The RMA's 2007 officers, clockwise from upper left, President Mike Martel, Vice President Jack Cooper, Secretary Donni Quinlan and Treasurer Chris Pedersen.

RMA board elects Mike Martel its president for 2007

Published Tuesday, December 5, 2006

The Rancho Murieta Association board of directors elected Mike Martel president at its organizational meeting Monday after Paul Gumbinger said he had enjoyed the job but three and a half years was enough. The board also selected other officers and committee chairs for 2007 at the one-hour meeting at the RMA Building.

“I’ve enjoyed being the president of this association … but I think it’s time for me to step down and let others take hold,” said Gumbinger at the start of the Rancho Murieta Association board’s organizational meeting Monday evening.

Gumbinger was honored for his work at the annual membership meeting in November.

After Gumbinger’s brief remarks, Director Jack Cooper complimented his performance as president and discussed his view of the role of the association’s chief executive officer. Cooper then nominated newly reelected Director Mike Martel for the post, saying he believed Martel was “the most qualified on the board” because he is a long-time resident with “an extensive knowledge of the history of Rancho Murieta” and has worked for the betterment of the community.

Martel accepted the nomination saying he wanted the association to develop a strategic plan, “operating in a manner that’s fair and consistent” and put a process in place, something he’s talked about often since he was first elected to the board three years ago. “I’m really a process type of guy,” he said later in the meeting.

There were no other nominations and Martel was elected by a unanimous vote of the other six directors, since he abstained from voting.

The office of president was the only change in the line-up of officers. By unanimous votes of the other board members, Cooper continues to serve as vice president, Chris Pedersen as treasurer, and Donni Quinlan as secretary.
Newly elected board member Mel Standart is chairman of the Communications Committee. He was an alternate on the committee this year.

Standart told the directors his personal preference is to sell the cable system, but “the will of the board supersedes my personal preferences and it will be that way so long as I am chair of that committee.”

Gumbinger said he had asked Standart to keep an open mind.

“We will all understand where we sit with this next year,” said Pedersen, referring to the offering of new cable services that’s getting underway now.    
Cooper said Standart is “not locked into any position, just a direction” to sell the cable system “if it makes sense and it’s necessary and the board approves.”

Director Bonita Jones replaces Martel as chair of the Maintenance Committee. Cooper continues as head of the Compliance Committee, Pedersen as head of the Finance Committee, Quinlan as Recreation Committee chair and Gumbinger as liaison to the Architectural Review Committee. Cooper and Jones will remain the RMA representatives on the Parks Committee.

Standart and Cooper will represent the RMA on the Joint Security Committee, which meets quarterly.

Martel wanted General Manager David Stiffler to oversee the Governing Documents Committee as it gears up for what Jones described as “a two-year project,” an apparent reference to overhauling the CC&Rs. Martel agreed to serve in a liaison role.

Stiffler was not present at the meeting, but was appointed assistant secretary of the corporation, a non-voting position that provides liability insurance coverage for the general manager.

Gumbinger was selected to chair the Personnel Committee, which is convened on an as-needed basis.

The Ad Hoc Front Gate and School Access Committee is now the Ad Hoc Gates Access Committee. The committee will address adding a gate at Escuela, rebuilding the North Gate, and providing school access. Three directors – Martel, Jones and Pedersen -- will be involved to address different needs at different times. Martel envisions planning in increments of “one, five, 10, 20 years” for access needs.

Residents who are interested in serving on a committee are asked to contact RMA Assistant General Manager Danise Hetland at 354-3500 by Jan. 5.
The committees will continue with their present make-up until the Jan. 16 board meeting, when new rosters will be presented for board approval.

The board will hold a strategic planning goal-setting session before the January board meeting and also plans to meet with legal counsel for an update on new laws affecting homeowners associations.