Why Can't SAMLARC Follow Its Own Rules

Why Can't SAMLARC Follow Its Own Rules?

On last week's SAMLARC Agenda a couple of items were very interesting. First was the replacement of the popular Santa Margaritaville event this summer with a new event called Hot Havana Nights. The new event will feature craft beer and wine, Cuban food and CIGAR SMOKING, it's actually advertised as cigar tasting, I hope they don't mean that's part of the menu. I guess the new Board thinks nothing goes better with beer and Cuban food like a big ole cigar, yum. What's next the food will be served in ash trays. Maybe it's just me but the last thing that I want to smell while I'm eating is the odor of a stinky cigar. What is more interesting is that SAMLARC facilities are all NON-SMOKING but the Board and the management company that planned the event don't seem to care about the rules. That is, when they pertain to their own interests. I guess all I can say is it is not surprising. This Board seems to not give a damn about the rules if it meets their special interests.

Another item on the agenda was to allow the City to get a waiver of fees to serve beer and wine at the summer concert series. Let's look at this closely and see if it makes sense to you. First the City has changed their attitude toward the concert series it used to be advertised as a safe and fun family alcohol free event, but this year that sentiment has disappeared since SAMLARC changed their policy which now allows alcohol sales in the parks. The City is now eyeing the profitability that comes with selling beer and wine. The interesting thing is the agenda item stated that unnamed non- profit, will be selling beer and wine. But at the meeting Mayor Carol Gamble explained they are applying for The Coto de Caza Rotary Club. It is still confusing why the City is applying, not the Rotary Club, probably because SAMLARC Governing Documents state that the use of the facilities are for SAMLARC members (even though that rule is violated frequently). The Mayor stated she didn't like the rules that were put in place by the Board to protect its members from liability on their property. She thought the insurance was too high; she didn't like the licensed bartender requirement, and the private security, etc. The Mayor should know how this could be solved easily; just have the beer sales on the City property, done deal, no waivers required the City can take on all the liability. It will be interesting to see if this Board violates its fiduciary duties to the membership to protect the association and caves from the pressure of the City.

By the way SAMLARC already had waived the park use fees for the City for the summer concerts and yet they wanted more seems pretty arrogant. Funny I don't think the City waived the building fees for the $300,000+ garage being built at the Beach Club (yes that number is right, actually low). It was bad enough that the Board changed a 30 year policy of no alcohol in the parks but now the City wants SAMLARC to change the rules for an entity outside the City. These rules were put in place to limit liability for SAMLARC. Luckily, the California Civil code requires a 30 day notice to the members to change the rules, so if this new Board violates this code it could put them in legal jeopardy. Besides the cost to print and mail the new rule change would cost SAMLARC members thousands of dollars.

When did SAMLARC parks become the main venue in the City for fundraising for outside agencies? I think SAMLARC members need to really examine who this Board is working for it doesn't seem that it is for its members. There are many other examples of this corporation not following its own rules but that will be shared at a later date.