Ballard District Council Position Open

Volunteer position available on the Ballard District Council 
for Canal Station and Canal Station North Residents
 
Dear Residents:
 
Please step forward to serve Canal Station and Canal Station North Condominiums on the Ballard District Council.
 
District Councils provide neighborhood involvement from the grassroots. I guarantee you will learn about your city and get to know many fine neighbors in Ballard.
 
Time commitment:  2 hours per month to attend monthly meetings. (No meeting in August.)
 
Your role is to go to meetings, listen and be involved in local civic issues that come up.   There are times you will need to vote on certain items.  At your discretion it would be helpful to link CS/CSN residents to issues affecting our community and potential fill in HOA Board members at CS/CSN.  Some examples include:

• CS/CSN residents provided feedback on a parking survey affecting our local area in 2014
• CS/CSN residents discussed a Business Improvement Area proposal with Mike Stewart from the Ballard Chamber of Commerce in 2015 that would have added additional property taxes to our units (Ballard Alliance).

 
How did we get a seat on the Ballard District Council?
 
Back in 2007, when Canal Station was constructed and Canal Station North was under construction, it became clear to residents of Canal Station and Ballard Landmark senior living across Leary Ave NW that a cross walk was needed for safety.  That took some doing--almost 2 years worth, including a petition and dozens of calls and letters.  Rob Mattson (who has since retired) was a staff person for the Ballard District Council.  He helped the residents involved figure out how to put pressure on the city to get that crosswalk funded and installed.  He also invited our condominiums to participate as full members of the BDC.
 
The Ballard District Council has existed since the mid-1980s with that name, and for almost 100 years in other iterations.  Last year the Mayor and City Council removed certain granting authority and staffing from the District Councils, and they have all chosen to continue existence as neighborhood non-profits.
 
I served on the Ballard District Council for 4 years, and will be stepping down soon.  We are allowed two alternates.  Currently Martha Dilts from Canal Station North is one of the alternates.  We need at least one person who will commit to attending 11 meetings per year.
 
Please contact Jalair Box at [email protected] if you are interested in serving.  Renters and owners are welcome.   I would be glad to meet with you to discuss this volunteer opportunity.
 
Thank you!
Jalair Box
Canal Station North