On August 8th voters soundly defeated “Question No. 2” which proposed KCMO residents pay up to $2.50 per month for curb-side recycling service. This marks the third time in ten years that Kansas City voters have rejected a citywide curbside recycling plan. Supporters have vowed to continue working on alternative approaches to reducing the solid waste stream. While multifamily units would have been excluded from the planned municipal pick up of recylables, owners and residents of two to six dwelling units per property would have been extended an optional discounted rate for private pick up had the measure carried.

On August 21^{st the Overland Park City Council unanimously passed an ordinance which effectively enhances city codes enforcement in dealing with problem rental properties and absentee landlords. The ordinance empowers codes officials to better leverage the existing police powers of the city in bringing repeat, chronic, and habitual codes offenders into compliance. This is accomplished without any additional cost to owners in compliance, and without blanket regulation which would require all rental properties to be registered, certified, and/or routinely inspected.}