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Q/A WHAT MARINA HILLS HOMEOWNERS ARE ASKING

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Q: What about the additional $600,000 fountain reimbursement from the insurance company beyond the funds already received?​ 

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Paul’s Answer:
“The Association’s attorney agreed to pursue the documentation required for the insurance company to review the additional reimbursement. When technical construction questions arose, the attorney asked for my assistance because I was already involved with the fountain project and have a background in construction. I provided detailed, industry-standard responses, which the attorney has now submitted to the insurer. We are currently awaiting the insurance company’s determination.”

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Q: My neighbor says we need to rehire Monarch to keep us safe from fires. Why wouldn't we want the "premier arborist" in Orange County?

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Paul’s Answer:

“Fire safety is my top priority as well. The question isn’t about reputation it’s about results. Under prior oversight, the community was presented with a $5.4 million estimate for slope work, yet important maintenance issues went unnoticed. For example, the current Landscape Committee recently uncovered concrete V-ditches on the Denia slope that had been buried and unmanaged for years. We were paying a high premium for a "premier arborist" yet basics were missed. Effective fire mitigation starts with fundamentals like drainage and access, and those basics need to be consistently addressed.”

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Q: What about the grants? I heard Monarch was the only reason we were getting state funding.

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Paul’s Answer:

“The grant history tells a different story. Marina Hills applied for state-funded fire mitigation grants multiple times over a three-year period and was not awarded funding. My approach is to focus less on expectations and more on direct coordination with OCFA to ensure compliance. Meeting agency standards is what strengthens safety, insurance eligibility, and future funding opportunities.”

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Q: Bill O'Leary claims the Board fired Monarch and now we’re at risk. Is that true?

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Paul’s Answer:

“No. The community remains FireWise certified for both 2024 and 2025. Our FireWise leader and Landscape Chair now communicate directly with OCFA, which provides clearer guidance and faster implementation. Eliminating an extra layer of communication helps ensure requirements are addressed promptly, rather than being filtered through a consultant's report, and reduces costs to the HOA.”

 

Q: Why is everything taking so long? The fountain is a mess and the slopes need work.

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Paul’s Answer:

“This delay is a governance issue. A 2–2 Board split has created a stalemate, and no meetings have been held for two months as a result. I’m running to be the fifth vote that allows the Board to move forward. Projects like the fountain, slope work, and budget decisions require a Board that can meet, listen to its committees and community experts, and authorize action.”

 

Q: What is your plan for the 'deferred maintenance' on the slopes?

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Paul’s Answer:

“The first step is vendor accountability. The Landscape Committee has identified areas where maintenance access and drainage were compromised over time. I support their plan to bring in additional labor to clear accumulated duff and overgrowth by March. Savings from reduced consultant costs should be redirected to boots on the ground work that directly reduces fire risk.”

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