10/30/08, 8:00 A.M.

Pursuant to the e-mail notification dated October 19, 2008, the October Heartland Apartment Association Board of Directors meeting was held at the above stated date and time at the HAA offices, 2405 Grand, Suite 106, Kansas City,  MO 64108.

Board members present were: Chris Erdley, Doug Price, Lenora Carpenter, Ralph Lewis,  Rick Oddo, Scott Buescher, Jason Charcut, Bill Charcut, Jim Bowers and Dennis Watts. Also present were Doug Clements, Henry Lyons, Ryan Huffman, Jim Beverlin,  and Sam Alpert. (Lee Harris, Jerry Miller,  Ward Katz, and Ken Riedemann were  absent.)

Chris Erdley convened and presided over the meeting.

The  minutes of the September 25, 2008 meeting were reviewed  and approved  by those present.

KCMO TRASH REBATE- Jim Bowers and Sam Alpert reported that on October 29th they had met at the City’s invitation  with Wayne Cauthen,… City Manager,  Stan Harris…Director of Public Works, Michael Shaw…Director of  Solid Waste Management, Galen Beaufort… City Attorney, and Allen Holtcamp…Assistant City Attorney. The purpose of the meeting was to establish the baseline positions of  the parties in an effort to seek a negotiated mutually agreeable resolution. While no agreement was reached, both Bowers and Alpert were encouraged  that there appeared  to be a willingness to pursue formulating a resolution that resulted in the fair and equitable treatment of all KCMO taxpayers with respect to basic trash removal being performed as a taxpayer supported public service. Meanwhile, as of this date owners are still awaiting applications for  payment of  trash rebates for the period ending September 30, 2008. Further, there is a pending city ordinance that would allocate funding of the Trash Rebate program through the balance of the current fiscal year, ending April 31, 2009. Sam Alpert again suggested that a special assessment of at least $3.00 per KCMO unit (approximating  one month’s trash rebate) would be in order to fund  the HAA’s legal costs incurred  in this process. It was agreed by those in attendance to request a public record listing of all KCMO multifamily units that participate in the trash rebate program.

KCMO BUSINESS LICENSE LITIGATION- Jim Bowers  and Sam Alpert reported that at the same meeting (October 29th as referenced above) it was suggested that forward negotiations may entail a pending  Business License  settlement  consideration related in some manner to  the Trash Rebate  and other current disputes with the City  directly involving the HAA. Further, the HAA has been given to understand that  the City staff had been directed by Councilwoman Beth Gottstein to begin holding talks on the overall modernization of  the 1922  Business License Ordinance immediately following the November 4, 2008 election.

HAA PENDING COMMITMENTS & FUNDING- Chris Erdley and Scott Buescher  led a discussion which focused on increased efforts to broaden the HAA base of support.  Those in attendance agreed that more  challenging economic conditions  will  underscore the importance of HAA sustaining both a strong public and political presence. It was strongly felt that the days are gone of  allowing  non-affiliated  owners to sit on the sidelines, while silently benefiting from  HAA’s efforts. It was agreed to initiate  a special effort to identify and recruit the direct support  of  independent owners throughout the region.  Doug Price suggested that  it likely could become necessary to  solicit municipality-specific  special assessments to fund HAA activities within various sub-markets within the region.

2009 PROJECTED OPEARATING BUDGET for CONSIDERATION at YEAR- END MEETING on  DECEMBER 4, 2008- Sam Alpert circulated the proposed 2009 HAA Projected Operating Budget for  consideration and approval at the year-end meeting to be held on December 4, 2008.

NEW BUSINESS-

Jim Beverlin reported that specific new construction  tax credits will be available for investment in energy efficient  HVAC systems.

Sam Alpert reported that  the KCMO Water Department will require earlier  engineering certification on fire sprinkler system flow tolerances. While some commercial building owners may experience some new onerous permitting requirements in this regard, it is unlikely that most apartment communities will be affected.

Rick Oddo requested help in initiating a legislative campaign in support of ongoing litigation with the city of Leawood, which is succeeding in reducing development property value by virtue of an arbitrary down zoning. 

The next regularly scheduled HAA Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2008.

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