CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
November 18, 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 STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; 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, City Attorney, City Clerk and Director of Finance shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy MayorNice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/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.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Curtis Kitteringham, on behalf of Lake Poway Skimmers, spoke in support of the organizations' continued use of Lake Poway for recreational activities. 1 of 10
City of Poway - Minutes - November 18, 2025
Tom Hartley, on behalf of Lake Poway Skimmers, spoke in support of the organizations' continued use of Lake Poway for recreational activities.
Robert Frazier, on behalf of Lake Poway Skimmers, spoke in support of the organizations ' continued use of Lake Poway for recreational activities.
Steven Belknap, on behalf of Lake Poway Skimmers, spoke in support of the organizations' continued use of Lake Poway for recreational activities.
Chris Cruse called for the censure of Deputy Mayor De Hoff.
Alison Park provided a presentation and called for the censure of Deputy Mayor De Hoff.
Tony Rubino thanked the City and local community members for taking part in the 11th annual Poway Padres Heroes softball game.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 6. Motion carried 4/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
Absent: None
Disqualified: None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda
2. Award of Agreement to Knorr Systems International, LLC, for Pool Maintenance and Repair, Bid 26-006
3. Award of Agreement to Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc., for Potable Water Analytical Laboratory Services, RFP No. 26-006
4. Award of Contract to A.B. Hashmi, Inc., for the FY 2024-25 ADA Barrier Removal - Buckley Street Phase I Project, Bid No. 26-004, and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
5. Approval of Agreement with Corodata Records Management, Inc. for Professional Records Storage and Management Services
6. Approval of Parcel Map for Tentative Parcel Map 24-0001 (Martincoit Urban Lot Split); TSAC Engineering, Applicant (APN 275-271-29)
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
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7. Resolution Declaring the Property at 14025 Tierra Bonita Road Constitutes a "Public Nuisance" and Ordering the Property Owner to Abate the Violations Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m.
Senior Code Compliance Officer Vianey Rivera presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. She stated the hearing was being held pursuant to Chapter 8. 72 of the Poway Municipal Code for the purpose of determining whether the property located at 14025 Tierra Bonita Road constitutes a public nuisance and whether to order the property owner to abate the identified violations. She summarized the conditions identified on the property and applicable code compliance issues, including maintenance-related concerns and California Building Code matters. She noted multiple notices and documented efforts to achieve compliance and reviewed photographs depicting the current conditions.
Following staff's presentation, City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher provided additional information regarding the nuisance abatement process, including notice requirements, the thirty-day period for voluntary compliance, the City's authority to seek inspection and abatement warrants if compliance is not achieved, and the potential recovery of abatement and legal costs through a special assessment on the property's tax roll.
Public Comment:
Dawn Montfort, property owner of 14025 Tierra Bonita Road, acknowledged the condition of the property and indicated City staff guidance or support would be beneficial in bringing the property into compliance.
City Attorney Fenstermacher explained that if the property owner were to voluntarily comply to clear the violations within 30 days from the declaration of a public nuisance, the abatement by the City would not be necessary.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Staff summarized the enforcement timeline, noting multiple notices and citations issued between March 3, 2021, and October 22, 2025, and documented efforts to work with the property owner. Fire safety and neighborhood impacts were discussed, and the property owner was encouraged to use the thirty-day period for voluntary compliance.
Council expressed empathy for the property owner while noting the need to balance individual circumstances with public safety.
Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to adopt Resolution No. 25-047 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California Finding and Declaring Conditions Present at 14025 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway, California to be a Public Nuisance and Ordering the Property Owner to Abate the Violation". Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
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Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
City of Poway - Minutes - November 18, 2025
Disqualified: None
8. Resolution Declaring the Property at 16943 Valle Verde Road Constitutes a "Public Nuisance" and Ordering the Property Owner to Abate the Violation
Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:35 p.m.
Senior Code Compliance Officer Vianey Rivera presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. She stated the hearing was being held pursuant to Chapter 8. 72 of the Poway Municipal Code for the purpose of determining whether the property located at 16943 Valle Verde Road constitutes a public nuisance and whether to order the property owner to abate the identified violations. She summarized the conditions identified on the property and applicable code compliance matters, including areas needing maintenance, vegetation management, a vehicle visible from the public right-of-way, and unfinished construction, as well as other California Building Code considerations. She noted prior abatement by City Council, multiple notices and administrative citations issued since January 2025, and documented efforts to support compliance, and reviewed photographs illustrating the current conditions.
Following staff's presentation, City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher provided additional information regarding the nuisance abatement process, including notice requirements, the thirty-day period for voluntary compliance, the City's authority to seek inspection and abatement warrants if compliance is not achieved, and the potential recovery of abatement and legal costs through a special assessment on the property's tax roll.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:39 p.m.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to adopt Resolution No. 25-048 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California Finding and Declaring Conditions Present at 16943 Valle Verde Road, Poway, California to be a Public Nuisance and Ordering the Property Owner to Abate the Violation".
Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
9. Resolution Declaring the Property at 14033 Riverbend Road Constitutes a "Public Nuisance" and Ordering the Property Owner to Abate the Violations Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:42 p.m.
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Senior Code Compliance Officer Vianey Rivera presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. She stated the hearing was being held pursuant to Chapter 8.72 of the Poway Municipal Code for the purpose of determining whether the property located at 14033 Riverbend Road constitutes a public nuisance and whether to order the property owner to abate the identified violations. She summarized the conditions observed on the property and applicable code compliance matters, including areas needing exterior maintenance, vegetation management, an unpermitted storage container, and other California Building Code considerations. She noted ongoing communication with the property owner via phone, email, and multiple in-person meetings, as well as recent efforts on the property, including partial weed abatement, and reviewed photographs illustrating the current conditions. She also noted multiple notices had been issued to the property owner in advance of the hearing.
Following staff's presentation, City Attorney Mr. Fenstermacher provided additional information regarding the nuisance abatement process, including notice requirements, the thirty-day period for voluntary compliance, the City's authority to seek inspection and abatement warrants if compliance is not achieved, and the potential recovery of abatement and legal costs through a special assessment on the property's tax roll.
Public Comment:
Mr. Bruno, property owner, acknowledged the condition of the property and provided efforts of ongoing maintenance, he noted prior communication with City staff and emphasized his intent to bring the property into compliance.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:53 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Council noted the property owner's efforts and highlighted the importance of addressing remaining issues within the thirty-day period for voluntary compliance. Council emphasized the purpose of the process is to facilitate progress and compliance and encouraged the property owner to continue working with City staff to resolve outstanding matters.
Council recognized the challenges involved while noting the need to balance individual circumstances with community standards and safety.
Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff, seconded by Mayor Vaus to adopt Resolution No. 25-049 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California Finding and Declaring Conditions Present at 14033 Riverbend Road, Poway, California to be a Public Nuisance and Ordering the Property Owner to Abate the Violation".
Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
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Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
City of Poway - Minutes - November 18, 2025
10. Approval of an Ordinance of the City of Poway, California, Amending Poway Municipal Code Title 15 to Adopt by Reference the 2025 California Building Standards Codes with Local Amendments
Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:56 p.m.
Senior Planner Kevin Parker and Deputy Fire Marshal Andy Loperena presented the item. Mr.
Parker explained the proposed ordinance would adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) with local amendments, as required by state law on a triennial basis. He noted the 2025 code cycle was published on July 1, 2025, with an effective date of January 1, 2026, and would update Chapter 15 of the Poway Municipal Code.
Mr. Parker explained the ordinance would adopt the State's building standards, including administrative, structural, residential, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, fire, green building, and related codes. He highlighted the addition of the California Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code as a new chapter consolidating fire and building safety provisions applicable to new construction and certain building modifications within High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and locally designated WUI areas. He added the WUI Code also includes defensible space requirements applicable to certain existing structures.
Deputy Fire Marshal Andy Loperena explained the ordinance includes local amendments applicable to new construction, intended to clarify existing City standards, improve safety, and align with state and national regulations. He summarized amendments addressing fire protection systems and infrastructure, site access and fire mitigation features, land use and addressing standards, and permitting requirements for certain temporary activities and hazardous materials.
Mr. Loperena further noted the local amendments include updates to residential fire sprinkler requirements, auxiliary power requirements for water tank pumps serving fire sprinkler systems, provisions for voluntary fire alarm systems, and other code clarifications consistent with California Building Standards Code and National Fire Protection Association standards.
Mr. Loperena also described the addition of a new exhibit establishing defensible space fuel modification zones, including restrictions within five feet of structures, landscaping standards within thirty feet, and vegetation maintenance requirements up to one hundred feet. He noted single-tree specimens would be permitted within certain zones subject to spacing and approved species requirements.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 8:01 p.m.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Maeda to introduce Ordinance No. 878 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California Amending Poway Municipal Code (PMC) Title 15, Adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Standards Codes, with Local Amendments", for first reading by title only, waiving further reading and schedule the adoption of the ordinance for the 6 of 10
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December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting. Motion carried 410 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
Disqualified: None
STAFF REPORTS:
11. Resolution Approving All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of Bowdoin Road and Los Olivos Avenue
City Engineer Tracy Beach presented the item regarding approval of all-way stop control at the intersection of Bowdoin Road and Los Olivos Avenue. She provided an overview of existing conditions at the intersection, including sight distance limitations and traffic operations.
She noted staff received a request from residents, accompanied by a petition signed by 15 property owners within 500 feet of the intersection, citing near-miss collisions and vehicles traveling at unsafe speeds as primary concerns.
Ms. Beach explained staff evaluated the intersection in accordance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Section 2B.07, which establishes criteria for installation of all-way stop control. She reviewed the applicable criteria, including crash history, traffic volumes, operating speeds, and visibility constraints, and noted the intersection meets the criteria supporting implementation of all-way stop control.
Ms. Beach stated the proposed all-way stop would improve safety and traffic operations at the intersection and could also serve as an interim measure should a future traffic signal be considered.
Public Comment:
Bernie Guzman, petition signer, spoke in support of Item #11.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council noted the feedback from residents was overwhelmingly in support of installing stop signs to help slow traffic, with only one correspondence received in opposition. Council discussed traffic study data indicating vehicle speeds above the posted limit and expressed the stop signs were expected to improve safety. Council also acknowledged community engagement and the potential for increased traffic enforcement following installation.
Motioned by Councilmember Maeda, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to adopt Resolution No. 25-050 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Establishing All-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of Bowdoin Road and Los Olivos Avenue". Motion carried 410 by the following vote:
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Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
12. Set Public Hearing for Proposed Five-Year Water, Recycled Water, and Wastewater Rates Director of Finance Craig Schmollinger presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Schmollinger provided an overview of the Water and Wastewater Rate Study, summarizing the financial plan, cost-of-service analysis, proposed rate structures, and required Proposition 218 process. He noted the study was supported by Raftelis Financial Consultants and emphasized compliance with Proposition 218, updated usage data, and the need for long-term financial sustainability.
He reviewed Poway's water system, noting the City imports nearly all its water from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) and operates an extensive infrastructure, including 319 miles of pipelines, 19 reservoirs, and a 24-million-gallon-per-day treatment plant. The rate-setting framework and statutory restrictions, including Propositions 218 and 26 and recent court rulings influencing tiered rate structures, were also summarized.
Water rate design options were discussed, with staff recommending a uniform volumetric structure due to legal challenges to tiered rates. He outlined major cost drivers, including wholesale water purchases, capital improvement needs, operations and maintenance, and existing debt obligations. Cost-containment efforts were noted, such as using connection fees for capital projects, pursuing grants, and utilizing pass-through mechanisms for uncontrollable wholesale costs. Proposed water revenue adjustments include a 9.9% combined increase in Calendar Year 2026, followed by 4.0% annual adjustments from 2027 through 2030.
Mr. Schmollinger outlined the proposed five-year wastewater rate cycle for calendar years 2026-2030 , incorporating Metro JPA treatment costs, fixed-versus-commodity rate considerations, and required reserve levels. Proposed wastewater adjustments include 3.0% annual increases through 2028, then 1.0% in 2029 and 3.0% in 2030. A combined household impact analysis was provided for reference.
Proposition 218 schedule was discussed. The City Council is expected to review the financial plan and set the public hearing on November 18, 2025, with the official Proposition 218 hearing on January 20, 2026, including the protest count, responses to objections, and Council consideration of the proposed water and wastewater rates.
Public Comment :
Joe St. Lucas spoke neutrally on Item #12.
Chris Cruse submitted a written comment card in opposition to Item #12.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Responding to public comments, staff explained the 9.9% figure represents the overall revenue adjustment and the actual impacts vary by customer usage, with lower- and higher-volume users experiencing different percentage changes. Staff 8 of 10
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confirmed the rate models are designed to accommodate adjustments without requiring additional studies for routine pass-through costs.
Council discussed factors driving the adjustments, including wholesale water costs, regional wastewater treatment , energy expenses, and the ongoing capital improvement program.
Council emphasized the importance of maintaining system reliability, funding infrastructure, and balancing affordability. Council expressed appreciation for staff's thorough analysis and for community members who helped educate residents about the City's water system. Council noted all rate revenue remains dedicated to the water and wastewater systems and that the adjustments are necessary to ensure safe, reliable service.
Motioned by Councilmember Maeda, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to direct staff to set the public hearing for January 20, 2026 and proceed with the Proposition 218 process which includes mailing the notice of public hearing to ratepayers pursuant to California law at least 45 days prior to the January 20, 2026 Public Hearing. Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
WORKSHOPS:
None.
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 - (G.C. 53232(d))
A motion was made by Councilmember Maeda to initiate discussion to consider a formal censure of Deputy Mayor De Hoff at the December 2, 2026 Regular City Council meeting.
The motion failed for lack of a second.
Mayor Vaus commended the success of the 11th Annual Poway Padres Heroes Softball Game on November 7, 2025, and noted Veterans Day events were well attended and well done.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
Mr. Hazeltine noted Council having held its first meeting without former Assistant City Manager Wendy Kaserman and reported she is doing well in her new position in Santee.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) No reportable action.
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CLOSED SESSION:
13. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code§ 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: City of Poway v. Arthur (Tony) Blain, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 25CU024105C
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was recessed into closed session at 9:03 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
~~/27 Carrie Gallaghei~
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
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