ORDINANCE NO. 260139
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Sponsor(s): Mayor Quinton Lucas and Councilmember Andrea Bough
Amending Chapter 35, Code of Ordinances, Housing, by repealing Section 35-23, "Administration," and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter for the purpose of clarifying and guaranteeing the public nature of the annual Right to Counsel report.
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WHEREAS, Kansas City established the Tenant's Right to Counsel Program through Ordinance No. 211067; and
WHEREAS, the Program has proven highly and consistently effective since implementation, dramatically increasing the proportion of cases resolved by settlement rather than trial for the benefit of all parties involved and reducing the number of residents losing access to housing; and
WHEREAS, the public should have certain access to the information annually released regarding the Program's operations; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That Chapter 35, Code of Ordinances of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby amended by repealing Section 35-23, "Administration," and enacting in lieu thereof a new section of like number and subject matter to read as follows:
Sec. 35-23. Administration.
(a) Tenant legal services and assistance director. There shall be established within the housing and community development department a tenant legal services and assistance director who will administer and oversee the program, as well as any necessary supporting positions.
(b) The director shall be responsible for:
(1) Contracting with and coordinating the work of qualified legal and community service providers with a history of work on housing issues and tenant rights;
(2) Overseeing the provision of legal representation to all individuals involved in covered proceedings, including the caseloads of attorneys, with a goal of ensuring no attorneys representing tenants in covered proceedings are required to h...
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