RDPPOA General Meeting Placitas Community Library
Mike Pena called the meeting to order at 10 AM.
Item #1 Introduction of new POA board members:
- Mike Pena, President
- Patrick Lee Harrelson Vice President
- Gayle Reinhart – Treasurer
- Winnie Maggiore – Secretary
- Armon McPherson – 1st Alternate
- Toby Karlin – 2nd Alternate
- Ad Hoc Member – Linda Sheldon (Community Outreach)
Item #2 New Board Accomplishments
- Jan 4 transition meeting with old/new Board.
- Technology solutions and migration for email accounts, banking, accounting, offsite cloud storage and the website.
- We will be maintaining Craig Kendall’s volunteer services as our Technology Administrator.
Item #3 The 2025 financial statement was presented to the members. The Balance sheet was reviewed with total of $20,895.72 remaining at the end of 2025. There was $1,200 in compliance deposits. Income and expenses were presented and explained by Mike. Gross profit was $1726.17. $4,984.02 was spent for our portion of repairs to the
front entrance wall.
Item #4 Architectural Committee Chair Rick Moutz discussed ongoing construction in North Ranchos. One project is ongoing on Tejon Canyon; there are no new applications for approval. Rick and Graham explained the process for approval of new or renovation construction. Building permits come from the state. The Architectural Committee will help guide new owners through the covenants.
Nora Jones asked about the quit claim deeds and whether they can be posted on the website.
Item #5 Mike Neas was introduced as the new Unit Representative for Unit 7. Mike Pena started a discussion about the purpose of the Unit Representatives. Hugh wanted to know how Mike was selected; there is no process identified in the by-laws. Mike explained that the Board does not own the process for each Unit; each unit can appoint or select their own representative as they see fit. Hugh is part of Unit 7 and was not notified of any process for selection. Some members felt the process was too vague as there have not been Unit Representatives in the past. Linda explained that the Unit Directors are a conduit for an exchange of information between the Board and the members of a given unit. The other Ranchos units were encouraged to select their own Unit Representatives.
Item #6 A discussion of reinstituting “The Brief”, a periodic newsletter to be posted to the website was held; no action was taken.
Item #7 Mike Neas discussed the ESCAFA issue with our tax bills. The tax was initially instituted to pay off a debt for a bond issue. This bond was paid off 3 years ago but the charges continue to be on our bills. Almost a million dollars has been paid in by Placitas residents that should not have been paid. Mike explained that sharing this information is part of the Unit Director’s responsibilities and encouraged everyone to contact their County Commissioner.
Item #8 Mike Pena reminded everyone to submit their 2026 dues. Although they are not mandatory, only dues paying members are permitted to vote.
Item #9 (Open topics)
COMMUNITY ISSUES
Armon had attended a meeting of the County Commission that was held for a vote on an appeal to a ruling by P&Z on a request by a contractor to change wording for a Special Use permit to include cluster housing. Under the SCo Master Plan for Placitas, cluster housing is allowed. Cluster housing provides for more dense building than we currently have in Placitas. In this case the builder has less than 4 acres; half of it needs to be set aside as open space so the building would be on only 2 acres. The concern is that it does not fit Placitas despite being allowed by SCo. Special Use allows for things like office buildings and storage sheds but the contractor is asking to add residential homes. The P&Z Board did not go through the process defined for getting the design approved. The Placitas representative pointed out that additional issues will be coming up regarding cluster housing. Cluster housing was approved as part of the Special Use permit process. It is likely there will be a request for special use of the 4 acres adjacent to the Merc. The P&Z Board is appointed by the County Commission; they are not elected. Our Commissioner voted to approve the change in the language. Armon pointed out that our Commissioner does not just represent Placitas. Mike Neas noted that there are no Special Use zoned properties in Ranchos, and that cluster housing is unlikely in the subdivision itself. We discussed properties in Ranchos that are not covered by the covenants.
Armon also attended the ESCA meeting. He confirmed that the Authority has apparently been taxing Placitas residents for a bond that was paid off in 2022. The original legislation created ESCAFA (the Flood Control Authority) in 2006 and many residents were unaware of it. ESCA is a watchdog group for the community of Placitas. In 2008 legislation was passed that took Placitas out of the Authority and Placitas was then responsible for paying off the bond that was to be issued later that year. At the time of the initial legislation there was no bond. There is no longer a bond to be paid off but Placitas residents are still being taxed. ESCA met with County officials in December 2025 and they acknowledged the issue but said they lacked the ability to do anything because the Authority is a state agency, not a county agency and that only the Authority can request a review of the taxing process. So far ESCA has gotten no response from the Authority. The County has been asked to file a civil case prohibiting further taxes. ESCA can contact the Governor’s office and request an audit. The Authority has to submit its proposed funding request in April. Mike will get a copy of the report done by Steve Barro, a resident of Ranchos, explaining the impropriety of the taxation process. Armon noted that nothing has been posted on the Flood Control Authority website since 2022 and further noted that one of the members of the Flood Control Authority is the mayor of Bernalillo. Mike noted that ESCAFA is a state agency but completely staffed by the Town of Bernalillo who benefits from it. Winnie asked if the media had been informed of this issue given the attention paid to issues in Valencia County. Mike Neas encouraged everyone to go on ESCA’s website.
Craig noted that our insurance for the Board had been cancelled and we are currently seeking new insurance. Winnie is working on identifying new insurance. Craig said the insurance was cancelled because we didn’t have “no harassment” policies for employees; it was noted that since we have no employees this should not be an issue.
Sue Harrelson noted we are going into a bad fire season and that we should think about clearing vegetation and defensible space around our homes. There are “chipper days” for free chipping of vegetation that is removed. There is a meeting on Tuesday about home insurance issues. Mike suggested we re-post a document showing how to form a defensible space around your home. The Fire Marshal will also come by to evaluate your defensible space if you request it. The Fire Marshal’s decision will trump an insurance decision. Sue noted that PREPA has a website with information and links to resources.
Linda asked who would be interested in attending a block party to meet our neighbors. She also suggested a place on the website for neighbors to ask other neighbors for help with minor chores.
Mike Neas suggested that the Water Board related issues be placed on our agenda as
a permanent topic to allow for any activities of the Water Board to be discussed. John Rutherford noted that the utilities are not part of the Board activities. Mike said that
awareness about utilities in general should be discussed. Nora noted that the Water Board covers that same area as the RDPPOA and has the same members. Hugh said that there were errors in the minutes that were recently posted and Mike said we would correct any errors reported. Mike Pena asked Hugh to present at meetings regarding water activities.
The meeting was adjourned at 1130.