Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board splits on developer letter; motion to send November 19 letter to MRK carries
Summary
Board members debated whether an ad hoc committee or staff had authority to send a contentious Nov. 19 letter to a developer (MRK). After public comment and disputes about process, the board moved and voted to send the November 19 letter.
A contentious discussion in the Feb. 18 Rancho Murieta meeting centered on a November 19 letter involving MRK and whether its issuance followed appropriate public‑meeting process.
Directors and public commenters disagreed about how the letter was drafted and who authorized its distribution. One director said the ad hoc working group lacked authority to direct the general manager to send the letter and argued the board should rescind the letter because it should have been a public board action; others said the ad hoc group had discussed the draft in closed session and there had been apparent consensus.
Developer Bob Kyle said the letter’s release cost him approximately $25,000 in legal and engineering fees preparing for improvements committee meetings; he asked the board what remedy would be available if the letter had been released in error. Board members and staff said the district remains in negotiation with the developer and that any formal communications to the developer will go back to the board before finalization.
After debate, a director moved to send the Nov. 19 letter to MRK. The motion was seconded and carried on roll call.
The discussion exposed governance questions about who may authorize correspondence on behalf of the district, the scope of ad hoc committee authority and the process for placing significant resolutions on the public agenda. The board directed staff to ensure future communications reflect board direction and to present any substantive developer correspondence to the board before release.
