The board also scheduled a budget workshop for Oct. 14 to discuss a 2025 budget and dues increase, beginning with a proposed $5, or 3%, hike in monthly dues to cover rising operational costs. Directors will also consider proposals to add staff and to improve community security with new fencing and gate upgrades, estimated to cost between $263,673 and $486,724.

In other business, the board formed an ad hoc committee to begin the search for a new general manager to replace Rod Hart, who will retire early next year. The board voted 6-0 to appoint Director Scott Adams as chair and authorized him to select the remaining committee members.

Board President Patrick O’Hern opened the meeting by welcoming the board’s newest director, Ernie Cowles. 

“I’m not going to go into his résumé or his curriculum vitae, but I can tell you he is an extremely well-educated person,” O’Hern said.

Cowles said he looked forward to working with the board and staff. He also thanked the half-dozen audience members. 

“It’s great that the community is involved,” he said.

The board appointed Cowles to a vacant seat during a special meeting on Sept. 3. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Danny Carrillo in August.

Adams, who chairs the Governing Documents Committee, said he was pleased that nearly 50 residents responded to a request for comments on a proposed rule to regulate e-bikes, describing most of the responses as thoughtful and supportive. He said the community generally supports speed restrictions, age restrictions, helmet requirements and increased fines for bad behavior.

The most significant concern was the prohibition of e-bikes on dirt trails. Adams said the committee was concerned about heavier bikes, faster speeds, especially on uphill sections, and potential trail damage. Others wondered if the rules would be enforceable. Some wanted the bikes banned completely.

Audience member Robert Guerin expressed concern about the prohibition of earbuds. He said he uses his earbuds as hearing aids. Adams said they could write an exception for medical devices.

Adams said that after the committee discusses the comments, he will draft a rule for board review.

After discussion, the board voted to refer a new state law to the Governing Documents Committee for review and to determine how to amend RMA’s non-architectural rules to comply.

Assembly Bill 130, which took effect July 1, caps the fine schedule for any homeowners association at $100. The only exception is when a rule violation may cause an adverse health or safety impact on a common area or a member’s property.

General Manager Rod Hart said speeding would fall under that exception. 

“We’ve had extremes of 80 mph on the parkway, and it is pretty common to have 50 mph,” he said. “It is our fiduciary duty to make sure that we keep our community safe, and $100 fines do not change habits.”

Other rules that could be affected include stop-sign violations, other traffic offenses and the dangerous use of fireworks.

Adams warned that compliance will be costly. 

“This is a poorly written law. There is a lot that they leave open. It is going to cause much more legal fees over time,” he said. “It has been highly criticized in the press by HOA attorneys.”

The board packet included an FAQ sheet on the bill. The attorney author noted that the language amending two sections of the civil code was added just days before enactment, “catching everyone by surprise.” The bill did not go through the normal legislative process or allow for public comment. It also prohibits charging late fees or interest on fines, according to the fact sheet.

Hart told the directors that they needed to schedule a budget workshop to discuss the draft 2026 budget proposed by staff, as well as some additional requests from board committees. After some discussion, they settled on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m.

Hart said the 2026 budget would increase by $145,859 due to factors that RMA can’t control, such as increases in wages and benefits, utility costs and increased insurance expenses. This would increase the monthly dues from $165.50 to $ 170 per lot, representing a 3% increase of $5. The total project budget would be just over $5 million.

The board will review the addition of several items at the workshop, including a part-time maintenance employee for $30,000, a $1.03 dues increase, and the hiring of a third full-time compliance officer for $86,000, which would result in a $2.95 dues increase.

The largest request up for review comes from the Perimeter Security Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Directors Chris Childs and Tom Reimers. 

Their proposal to increase perimeter security carries an estimated cost of $486,734, including $431,725 for fencing using outside labor, $40,000 for new gate controllers and $15,000 for pedestrian gates. Using in-house labor for the fencing would reduce the cost to $263,697. The respective dues increase would be $16.70 or $9.05.

Two residents of The Retreats subdivision, Steve Detrick and Kasey Cronavist, attended the board meeting and introduced themselves as newly elected members of the Rancho North Association, which is separate from RMA. Although they pay RMA dues in addition to their own association’s fees, they are not RMA members. Both said they hope to develop a working relationship with RMA.

Audience member Tom Shewchuk informed the board that two longtime country club members, who live outside the community, are resigning from the club because of gate access. Since RMA deactivated their barcodes because they were speeding, the women – both in their 60s – have become frustrated with having to stop at the gate and dealing with construction traffic and long lines.

Board President Patrick O'Hern referred Shewchuk to Hart for more information about the barcode policy.

Hart reported that insurance costs for 2025-26 will increase by 7%, amounting to $10,575. The board retroactively approved the total premium of $161,310 and also authorized $4,415 for a review of the association’s 2025 financial statements.

The board’s next meetings are scheduled for Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. for the budget workshop and Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. for the regular monthly meeting.