4/24/03, 7:45 A.M.

Pursuant to the e-mail notification dated April 14, 2003 , the April 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, Ralph Lewis, Bill Charcut, Lee Harris, Brent Blake, Ward Katz, and Ken Riedemann. Also present was: Mike Cassin, Thomas Anderson, Andrew Kershenbaum, Peter Katz, and Sam Alpert.   (Chris Erdley, Nick Moos, Ron Nolan, Rick Oddo, Jim Adams,  Jerry Miller,  and Dennis Watts were  absent.)

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

The minutes of the last meeting on 03/27/03 , which had been previously circulated, were reviewed and approved by those present.

JACKSON COUNTY COURTS- Ralph Lewis reported that progress has been made in expediting the Jackson County judicial  eviction process. On April 15, 2003 , he was invited to attend a meeting of the Associate Circuit Court Committee in response to issues raised at a previous meeting with Ralph, Sam, and Doug Price.  One issue resolved at the meeting was a recognition by the judges and a directive to the docketing staff to place cases on dockets within 21 business days of the issuance of the summons even though the docket has reached a preset limit on the number of cases on it.  This is a major breakthrough in case docketing and should save an average of a least a week in case turnaround. However, there is concern that due to state budget cuts,  court employees are being asked to take a 20% reduction in pay, while at the same time, courts will close one day a week.

JOHNSON COUNTY WASTE WATER- Sam Alpert reported that in addition to apartment owners’ concerns over confusing “service fee” assessments, a great deal of  taxpayer anger is being directed at Johnson County over the way in which the Waste Water District is billing county  residents. A public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners took place on the afternoon of March 27^th . Many Johnson County taxpayers have indicated  they will not pay until inconsistencies have been  properly explained and necessary corrections to the process have been made.

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. Upon review of a city breakdown  of parcels relative to unit densities, HAA has requested further discussion with OP officials.  The purpose of these talks is to  determine  the possibility of an incremental revenue neutral shift of user fees from the highest density residential parcels (apartments) to the lowest density residential parcels (large single family and estate lots). Sam Alpert presented a conceptual model that would increase fees to the residential units on lots where density is below 9 units per acre.  In contrast, the fees charged to residential units on lots where density exceeds 9 units per acre would be significantly decreased. The Board indicated its desire to ensure that  HAA maximizes its efforts to reduce the ERU assessment  consistent with actual “impervious area” calculations.

FHEO/ HUD- Sam Alpert reported that the May 15^th  panel discussion is on track. There was to be a meeting of the HAA participants scheduled sometime within the next several days. 

“SOCIALSERVE.COM”- Sam Alpert reported that he had invited Bill Brown and Van Gottel to discuss the merits of  the free listing service. There is some reticence on the part of market-rate owners, which is based in a concern that the web-site primarily caters to prospective tenants who require some form of rental assistance.  It is feared that properties who might  list  that do not accept rental assistance vouchers may subject themselves to unnecessary  customer relations problems.

KCMO RENTAL UNIT LICENSING- Sam Alpert reported that the outgoing KCMO City    Council Neighborhood Development  Committee  adopted a resolution to convene a citizen committee to study the issue of  how best to support the efforts of  codes enforcement officials. He pointed out that while there was marked opposition to “licensing” and fees (in general) on the part of some of the outgoing Neighborhood Development Committee members,  the possibility of new  members seeking to institute rental unit licensing  is still real. The HAA will actively participate as an integral contributor to the citizens’ committee once it is convened.

DRAFT 2003/2004 HAA BOARD of DIRECTORS ELECTION BALLOT- Sam Alpert presented the draft slate of  HAA officers and directors for 2003/2004. Following discussion, it was agreed that  subject to specific changes, the revised draft  ballot would be circulated for approval.

KCMO DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT ISSUES- Sam Alpert  circulated a brief on  a number of provisions now under consideration that could prove detrimental to downtown development. There will be follow–up as warranted.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the HAA Board of Directors is to be held on Thursday, May 29, 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 9:15 a.m.