1 of 7November 4, 2025, Item #2AG EN DA REPORT City of Poway DATE: TO: FROM: November 4, 2025 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk vC..1}--(858) 668-4535 or [email protected] CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Approval of the August 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are: • August 5, 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 August 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Public Notification: None. Attachments: A. August 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Reviewed/Approved By: Assistant City Manager Reviewed By: Alan Fenstermacher City Attorney /
CITY OF POWAY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 5, 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:
Deputy Mayor De Hoff 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 (via teleconference) STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher; City Clerk Carrie Gallagher; Director of Development Services Julie Procopio; 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, and City Clerk shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy Mayor/Vice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel and City Clerk/Secretary.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Councilmember Maeda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Deputy Mayor De Hoff led a moment of silence.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ray Jalisi urged the City to require remedial actions for the contractors of The Farm development prior to the project’s completion.
Councilmember Blain exited the dais at 7:05 p.m. in violation of Poway Municipal Code 2.18.190. 2 of 7 November 4, 2025, Item #2ATTACHMENT A
City of Poway – Minutes – August 5, 2025
Anita Edmondson spoke regarding Councilmember Blain’s failure to fulfill his duties as an elected official and provided examples of his contradictory statements and actions.
John Mullin provided an update on the Recall Tony Blain campaign.
Councilmember Blain returned to the dais at 7:11 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR: Motioned by Mayor Vaus seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 10. 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 May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Second Reading and Adoption of 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” Greg Payne spoke in support of Item #3. Mark Claussen spoke in support of Item #3.
4. Resolution No. 25-036 Approving The Six-Year Update to the Sewer System Management Plan 5. Award of Agreement to GHD, Inc. for the Design Services of Emergency Water Interconnection No. 2, RFP No. 25-016 6. Acceptance of the Pool Circulation Pump Replacement Project with Horizon Mechanical Contractors of California, as Complete 7. Rejection of Received Bid for the Fiscal Year 2025 Poway Center for the Performing Arts Maintenance Project, Bid No. 25-009, and Direction for Staff to Re-Scope and Re-Advertise the Project 8. Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program Updates: Resolution No. 25-037 Approving Funding Acceptance and Award of Contracts for Hazardous Tree Removal Services Terry Heck spoke in support of Item #8.
Michael Yee spoke in support of Item #8.
3 of 7 November 4, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – August 5, 2025
9. Authorization to Purchase Two (2) 2026 North Star 174-1 Paramedic Ambulances Utilizing Houston-Galveston Area Council Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract #AM10-23
10. Acceptance of the Chiller Replacement Project with ACCO Engineered Systems Inc. dba ACCO Engineered Systems, as Complete ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 11. 2024 Weed and Nuisance Abatement Charges to be Collected on the County of San Diego Tax Assessor’s Roll for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Deputy Mayor De Hoff opened the Public Hearing at 7:19 p.m. Senior Code Compliance Officer Vianey Rivera presented the item. Ms. Rivera described the Weed Abatement Program and explained Council action will allow the cost of the abatement to be placed on next year's Tax Roll. She added the City sent out 224 notices to private property owners and performed weed abatement on 23 of those properties. She noted 14 of the properties have paid their invoices therefore nine properties will have the abatement costs added to their property tax bill for next year. Ms. Rivera explained the assessment includes the cost of the abatement work plus a $175 administrative fee according to the City’s Master Fee Schedule. She added the work is to be completed by a City contractor and will be placed on the County tax rolls for collection. Ms. Rivera noted the property listed as APN 314111900 was inadvertently included on the proposed Resolution. Staff is recommending the property be removed from the Resolution and not be included on the Property Tax Roll for FY 2025-26.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Deputy Mayor De Hoff closed the Public Hearing at 7:23 p.m. Motioned by Councilmember Pikus, seconded by Councilmember Maeda to adopt Resolution No. 25-038 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Approving the 2024 Weed and Nuisance Abatement Charges to be Collected on the County of San Diego Tax Assessor’s Roll for Fiscal Year 2025-2026,” and to amend Resolution No. 25-038 to remove APN 314111900 from the list of properties to be assessed. 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 4 of 7 November 4, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – August 5, 2025
STAFF REPORTS:
12. Accepting Certificate of Sufficiency; Calling, Ordering, and Giving Notice of a Special Municipal Election for the Submission of the Question of the Recall of a Certain Officer and Requesting the City Council of the City of Poway Direct the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to Render Services to the City Relating to the Conduct of a Special Municipal Election City Clerk Carrie Gallagher presented the item. She reported the San Diego County Registrar of Voters (ROV) certified the sufficiency of signatures submitted in support of a recall petition for District 2 Councilmember Anthony (Tony) Blain.
She provided background, stating that a Notice of Intention to Circulate a Recall Petition was filed with the City Clerk’s Office (CCO) on March 19, 2025. On April 17, 2025, the City Clerk determined the Petition for Recall form met the statutory requirements and was approved for circulation. On July 16, 2025, proponents submitted the signed petition, which was determined by the CCO to meet the minimum signature requirement under California Elections Code. ROV representatives were present at the time the petition was submitted, and following the CCO staff determination, took possession of the petition to complete signature verification.
On July 30, 2025, the ROV issued a Certificate of Sufficiency and returned the findings to the CCO. Both the petition proponents and Councilmember Blain were notified of the results.
Pursuant to Elections Code §11224, the certificate must be submitted to the City Council at its next regular meeting. Following receipt, Elections Code §11240 requires the Council to issue an order calling for a special recall election. The election must be held not less than 88 nor more than 125 days from the date of the order. Ms. Gallagher noted staff initially recommended November 18, 2025, as the date for the special election. However, following a potential statewide special election announced by the Governor for November 4, 2025, staff, in consultation with the ROV, now recommends aligning the City’s recall election with the statewide election for potential cost savings. If approved, the resolution will be revised to reflect the updated election date. Public Comment: The following individuals spoke in support of Item #12: Joe St. Lucas spoke regarding election costs.
In response to public comment, City Attorney Fenstermacher clarified that, under California Elections Code, once a recall petition has been submitted and verified as sufficient, the governing body is legally required to call a special election. This action is ministerial and not discretionary. End of Public Comment. Councilmember Blain spoke directly to the recall process, explaining his motivations for running for office while discussing his District 2 campaign platform. He stated he respects the democratic process and described his plans to actively engage with voters who would be participating in the upcoming recall election. 5 of 7 November 4, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – August 5, 2025
Responding to statements made by Councilmember Blain, City Attorney Fenstermacher provided a procedural clarification, reminding the Council and public that the agenda item pertains solely to the ministerial duty of calling a special election. He advised commentary resembling campaign statements is not appropriate under state law within the item’s scope. Council discussion ensued. Council acknowledged the voters of District 2 had clearly expressed their will through the petition process. Council characterized the recall process as a fundamental expression of democracy, emphasizing that individual opinions regarding the merits of the recall are secondary to the established process and voter action. Council noted the recall effort remained focused on Councilmember Blain’s conduct and its implications and highlighted the large number of signatures gathered and exceptional verification rate as indicative of strong community engagement. Council expressed support for staff’s recommendation to align the special election with the anticipated statewide election on November 4, 2025, citing potential benefits for all stakeholders. Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to: 1) adopt Resolution No. 25-039 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Accepting the Certification of the San Diego County Registrar of Voters as to the Sufficiency of Signatures on the Petition to Recall District 2 Councilmember Anthony (Tony) Blain,” in accordance with the requirements of California Elections Code §§11227 and 11240; 2) adopt Resolution No. 25-040 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Calling, Ordering, and Giving Notice of the Holding of a Special Municipal Election to be Held in District 2 of the City of Poway on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 for the Submission of the Question of the Recall of a Certain Officer; and Requesting the City Council Direct the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to Render Services to the City Relating to the Conduct of a Special Municipal Election,” and to amend Resolution 25-040 to have the City Council call and order the Special Municipal Election for November 4, 2025; and, 3) authorize the appropriation of up to $305,000 to the City Clerk’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Election Services budget to cover the San Diego ROV costs associated with administering the special election, as well as other ancillary costs including noticing and translations required by California Elections Code. Motion carried 4/0/1 by the following vote: Ayes: Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus Noes: None Abstained: Blain Absent: None Disqualified: None WORKSHOPS: None. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS: None. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 - (G.C. 53232(d)) Councilmember Blain discussed the upcoming recall election. 6 of 7 November 4, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – August 5, 2025
Councilmember Maeda provided a brief update on the San Dieguito Riverpark JPA, reporting the City of San Diego is considering terminating an open space easement on City-owned land adjacent to the trail. The proposed action would adversely impact 616 acres of riparian upland habitat. The JPA Board unanimously voted to oppose the termination. Councilmember Pikus discussed upcoming local workshops and events noting the Wildfire Safety and Evacuation Awareness workshops taking place on August 6, and August 9, 2025, in Council Chambers. The workshops will cover best practices for home hardening and creating defensible space, and what to do before, during and after an evacuation. Additionally Old Poway Park will host the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Thursday, August 14, 2025, and lastly, the Poway Community Foundation is hosting the Brews & Boots – Sip, Savor and Support Poway Non-Profits! event on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Old Poway Park. CITY MANAGER ITEMS: 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 7:42 p.m. __________________________________
Carrie Gallagher, CMC City Clerk City of Poway, California
7 of 7 November 4, 2025, Item #2