RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The June 17 meeting of the Rancho Murieta Association Board of Directors was expected to be short and routine, based on the agenda. 

However, tensions rose when Director Danny Carrillo claimed the board had ignored his request to include a proposal to form a new committee. Four other audience members also voiced complaints.

Carrillo’s complaint was the second time a rift between Carrillo and other board members surfaced publicly. At the April meeting, Carrillo said he had been excluded from executive sessions by fellow directors who accused him of disclosing confidential information from closed meetings: a charge he strongly denied. 

In other business at the June meeting, General Manager Rod Hart updated the board on preparations for the July 4 celebration. During audience comments, two residents advocated motorcycle use in the north, with one requesting permission to participate in the July 4 parade. A third audience member questioned the legality of speeding citations issued based on Lidar camera data. A fourth resident expressed frustration over the Compliance Department’s lack of response to his repeated complaints about open garage doors. 

The board also approved bids to inspect the wooden bridge and to replace a jockey pump at the Laguna Joaquin pump station. Carrillo voted no on both motions, citing an insufficient number of bids.

As at the April meeting, Carrillo took to the podium during the June meeting to speak during the portion of the agenda reserved for public comments on non-agendized topics. He said that after proposing the formation of a Leadership and Communication Improvement Committee in April, he had requested the item be placed on the June agenda. He described the committee as an effort “to foster civility, sensitivity and improved understanding among directors.”

Carrillo said he reached out to Board President Patrick O’Hern but received no response or acknowledgment of his request. He also shared his proposal with the other directors, needing support from just one to place the item on the agenda, but none responded. 

“The preparation of my proposal demanded considerable effort and dedication, and to be met with indifference is disheartening,” Carrillo said. “This lack of support raises questions about the board’s willingness to provide change.”

Six audience members applauded after Carrillo finished reading his prepared statement. 

O’Hern said he would respond. He said he received a copy of an email that was branded “RMA Leadership Communication Committee” in the heading. It reminded General Manager Rod Hart to put the committee proposal on the agenda. 

“First of all, no such committee exists in Rancho Murieta,” he said. “Any committee in the RMA will be created by a majority vote of the directors of the Rancho Murieta Association.”

O’Hern went on to say that agenda items are added at the discretion of the general manager, the board president or any two board members. 

“If a director cannot get someone else to support him, it will not appear on the agenda, nor should it be addressed at the meeting,” he said. 

“It is beyond the scope and authority of a single board member to establish or rename a committee without the support and majority vote of the board, particularly one which may create the illusion that the committee is in some way in charge of direction of Rancho Murieta Association leadership,” he added.

Later in the meeting, Carrillo was the only director to vote “no” on motions to approve a $12,800 contract to inspect the wooden bridge and to authorize the $7,289 purchase of a jockey pump for Laguna Joaquin. He cited a “disturbing trend” of not getting multiple bids for projects.

Director Scott Adams supported accepting the sole bid for the bridge inspection, stating that the wooden bridge is unique—likely the only one of its kind in the United States—and that the original builder is most familiar with the structure.

Hart reported that staff had reached out to at least three companies for bids on the pump. While one bid came in about $100 lower, the decision was made to pay slightly more to a trusted service provider rather than go with the lowest bid from an unfamiliar company.

Hart provided an update on plans for the July 4 celebration. He said he had requested six sheriff’s deputies, although their participation had not yet been confirmed. Additionally, RMA has hired six private security officers equipped with patrol vehicles.

New this year will be a designated drop-off zone for parade participants on De La Cruz. Unlike previous years, the Escuela Gate will not be opened as an exit following the fireworks show.

After Hart informed the board that staff still needed 14 volunteers for traffic control and parade management, several directors immediately stepped forward to help.

Audience member Richard Guerin said he wanted to start a fact-based and respectful conversation about the motorcycle restriction on the north side. Adams explained that the restriction is part of the CC&Rs, and changing it would require approval from 60% of all rooftops. He noted that achieving that would be difficult, as regular elections often struggle to reach even 40% participation. Adams has previously pointed out that a non-vote is counted as a “no” vote.

Brian Rosebrock, who has long advocated for removing the motorcycle restriction, asked if he could have the issue placed on the board agenda. O’Hern responded that the board could discuss it with the general manager. Rosebrock also asked whether a group of about a dozen motorcyclists could ride in the July 4 parade as a “litmus test” to gauge public reaction. O’Hern and Adams essentially declined the request. Rosebrock said he plans to continue pursuing the issue. 

“I’ve been designated to carry that torch so that I will be the ‘Motorcycle Guy,’” he said.

Audience member Donna McCloud said she attended the meeting because she had received two speeding citations based on Lidar camera readings. She requested documentation verifying the calibration of the cameras. McCloud also stated that both an attorney and a law enforcement professional had told her such tickets were not authorized.

Audience member Chris Judd told the board he has been dealing with Compliance for years, but his complaints have gone unresolved. He said he has repeatedly reported open garage doors without any result. 

Judd also raised concerns about other violations, including Christmas lights left up year-round, a neighbor keeping chickens, and an illegal fence.

Hart told Judd that Compliance wouldn’t notify him when a violation is issued for an open garage door. He also referenced a separate case in which a complainant believed no action had been taken when, in fact, the association had issued 75 citations related to the matter.

The next RMA Board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.