AG EN DA REPORT City of Poway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
CONTACT:
October 21, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk ·/(�
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Approval of the July 15, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary
The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are:
• July 15, 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 July 15, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Public Notification:
None.
Attachments:
A July 15, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Reviewed/Approved By:
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Approved By:
Chris Hazeltine
City Manager
1 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
2 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
July 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, 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; 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:
None.
3 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Joe St. Lucas expressed concerns regarding the public's ability to remotely participate in public comment from the teleconferencing location of a participating Councilmember.
Anita Anders spoke in support of City leadership and discussed volunteer efforts for the Recall Tony Blain campaign.
Yuri Bohlen expressed gratitude for the City's two (2) 4th of July fireworks shows and shared his concerns over individuals condoning Councilmember Blain's behavior.
Anita Edmondson addressed misconduct concerns related to Councilmember Blain and provided an update on the Recall Tony Blain campaign.
John Mullin shared updates on the Recall Tony Blain campaign.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 4. Motion carried 5/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda
2. Approval of the April 15, 2025, and July 1, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Acceptance of the Reservoir R-4 and R-7 Rehabilitation Project with Unified Field Services Corporation, as Complete
4. Rejection of Received Bids for the Fiber Optic Improvement Project, Bid No. 25-014, and Direction to Staff to Re-Scope, Consider Alternative Options and Potentially Re-Advertise the Project if Warranted
Councilmember De Hoff highlighted the rejection of the bid as a fiscally responsible decision and praised the City's Budget Review Committee for encouraging this approach, contrasted by practices in other California cities where competitive bidding is eroded by political ambition and Project Labor Agreements (PLAs).
Deputy Mayor De Hoff spoke in opposition to PLAs for restricting contracts to union-only labor, reducing competition, increasing costs, and often leading to single or repeated bids from the same contractors. He warned that fiscal impacts from these policies are gradual but damaging, leading to higher taxes, fewer services, and broken city budgets.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
4 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2025
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
5.-11. Resolutions Establishing Assessments for Poway Landscape Maintenance Districts 19-1, 83-1, 86-1, 86-2, 86-3, 87-1 and the Poway Lighting District.
Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearings for Items 5 through 11 at 7:22 p.m.
Senior Management Analyst Danielle McIntosh presented the report along with a PowerPoint presentation for Items 5 through 11. She explained the Public Hearing is to consider approval of the annual levy to collect assessments for the City of Poway's six (6) Landscape Maintenance Districts (LMD) and Poway Lighting District (PLO) in accordance with the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972 and Proposition 218. Ms. McIntosh stated the assessment rates and service levels for Fiscal Year 2024-25 are proposed to remain unchanged from Fiscal Year 2024-25 with the exceptions of LMD 86-2B and LMD 86-3B, which will increase by the annual change in CPI at 5.11 %, and LMD 19-1 including a 3% inflator cap on the annual change in CPI and will increase by 3%. The landscape maintenance service levels for each LMD will remain at their current level.
Ms. McIntosh stated the PLO has three zones and noted assessments from Zone A and B fund street lighting throughout the City and assessments from Zone C fund maintenance and operation of traffic signals, flashing beacons and related equipment. FY 2025-26 assessment rates for the PLO are to remain unchanged at the FY 2024-25 rates for all three zones.
Public Comment:
Toni Bates, on behalf of the Landscape Maintenance District Advisory Group, spoke in support of Items #5 -11.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing for Items 5 through 11 at 7:30.
Council discussion ensued, with members emphasizing the importance of finding a balanced solution to serve the interests of LMD residents and the City as a whole. The conversation focused on the dual priorities of public safety and aesthetic upkeep. Council acknowledged resident feedback regarding the current assessment structure, particularly concerns about rising costs, and highlighted the City's ongoing financial support of the LMDs.
5. Resolution Establishing Assessments for Poway Landscape Maintenance District 19-1 to be Collected on the San Diego County Property Tax Roll for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to adopt Resolution No. 25-026 entitled "A Resolution of The City Council of The City of Poway, California, Establishing Assessments for Poway Landscape Maintenance District No. 19-1 to be Collected on the San Diego County Property Tax Roll for Fiscal Year 2025-26." Motion carried 5/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Blain, Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
5 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City
of
Poway
-
Minutes
-
July
15,
2025
6. Resolution
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
83-1
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Pikus
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-027
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
No.
83-1
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
7. Resolution
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
86-1
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Pikus
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-028
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
No.
86-1
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
8. Resolution
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
86-2
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Pikus
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-029
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
No.
86-2
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
9. Resolution
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
86-3
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Pikus
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-030
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
No.
86-3
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
6 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City
of
Poway
-
Minutes
-
July
15,
2025
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
10. Resolution
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
87-1
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Pikus
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-031
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Landscape
Maintenance
District
No.
87-1
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
11. Resolution
Establish
ing
Assessments
for
Poway
Lighting
District
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Pikus
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-032
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Establishing
Assessments
for
Poway
Lighting
District
to
be
Collected
on
the
San
Diego
County
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
12. Resolution
Renewing
the
Fire
Protection
Special
Tax
to
be
Collected
on
the
Property
Tax
Roll
for
Fisca
l Year
2025-26
Mayor
Vaus
opened
the
Public
Hearing
at
7:34
p.m
.
Finance
Manager
Mehrnoush
Jamshidi
presented
the
item
. She
stated
, the
City
must
renew
its
Fire
Protection
Special
Tax
as
required
by
the
County
of
San
Diego
to
be
placed
on
the
property
Tax
Roll.
Ms
. Jamshidi
noted
the
tax
was
originally
approved
by
an
84%
vote
of
the
people
back
in
1997
. She
added
the
tax
can
only
be
spent
on
fire
protection
including
personnel
and
equipment,
she
provided
calculat
ion
methodologies
and
explained
the
amount
to
be
collected
hasn't
changed
since
its
adoption
which
remains
at
$3
.12
per
point.
Ms.
Jamshidi
added
the
estimated
total
tax
to
be
collected
is
$654,429
. She
noted
in
FY
1997-
98 when
this
Special
Tax
was
approved,
the
Fire
Department
budget
was
$3
.2
million,
and
the
revenue
from
this
Special
Tax
was
$535
,000
or
17%
of
the
budget.
For
FY
2025-2
, the
Fire
Department
budget
is
$17
.2
million,
and
only 4%
of
that
is
covered
by
this
Special
Tax
.
7 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City
of
Poway
-
Minutes
-
July
15,
2025
She
concluded
by
stating
approval
of
the
item
would
authorize
collection
of
up
to
$700,000
which
would
ensure
the
authorized
amount
will
not
be
exceeded
if
further
additions
to
the
property
tax
roll
are
made.
Public
Comment:
None. End
of
Public
Comment.
Mayor
Vaus
closed
the
Public Hearing
at
7:36
p.m.
Responding
to
Council
questions,
City
staff
confirmed
the
assessment
has
remained
unchanged
since
its
initial
implementation
and
does
not
include
any
adjustment
for
inflation
.
City
Attorney
Fenstermacher
further
clarified
that
adding
an
inflationary
adjustment
to
the
assessment would
likely
require
approval
through
a
City-wide
vote
by
residents.
Council
noted
the
item
is
not
a
rate
increase
for
the
Special
Tax,
rather
a
continuation
of
the
tax
at
its
current
level.
Motioned
by
Mayor
Vaus,
seconded
by
Councilmember
Maeda
to
adopt
Resolution
No.
25-033
entitled
"A
Resolution
of
The
City
Council
of
The
City
of
Poway,
California,
Renewing
the
Fire
Protection
Special
Tax
to
be
Collected
on
the
Property
Tax
Rolls
for
Fiscal
Year
2025-26."
Motion
carried
5/0
by
the
following
roll-call
vote:
Ayes: Noes: Abstained: Absent: Disqualified:
Blain,
Maeda,
Pikus,
De
Hoff,
Vaus
None None None None
13. A
Specific
Plan
Amendment
(SPA
24-0002)
to
the
Old
Poway
Specific
Plan
(OPSP)
for
the
establishment
of
a
Music
Overlay
District
(MOD)
for
the
existing
Commercial
General
(CG)
Zone
and
EA25-0001,
a
Negative
Declaration
for
the
Music
Overlay
District
(MOD)
within
the
Old
Poway
Specific
Plan
Mayor
Vaus
opened
the
Public
Hearing
at
7:37
p.m
.
City
Planner
Stan
Donn
presented
the
item
along
with
PowerPoint.
Mr.
Donn
explained
the
SPA
was
in
response
to
feedback
from
local
businesses
in
the
Old
Poway
area
seeking
to
provide
musical
entertainment
for
patrons.
The
intent
of
the
amendment
is
to
enhance
the
vibrancy
of
the
area
and
promote
it as
a
community
gathering
space.
In
September
2024,
the
City
contracted
with
Dudek
to
conduct the
necessary
analysis
to
support
the
establishment
of
a
Music
Overlay
District
(MOD).
The
proposed
MOD
is
an
amendment
to
the
Old
Poway
Specific
Plan
(OPSP)
to
permit
musical
performances
within
one
commercially
zoned
area
of
the
plan
and
designated
a
Commercial
General
zone.
Musical
performances
would
be
permitted
with
the
issuance
of
an
Administrative
Use
Permit
(AUP)
and
subject
to
specific
design
standards
and
conditions.
8 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2025
Mr. Donn explained the surrounding uses include residential properties and provided slides showing the proposed MOD area and its relationship to nearby parcels.
A noise assessment was conducted by Dudek to evaluate potential impacts from three types of musical entertainment: non-amplified live acoustic music, amplified live music, and prerecorded amplified music. Based on the study and business input, performances would be allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., with a spectator limit of 60 people.
Noise levels must remain in compliance with the Poway Municipal Code (PMC). The noise study identified acceptable sound thresholds for various settings, including outdoor performances and indoor performances.
The AUP would allow for single or multiple events under one permit. Applicants would be required to identify the performance location, anticipated noise levels, and any screening measures, with applications submitted at least 45 days in advance. Staff would evaluate the application, establish conditions of approval, and notify nearby property owners.
Mr. Donn noted a community meeting was held in Council Chambers on October 29, 2024, to present the MOD concept and receive feedback. Over 30 residents participated, with the majority expressing support. A Negative Declaration was prepared, including the noise assessment as a supporting technical study. The project was determined to have no significant environmental impacts.
Staff noted a correction to the SPA text to correctly list musical performance hours consistent throughout the remainder of the document as 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Public Comment:
The following individuals spoke in support of Item #13:
Chris Olps
Sharlene O'Keefe
The following individuals spoke in opposition to Item #13:
Jill LaHaye
The following individuals spoke neutrally on Item #13:
Joe St. Lucas
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:59 p.m.
Council discussion ensued supporting the expansion of live music as a cultural and entertainment potential for Old Poway Park by encouraging business activity and community engagement. Council noted the ordinance would provide a positive move toward regulated live music with clear boundaries and expectations. Council acknowledged the need to balance business interests along with noise protections for residents. 9 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2025
In response to Council questions, staff provided further clarification on the permitting process-including the potential for permit revocation, distinctions between the Music Overlay District (MOD) and special event permits, and procedures for noise monitoring.
In response to Council questions, Mark Storm, Acoustic Services Manager at Dudek, explained the context of dBA levels and how the acoustic modeling demonstrates compliance with noise standards for nearby residential areas.
Councilmember Maeda proposed a substitute motion to change the live music start time from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Mayor Vaus offered a friendly amendment to include a six-month review to evaluate the ordinance's overall effectiveness.
Motioned by Councilmember Maeda seconded by Mayor Vaus to: adopt Resolution No. 25-034 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Approving an Initial Study and Negative Declaration to the Old Poway Specific Plan (OPSP) Analyzing the Potential Impacts of Specific Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0002 and Environmental Assessment (EA) 25-0001, for the Establishment of a Music Overlay District (MOD) Allowing Limited Indoor and Outdoor Music for Businesses Located within the Designated Areas of the Commercial General (CG) Zone"; introduce Ordinance No. 875 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Amending the Old Poway Specific Plan (OPSP) to Establish a Music Overlay District (MOD) for Limited Indoor and Outdoor Music for Businesses Located within the Southerly Commercial General (CG) Zone," waive further reading and schedule the adoption of the Ordinance for the August 5, 2025, Regular City Council meeting; and a substitute motion to amend the Project Design Feature Requirement to modify the hours of operation for any outdoor or indoor music event to not begin before 9 a.m. or extend beyond 10 p.m., and to direct City Staff to return to City Council six months after implementation to evaluate the policy's effectiveness and consider potential modifications. Motion carried 4/1 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
STAFF REPORTS:
None.
WORKSHOPS:
None.
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Blain
None
None
None
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
14. Censure of Councilmember Tony Blain for Abusive and Bullying Behavior Toward City Staff Mayor Vaus presented the item, explaining he made a motion to bring forward the Resolution of Censure against Councilmember Blain at the July 1, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, in 10 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City
of
Poway
-
Minutes
-
July
15,
2025
accordance
with
the
requirements
of
the
municipal
code.
The
motion
received
majority
concurrence
from
the
Council.
The
basis
for
the
proposed
censure
stems
from
the
results
of
an
independent
investigation,
which
were
discussed
in
detail
at
the
July
1,
2025
Regular
City
Council
Meeting.
The
investigation
reports
indicate
Councilmember
Blain
violated
the
City's
workplace
bullying
policy,
the
City's
Code
of
Ethics,
and
the
Poway
Municipal
Code,
due
to
his
repeated
and
persistent
conduct
toward
both
the
City
Manager
and
City
Attorney
. Evidence
for
these
violations
includes
thousands
of
pages
of
emails,
interviews,
and
other
documentation
.
The
investigation
findings
concluded
Council
member
Blain:
1)
made
abusive
and
offensive
statements
to
both
the
City
Manager
and
the
City
Attorney,
unrelated
to
legitimate
City
business;
2)
made
insulting
and
degrading
remarks
to
both
the
City
Manager
and
the
City
Attorney,
unrelated
to
legitimate
City
business;
3)
made
inappropriate
personal
comments,
belittling
opinions,
or
unjustified
criticisms
toward
both
the
City
Manager
and
the
City
Attorney,
unrelated
to
the
City's
legitimate
business
interests;
and
4)
spread
malicious
gossip,
rumors,
or
innuendo
about
the
City
Attorney.
Mayor
Vaus
concluded
Councilmember
Blain's
actions
are
in
violation
of
the
City's
workplace
bullying
policy
.
In
contrast,
the
investigation
found
no
evidence
to
support
any
of
the
complaints
made
by
Councilmember
Blain
against
the
City
Manager
or
the
City
Attorney.
Public
Comment:
Yuri
Bohlen
spoke
in
support
of
Item
#14
.
End
of
Public
Comment
.
Councilmember
Blain
stated
there
are
no
lawsuits
filed
against
him
and
characterized
the
censure
as
politically
motivated
rather
than
legally
grounded
. He
framed
the
issue
as
a matter
of
differing
opinions
and
power
struggles,
not
misconduct.
He
raised
concerns
about
unelected
individuals
campaigning
for
his
recall
and
reaffirmed
his
own
commitment
to
representing
District
2,
calling
for
unity
and
a
return
to
addressing
core
City
issues.
Council
discussion
ensued.
Council
recounted
prior
conversations
in
which
Mr.
Blain
was
advised
to
cease
his
bullying
behavior
and
urged
him
to
demonstrate
more
integrity.
Council
discussed
a
series
of
past
and
ongoing
incidents
involving
Mr.
Blain,
including
prior
censures,
Brown
Act,
Fair
Political
Practices
Commission
and
Public
Records
Act
violations,
misuse
of
City
email
for
campaigning,
and
personal
attacks
against
City
staff.
Council
also
highlighted
the
City's
ongoing
lawsuit
against
Mr.
Blain,
directly
contradicting
his
earlier
claims
that
no
legal
action
had
been
taken.
Council
noted
despite
repeated
opportunities
to
correct
course,
Mr.
Blain
continues
the
same
behavior
and
cited
specific
examples
of
inappropriate
emails
and
communications.
Council
characterized
Mr
. Blain's
behavior
as
abusive
and
harmful,
particularly
toward
City
staff.
Council
emphasized
the
issue
is
not
political,
but
rather
a
matter
of
protecting
staff
and
maintaining
a
respectful
workplace
and
upholding
City
values
of
professionalism
and
accountability
. Council
expressed
doubt
that
the
censure
would
ultimately
change
Mr.
Blain's
behavior
but
stated
they
could
not
remain
silent
in
the
face
of
abuse
. Council
cited
findings
from
two
independent
investigations,
highlighting
Blain's
repeated
false
accusations
and
conduct
driven
by
malice
and
described
his
actions
as
defamatory
and
a
violation
of
public
11 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -July 15, 2025
trust. Council affirmed the City's commitment to protecting staff and refocusing on the community's needs.
Motioned by Councilmember Pikus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to adopt Resolution No. 25-035 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Censuring Councilmember Arthur (Tony) Blain for Abusive, Insulting Conduct in Violation of City Policies, Poway Municipal Code, and Related Misconduct." Motion carried 4/0/1 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Blain
None
None
None
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -(G.C. 53232(d))
Councilmember Blain shared his intention to personally purchase Neighborhood Watch signs if requested by residents and addressed community concerns regarding high water bills and fire prevention. He advocated for local Poway teen centers and discussed the potential formation of a Poway trails association, which would aim to raise funds for trail signage to support the preservation and expansion of Poway's trail system.
Councilmember Maeda announced the Poway Historical Society will be hosting the grand finale to its 60th Anniversary Celebration along Midland Road on Saturday, July 19, 2025.
Councilmember Pikus announced he will be attending the "Picnic with the Chief' event co-hosted by the Poway Kiwanis Club on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center, featuring Poway Fire Chief Brian Mitchell.
Deputy Mayor De Hoff motioned to consider financial penalties for violations of the Brown Act, Poway Municipal Code, Council Code of Conduct, or attorney-client privilege at a future Regular City Council Meeting. Motion carried 4/1 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
Blain, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Maeda
None
None
None
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS:
(Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) Item #15: City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher reported out City Council voted 5/0 to authorize the City Attorney's office to defend the City in Preserve Wild Poway v. City of Poway, et. al., San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 25CU033019C
12 of 12
October 21, 2025, Item #2
City
of
Poway
-
Minutes
-
July
15,
2025
City
Manager
Hazeltine
recused
himself
from
Item
#16
and
departed
the
closed
session
meeting
.
Al
Ford
joined
the
meeting
as
Special
Counsel
for
the
discussion
of
Closed
Session
Item
#16.
Item
#16:
City
Attorney
Fenstermacher
reported
out
that
following
Councilmember
Blain's
refusal
to
voluntarily
recuse
himself
after
being
advised
of
a
conflict
of
interest
prohibiting
his
participation
in
this
item
by
independent
special
counsel
, the
City
Council
voted
4-1
(No
: Blain)
to
exclude
Councilmember
Blain
from
the
closed
session
discussion
of
the
claim
against
the
City
that
is
based
solely
on
his
conduct.
The
City
Council
has
repeatedly
repudiated
this
conduct
through
censures
and
other
actions
.
The
City
Council
voted
4-0
(with
Councilmember
Blain
excluded
due
to
conflict
of
interest)
to
not
provide
Councilmember
Blain
a
defense
or
otherwise
fund
his
defense
of
any
lawsuit
filed
by
the
City
Manager
against
Councilmember
Blain
based
on
the
claims
set
forth
in
the
demand
letter,
because
Councilmember
Blain's
conduct
is
both
outside
the
scope
of
any
employment
with
the
City
and
was
done
with
actual
malice.
(See
Government
Code
section
995
.2)
CLOSED
SESSION:
15. Conference
with
Legal
Counsel
-
Existing
Litigation
Pursuant
to
Government
Code
§
54956
. 9(
d)(
1)
Name
of
Case:
Preserve
Wild
Poway
v.
City
of
Poway,
et.
al.,
San
Diego
County
Superior
Court,
Case
No.
25CU033019C
16. Conference
with
Legal
Counsel
-
Anticipated
Litigation
Pursuant
to
Government
Code§
54956
.9(d)(2)
-Significant
Exposure
to
Litigation
One
(1)
Case
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor
Vaus
recessed
the
Regular City
Council
meeting
into
Closed
Session
at
8:54
p.m.
The
meeting
was
adjourned
at
9:53
p.m.
Carrie
Gallagher,
CMC
City
Clerk
City
of
Poway,
California