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Richmond, CA Meets on Eminent Domain Proposal While Others Review Logistics

On September 11, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released an alert titled Richmond, CA Holds Meeting on Eminent Domain Mortgage Seizure Proposal, While Other West Coast Cities Review Proposal Logistics.

Richmond, CA Holds Meeting on Eminent Domain Mortgage Seizure Proposal, While Other West Coast Cities Review Proposal Logistics

Late Wednesday night, after nearly seven hours of debate, the Richmond, California City Council voted on three different eminent domain mortgage seizure resolutions that had been proposed for their meeting. Based on reports from sources at last night’s meeting, the specifics are below, but the effect of these votes is that Richmond continues to edge closer to the use of eminent domain.

1. By a vote of 5-2, the City Council rejected a resolution offered by the Vice Mayor and another Councilmember to withdraw the offers made to trustees and servicers of mortgage loans to purchase these mortgages at a constructed “fair market value” prior to potential eminent domain use by the City to seize these mortgages. Rejection of this proposal also means that the City Council did not permanently end its Advisory Services Agreement with Mortgage Resolution Partners (MRP) to consider the use of eminent domain to acquire mortgage loans.

2. By a vote of 4-3, the City Council voted to support a resolution by Mayor Gayle McLaughlin to listen to a report from staff on Richmond CARES – the Local Principal Reduction Program – and to direct staff to:  (1) to work to set up a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) together with other interested municipalities, as a next step forward in the development of the eminent domain mortgage seizure program; (2) to confirm that no loans will be acquired by the City through eminent domain before the City Council votes to approve the action; and (3) to continue working with MRP to resolve legal issues surrounding the proposal.

3. By a vote of 5-2, the City Council voted to reject a resolution to “[c]onsider informing [MRP] that if they fail to provide insurance to protect the City of Richmond from litigation and related damages due to the city exercising its power of eminent domain to acquire underwater mortgages, [that] the city will not proceed with eminent domain actions.”

 

 The City Council meeting also provided insight on the City’s vision for the proposal going forward, as Mayor McLaughlin stated several times during debate that she had a letter from El Monte, California Mayor Andre Quintero, noting that El Monte was requesting the formation of a JPA and would support the effort.  Mayor McLaughlin further expressed hope that larger localities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Newark, New Jersey would participate in a JPA as well. Incidentally, Seattle’s City Council is set to hear a presentation on eminent domain as a possible mortgage seizure tool at their meeting this afternoon. Meanwhile, a first hearing in Wells Fargo Bank v. City of Richmond – one of the lawsuits surrounding Richmond’s proposal – will be held tomorrow in federal District Court for the Northern District of California.

To view the online alert, please click here.

About Safeguard 
Safeguard Properties is the largest mortgage field services company in the U.S. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and based in Valley View, Ohio, the company inspects and maintains defaulted and foreclosed properties for mortgage servicers, lenders,  and other financial institutions. Safeguard employs approximately 1,700 people, in addition to a network of thousands of contractors nationally. Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.

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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

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Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

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CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

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Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties