Three Rivers commissioners give SAFEbuilt another chance, table housing corporation bylaws

During Tuesday night’s Three Rivers City Commission regular business meeting, SAFEbuilt, the company that contracts with the city to provide building inspections, code enforcement, and related services, appeared before commissioners. 

The company was formally called to the meeting by Mayor Angel Johnston and Commissioner Lucas Allen who were highly critical of SAFEbuilt and wanted to see them there in-person to share their own and their constituents’ frustrations. The meeting served as an opportunity for SAFEbuilt to prove that they are worth the more than $200,000 the city pays them per year. The company had four representatives present, including Vice President of Operations Steve Burns, inspector Lance Bonifield, an office manager, and another executive.

Commissioners took turns asking questions and sharing personal experiences with SAFEbuilt to the two executives. 

“If they’re [Three Rivers residents] not comfortable with you in their homes, you guys don’t have a job,” Commissioner Torrey Brown said, adding that the company’s biggest issue is customer service and their boots-on-the-ground employees. 

Brown, a former contractor, said SAFEbuilt also protects residents from predatory contractors by ensuring work is completed properly. Brown concluded his comments by applauding the Burns for his professional responses to commissioners’ questions. 

“If you can teach them what you have, we’re good,” Brown said to the executive. 

Mayor Johnston, who has been highly critical of SAFEbuilt at recent meetings, said her experiences with them were one of the reasons she ran for mayor. 

“One of the reasons I ran for mayor is because of the horrible experiences I’ve had with your company,” Johnston said. “I’ve priced out contractors for people that can replace you and it’s not going to be that hard.” 

Johnston described several experiences she said she had with SAFEbuilt inspectors, including roof inspections she said were conducted twice without a ladder, and inspections involving her deck.

Johnston alleged Bonifield laughed during a phone call with resident Lynn McLeod and mockingly asked, “How’s that lawsuit going?” McLeod was present at the meeting and shared her experiences with SAFEbuilt during the public comment portion.

Bonifield denied laughing on the call which Johnston quickly retorted saying he was lying. 

After several minutes of back-and-forth between Johnston, Bonifield, and McLeod, Vice President of Operations Steve Burns apologized to McLeod on behalf of the company. Burns said Bonifield has already been assigned to complete additional disciplinary training by the end of the year.

Despite the criticism, commissioners generally agreed they were willing to continue working with SAFEbuilt while monitoring whether customer service improves.

“At this point, I’m willing to watch for change,” Johnston said. 

There was no action taken as SAFEbuilt was only presenting and wasn’t listed as a formal agenda item.

Housing Corporation bylaws debate

Commissioners then turned to whether to permanently adopt a temporary 2021 amendment to the Three Rivers Housing Development Corporation’s bylaws. The temporary amendment lowered the number of members required for a quorum after the corporation struggled to consistently have enough members present to conduct business, allowing it to continue meeting with fewer members. Because the change was intended to last only 30 days but was never formally removed or extended, commissioners were asked to decide whether to make the reduced quorum requirement permanent.

The Housing Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization overseen by the city that carries out housing-related projects funded through city budget allocations and taxpayer dollars.

Johnston argued the commission should delay any action while the Michigan State Police investigates the Housing Development Corporation’s past property transfers. She questioned whether permanently changing the bylaws during an active investigation could undermine public trust.

“I would like to let the record reflect that the Michigan State Police are currently conducting an active investigation into the Three Rivers Housing Development Corporation’s property transfers,” Johnston began. “If you vote yes tonight, you are on notice that you are no longer acting on good faith.” 

Johnston then asked the commission to table the resolution for another meeting and allow the investigation to play out. City Attorney T.J. Reed responded to Johnston’s comments, explaining why he made the recommendation he did, and why the investigation is not a threat to commissioners even if they approve the permanent changes to the bylaws. 

Reed explained that the temporary bylaw amendment approved in 2021 was intended to last 30 days but was never formally removed or extended. He recommended commissioners permanently adopt those same quorum provisions. Reed also clarified that the board is not a “charter created board” so its bylaws are independent of the city charter. 

During Reed and Johnston’s heated discussion, Johnston proclaimed she and Reed should no longer speak on the phone. 

“This is why I want to say publicly I don’t think you and I should speak on the phone ever again,” Johnston began before saying she wants any correspondence between them in writing. 

“I have no issue with that,” Reed replied.

As conversations continued, resident and real estate agent Sherrie Nowicki, shared her perspective. 

“You better make sure you have that fiduciary duty, you better make sure you have that right, because those are taxpayer dollars.” 

Commissioners ultimately voted 4-2 in favor of tabling the bylaws decision until the next meeting. Commissioners Lucas Allen, Tony Stanfill, Torrey Brown, and Steven Haigh voted in favor while Commissioner Pat Dane and Mayor Johnston voted against. 

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.