RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - An entertaining report about geese control measures, a request to approve developer-proposed trails, and an alternative to keep Greenfield emails were key topics when the Rancho Murieta Association Board met on Jan. 21.

The directors also discussed automating remote gates for evacuation and bid farewell to Director Renee Bechthold, who is stepping down from the board. (Refer to the separate stories in this issue.)

As always, at the year’s first meeting, the directors appointed residents to eight board committees. They also received reports from the chairs of the same committees and touched on several other topics, all within 50 minutes, an unusually short meeting.

During public comments, Kent Fowler introduced himself as a retired veterinarian with an equine practice on the Monterey Peninsula for 27 years. He then worked for the California Department of Food and Ag as a regulatory veterinarian for 17 years. He also serves on the Rancho Murieta Country Club Board of Directors.

Fowler suggested the board might be interested in his perspective on geese, given the association’s problem with excess geese at the popular Clementia Reservoir beach. 

After Fowler and his wife moved to Rancho Murieta, others told them there was no solution to the “horrendous numbers of geese on the golf courses.” He didn’t believe it.

In December 2022, he proposed a pilot project to the country club board to reduce the goose population. His plan involved using his dog Cooper, a Pembroke Corgi, to chase the geese. While this proved highly effective, the geese managed to evade the dog on the eight holes with water. The solution was a remote-controlled electronic speedboat to harass them.

“Since that time, we’ve been out there every day for the last two years,” Fowler said. “It’s had a dramatic effect in reducing the population.”

Using a spreadsheet, Fowler tracked the number of geese chased off the golf courses. In 2023, he and Cooper successfully chased away more than 15,000 geese, reducing the number to just over 7,000 in 2024, a 50% decrease.

Before initiating the project, Fowler sent fecal samples to a Davis laboratory.
"What we discovered was both E coli and Bacillus cereus, both of which are human pathogens,” he said.” My bigger concern is avian influenza, and that should be your biggest concern with the goose population as well.” 

Fowler also commented about the association’s plan to use a propane cannon to deter geese at Clementia. While he believes it will be effective initially, he doubts its long-term success, citing a similar approach with seagulls at the Kiefer Landfill. He noted that geese are highly intelligent and will likely adapt quickly, simply relocating to other community areas rather than being permanently deterred.

As Fowler left the podium, O’Hern told him that his dog provides a constant source of entertainment. “Every morning my wife stands at the kitchen, and every morning I hear: ‘There’s Cooper.’”

Hart reported that Rancho Murieta Properties has submitted a revised trail plan for the proposed Rancho North development. The new map no longer includes the villages behind the reservoirs, as plans for their development have been dropped. (For more details, see “Development Behind Reservoirs is Ruled Out.”

Hart said the new trail map aligns with the Parks Committee trail map and the park development agreement. He recommended that the board direct their park representatives to vote to approve the plan as submitted, as it aligns with the existing trail map requirements.

The board voted 4-1 to approve Hart’s recommendation. Director Danny Carrillo voted against it, saying he wanted more time for review. Directors Chris Childs and Renee Bechthold did not vote as they were absent.

Hart told the board that residents concerned about losing their ranchomurieta.org email may have another option once Greenfield Communications shuts them down. He said Greenfield will allow 100 residents to keep their current email address, which will be automatically transferred to a hidden email. Residents should contact Hart for more information.

During public comments, resident Victoria Kalman complained about a neighbor’s “excessively nosy heating and cooling system.” She said it was incumbent on the board to take some action.

During his Compliance Committee report, Director Tom Reimers proposed increasing the fines for residents and guests who interfere with RMA compliance officers and Rancho Murieta Community Service patrol officers. O’Hern referred the proposed rule change to the Governing Documents Committee for a recommendation.