8/26/04, 7:45 A.M.

Pursuant to the e-mail notification dated August 16, 2004, the August 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, Lee Harris, Chris Erdley, Jerry Miller, Bill Charcut, Rick Oddo, Jim Adams, and Ralph Lewis. Also present were Jim Birt, Randy Robinson, and Sam Alpert. (Jim Beverlin, Mike Cassin, Ken Riedemann; Dennis Watts, Ward Katz, and Ron Nolan were absent.)

Awaiting the arrival of Doug Price, Sam Alpert called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the last meeting on 07/29/04, which had been previously circulated, were reviewed and approved by those present.

JOHNSON COUNTY WASTE WATER- Sam Alpert introduced Randy Robinson with Johnson County Wastewater (JCW), who distributed and explained an outline of alternative approaches to multifamily billing classifications. The briefing was intended to provide information on which the HAA could make recommendations for a permanent resolution to the JOCO Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), who is scheduled to take up rate determinations for 2005 in late September. Upon completing the explanation and a brief Q&A session, Mr. Robinson departed the meeting, at which time there was a discussion of the basic HAA recommendations to be advanced for the consideration of the BOCC. Sam Alpert was directed to proceed with a communication to JCW enumerating specific recommendations.

JACKSON COUNTY COURTS- Upon review of a communication to Sam Alpert from Mary Jo Shaney (White Goss…), which related a meeting with Harlene Hipsh, Jackson County Courts Administrator, it was felt by those present that the time had come to file the pending lawsuit to require the Court to follow the statutory mandate. A motion to direct Jim Bowers to proceed with the lawsuit unanimously carried.

KCMO FIRE INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE- Sam Alpert reported that negotiations with the city had broken down, and that Ordinance #040717, which would have exempted all multifamily properties and all office properties from an initial inspection fee for purposes of obtaining a "Certificate of Compliance", would most likely be held indefinitely in committee (to die without formally being acted upon). A preliminary injunction hearing, where BOMA and HAA will attempt to obtain a stay on fee collections while the case is fully adjudicated, will be held on September 10th. Witnesses from the industry, as well as city officials, will be called upon to testify at that time.

KCMO BUSINESS LICENSE- Sam Alpert reported that he had convened a meeting at his office with the AAKC and Landlords, Inc. to be held on August 27th. Jim Bowers will meet with the group to discuss what course of action may be possible.

PENDING KCMO ADOPTION OF 2003 UPDATED I-CODES- Sam Alpert reported that the City Council is poised to adopt an updated Uniform Plumbing Code in spite of indications from numerous industry representatives that the adoption of the International Plumbing Code (IPC) would be beneficial to Kansas City's building owners and development community. Alpert has submitted a suggestion that the city consider adoption of the IPC as an alternative available to an owner's professional design representative. It is anticipated that yet another "Ad-Hoc" committee will be appointed to study the adoption of alternate codes.

RENTAL UNIT LICENSING- Sam Alpert reported that he had attended a breakfast meeting convened by the Northland Neighborhoods to discuss problems surrounding derelict (mostly single family) properties . Northland City Council members Deb Hermann and Bill Skaggs were in attendance along with David Parks from the Neighborhood Services Codes division. As could be expected, the discussion came around to rental unit registration for purposes of "more effective codes enforcement". The HAA position remains solid that the city must first enforce its existing "registered agent" provision for all businesses. If more "teeth" are required, the HAA recommends an adaptation of the Overland Park ordinance that empowers the city codes administrator to terminate tenancy in rental units that are shown to be in repeat and habitual non-compliance of the minimum housing codes.

VOTER REGISTRATION- Sam Alpert reemphasized the importance of continuing to encourage and track universal voter registration on all member properties. Going forward, it is important that the HAA be able to quantify the effectiveness of voter registration

The next meeting of the HAA Board of Directors is tentatively scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 30, 2004, 7:45 a.m. at the HAA offices, 2405 Grand, Suite 106, KCMO.

There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:45 a.m.