Initial Tony Gwynn memorial plan scrapped by Poway council

Saying they wanted to hit a grand slam in saluting Tony Gwynn, City Council members on Tuesday night likened a staff-prepared plan for a memorial at Lake Poway to a weak single.

Whatever the city ends up doing needs to be more impressive than a bronze plaque, mounted to a city-owned boulder, that would be placed near the concession stand at the Lake Poway ball field, the five councilmembers agreed.

“It’s good start, but we’re not there,” Mayor Steve Vaus said. “We all agreed to do it right and I don’t think we’re at ‘right’ yet.”

Ten months ago, following the June 16, 2014 death of Gwynn, a Padres legend and longtime Poway resident, the council agreed the city should have a monument honoring both his professional career and his contributions as a family man and community benefactor.

On Tuesday, Community Services Director Robin Bettin offered a design incorporating engraved plaque on a boulder that would be moved from a city storage yard. She estimated that $3,500 would be needed to complete the project.

Vaus said “something more grand” was needed. The boulder, he said, might be used as a seat by people watching a game on the field.

Councilman Jim Cunningham said a larger monument was in order and praised a couple of preliminary sketches that were passed around by Poway artist John Wismont. If costs go up, Cunningham suggested, a community fundraising drive could be held.

Councilman Barry Leonard added it was important that the monument include wording on “The Poway side of Tony Gwynn.”

City Manager Dan Singer took notes on the comments and said that staff will continue to work on other monument ideas. He cautioned that it might be a while before revised plans are ready due to other pressing issues, including compliance with state-mandated water restrictions.

“I’d rather wait and do it right,” Councilman Dave Grosch said.

In other matters, the City Council:

•Reviewed a list of proposed capital improvement projects for 2015-15 and 2016-17 as part of the preparation for a new two-year municipal budget. The city plans on spending $1.83 million next year on street maintenance and repairs, followed by a $2.47 million expenditure the following year. The 2016-17 total includes an estimated $800,000 to upgrade bicycle and pedestrian safety along Poway Road. More parking will be added at Lake Poway and the lake’s boat ramp will be replaced in 2016-17. Mechanical upgrades to the community swimming pool are also planned. The council will get the full budget in two weeks.

• Approved adding 20 spaces to the Iron Mountain parking lot. Half of the $80,000 cost will be covered by a grant from the county.

• Extensively discussed, but ultimately tabled, a decision on whether a conditional use permit should be granted to St. John of Damascus Church, 16903 Espola Road, allowing the construction of an addition to a multi-purpose building. The council was conflicted over whether the church should required to complete a sidewalk along Chabad Way — a condition the church claims it cannot afford. The matter was referred back to staff to see if a compromise can be reached.