB) 2234, a pilot program applicable only within San Diego County, which authorizes local jurisdictions to restrict the use of certain e-bikes by minors.
Mr. Fenstermacher noted the ordinance would prohibit the operation of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes by individuals 12 years of age and under, and added that Class 3 e-bikes, the fastest category , are already restricted by state law to riders 16 and older. All e-bike riders under 18 would be required to wear helmets.
He stated staff reviewed best practices from other jurisdictions and drafted the ordinance to be comprehensive, allowing the Council flexibility to amend or narrow provisions as desired.
In addition to age and equipment restrictions, the ordinance would establish rules of the road, designate permitted and prohibited areas , and set speed limits, pedestrian yielding requirements and safe buffering standards.
Mr. Fenstermacher explained the intent is to provide the Sheriff's Office with enforcement tools to promote safety and compliance . He added that under state law, penalties for riders 12 and under are lim ited to an initial warning and subsequent fines up to $25 , while all other violations would follow the existing Poway Municipal Code fee structure .
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued . Council expressed appreciation of Sheriff's Office personnel regarding e-bike safety education and their ongoing enforcement efforts. Council noted the ordinance would equip law enforcement with effective tools to enhance community safety while providing a clear framework for rider educat ion and compliance. Council discussed age- based passenger restrictions, helmet requirements across e-bike classes, and speed limitations, seeking clarification on specific provisions, and further reviewed the graduated enforcement measures ranging from warnings to fines, misdemeanors, and potential impoundment.
Responding to Council questions, Sheriff Captain Delgado confirmed the Department's ongoing partnership with PUSD to provide continued education and refresher courses emphasizing safe e-bike operation .
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Council emphasized concerns regarding rider safety, pedestrian interactions, and potential trail damage and highlighted the ordinance incorporates common-sense measures addressing excessive speed, passenger limits, and trail restrictions . Council clarified the ordinance targets unsafe and reckless riders rather than responsible e-bike users, emphasizing public understanding of e-bike classifications, operational limits, and appropriate helmet standards.
Councilmember Maeda proposed a substitute motion to edit the text to be consistent with existing City bicycle code, Chapter 10, Article 40, Section 010, to prohibit bicycle riding on sidewalks within designated business districts, seconded by Councilmember Pikus . Mayor Vaus offered a friendly amendment to add provisions related to equestrian safety.
Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to introduce Ordinance No. 877 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City Of Poway, California, Amending Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Poway Municipal Code to Establish Regulations on Electric Bicycles, Including Prohibiting Their Use by Children Under 12" for first reading by title only, waive further reading, and schedule the adoption of the Ordinance for the October 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting; and a substitute motion to: prohibit bicycle riding on sidewalks within designated business districts, consistent with Poway Municipal Code § 10.40.010, and add provisions related to equestrian safety, specifying when approaching or passing a person riding, leading, or otherwise in control of a horse or other equine animal, the operator of an e- bike shall: 1) yield the right of way to the equestrian; 2) reduce speed to no more than five (5) miles per hour, and stop if necessary, until the equestrian signals it is safe to proceed; and 3) refrain from sudden acceleration, loud noises, or any actions likely to startle the animal. Motion carried 4/0/1 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
STAFF REPORTS:
None.
WORKSHOPS:
None.
Maeda, Pikus De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
Blain
None
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -(G.C. 53232(d))
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Councilmember Pikus shared details of the Poway Fall Festival 2025, hosted by the Poway Chamber of Commerce, scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2025. He also highlighted the Home Fire Safety Workshop presented by the Poway Fire Department on October 8, 2025 in the Council Chambers. Additionally, Mr. Pikus noted the upcoming Special Election and encouraged resident participation.
Mayor Vaus encouraged all residents to participate in the upcoming Special Election. He extended his best wishes to Ms. Kaserman and offered his congratulations and well wishes as she embarks on her new role with the City of Santee.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher reported out City Council voted 4/0/1 (Absent: Blain) to initiate litigation relating to two properties to abate Poway Municipal Code violations.
CLOSED SESSION:
5. Conference with Legal Counsel -Anticipated Litigation Initiation of Litigation (Government Code§ 54956.9(d)(4)) Three (3) Cases
6. Conference with Real Property Negotiators
(Government Code § 54956.8)
Property: APN 3160200800; 0 Dorothea Terrace
City Negotiators: Chris Hazeltine, Julie Procopio
Negotiating Party: Ronald L Mahling Trust
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Vaus recessed the Regular City Council meeting into Closed Session at 7:46 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
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Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California