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9106-00. City of Ballard

 Record Group
Identifier: 9106-00
The Town of Ballard was incorporated in January 1890 and was governed by a five-member Board of Trustees appointed by a King County Superior Court Judge. Charles F. Treat was the first Chairman of the Board and was subsequently elected mayor in the Town’s first municipal election in April 1890. Ballard achieved city of the third class status in December 1890. Ballard entered into an agreement with the City of Seattle in 1902 whereby the latter supplied water from the Cedar River watershed. The agreement was extended in 1905. The water supply for Ballard was a central issue in the movement for annexation to Seattle. Annexation first became an issue at the time the first water supply agreement terminated. However, at a special election in December 1905, the citizens of Ballard defeated annexation by a 1033-549 vote. At the regular municipal election in 1906, an "Annexation Ticket" appeared on the ballot and its nominee for mayor, H.E. Peck, was elected. The "Annexation Club" petitioned the City Council to call a special election and in April 1907 the population voted 998-876 in favor of annexation. Besides the water supply issue, other concerns that led to the successful annexation movement were additional city services availability, taxation, local improvements, and the city debt. At the final meeting of the Ballard City Council on May 29, 1907, the City Treasurer reported the City’s assets as $307, 568.91 and liabilities as $452,404.57. Seattle City Council ordered City department heads to investigate the Ballard city departments and make recommendations to facilitate a smooth transition of responsibilities and activities. Reports from the Engineering, Water, Police, Health and Fire departments all suggested the maintenance of Ballard offices, equipment and staff with the former city to be referred to as the "Ballard District." Ballard became a separate ward of the City with one councilmember representing the newly-annexed area.
Creator: City of Ballard

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Ballard City Council Minutes

 Series
Identifier: 9106-01
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings of the Ballard City Council. Includes vote results by precinct of annual city elections.

Dates: 1890-1907

City of Ballard Ordinances

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 9106-02
Scope and Contents note

Numerical listing of municipal laws passed by the Ballard City Council.

Dates: 1890-1907

City of Ballard City Clerk's Files

 Series
Identifier: 9106-03
Scope and Contents note Administrative records of Ballard filed with the City Clerk. Materials include audits, bids and proposals, financial statements, city officials' reports, contracts and bonds, political party nomination records, franchises, oaths of office, petitions, resolutions, specifications, and correspondence. Of particular interest are records relating to the city water system contracted from Seattle, local improvements, service franchises, election materials, activities of the West Coast Improvement...
Dates: 1890-1907

City of Ballard Register of Warrants

 Series
Identifier: 9106-04
Scope and Contents note

Numerical register of warrants issued by the City of Ballard. Includes warrant number, date, to whom issued, amount, and reason for issue.

Dates: 1890-1907

City of Ballard Demands and Warrants

 Series
Identifier: 9106-05
Scope and Contents note

Financial demands and claims against the City of Ballard for services rendered. Includes name of claimant, date of demand, service rendered, number of warrant issued, amount, and date.

Dates: 1890-1898

City of Ballard Local Improvement District Records

 Series
Identifier: 9106-06
Scope and Contents note

Official files on local street and sewer improvements. Includes assessment rolls, majority petitions, bids, bonds, contracts, work completed, estimates, City Council reports, assessment collection statements, and hearing determinations. Arranged alphabetically by street and numerically by district.

Dates: 1891-1907