RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Murieta Association Board of Directors on May 19 reactivated its Security Ad Hoc Committee to study whether RMA could eventually assume responsibility for security services within the gates of Rancho Murieta and reviewed conceptual plans for a long-awaited renovation of the South Gate entrance.

The meeting came two days after two serious traffic incidents on May 17. A crash on Scott Road claimed the lives of two teenagers and seriously injured three others, including two Rancho Murieta residents, while a separate vehicle crash later that evening damaged the North Gate entrance structure.

Board President Patrick O’Hern opened the meeting by expressing condolences to those affected by the Scott Road crash. 

“We would offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the young people involved in the tragedy,” O’Hern said. “We also extend our wishes for full recovery to those who were injured.”

O’Hern also reported on the North Gate collision, which occurred shortly before midnight May 17 when a vehicle lost control and struck the gate structure, damaging the gatehouse cover, building and gate arms. 

“Our crew have been assessing the extent of the damage, and we will be working with our insurance to make the necessary repairs as soon as possible,” he said.

Director Chris Childs said the Security Ad Hoc Committee was originally formed to evaluate options if the Rancho Murieta Community Services District stopped providing security services. Its work was suspended in 2024 after the district indicated it would continue operating security. The issue resurfaced after CSD recently requested discussions regarding the feasibility of RMA assuming responsibility for security functions within the gates.

The board unanimously approved reactivating the committee. Members include Childs, directors John Van Doren and Tom Reimers, residents Raelyn Mobley, Julia Jonas and Greg Mason, and former RMA Board President Jim Moore.

“It’s a big one,” Childs said. “It’s going to take us a lot of months to come up with an answer that would be reasonable for the board to consider, for the community to consider at large.”

O’Hern said residents would be involved in the process before any final decisions are made.

The board also received its first detailed look at conceptual plans for renovating the South Gate entrance, a project that has been discussed for years.

O’Hern said the Maintenance Committee wanted board feedback on the concept before staff spends money obtaining detailed bids and construction estimates.

Architectural Review Manager Mark Parsons said the project would begin with the removal of turf in the center island and its replacement with shrubs and perennial plantings.

“When I sat down to talk with Rod (Hart) about the amount of water that we’re using in South Gate, it’s a substantial amount,” Parsons said. He said the grass would ultimately be removed and replaced with landscaping requiring less irrigation.

Maintenance Manager Troy Schaffner said the landscaping changes would also help prepare the association for future state water-conservation requirements.

“The main goal of this is to give it a good update, but one of the goals of mine is to reduce water and to change the landscaping to help with that, especially with some of the new California laws that are coming into place,” Schaffner said.

Parsons then described what he called a complete facelift for the entrance. 

“We’re basically going to give everything a facelift,” he said.

Parsons said the current entrance reflects what he described as a “Mexican motif.” Existing plaster finishes would be replaced with a fine sand-finish stucco, while the water-feature wall would be rebuilt using Carmel Mountain stacked stone and incorporate a large Rancho Murieta logo. The same stone and color palette used at the North Gate would be carried into the South Gate renovation.

The proposal would restore a water feature to the South Gate after the previous fountain was removed earlier this year. The new water feature would be smaller than its predecessor and would consist of vertical water jets recirculating through a retention basin below.

Parsons said trellis-style structures resembling heavy timber would be constructed of lightweight aluminum and installed over the entry lanes and welcome wall.

“We’re trying to tie the North and the South together,” he said.

Director Scott Adams said he liked the similarity between the proposed South Gate design and the appearance of the North Gate. 

“It does look a lot like it’s going to look like the North Gate,” Adams said. “I like that there’s going to be a similarity between the two.”

While praising the overall design, O’Hern said he wanted additional information about the proposed fountain before the project proceeds.

The board reached consensus supporting the concept and directed staff to begin developing cost estimates for future consideration.

In her first board meeting as Rancho Murieta’s new general manager, Vicky Lentz told directors she was honored to return to the community where she previously lived and served on the board. Adams welcomed Lentz and said the community was fortunate to have her leadership.

Adams and O’Hern also thanked Schaffner, Compliance Manager Chris Smith and other staff members for their response to the North Gate crash and repair efforts.

Recreation Committee Chairman John Havilland reported on plans for July 4 activities and a proposed CPR training program for residents.

During public comments, River Valley Times reporter Gail Bullen questioned the apparent discontinuation of resident access to board agenda packets. As is customary during public comments, the board did not respond.

The board’s next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16.