The Renaissance Card, Benefit or Waste of Money?

NOTE: This post was created by Joe Moore during his 2023 MCA Board member campaign.

The Renaissance Card got it’s beginning in June, 2019 when Jan Lazar (MCA Board Treasurer) wrote a proposal entitled, “Community Membership Plan”. which mentioned a “Community Membership Card that would allow all owners and residents of the community to access facilities and activities of the Country Club on a specified basis.” This proposal said the MCA would purchase annually a limited Community Membership. The actual fee was NOT mentioned.

Two weeks later (7/11/2019) the MCA board discussed this proposal for about 30 minutes and then a motion to approve the concept passed unanimously. On 8/7/2019 Marilyn Maleckas, then President of the MCA, signed an agreement with TMCC for use of what became known as the Renaissance Access Plan (Card).

It is interesting that Ms. Maleckas was a past president of TMCC and negotiated the terms of the agreement. That fact brings into play a serious conflict of interest. There was no public comment about the cost of this Renaissance Card until the 2020 budget was approved with a $600,000 expense ($174 per residence) and referred to as a “Renaissance Access Plan”. The fee is to be paid each year regardless of community participation.

Following is a summary of current benefits available through the RAP.

Golf:

Cardholder and 3 guests can play any 3rd Saturday of the year. Member guest rates apply.

Cardholder and 3 guests can play at any time on the Groves or Highlands courses at a 25% discount rate.

Full access to Family Play Days and “for fee” clinics and lessons.

Tennis and Pickleball:

All “for fee” lessons and clinics.

Full access to pickleball courts (reservations required).

Fitness/Pool:

Free access to the Jr. Olympic pool and spa during hours of operation.

Free access to all fitness equipment in Fitness Center.

Access to classes including yoga, stretching, and Water Aerobics (fee may apply).

Access to individualized fitness programs (nominal fees apply).

Dining:

Fountain View Lounge

Sunday Brunch or daily lunch (inside or out).

Easter Brunch based on availability.

Take-out/To-go dining (Wed.-Fri.)

Access to dinner dining May 1 through October 31.

Centre Court Lounge

Full access to all lunch and dinner dining

Take-out/To-go for lunch and dinner service.

Access to Poolside Parties and other special events when offered

Summary:

Consider this, there are 3,450 residences making a $600,000 payment to TMCC to gain access to property we own but lease to TMCC for $10 per year. About 2500 cards have been issued making our homeowner assessment premium $240 per card.

I propose that each year any homeowner who wants an access card pay TMCC $150 for the card and the MCA pays TMCC another $100 per card on behalf of the homeowner. The MCA can budget this subsidy as part of the Community Activities expense.

If this agreement is truly a “benefit” to the homeowners, the number of cards issued will probably stay the same or even increase. Out of pocket cost for these homeowners will go up but their assessment cost will drop At the same time, TMCC will see their revenue go up to $625,000.

However, if more than 950 households consider this card a “waste of money,” then revenue to TMCC will decline (from $625,000) and homeowner assessments for this expense will go down. The following chart shows several possibilities.

POSSIBILITIES

Cards Purchased TMCC Revenue Community Expense

3450 $862,500 $345,000

3000 750,000 300,000

2500 625,000 250,000

2000 500,000 200,000

1500 375,000 150,000

1000 250,000 100,000

500 125,000 50,000

Note: Access to the dog park would not be connected with the Renaissance card