Indian Mound Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes from July 15, 2019.

Next Meeting: Monday, August 19, 6:30pm at the North-East Branch Library (6000 Wilson Rd, KCMO 64123).

Introductions

Donna Miller-Brown, Treasurer’s Report

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• Collect dues for 2019-2020 year.

Officer Patrick Byrd, KCPD

• 437 Topping: Disturbance with fire arm; social worker and DFS sent; kids being removed and treatment for couple
• Violent crime is up. Utilize TIPS Hotline (award increased from $5,000 to $25,000 on specific homicides). 474-TIPS.
• Online Shopping (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace): Robberies related to property exchanges. Please meet at police station for exchange. If person won’t meet there, red flag that something isn’t right.
• Mounted patrol now doing enforcement from Wabash to Jackson, St. John to 12^th
  • All types of patrols focusing on this area
• KCPD lost codes inspector for our area
• How do we interact with communities who are afraid of working with police?
  • Block captains can help, but what other options do we have?

Brandon Mason, Legal Aid of Western Missouri

• Property Tax Assessment, Rights
  • Jackson County just released annual property tax assessment.
  • Many people alleging they’re way too high
  • If you believe there is a mistake, you have rights
    • Direct appeal period has passed
    • Appeal through the Board of Equalization (BoE)
      • Have oversight of assessor’s office; can appeal findings
      • Potential outcome: lower assessment
      • Engage through application (Brandon glad to help with the application).
      • Evidence needed to show value of home:
        • Best: Appraisal from within last two years.
        • Realtor friend with reasonable comparable property
          • Many realtors willing to do this for free including Stacey Johnson-Cosby, staceyforkc@gmail.com
        • Pictures of home, inside and out
          • Trying to show value of home, so provide evidence of market value.
          • Need new roof, foundation fixes, etc.
          • Put parcel number as well as time stamp on each photo
        • Zillow estimates are not helpful.
        • Neighboring property assessments not helpful.
        • BoE doesn’t care about income or ability to pay taxes – they care about accuracy in assessment.
      • BoE deadline has been extended to July 29, 2019. Must file by then, along with as much evidence as you can.
      • Once submit application:
        • Will get postcard with date, time, location for hearing where you can tell your story.
        • Render decision while you’re there
        • Bring five copies of all application materials for the members of the BoE
      • Three potential outcomes:
        • Issue No-Change Order (BoE agrees with assessor, no change)
        • Decrease Evaluation
        • Increase Evaluation. Be realistic about what your property is worth when deciding whether to appeal assessment.
      • Appeal BoE Decision to State Tax Commission
        • These hearings look more like a trial, and taxpayer must represent self (unless elderly or disabled).
        • Deadline to appeal is 30 days after BoE decision, or September 30, whichever is later.
      • Three permanent members of BoE meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, at Jackson County Courthouse.
        • Discussing implementing rules that cap increases
        • Protest at 8 a.m. outside courthouse.
        • Can email them, too. Reach out to Brandon if you want those addresses.
      • Any tax payer can get on payment plan
      • Indian Mound is in urban renewal zone – can have property taxes frozen for 10 years.
        • Requirements: $5000 work on house; Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA)
        • LCRA can freeze taxes.
      • Info Session: Robert J Mohart Multi-Purpose Center, 3200 Wayne at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 18.

Chris Lowrance, Parks Committee

• Traffic calming around Indian Mound confirmed by Parks & Rec.
• Four speed tables
• Hoping to be in by end of summer

Donna Miller-Brown, Events Committee

• National Night Out, August 6
  • Still looking for volunteers!
  • If you want a sign, email president.imna@gmail.com or message us on Facebook with your address.

Elections

• President Nominees: Manny Abarca
• Executive Vice President Nominees: Donna Miller-Brown
• Treasurer Nominees: Brynne Musser
• Administrative Vice President Nominees: Patricia Hernandez
• As all are un-opposed, Bryan Stalder moves to elect the board. Dave Norton seconds.
• Bylaws
  • Beth Beavers moves to adopt bylaw modifications introduced last month.
    • Dorri Partain and Estella Morales move to add last updated date to bylaws.
    • Beth Beavers moves to adopt new bylaws with addition of last updated date. Chris Morales seconds.

Manny Abarca, KCPS School Board

• New principal at James. Event this Friday, July 19 at 5:00 p.m.
• New principal at Northeast High School as well.

Kirby Randolph, Northeast Historical Society

• Holding Homes Tour in Indian Mound, along Van Brunt, in October. Still looking for properties
• Still looking for docents.
  • Docents get to tour the homes for free
• October 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• If price of ticket is too high for interested neighbors, something can be worked out.

Upcoming Events

• Colonnade Concert – Dead Voices – Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
• National Night Out – Tuesday, August 6, 6-8 p.m., Budd Park
  • If you’d like a sign, email imna@gmail.com or message our Facebook with your address and a sign will magically appear in your yard.
• Museum Concert – Laura Noble – Friday, August 9

Misc.

• Mattie Rhodes Center – Soccer for Success is hiring coaches (must be 18 years old) for $10/hr
• Habitat for Humanity applications for housing open now through August 3.
• Kansas City Museum having community workshops – let us know if you’re interested.