News

SAMLARC held its 38th Annual Meeting on February 22, 2024. The Annual Meeting is held in accordance with SAMLARC’s Bylaws in order to provide the Corporation with the opportunity to host an election if necessary, align Board Officers, and deliver updates related to SAMLARC’s goals and operations. 

The cabinet of 2024-2025 Board of Directors is as follows:

• Paul Persiani, President
• Judy Vasquez, Vice President
• Greg Wieckert, Chief Financial Officer
• Deborah Christensen, Secretary
• Nate Farnsworth, Director at Large
• Jeff Halbreich, Director at Large
• Greg Schnieders, Director at Large 

In addition to serving on the Board, the Directors also serve on various SAMLARC Committees or as liaisons with local civic and city partners to further support SAMLARC’s continued growth and success. 

In addition to Board Officer realignment, the Annual Meeting includes the State of SAMLARC address. Key areas of focus in the Address include an overview of SAMLARC’s organizational structure, fiscal health, projects, events, and resources. The full presentation is available here, with a summary below.

Organizational Structure 

SAMLARC is guided by a 7-person Board of Directors, each of whom is elected by the Membership to serve 2-year terms. The Board is supported by the activities of 9 Committees, comprised of both Directors and Members, who provide input on SAMLARC’s goals and initiatives. SAMLARC is also supported by its community management company, FirstService Residential, who has dedicated a 22-person team exclusively for SAMLARC’s daily operations. 

Strengthening Community Bonds 

Key activities that SAMLARC undertook this year with local civic and nonprofit partners included:

• Providing staffing, marketing, and logistics support for Rancho Family Fest through the RSM Chamber of Commerce
• Providing small-scale sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/RSM inaugural charity golf tournament
• Volunteering for the RSM School Supply Drive and hosting a food pantry donation bin at the Beach Club
• Hosting event space for the inaugural Rofer Foundation Charity Walk at the Lago Santa Margarita
• Providing opportunities for local Scouts to build a Little Library at Altisima Park and a bench refurbishment at Monte Vista Park to complete their Eagle Scout Projects
• Providing athletic spaces for youth sports leagues to enjoy baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, and cheerleading
• Refurbishing holiday streetlight banners in collaboration with the City of Rancho Santa Margarita

Financial Foundations 

Guided by the Budget and Cash Flow Committee, SAMLARC’s financial management strategies protect the Corporation’s viability. Despite national inflation, an assessment increase was not deemed necessary thanks to savings on water usage. SAMLARC’s reserve contributions (savings plan) are fully funded at 99.98%. Operating expenses were efficiently managed at 93% coming in $837,000 under budget. Water savings 40% coming in $686,000 in favorable variance. Operating cash balance at the beginning of 2023 was $1,790,245, and at year end totaled $2,559,299. The net income in 2023 was $765,799, with a favorable variance of $938,910.

Preparing for the Future 

Over the coming years, SAMLARC will continue to face challenges to its community management, including wildfire risk, rising insurance costs, drought mitigation and rain seasons, aging facilities as SAMLARC approaches its 40th anniversary, and rising inflation and business costs. In each area, SAMLARC’s Board, Committees, and team are searching for opportunities to continue supporting an attractive and solid community. 

Project Management 

As a nearly 40-year old community, SAMLARC's common areas are constantly being evaluated, repaired, and replaced a needed. In parnership with SAMLARC's Landscape and Facilities Enhancement Committee, the operation team analyzes the benefit of projects as well as how to efficiently execute them at minimal impact to resident use. 2023 projects included: 

• 86 Reserve Projects completed
• 4 new pickleball courts (plus reorientation of the 4 existing courts)
• 72 Lakeshore benches refurbished 
• Field conversion at Cañada Vista Park to expand the range of sports hosted at the park
• Beach Club improvements, including a complete deck overhaul, new fountain pavers, new lifeguard towers, and new offseason tarps
• In 2024, the SAMLARC team and specialized vendors will continue to execute projects throughout the community, including:
• Waterwise landscaping on Alicia and Santa Margarita Parkway
• Renovations at the Altisima Pool facility, including new pool plaster, tile, lights, and coping, deck coating, and restroom floorsStucco wall and wrought iron maintenance in the Melinda Heights neighborhoods
• Bench refurbishment at 12 parks and 6 trails
• Supporting a new Eagle Scout project at the Lake to build fishing lure disposal stations

Places to Connect

In addition to enjoying SAMLARC’s Lago Santa Margarita and Beach Club, 13 parks, and 9 trails, Members held 927 private parties, showers, and other gatherings at SAMLARC’s clubhouses and picnic shelters.

Valuable Neighborhoods

SAMLARC approved 419 home improvement projects in 2023, all of which draw on the Mediterranean aesthetic.

2023 Event Highlights

2023 was a busy year, with close to 30 events steered by the Community Lifestyle Committee. The Animals Everywhere, Fishing Derby, Star Spangled Spectacular, Halloween Family Festival, and Christmas Tree Lighting events had record-high attendance. Bacon, Bourbon & Blues was a new adult event in 2023, featuring bourbon & bacon pairings, blues music, and a Southern-inspired menu. Carols ‘Round the Lake featured a brand-new Gingerbread Lane at the Beach Club, featuring a Santa meet and greet and special holiday craft. The Fishing Derby received a new category – Bradley Rofer Prize for Tiniest Fish – in honor of a young boy who learned to fish at the Lago Santa Margarita. Great Rancho Campout featured a new waterslide activity and stargazing session, and the Committee is continuing to refine events for 2024!

Volunteer

In addition to community-based volunteerism, SAMLARC offers several ways to volunteer throughout the year. Event volunteers are an important part of signature events such as Animals Everywhere, the Star Spangled Spectacular, Halloween Family Festival, and Christmas Tree Lighting. SAMLARC Committees are integral to brainstorming ideas and objectives that improve SAMLARC’s resident experiences, from lifestyle events to newsletters. Finally, Board Directors are volunteers who serve the community, drawing on their personal insight and professional experiences to grow the community. 

Resident Resources

Keeping Members informed of community news, projects, events, and Corporation activities is a high priority for SAMLARC. The Welcome Guide provides an overview of SAMLARC’s role to new Members, while the website, e-Newsletter, and social media platforms provide glimpses of SAMLARC’s day-to-day activities and events. 

The Board of Directors is thankful for the opportunity to cultivate a thriving community, and looks forward to connecting with SAMLARC Members throughout the coming year.