AG E.N DA REPORT City of Poway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
December 16, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk c.?4---
(858)668-4535 or cgallagher@po�ay.org
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Approval of the September 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary
The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are:
•September 16, 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 September 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Public Notification:
None.
Attachments:
A.September 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Reviewed/Approved By:
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Chris Hazeltine
City Manager
December 16, 2025, Item #21 of 7
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CITY OF POWAY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 16, 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 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 Mayor/Vice 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:
Friends of Poway Seniors Proclamation – San Diego Foundation Nonprofit of the Year National Preparedness Month
December 16, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – September 16, 2025
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E-Bike Presentation
Council discussion ensued following the presentation. Council discussed the differences in e-bike classifications, expressing concerns about speed modifications and safety. E-bike accessibility on trails and roads, the importance of educating both students and parents, and further discussed the recent implementation of e-bike registration for Poway Unified School District (PUSD) students was discussed. PUBLIC COMMENT: Nick Carruthers presented along with a PowerPoint, sharing his concerns over the approval process of Minor Development Review Applications (MDRA) subject to hillside/ridgeline review.
Donna Myers shared her concerns over e-bike usage and pedestrian safety along private and restricted trails.
Heather Jalisi encouraged support of California Assembly Bill (AB) 2234, which would allow the City of Poway to pilot age restrictions for e-bike riders.
Vanessa Springett thanked the Public Works department for tree maintenance, requested law enforcement assistance related to residential traffic safety, and thanked Assistant City Manager Kaserman and wished her well.
Shannon Delaporta, on behalf of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, announced the upcoming Fairgrounds 2050 Regional Open House series.
William King requested City assistance with hazardous tree removal and clearing the storm drain on Riverbend Court in hopes of mitigating future fire risks.
Terri Sorensen, on behalf of the Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps (PNEC) and Poway Fire Safe Council, announced Disaster Ready Block Parties events scheduled throughout Poway.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 10. Motion carried 4/0/1 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes: Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus Noes: None Abstained: None Absent: Blain Disqualified: None
1. Approval of Reading by Title Only and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on this Agenda 2. Approval of the June 3, 2025, and June 17, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 3. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 876 entitled “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Amending Chapter 3.28 of the Poway Municipal Code Regulating the City’s Formal Bidding Procedure, and Award and Execution of Purchasing Contracts” December 16, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – September 16, 2025
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4. Approval of Resolution No. 25-042 for the Addition of Emergency Preparedness Program Manager Classification, and Approving Changes to the City of Poway Position Classification Plan and Management/Confidential Salary Schedule 5. Award of Contract to Savant Solutions for Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Security Services Provider 6. Approval of Consultant Agreement with TKE Engineering, Inc., for the Water Treatment Plant Chemical Tank Replacement Project; RFP No. 25-011 7. Award of Agreement to Carollo Engineers, Inc. for Sewer Master Plan Update, RFP No. 26-003 Deputy Mayor De Hoff spoke in regard to Items #6 and #7. He explained the agreements total approximately $1,000,000 but are funded through grants and will not impact water or sewer bills. He noted that these agreements play an important role in guiding the City’s future infrastructure projects. Regarding wastewater, he highlighted the inclusion of an infiltration and inflow study, which will help identify areas where the City can reduce excess water entering the system, which will ease the load on the larger wastewater system and lower long- term costs. 8. Award of Agreement to Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Inc. for Water Master Plan Update, RFP No. 26-003 9. Acceptance of Public Improvements for the Fairfield Project, Street Improvement Plan 21-002 10. Acceptance of Public Improvements for the Lyon Estates Project, Street Improvement Plan 21-003 ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 11. Resolution Adopting the Report on City’s Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals for 2022-2024 Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7:50 p.m. Assistant Director of Public Works for Utilities Troy DePriest presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. De Priest explained the Health Goals (PHG) Report was developed in conjunction with the City’s Annual Water Quality Report, also known as the Consumer Confidence Report. The purpose of the PHG Report is to increase consumer awareness of drinking water safety and demonstrate compliance with applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.
He stated the City of Poway (City) operates and maintains over 14,000 water service connections and collects and analyzes tens of thousands of water samples each year which are tested for a wide range of chemicals and potential contaminants to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water.
December 16, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – September 16, 2025
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The City employs state-certified water treatment operators and maintains 24/7 staffing to monitor and address water quality concerns in real time. Water quality testing is conducted weekly at a state-certified Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) facility, and monitoring occurs continuously at the Lester J. Berglund Water Treatment Plant.
Water quality standards, including Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), are legally enforceable and set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water (DDW). In contrast, Public Health Goals (PHGs) are non-enforceable water quality objectives developed by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Mr. De Priest concluded the City’s drinking water continues to meet or exceed all federal and state standards established to protect public health.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:57 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Council voiced appreciation for transparency in reporting on and proactively testing the City’s water. Council acknowledged an understanding that Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are generally considered regulatory goals—often set at zero to reflect ideal standards—even though reaching zero is not realistically achievable in many cases. Council shared concerns over the economic feasibility of using reverse osmosis (RO) to reach the ideal (zero contamination) goals. Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to adopt Resolution No. 25-043 entitled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Adopting the Report on the City’s Water Quality Relative to Public Health Goals for 2022-2024.” Motion carried 4/0/1 by the following roll-call vote: Ayes: Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus Noes: None Abstained: None Absent: Blain Disqualified: None Following Council approval of Resolution No. 25-043, Principal Civil Engineer for Utilities Robert Weber provided a Water Infrastructure Program Update along with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Weber provided an overview of the City’s water-related facilities. He noted the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program (Program) is the largest series of capital projects the City has undertaken since incorporation. He noted collectively the program will improve the resiliency and redundancy of Poway’s water infrastructure system and provide safe and reliable water service to Poway residents for generations to come.
December 16, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – September 16, 2025
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He presented slides showing the Clearwell Bypass Project and updates on the Clearwell Replacement Project and remaining projects related to the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program. He stated the bypass project is operationally successful and was completed under budget in November of 2022, with the construction of temporary bypass tanks, temporary pump station to supply those tanks and a permanent 36-inch below ground pipeline from the treatment plant out to the distribution system. Mr. Weber then discussed the current phase of the project, replacement of the Clearwell. His presentation included project and design status, updates on the project timeline and details regarding the construction management contract. He noted construction for this phase of the project is 75% complete and staff anticipate commissioning of the new Clearwell facility in late Spring 2026. Mr. Weber shared slides highlighting the construction’s progress. The presentation included information on the final two projects known as the Treated Water Facilities Projects. Status updates and an overview of the scope of the projects were shared, including designer scope adjustments for final design work and drafting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to document project scope revisions and staff negotiations for a water purchase agreement with the Ramona Municipal Water District (MWD). The project’s anticipated construction start date is anticipated for late 2026. Other related projects include two Interconnections with the City of San Diego and the Lake Poway Softball Field Restoration. Mr. Weber concluded his presentation with a 12-month look ahead of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Program.
STAFF REPORTS: None. WORKSHOPS: None. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS: None. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 - (G.C. 53232(d)) Councilmember Maeda reported having attended the 60th Annual Poway Rotary Parade and thanked the Fire Department for their participation in the event. Councilmember Pikus reported having attended the 60th Annual Poway Rotary Parade and invited residents to attend the upcoming 52nd Annual Poway Rodeo scheduled for September 26 and September 27, 2025. Deputy Mayor De Hoff invited residents to attend the upcoming 52nd Annual Poway Rodeo scheduled for September 26 and September 27, 2025. In addition, Mr. De Hoff congratulated the City of Poway Finance Department on their Award of Financial Reporting Achievement from The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.
Mayor Vaus requested Council consensus for the following:
December 16, 2025, Item #2
City of Poway – Minutes – September 16, 2025
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Initiated by Mayor Vaus to direct staff to explore potential regulations and safety requirements related to e-bike usage within the City of Poway at a future City Council meeting. Approved 4/0/1 (Absent: Blain). Mayor Vaus congratulated City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher for being named in the 2026 edition of the Best Lawyers in America for Land Use and Zoning Law. Mayor Vaus, on behalf of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, announced the opening of Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. CITY MANAGER ITEMS: None. CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) City Attorney Fenstermacher reported out stating City Council voted 4/0/1 (Absent: Blain) to waive attorney client privilege as to emails and other communications between the City Attorney’s office and Councilmember Blain regarding the Public Records Act and record retention responsibilities and requirements. CLOSED SESSION: 12. 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: Mayor Vaus recessed the Regular City Council meeting into Closed Session at 8:18 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. __________________________________ Carrie Gallagher, CMC City Clerk City of Poway, California December 16, 2025, Item #2