1 of 4 April 7, 2026, Public Comment
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ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
(Agenda Related Writings/Documents provided to City Council or Staff after distribution of the Agenda Packet for the April 7, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting) DATE:
TO:
FROM:
CONTACT:
SUBJECT:
April 7, 2026
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk vCf-"
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
Public Comment
Attached please find correspondence received after the agenda posting deadline.
Reviewed/Approved By:
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Approved By:
Ch~
City Manager
2 of 4 April 7, 2026, Public Comment
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To:
Subject:
Date:
Attachments:
Paul Barnes
Q1y_Qfil
Statement for Council Package for Tomorrow Night.
Monday, April 6, 2026 2:53:28 PM
City Council Statement Poway April 7. 2026.pdf
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
3 of 4 April 7, 2026, Public Comment
Statement: Paul Barnes, Shea Homes 4/7/2026
Good evening, City Council Members and honorable Mayor.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to address our Hidden Valley Community here in Poway and some of the recent press reports. Unfortunately, the most recent press reports had a number of inaccuracies that I will briefly address.
First and foremost, I want to say how excited we remain about bringing a remarkable community to Poway in one of the most dynamic and beautiful parts of our County. Poway continues to be a jewel in our region with an ever-increasing reputation for success. We greatly appreciate your collective leadership and that of the staff.
As I mentioned, there has been some recent misleading press regarding our interactions with consulting tribes.
We presented the following statement to the reporter, but for whatever reason it was omitted (and incorrect facts were presented instead). I'd like to read that statement for you now.
"This development was approved by the City of Poway more than 20 years ago, and we have been working with the City and the Army Corps of Engineers in good faith since Shea acquired the site in 2025.
"We will continue to comply with all legal obligations that relate to consistent site monitoring and the respectful collection and relocation of any authenticated artifacts that are discovered on site.
"The consulting tribes have indicated their desire to put together a respectful plan for remains that are found and we look forward to participating in those discussions."
I'd also like to correct some of the inaccuracies in the press coverage. The press coverage has said that we are "running afoul of state and federal law". However, we have had continuous and ongoing Tribal monitoring oversite of our operations since we commenced clearing operations in early October. This requirement is in satisfaction of our various regulatory permits. In addition, we have had our own archeological monitor continuously on site during this same period, again consistent with our permitting.
Further and most troubling, press coverage has said that "the developer and city aren't even amenable to beginning negotiations to get the tribe involved." Yet we have made multiple written attempts, provided a draft avoidance and repatriation plan, along with numerous phone calls, to engage with the consulting tribes regarding the respectful and
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dignified repatriation of any ancestral remains and artifacts that have been discovered onsite. That commitment remains and I am here this evening to advance those discussions and invite engagement by our partners. Tile reporting that we have not tried to engage is categorically false.
Than I< you and I am available for any questions.