Subsequent to the HAA Board meeting of 10/28/99, HAPAC contributed $250.00 to the "Citizens for Neighborhood Improvement" in support of Mayor Barnes’s KCMO initiative to extend the capital improvements sales tax for eight years. The measure was approved by voters on November 2^nd by a 2 to 1 margin over a competing ballot issue calling for a fifteen year extension with half of the sales tax proceeds going toward the construction of a metropolitan light rail system.

On November 8^th the Independence "City Council / Landlord Advisory Committee Report Regarding Regulation of Residential Rental Property" (attached) was presented to the City Council for review and comment. There appears to be little desire on the part of the City Council to alter the committee’s recommendations as presented. There will be an opportunity for public testimony at the November 22^nd City Council working session. For those interested in testifying on the 22^nd , the meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., 111 East Maple, Independence, MO.

The Overland Park, KS city staff is in the process of crafting an alternative recommendation to the City Council, which would replace an earlier regulatory program recommendation calling for rental unit registration and certification. Sam Alpert, along with Larry Winn and Chase Simmons of Polsinelli, White, Vardeman & Shalton have been closely monitoring this activity, as staff has been reluctant to facilitate open discussions with regard to their thinking.

Also with regard to the Overland Park situation, the Landlords of Johnson County contributed $1,000 to help defray legal costs. The HAA appreciates working with and on behalf of this group of dedicated owners.