1 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
AGENDA REPORT CityofPoway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
July 21, 2026
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk t...L4,
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: Approval of the May 5, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Summary
The City Council Meeting Minutes submitted hereto for approval are:
• May 5, 2026 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 May 5, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Public Notification:
None.
Attachments:
A. May 5, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Ap~
Chris Hazeltine
City Manager
2 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF POWAY
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
May 5, 2026
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: Peter De Hoff, Christopher J. Pikus, Jenny Maeda, Steve Vaus STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager Chris Hazeltine; Assistant City Manager Tracy Stevens; City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher; City Clerk Carrie Gallagher; Director of Development Services Julie Procopio; 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 and City Clerk shall be used to indicate Mayor/Chair, Deputy MayorNice Chair, Councilmember/Director, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel and City Clerk/Secretary.)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Deputy Mayor Maeda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Mayor Vaus led a moment of silence.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mary Ellen Ambrose spoke regarding potential public health impacts of pickleba/1 court noise and provided supporting handouts.
3 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -May 5, 2026
Pam Ludwig spoke in support of District 2 City Council candidate Anita Edmondson.
James Ludwig spoke in support of District 2 City Council candidate Anita Edmondson and expressed appreciation for City staff and the City Council.
Ken Shamre/1 encouraged the Council to consider the interests of residents when evaluating The Farm development projects.
Joe St. Lucas spoke regarding National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motioned by Councilmember De Hoff, seconded by Deputy Mayor Maeda to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 7. Motion carried 4/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes: De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, 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 February 17, 2026 and March 3, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 881 entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract between the City Council of the City of Poway and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)"
4. Award of Contract to Eagle Paving LLC for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Street Overlay Zone 1 Project; Bid No. 26-013
5. Award of Contract to Sitka Construction Group LLC for the Fiscal Year 2026 Poway Center for the Performing Arts Maintenance Project, Bid No. 26-010, and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
6. Award of Contract to Palm Engineering Construction, Inc., for the Annual Sewer Line Repair/Replacement Project, Bid No. 26-012 and Determination the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
7. Approval of Consultant Agreement Amendment No. 1 with Bowman Consulting Group LTD., formerly Project Design Consultants, for the Community Park Concrete Ribbon Drain Project; RFP No. 24-003
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
None.
4 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -May 5, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
8. Appeal 26-0001 -An Appeal of the Denial of Boundary Adjustment Application 25-0002, Located South of Ahwahnee Way and North of Cree Drive (APNs 317-611-01 and 314-440- 38)
Mayor Vaus opened the Public Hearing at 7: 17 p.m.
Senior Civil Engineer Sara Trunzo presented the item along with a PowerPoint presentation.
She explained the applicant proposed adjusting the shared parcel line to shift steeper slopes into the southern parcel and create a flatter northern parcel. The adjustment would reduce slope impacts on the northern parcel and potentially allow for future subdivision, subject to separate discretionary review and City Council approval.
Staff recommended denial, citing inconsistency with the Subdivision Map Act and Government Code requirements that lot line adjustments conform to the General Plan and zoning standards. Staff also found the proposal inconsistent with General Plan policy encouraging generally regular lot shapes and proportional depth-to-width ratios. The resulting parcels would be irregular in configuration and not meet these planning objectives.
Ms. Trunzo explained staff further identified noncompliance with applicable Poway Municipal Code (PMC) standards related to minimum lot width and maximum lot proportions and noted the proposed configuration would result in nonconforming lot dimensions without findings to justify an exception.
Access and fire safety concerns were also raised under PMC requirements related to safe access and emergency services, with the Fire Department concurring the configuration could create access limitations and complicate fuel management.
Following staff's presentation, Jonathan Volfson, the appellant, presented along with a PowerPoint presentation. He stated the project addresses family needs and includes preservation of wetlands through a proposed permanent Open Space Easement (OSE) and hiking trail connection between Starridge Park and Catawba Drive. He noted the proposal does not include rezoning, increased density, additional structures, or through streets.
The appellant stated the boundary adjustment would reconfigure the lot line, reduce slope, and facilitate subdivision while maintaining existing development rights generating additional property tax revenue. Mr. Volfson, appellant, addressed the irregular lot shape and minimum lot width requirements and noted the site includes a wet meadow to be preserved within the OSE and he further stated fire access would remain unchanged and described the easement as including the proposed structures, fire mitigation areas, and a private garden area.
Public Comment.
The following individuals spoke in opposition to Item #8:
Rachel Winograd
Marie Rousseau
Elissa Dorame
5 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -May 5, 2026
The following individuals submitted written comment cards in opposition to Item #8:
Kelly Tremble
Matt Tremble
The following individual spoke neutrally on Item #8:
Tom Underberg
End of Public Comment.
Mayor Vaus closed the Public Hearing at 7:44 p.m.
Council discussion ensued. Council considered the proposed boundary adjustment in relation to zoning, subdivision, and General Plan requirements. While the project included proposed open space preservation and trail connectivity, Council noted compliance with standards for lot configuration, access, and fire safety remained determinative.
Council discussed emergency access concerns identified by the Fire Department and their implications for site feasibility, as well as zoning standards, permitted uses in the Rural Residential Zone, and minimum lot size requirements. Council received clarification from staff regarding allowable development under existing regulations.
Council also discussed property rights considerations and the applicant's stated environmental and community benefits, including open space preservation and trail connectivity. Council noted the proposal could be viewed as a trade-off advancing public benefits while still allowing development consistent with zoning standards.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to deny the appeal, upholding the denial of BA 25-0002, pursuant to the Resolution No. 26-011 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Denying an Appeal (APL) 26-0001 of Boundary Adjustment Application (BA) 25-0002 Assessor's Parcel Number 317-611-01 and 314-440-38". Motion carried 3/1 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
STAFF REPORTS:
Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
De Hoff
None
None
None
9. Resolution to Establish the Policy and Procedures for Recessing and Reconvening Hybrid Brown Act Meetings as a Result of a Disruption in Remote Participation City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher presented the item. He explained recently enacted State legislation (Senate Bill 707) requires cities meeting specified population thresholds, including Poway, to provide members of the public with a two-way remote participation option for City Council meetings beginning July 1, 2026.
6 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -May 5, 2026
Mr. Fenstermacher explained the proposed policy establishes procedures necessary to implement the new requirements and noted the changes would not modify existing procedures governing traditional teleconference participation by Councilmembers however he noted separate statutory provisions govern virtual participation by Councilmembers under limited qualifying circumstances.
Mr. Fenstermacher noted the primary operational change associated with the legislation is the addition of a remote participation option allowing members of the public to observe and provide comment during City Council meetings. Staff clarified the City intends to provide remote participation through a telephonic option utilizing the Zoom platform and does not anticipate utilizing public video participation, consistent with prior remote meeting operations.
Public Comment.
Joe St. Lucas spoke in support of Item #9 and raised questions regarding implementation and remote participation procedures.
End of Public Comment.
Responding to public and Council questions, City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher clarified State law requires the City to attempt restoration of remote participation capabilities for up to one hour in the event of disruption and noted meetings could continue the same evening if connectivity could not be restored. Mr. Fenstermacher further explained State law does not prescribe a specific process for remote speaker registration and noted staff will evaluate operational procedures during implementation.
Responding to additional Council questions, staff clarified the City intends to provide remote public participation through a telephonic option utilizing the Zoom platform rather than video participation. Staff further noted the proposed format reduces technical complexity while maintaining public participation opportunities.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember De Hoff to adopt Resolution No. 26-012 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California, Establishing the Policy for Recessing and Reconvening Meetings Held Pursuant to the Brown Act and Senate Bill 707 in the Event of a Disruption in Remote Participation".
Motion carried 410 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
None
None
None
None
10. Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Mayor Vaus presented the item. He noted there were three applicants for consideration. He expressed appreciation to all applicants and recommended the appointment of Dan Hober to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
Public Comment.
7 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway -Minutes -May 5, 2026
None.
End of Public Comment.
Motioned by Mayor Vaus, seconded by Councilmember Pikus to appoint Dan Hober to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, as nominated by Council, to include a one (1) one-year term (partial term) expiring December 31, 2026. Motion carried 4/0 by the following roll-call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstained:
Absent:
Disqualified:
WORKSHOPS:
None.
De Hoff, Pikus, Maeda, Vaus
None
None
None
None
COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS:
None.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS: Pursuant to AB1234 -(G.C. 53232(d))
Councilmember De Hoff reported observing a recent law enforcement traffic stop in the Twin Peaks and Midland area and expressed appreciation for the professionalism and coordination of the Sheriff's Office, noting the incident as an example of effective public safety response.
Councilmember Pikus announced the upcoming Forever Motown: So Good for the Soul event hosted by Poway OnStage at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
Mayor Vaus reported on the City's "Red, White, and Wow" 4th of July celebration and associated decorating contest, encouraging community participation. Mayor Vaus also reported on recent travel to Washington, D.C. in his capacity as a board member of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, noting meetings with federal officials and a visit with Congressman Scott Peters.
He further acknowledged appreciation of media coverage regarding recent City discussions on density bonus law and commented on the evolving state regulatory framework governing housing development and its impact on local control.
CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS: (Including any public report of any action taken in closed session) Item #11: City Attorney Fenstermacher reported no reportable action was taken.
Item #12: City Attorney Fenstermacher reported no reportable action was taken. 8 of 8
July 21, 2026, Item #2
City of Poway-Minutes -May 5, 2026
Item #13: City Attorney Fenstermacher reported out City Council voted 4/0 to authorize the City Attorney's office to defend the City in California Attorney General v. City of Poway, et al, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 26CU021822C, and San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians v. City of Poway, et al, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 26U021819C.
City Manager Chris Hazeltine and City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher recused themselves from Item #14 and departed the closed session meeting.
Mitch Dean, Special Counsel joined the meeting for Closed Session discussion on Item #14. No staff were present.
Item #14. City Attorney Fenstermacher reported no reportable action was taken.
CLOSED SESSION:
11. Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8
Property: 1 Boulder Mountain Rd., Poway, CA 92064; APNs 275-260-28-00, 275-470-21-00, and 275-470-24-00
City negotiators: Chris Hazeltine, Julie Procopio
Negotiating parties: Lyle Arnold, Industrial Data Link Corporation Under negotiation: Price and terms
12. Conference with Real Property Negotiators
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8
Property: 0 Dorothea Terrace, Poway, CA 92064; APN 316-020-08-00 City negotiators: Chris Hazeltine, Julie Procopio
Negotiating parties: Ronald L Mahling Trust
Under negotiation: Price and terms
13. Conference with Legal Counsel -Existing Litigation
Pursuant to Government Code§ 54956.9(d)(1)
Two (2) Cases
Name of Cases: California Attorney General v. City of Poway, et al, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 26CU021822C; San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians v. City of Poway, et al, San Diego Superior Court Case No. TBD
14. Conference with Legal Counsel -Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to Government Code§ 54956.9(d)(s) -Significant Exposure to Litigation One (1) Case
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was recessed into closed session at 8:15 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Carrie Gallagher, CMC
City Clerk
City of Poway, California