Pursuant to the e-mail notification dated February 17, 2003, the February Heartland Apartment Association Board of Directors meeting was held at the above stated date and time at the offices of  Oddo Development Co., 8460 Nieman Road, Overland Park, KS.

Board members present were: Doug Price, Bill Charcut, Rick Oddo, Chris Erdley, Ralph Lewis, Jim Adams, and Jerry Miller. Also present were: Bob Wise, Mike Cassin, Jim Beverlin, and Sam Alpert.   (Nick Moos, Lee Harris, Brent Blake, Ward Katz, Ron Nolan, Dennis Watts, and Ken Riedemann were  absent.)

Awaiting Doug Price’s arrival, Bill Charcut called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the last meeting on 01/30/03, which had been previously circulated, were reviewed and approved by those present.  

FHEO/ HUD - Sam Alpert reported that he and Doug Price met with Macie Houston, HUD regional director, and had begun a dialogue toward mutually planning a panel discussion on specific concerns about the process through which Fair Housing claims are handled. It was agreed to proceed to plan a limited attendance panel discussion sometime after April 15^th. Select attendees will include representatives from both market-rate and low-to-moderate income properties,  FHEO practicing attorneys, HUD, MHDC, and various other FHEO enforcement agencies. A HAA committee will be convened to facilitate the planning and execution of this event.

KCMO ELEVATORS- Sam Alpert reported that a final determination by the MO State Elevator Safety Board has been made that KCMO’s inspection regime will meet state requirements. A meeting with state and local codes officials was held  in Alpert’s office  on February 26^th, at which time a coalition of KC property owners were officially advised of this positive development.

KCMO RENTAL UNIT LICENSING & INSPECTIONS- Sam Alpert reported that he had been notified by Les Washington, Director of  KCMO Neighborhood Services, that rental unit licensing and inspection is being revisited by the City Council Neighborhood Development Committee, chaired by Mary Williams Neal. Initial testimony was taken on February 19^th. After some discussion, the Board concurred that the  HAA should strongly oppose any attempt to enact  any such  blanket  regulation.

JACKSON COUNTY COURTS- Ralph Lewis reported that he , Doug Price, and
Sam Alpert met with the Jackson County Court Administrator’s staff on February 19^th.  It was determined that due to budget constraints, the best potential for getting cases heard on a more expedient basis lies in delivering timely service and convincing key judges to schedule more efficient dockets. Mr. Lewis agreed to draft correspondence to the presiding judge and others explaining the HAA/AAKC position.

OVERLAND PARK STORM WATER UTILITY-  City officials have responded to HAA’s analysis that it is their belief that if the current billing structure were to be modified, it would result in higher ERU billings to all classes. HAA has been asked to meet  with OP Public Works officials on February 28^th to discuss their findings and to further explore a more equitable assessment of apartment units. It is important that the city understand that owners can not accept inequities such as these, and that future attempts to increase assessments will be met with stiff opposition.

NEW BUSINESS-

Doug Price and Rick Oddo  reported that Johnson County Waste Water Assessments were being received in the mail. A question was posed with regard to the Johnson County Commission’s agreement to defer multifamily assessment until May 1, 2003.  Sam Alpert

will inquire with regard to the change in timing.

Bob Wise reported that the MO General Assembly is taking up Work-Comp reform.

Sam Alpert reported that Overland Park Codes Administration is in the process of raising review and permitting fees. Public testimony will be taken on March 5, 2003.

Jim Adams requested that both AAKC and HAA get actively involved in Habitat for Humanity. This will be taken up as an agenda item for discussion at a future Board meeting.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the HAA Board of Directors is to be held on Thursday, March 27, 2003,  7:45 a.m. at the offices of  Oddo Development Co., 8460 Nieman Road, Overland Park, KS.

There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 a.m.