"The most direct route for a lot of people is going to be Stonehouse Road," said Vorster. "They don't care if Stonehouse is a dirt road or a paved road or a six-lane road. They're going to go the quickest way they can to the school."

Board member Elliot Sevier reacted to opinions expressed in resident e-mails posted at RanchoMurieta.com.

"There apparently are some here in this community who believe that the school district does not have the right to access this community by some pre-existing easement," he said. "They're wrong. The school district has had the right to access this community. That was given to them a long, long time ago in the CC&Rs."

He reacted specifically to an e-mail posted by resident Wilbur Haines: "He said he felt that the easement agreement we've put together here … was an extremely intelligent approach … because what this does is it gives us a control over the access that we didn't previously have."

Chuck Christian added that, in addition to registering all visitors as part of this plan, the Security Department wants school traffic to come through the visitor lane for entry approval.

"I've owned land here for 19 years," resident Wendy Balvanz told the board in support of the agreement. "I'm one of those folks who was promised a school before my 18-year-old son, who just came home from college, was born."

She concluded her comments by saying, "Thank you from most of the children in Rancho Murieta," and drew a smattering of applause from the audience.

Resident Dick Taylor challenged the board about its communication of this agreement. When Vorster said it had been published in full on RanchoMurieta.com, Taylor replied, "I don't have a computer." Vorster began to say he believed it had been summarized in the River Valley Times when Schieberl added that copies had been made available to residents at the RMA Building.

Country Club role in path questioned

Resident Marie Beckstaiger asked the board why it is allowing the Country Club a place at the table in trying to resolve the thorny issue of a pedestrian path between Murieta North and South.

Specifically, she complained about the creation of an ad-hoc committee on the river crossing that includes the Country Club.

Beckstaiger said the club is "wasting our community's time," adding, "They don't own the land. They're just stonewalling. ..."

The land the courses sit on is owned by the Pension Trust Fund of the Operating Engineers and leased to the Country Club. Beckstaiger said the PTF should have a say, but not the club.

"There are a thousand members in that country club," replied board member Elliot Sevier. "That's a large percentage of the population of this community. And their interests need to be heard. And their interests can be heard through the golf club's board."

He added that the PTF also wanted the Country Club involved in the process.

Director Mike Schieberl said he shares Beckstaiger's frustration. He said, "I don't see that there has been publicly any significant movement from two years ago regarding that particular path or a path across any leased property of the Country Club..."

Reporting on progress later in the meeting, Sevier said he was disappointed that South developer Reynen & Bardis didn't have promised information for this week's committee meeting. But Sevier said he thinks the sessions are worthwhile.

"The primary benefit of meetings have been the discussions that have been taking place publicly between the developer and the Country Club and the RMA," he said.

Reynen & Bardis is obliged to produce a river crossing when the 601st home is built on the South -- a threshold that is coming soon.

"We're going through two phases here, I think," Sevier said. "The first phase of this is the design phase. Once we get through the design phase we'll go into the cost phase. Probably the design phase is the most important part of it, because that's where the interest of the people out here seem to have the greatest amount of sensitivity, particularly the Country Club."

Several residents in the back of the meeting room held signs supporting action on the path. "It's Time For Walking Path," one sign said.

Board challenged on development agreement

Resident Terry Hanson, who has opposed the Murieta Holdings development plans for the community, challenged the board's plan to reach a development agreement with Murieta Holdings without allowing the community to vote on it.

Hanson has opposed the Murieta Holdings plans, speaking out at public meetings, circulating petitions and complaining to county officials.

Board President Jack Copeland said he expects the development agreement will be concluded by July 1 and then go to the public for a 30-day comment period before being signed.

Quoting the community's bylaws, Hanson said any agreement between the board and a third party that involves association common property and runs more than a year must be put to a community vote.

"How do you get around that?" he asked.

Director Elliot Sevier, paging through the bylaws as Hanson spoke, found the relevant bylaw and said it doesn't apply -- it's about "furnishing of goods or services to the common area."

"What is the intent of that bylaw?" asked Hanson as the exchange grew testy. "You, the board, are about to abrogate that."

Responded Sevier, "Once you see the agreement, if you think that's the case, bring that to our attention. Or you sue us, OK?"

"You don't do much with reviews or comments that come in to this board," said Hanson. "A good example is the one you voted on tonight" -- school access.

July 4 rules announced

Donna Newell, vice chair of the Recreation Committee, announced rules for the July 4 celebration -- the same rules used last year.

No personal fireworks will be allowed in the Laguna Joaquin area after 7 p.m., she said. Trying to address the possibility of someone tripping and falling, she said no ropes or chairs will be allowed to reserve areas around the lake.

As in previous years, Newell said, every household is allowed five free passes to give to friends and family. Additional passes are $5. If purchased on July 4, the passes are $10.

90 broadband subscribers so far

General Manager Greg Vorster said the community's cable broadband business, launched May 1, already has 90 subscribers. "It's, I think, going per plan," he said, adding there have been minor startup problems, as were expected.

"I think Ryan Fogleman's doing a great job pulling this together and administering the system for us," said Vorster. Fogleman, a Murieta resident, is under contract with the RMA to administer the project.

The board unanimously approved the addition of Bill Perry as an alternate member of the Communications Committee.

New member of documents committee

The board unanimously approved Mel Standart's nomination to the Governing Documents Committee. He replaces Tom Rhoades.

Purchase of street sweeper approved

The board unanimously approved spending $78,000 to buy a street sweeper. The vehicle, purchased one year ahead of schedule, will replace two machines now in use. Rod Hart, the RMA's maintenance manager, said the new sweeper will do a better job and cost less to maintain. The two old sweepers will be resold, he said.

Meeting May 29 on board vacancy

General Manager Greg Vorster said there will be a public meeting 6 p.m. May 29 to interview the two candidates to replace Director Tom Landwehr, who resigned May 1.

He said the candidates for the post, which expires in December 2003, are Donna Newell, who has served previously on the board, and Julie Rollofson.

Resident Dick Taylor said the board should have been making the decision at the regular meeting -- and airing the process on Channel 5 -- rather than holding a special meeting that won't air on community TV.

Entertainment group announces plans

Entertainment, Theater and Culture for Rancho Murieta (ETC), a new group, announced plans for several events this summer.

Michael Jones, a member of the new group, said the next event will be "Dancing Under the Stars," Saturday, June 15, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Lake Clementia Amphitheater. The free event will feature DJ music from the '40s to the present. You're invited to bring a picnic and a blanket.

He said the group also is working with the Kiwanis to cosponsor a Marcia Cope-Hart concert Saturday, June 29, and has children's events planned for July and August as well as a music show planned for September.

RMA honored for Blood Drive help

Resident Erin Reed presented Board President Jack Copeland a plaque to thank the RMA for its support of past Women's Club Blood Drives held in the RMA Building. The next drive will be July 29 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 14673 Cantova Way, Rancho Murieta.