Wallen not running for additional term
After serving for 11 months, Rhonda Wallen has decided not to run for an additional term on the University Hill General Improvement District Advisory Committee.
UHGID Advisory Board makes recommendations to the City Council and the city departments regarding parking issues and land development in the district.
The vacant position on the board has business owners on the Hill hoping for a more like-minded representative.
The current board members are not Hill property or business owners, something that many believe the committee is lacking.
While two of the board memberships are designated for citizens at large, the other three positions must be filled by real or personal property owners in the district, residents of the district, or designated representatives of a person who owns real or personal property in the district.
Wallen herself was not a business owner, but had been sponsored to serve on the board by the Sink owners, Mark and Chris Heinritz.
The Sink has not announced any plans to appoint a new representative.
Only three applicants are in competition for the open position. Those vying for the open spot include Bonnie Dahl, Kevin Hotaling and Adam Kulikowski.
Bonnie Dahl, owner of the Fitter, has unsuccessfully applied to be a member of the UHGID committee twice in the past.
Dahl had no plans to try for the position again, but changed her mind after realizing that the Wallen’s departure was an opportunity to get a Hill business owner on the board.
Dahl believes that in becoming an advisory member, she could help close the divide between the City of Boulder and businesses on the Hill.
The other applicants would serve as sponsors and not University Hill owners.
The Boulder City Council, which administers the advisory committee, will make the final decision as to who will be the new member.
Molly Winter, Director of the University Hill and Downtown Management and Parking Services for the City of Boulder, serves as staff liaison to the UHGID committee.
Winter believes it would be beneficial if the appointee is someone who is actually on the Hill on a daily basis.
“(The council is looking) for someone who will do a good job at representing the business and property interests on the Hill,” Winter said.
Current board members include Richard Murray (Property Representative), Karen Abrams-Harbour (Property owner- The Tea Spot), Jan Otto (Citizen-at-Large) and David Miller (Citizen-at-Large).
While the future of the board lies mainly in the City Council’s hands, Winter hopes the choice of the new appointee will serve to maintain the committee’s prosperity.
“I just really enjoy working with the group of volunteers. While they’re advisories, they don’t have any statutory decision making power, it’s great to work with people who are committed to their subject or their area. I just hope to continue with a really good working relationship and continue to do outreach to the Hill businesses and the surrounding community,” Winter said.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Elizabeth Cuje at elizabeth.cuje@thecampuspress.com
