RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Discussion of a proposed e-bike rule and non-member barcode use highlighted the Rancho Murieta Association Board’s Nov. 18 meeting.

In other business, the board presented a plaque to Randy Jenco in recognition of his work improving the Stonehouse Park sports fields. The general manager also honored Gyan Singh, a 50-year employee who died the previous week. (See separate stories in this issue.)

Director Scott Adams, who chairs the Governing Documents Committee, has been working for months on a proposed e-bike rule. The draft discussed at the meeting had been circulated for member feedback earlier this year and drew about 50 comments from residents. 

Adams asked the board to weigh in on three sections: where e-bikes may be ridden, a requirement that riders be at least 16 years old, and higher fines for egregious violations.

After several directors raised concerns about limiting e-bikes to paved surfaces, Adams agreed to revise the rule to allow their use on gravel paths as well. 

The other directors did not object to the age requirement or the proposed fine schedule. They also briefly discussed requiring identification stickers for e-bikes and the challenges of enforcing the rule.

At the end of the discussion, the board voted unanimously to circulate the proposed rule for a 30-day member review.

During his general manager’s report, Rod Hart said he is working with Rancho Murieta Community Services District Security to address problems with issuing and managing non-member barcode stickers. He noted that the current system lacks clear tracking and adequate controls for monitoring non-resident access to the community. For example, as many as five barcodes have been issued per household to Rancho Murieta Country Club social members.

Hart is proposing transferring the entire non-member barcode process to RMA control, with several key improvements. The new system would introduce color-coded barcodes specifically for non-members, making them easily identifiable throughout the community. Each barcode would require a signed contract and a deposit, allowing RMA to assess fines for violations such as speeding or unauthorized access to restricted areas. Moreover, the association would have the power to deactivate barcodes if deposits are not replenished. Nonmembers also would apply for barcodes at the RMA building during business hours.

Although the board was scheduled to hold its annual meeting on Nov. 20, not enough members returned ballots to reach the required 40% quorum, Hart said. The board rescheduled the meeting for Dec. 11 under a new state law that lowers the quorum requirement to 20%. Hart said the association received enough ballots to meet that requirement. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.

Hart said he has contacted Caltrans about installing deer-crossing signs along Jackson Highway after receiving multiple community reports of deer being struck by vehicles. He will also ask the Maintenance Committee to consider whether similar signs could be installed inside the gates, particularly on Murieta Parkway and Camino Del Lago.

Hart also addressed a motorcycle escort issue raised by audience member Brian Rosebrock. He said the escort policy does not appear in the CC&Rs or in the non-architectural rules. The requirement that a patrol officer escort a motorcycle to and from an owner’s home – only in the North – appears to stem from a past board decision that was never clearly documented. Hart said that developing a better, consistent process will require going through the committee structure, beginning with the Compliance Committee.

Audience member Tom Shewchuck offered the board three focus areas for the coming years. First, he urged tighter controls on non-member access at the gates, noting that Hart is already addressing part of the issue with barcode sticker changes. His second suggestion was to improve guest compliance and explore new gate-access technologies, such as license plate or facial recognition systems. Third, he proposed uniting all of the community’s homeowner associations under the RMA umbrella.

The board’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11 for the Annual Meeting and at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 for the regular monthly meeting.