AG EN DA REPORT Ci t y o f Poway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
March 3, 2026
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk ,....,,,(k-
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Approval of the December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary
The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are:
• December 2, 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 December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Public Notification:
None.
Attachments:
A. December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Reviewed/Approved By:
Assistant City Manager
1 of 7
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Chris Hazeltine
City Manager
March 3, 2026, Item #2
CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
December 2, 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; Deputy City Attorney Jayson Parsons; 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; Lieutenant Colin Hebeler, San Diego County Sheriff's Office. (Note: Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councilmember, City Manager, Deputy City Attorney, City Clerk and Director of Finance shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy MayorNice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, Deputy 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 remembering West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, tragically killed while serving, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf recovering from injuries.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
2 of 7 March 3, 2026, Item #2ATTACHMENT A
City of Poway -Minutes -December 2, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Peter Neild thanked the City for supporting the Candy Cane Court neighborhood during the holiday season, he spoke in support of the Lake Poway Skimmers and Poway ridgelines.
Joe St. Lucas shared a Merry Christmas message and commended the organizers and participants of the Carols by Candlelight event at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA).
Curtis Kitteringham, on behalf of the Lake Poway Skimmers, supported the club's continued recreational use of Lake Poway
Chris Olps offered support for the Lake Poway Skimmers continued recreational use of Lake Poway.
James Broesch, on behalf of the Lake Poway Skimmers, supported the club's continued recreational use of Lake Poway.
Steven Belknap, on behalf of the Lake Poway Skimmers, supported the club's continued recreational use of Lake Poway, emphasizing hope for shared use of the lake by the club and the new concession owner. '
City Manager Chris Hazeltine addressed public concerns, noting the Lake Lookout concessionaire has no operational control and the city continues to ensure park activities are properly managed.
Tom Farley, joined by family and friends, wished the Council, staff, and community a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Deputy Mayor De Hoff, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 6. Motion carried 410 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
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 August 19, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Second Reading and Adoption of 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"
4. City's Investment Report as of September 30, 2025
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City of Poway -Minutes -December 2, 2025
5. Approval of an Amendment to the Agreement between the City of Poway and Black & Veatch Corporation for Engineering Design Services for the Poway Treated Water Facilities and Redundant Pipeline Project
6. Award of Agreement to Prestige Concrete for Public Facilities Renovation Community Road Median Concrete Replacement
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None.
STAFF REPORTS:
7. Resolutions Approving the Second Amended and Restated Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement and Administrative Agreement No. 1 with the City of San Diego Assistant Director of Public Works for Utilities Troy DePriest presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. DePriest noted Poway's wastewater flows into San Diego's Metropolitan Wastewater System, a regional system in which Poway is one of twelve participating agencies.
Mr. DePriest summarized the Second Amended and Restated Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement (SARA) updates the existing regional agreement to address unresolved issues, revise billing methodologies, and clarify cost allocation, enforcement responsibility, and regulatory liability as the system transitions to potable reuse. He stated the agreement also establishes streamlined processes for future administrative amendments.
He explained Administrative Agreement No. 1 provides for unified management of industrial pretreatment and source control programs, with San Diego issuing permits and conducting inspections of industrial users, while Poway retains responsibility for regulating food service establishments and fats, oils, and grease discharges.
Mr. DePriest discussed the new functional allocation billing methodology, noting it more accurately reflects system usage. Based on Fiscal Year 2024 costs, he stated Poway's billed amount was $3,956,404, with an estimated additional annual cost of approximately $660,719 following adoption of the SARA.
Public Comment:
None.
End of Public Comment.
Council discussion ensued. Council expressed appreciation for staff's extensive efforts to negotiate the agreement and noted the SARA modernizes the City's relationship with the City of San Diego. Council discussed the transition to functional allocation billing and improvements to liability provisions, noting the agreement provides clearer processes for 4 of 7 March 3, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -December 2, 2025
allocating fines and penalties among participating agencies. Council emphasized the importance of the agreement in establishing a fair and reliable framework for regional wastewater services.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to approve Resolution No. 25-051 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Approving the Second Amended and Restated Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement between the City of Poway and the City of San Diego", and Resolution No. 25-052 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Approving the Administrative Agreement No. 1 between the City of Poway and the City of San Diego", in a form substantially similar to the version of the Agreement attached thereto, and authorizing the City Manager to approve non-substantive changes and execute the Agreement. Motion carried 4/0 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
Maeda, Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
None
None
None
None
8. Hillside Ridgeline Review Update
Director of Development Services Julie Procopio introduced the item. She emphasized Poway's longstanding commitment to preserving scenic ridge lines while balancing property owners' development rights, reinforced by general plan protections and strategic land acquisitions.
Following Ms. Procopio, Interim City Planner Don Neu presented the report with a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Neu provided historical background, offering a timeline of decades-long efforts to guide hillside and ridgeline development. He explained policies have evolved to limit density, restrict grading in sensitive areas, require larger lots on steeper slopes, and prioritize visual impact analyses to protect public viewpoints. Mass grading of hillside subdivisions remains prohibited, and current standards ensure compliance with environmental, fire, and cultural resource regulations.
He outlined the current development process, including tentative map review, preliminary grading, and plan check, with staff applying council-approved conditions for minor development review applications. Recent projects, such as the Amazon building under the South Poway Specific Plan and the Williams Ranch subdivision, were reviewed using photographic simulations and public hearings to ensure consistency with adopted standards.
Mr. Neu noted while council approval could provide additional visibility, discretionary authority is limited by state law and objective design standards. Council-supported initiatives, including the Sensitive Lands Acquisition Fund, habitat conservation efforts, and general plan design standards, continue to guide thoughtful development in hillside and ridgeline areas. Several options for council consideration are included in the staff report.
Public Comment:
The following individuals spoke in favor of strengthening the City's ridge/ine protections. 5 of 7 March 3, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -December 2, 2025
Lyle Arnold
Jeff Schmidt
Joe St. Lucas
Julie Scardina
Lori Grennan
The following individuals spoke in favor of greater Council oversight and increased public input regarding ridgeline development and protections:
Chris Olps
Chris Cruse
Jost Diederichs
The following individual spoke in support of maintaining current standards for ridgeline development and protections:
John Mullin
The following written comment card was submitted in support of additional noticing for ridgeline projects:
Deborah J. Schneider
End of Public Comment.
Council discussed whether additional discretionary review should be required for single-family homes in the ridgeline review area, emphasizing the importance of protecting Poway's scenic ridgelines and natural hills. Council noted existing policies, including slope limits, grading restrictions, habitat protections, and design standards, already provide strong safeguards.
Council stressed the need to balance community goals with private property rights, noting adding a discretionary review at the building permit stage would impose delays and costs on homeowners while offering little practical benefit under state law Council highlighted meaningful public input is most effective early in the process, such as during tentative map review, and addressed concerns about visual impacts, lighting, and environmental effects, including potential dark-sky considerations.
A motion was made by Councilmember Maeda to require Council approval for all developments within the Hillside Ridgeline Review area. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to continue the existing policy of administrative approval of single-family homes in the Hillside Ridgeline Review area reinforcing the commitment to implementation of the hillside standards.
Motion carried 311 by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
6 of7
Pikus, De Hoff, Vaus
Maeda
None
None
None
March 3, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -December 2, 2025
WORKSHOPS:
None.
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -(G.C. 53232(d))
Councilmember Pikus recognized the City of Poway's 45th anniversary and expressed appreciation for Poway Fire and Sheriff's Office personnel, thanking them for their hospitality and highlighting the City's Class 1 fire protection rating, and shared resident commendations acknowledging exceptional service by the Building Department, utility inspection staff, and Park Ranger personnel.
Councilmember Pikus highlighted upcoming community events, including Kiwanis Club of Poway Holiday with Heroes on December 11 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center, and Christmas in the Park on December 12 and 13 at Old Poway Park.
A motion was made by Deputy Mayor De Hoff to direct Staff to return to Council with a report on Dark-sky site regulations for hillsides. Motion carried by consensus.
Mayor Vaus encouraged community participation in Christmas in the Park and expressed appreciation to Poway Fire personnel for their recent dinner invitation and hospitality.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
City Manager Hazeltine noted all respective Councilmembers and their families have been invited to the Fire Station for dinner and thanked Fire Department personnel for their hospitality.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) None.
CLOSED SESSION:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
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Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California
March 3, 2026, Item #2