Meeting Minutes - 4/16/2007
Rancho Heights Road Committee Meeting Minutes
Date: April 16, 2007
Location: Wolfe’s Eats / Temecula
Time: 7:00
Committee members present: J. Geller, J. Szepkouski, K. Ebmeier, C. Hill and D. Eaton.
Property owners present: K. Ebmeier, J. Geller, J. Hill, R. and K. Ratkowski, F. Santa, P. Burke.
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Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Geller at 7:00 PM.
Additions/Changes to the Agenda:none
Financial Report:
Treasurer Ebmeier gave the financial report. He reported that the Community had $45,825 in the bank with $5,399 to be deposited. Chairman Geller noted that more property owners are showing a tendency to pay on time this year.
Status of Amendment Resolution Vote:
A discussion on the vote on proposals submitted by the Committee last fall ensued. The vote is presently 77 for and 80 against. It was noted that, based on those numbers, that the proposals will likely fail to gain passage. Property owner J. Hill suggested a study to discover who was voting against the proposals and why. The study, it was noted, would have to be conducted with the preservation of the confidentiality of the votes of property owners in mind.
Road and Gate Report:
Committee member Szepkouski gave a report on the gate and the roads. It was noted that the Pechanga Fire Department had difficulty with their “yelp” signal gaining entrance through the gate. A solution will be found to that problem.
A discussion of the process of “chip sealing” the roads as an alternative to paving ensued.
A discussion for the need to have a “No Trespassing” sign at the gate was held. A motion to post such a sign was made, seconded and passed by unanimous vote of the Committee, although the wording was not yet finalized.
It was noted that the weed invasion is getting serious. The Committee decided to get bids on cutting back the weeds and spraying to prevent further encroachment. Property owners will be encouraged to maintain the weed problem on their respective road frontage. Craig Hill noted that resident Jim Thomas, who had volunteered to organize two weed abatement weekend work days, did not get one call volunteering to help.
Letter from Adjacent Property Owners:
A letter from the a group calling themselves “Upper Pala Magee Road Committee” was read by Kirk Ebmeier. A discussion ensued as to what the Committee’s response should be. It was noted that the RHRMC does not have the authority to grant access to the roads to those who do not live within the boundaries of the Community unless they pay full compensation for the privilege. It was agreed to extend to them the courtesy of emergency access to our roads should they need it in the event of a fire or some other calamity.
Lawsuit Resolution:
Chairman Geller read a brief statement announcing the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by property owners Tim Prince, Everett Dunnick and Barbara Gill against present and former members of the RHRMC. The text of the statement was taken directly from a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all the parties to the suit.
Moving Forward:
Chairman Geller then initiated an informal discussion of what our future priorities should be as a community. Every person in the room was asked to come up with one wish or want that they felt would improve the community in the future. The priorities suggested included the following:
1.Weed abatement—a working policy for the future.
2.Cluster mail boxes and getting the USPS to work with us.
3.Encouraging removal of the yellow protest signs on behalf of the community.
4.A Committee-sanctioned Summertime Potluck Barbecue to which the whole community would be invited.
5.A “Residents and Guests Only” sign at the gate.
6.The need for a permanent repair at the bottom of Rancho Heights Road.
7.Strategy on how best to spend limited funds and the announcement of a New Reality for the Community.
8.The posting of a newsletter immediately announcing the dismissal of the lawsuit against present and former members of the Road Committee.
9.The possibility of posting “positive message” signs.
10. The problem of the “dead oak tree forest” on the flat portion of Rancho Heights Rd. The sightline problem of the overhanging oak just passed the “Y”.
11.A formal statement for property owners to give to realtors, bankers, lenders, and borrowers that announces the dismissal of the lawsuit.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM by Chairman Geller.
A short closed meeting of the five Committee members was held thereafter to discuss the private issues of a few property owners.
Date Minutes Meeting Held:
Monday, April 16, 2007