Year in Review: A turbulent year at City Hall, $3 million tree removal project were big stories in Poway in 2025

The city’s battles with renegade first-time Councilmember Tony Blain, a tree removal project planned for public safety, the opening of the West Village Poway Apartments and new e-bike regulations were among the big stories in Poway this year.

On Monday, the City Council voted 4-0 to set a June 2, 2026 date for a special election to replace Councilman Tony Blain, who resigned after 80% of District 2 voters approved his recall on Nov. 5.

The election, which would take place on the date of the statewide general election, will cost from $10,000 to $25,000, City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher said at the Dec. 16 council meeting.

It was the latest in a long line of City Council actions in regards to Blain, who was elected in November 2024 and took his seat a month later. In that time he was censured twice by the council, sued by the city and was the subject of a personnel investigation. 

He also faces criminal charges from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

Through it all, Blain continued to accuse others in the city of corruption and back-door deals, and to promise “transparency and integrity.”

City Manager Chris Hazeltine said his dealings with Blain were among the most “trying times in my 35 years of public service.”

“It is amazing what we have dealt with here,” he said last month. “The incessant lies, harassment and bullying from one of my bosses.”

Over the past year, the city has been left with expenses that Hazeltine estimates “conservatively” at $1 million as a result of Blain’s behavior.

Those costs include $250,000 for the personnel investigation that resulted in a June 6 report about Blain’s behavior toward Hazeltine and Fenstermacher. The report, which was discussed at a July 15 council meeting, concluded that Blain made abusive and offensive statements and inappropriate personal comments to both men that were unrelated to the city’s legitimate business interests.

On April 30, Poway officials announced that the city had filed a lawsuit against Blain to seek his compliance with the state Public Records Act and to “stop the destruction of public records.”

The civil lawsuit filed in Superior Court in San Diego alleges Blain refused to produce requested public records from his private accounts, apps and devices and deleted public records from those sources and asked others to delete messages from him.

The cost of the ongoing lawsuit is in the “six figures at this point,” Hazeltine said.

On Jan. 12, Blain is scheduled to be arraigned on five criminal charges, including felony charges of perjury, asking for a bribe by a member of a legislative body, soliciting a bribe and destruction or removal of public records, plus a misdemeanor charge of petty theft pertaining to the removal of a campaign sign.

The special election to fill Blain’s seat is the first to come under a new policy approved by the council in April. It requires a special election when filling a vacancy that occurs within the first 18 months of a council member’s four-year term.

In the past several years, council members have faced pushback from residents who have wanted to see special elections. They complained that the council has made three appointments since 2015 and said that the residents should be making the decisions.

Council members voted unanimously Dec. 3 of last year to replace Councilmember Brian Pepin – who resigned for work-related issues after two years in his seat – by appointment instead of holding a special election. They said an appointment would be quicker and less expensive than an election.

In January, the council voted 3-2 – with new councilmembers Blain and Jenny Maeda dissenting – to appoint Christopher Pikus to fill the vacancy.

Scheduling the special election for the District 2 seat for June 2 will mean big savings for the city, Fenstermacher said at the Dec. 16 council meeting. The April 14 date would have cost about $300,000, he said.

* * * * *

In mid-September, the City of Poway began an over $3 million tree removal and trimming project designed to improve public safety by removing nearly 2,700 trees.

Trees slated for the endeavor that will continue into next year are along Twin Peaks Road, Camino del Norte, Espola Road and in the Green Valley open space area. A majority are eucalyptus, though in the Green Valley area dozens of coast live oak trees and Mexican fan palms are also on the removal list.

As of December 18, around 1,400 trees had been removed, according to Rene Carmichael, Poway’s community outreach coordinator.

“We have had some people remark that this is too many trees and some people remark that this is not enough,” Carmichael said. “As a reminder, the trees removed were dead, dying, diseased, poorly formed or poorly spaced and identified for removal by a certified arborist within the terms of the hazardous mitigation grant.

“The result is going to be a better environment for the remaining healthy trees/vegetation, a safer evacuation route in the event of a wildfire, and the Landscape Maintenance District will no longer be maintaining the unhealthy trees that were removed.”

The project is mostly funded by the federal government, which is covering 75% of costs via FEMA’s Hazardous Tree Removal Mitigation Grant. The city is covering the remaining 25%.

There are two separate projects.

It will cost just over $2.72 million to remove around 2,500 trees in the Twin Peaks, Espola and Green Valley project. FEMA provided $1.97 million. The city is matching with $657,000. FEMA also provided an additional $94,320 to cover grant management costs. This is meant to not only protect evacuation routes, but the more than 1,000 structures and just under 3,300 residents in the area.

The Camino del Norte project to remove around 170 hazardous, non-native or invasive trees and trim around 200 more will cost $251,625, with $187,500 provided by FEMA and $64,125 coming from Poway. This is meant to reduce fuel loads and create defensible space and fuel breaks that protect homes and support safe evacuation routes, officials said.

When work started on Sept. 16, crews first tackled two sections — Camino del Norte and Twin Peaks Road. The goal, city officials said, was to make the routes safer in times of wildfire and strong Santa Ana winds.

“We received a grant to identify dead or dying trees, those with improper growth structures and those growing in an unhealthy way that are susceptible to falling over and blocking evacuation routes,” said Jenna Stein, emergency preparedness program manager with the Poway Fire Department.

According to Stein, when there is a significant wildfire in the area, there can also be Santa Ana winds. The winds are more likely to make unhealthy trees fall over. If they do, the trees could block roadways used for evacuation routes.

Trees slated for removal have either white or blue dots on their trunks. For a detailed list, visit Poway.org/tree-project.

* * * * *

The 212-unit West Village Poway Apartments complex held a grand opening ceremony on May 1.

The complex is at 12849 Poway Road – the site of the former Poway Fun Bowl and Carriage Center, where thrift shops had been located.

West Village has studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom models with features such as quartz countertops, stainless steel kitchen appliances and wood-style plank flooring, Community Manager Shelly Mitchell said at the opening.

Amenities include a social lounge with kitchen, fitness center, swimming pool and spa, and a dog park and pet wash.

Developed by San Diego-based Fairfield, West Village Poway is expected to expand with an additional three-story building on adjacent property occupied by the now-closed Big O Tires business at 12947 Poway Road, Mitchell said. The project will add another 16 units, she said.

Although tenants have moved into most of the apartment units, the property has four retail spaces and two restaurant spaces that are not yet filled.

Poway Chamber President Mike Leland said the Chamber is “really proud” to have a Fairfield property in Poway.

“This West Village Poway turned out to be awesome and we’re very excited about it,” Leland said. “We’re looking forward to the commercial space leasing out and getting the right tenants.”

* * * * *

The Poway Community Foundation awarded its second round of grants – for $106,000 and shared among 16 local programs – on Dec. 2.

The foundation provides grants for programs working to strengthen families, expand the arts, support vulnerable residents and improve the quality of life across Poway, according to officials.

The grants are typically in the range of $2,500 to $10,000 and require funds to be used in Poway for a specific or defined project. 

“Supporting these local organizations allows the Poway Community Foundation to directly strengthen our community,” said foundation Co-Chair Ginger Couvrette. “From helping families in need to expanding arts and educational opportunities, these grants make a real difference in the lives of Poway residents and help our city thrive.”

Among the grant recipients were Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center, Poway OnStage, The Poway Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Birthline of San Diego County, Friends of the Poway Library and the Kiwanis Club of Poway.

The Poway Symphony Orchestra foundation was awarded $5,000 for its student outreach program.

Jim Reid, foundation president, said he hopes the outreach programs will generate support for the orchestra’s concerts held throughout the year.

“We are absolutely delighted, it’s a great honor and we are deeply appreciative of recognition from the Poway community and the Poway Community Foundation,” Reid said.

Formed in November 2023, the foundation raises funds for Poway nonprofits under the umbrella of the San Diego Foundation.

The inaugural grants, given out in mid-December 2024, totaled $78,500. A dozen nonprofits received grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000. 

In recent months the foundation has worked to make itself more visible – first with a sign that describes its mission and community impact that was first displayed at a ribbon-cutting at the corner of Midland Road and Temple Street.

And then with its first Brews & Boots Festival on Aug. 17 at Old Poway Park. The adult-only event featured locally produced beer and wine, barbecue food, live music and train rides in the park.

Couvrette said earlier this year that Brews & Boots will support the foundation’s efforts to raise money that can be donated to nonprofits in Poway.

“This will be a special Poway event,” Couvrette said. “With 100 percent of the proceeds from Brews & Boots going directly to support future grants, this festival offers a chance to enjoy a fun-filled day while giving back to our community.”

* * * * *

The Poway City Council voted Oct. 21 to join several other San Diego-area cities in approving a number of safety-related regulations for children and teens on e-bikes.

Now, children under 12 can no longer ride electric bicycles in Poway and no one can ride an e-bike or any bicycle on any sidewalk in a business district.

The new rules took effect Nov. 20. Warnings are being issued during the first 60 days. After that, infractions can start at $25 and incrementally increase to $250 following multiple convictions. 

The city also can seize and confiscate any e-bike operated in violation of the ordinance’s provisions.

City Councilmember Jenny Maeda said young children who are being sent out without training and education on the rules of the road are jeopardizing the safety of drivers and pedestrians as well as their own.

“We have received many complaints of young e-bike riders engaging in reckless and dangerous behaviors,” Maeda said at the Oct. 7 meeting where the ordinance got its first approval.

“They are popping wheelies on Poway Road, riding perpendicular to the flow of traffic on Community Road, crossing busy intersections diagonally and running seniors off of sidewalks. I don’t want tragedy to strike our city before we do anything about this.” 

The new rules apply to city streets, sidewalks, public paths set aside for the use of bicycles and other property under the city’s jurisdiction.

The ordinance also includes provisions pertaining to parking, yielding to pedestrians and equestrians, and a prohibition in playgrounds, parks and school grounds not designated as a bicycle path or route.

Poway Sheriff’s deputies and the Poway Unified School District in September partnered to offer e-bike safety events to explain safe and legal ways to operate motorized bikes. The first was at Midland Elementary School.

* * * * *

The Poway Fire Department was in the news in 2025 with the hiring of a new fire chief, a Caltrans report on fire hazard areas in the city and the purchase of a new $1.7 million fire truck.

Brian Mitchell, the department’s deputy fire chief was promoted to the top spot with the retirement of Chief Jeff Chumbley. He started the job on Dec. 23.

As Poway’s deputy fire chief since 2022, Mitchell was in charge of the department’s Fire Suppression Division, which is its largest division. He oversaw 51 personnel consisting of three battalion chiefs, 12 fire captains, 12 fire engineers and 24 firefighters.

In his new role he is also in charge of the operational side of the department, which includes three staff members in the Fire Prevention Division and two in the Administration Division.

Fire hazards were a big topic at a number of City Council meetings and community forums after Mitchell took over.

In February, Cal Fire reported that more than 90% of the city is designated in a moderate, high or very high Fire Hazard Severity Zone, The report came with the release of new maps for areas under local and county fire agency jurisdiction.

Most of the city, 77.8%, is in the “very high” fire hazard category, Poway fire officials said.

“Reducing wildfire risks throughout the state is the primary way that insurance can become more available and more affordable,” Mitchell said in an email. “The Fire Hazard Severity Zone map supports that goal through improving public education about the hazard and the need for safety preparation.”

Firefighters held a workshop in April to discuss how community members can reduce the city’s risk of wildfire. The city also hosted two wildfire safety and evacuation awareness workshops in May.

In July, the city unveiled a new $1.7 million fire truck with a 107-foot aerial ladder and rescue equipment.

The truck’s extra-long ladder is capable of reaching the rooftop of any building in the city, including those in the Poway Business Park, city officials said. It can also stream water from an elevated vantage point and be used for rope rescues. Standard fire truck ladders are 35 feet long, Mitchell said.

Other equipment includes ground ladders that can access up to two-story building heights and state-of-the-art, battery-powered “Jaws of Life” rescue tools.