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Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

Tim Burgess Subject Files

 Series
Identifier: 4615-02

Scope and Contents Note

Records documenting Burgess's work on issues of note during his service on City Council. Many of the records relate to public safety issues, including police reform, youth violence, gun safety, sex trafficking, and domestic violence. Transportation topics include taxis and transportation network companies, pedestrian safety, bike share, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Other issues include affordable housing, short-term rentals, land use and zoning, preschool, the City's retirement system, homeless encampments, sports arena proposals, civil rights, and environmental issues.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 2008-2017
  • Creation: 1998-2017

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Records are open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

Records are available for use onsite in the SMA reading room, including electronic records through the electronic records search.

Historical Note

Tim Burgess served on City Council for ten years, from 2008 to 2017. His time on Council ended early when he took over as Seattle's Mayor after Ed Murray resigned. His term as "accidental mayor" lasted 71 days, until the election results were certified and Jenny Durkan was sworn in.

Burgess was born and raised in Seattle, growing up in Capitol Hill and attending Lincoln High School and the University of Washington. While in college he began working as a journalist for radio station KJR, where he covered police corruption, among other topics. He then joined the Seattle Police Department, serving at different times as a patrolman, detective, and press aide.

After leaving the police department, Burgess worked for anti-poverty organization World Concern, and later started Burgess & Associates, an advertising agency. Outside of work, he was chair of the Queen Anne Community Council, and also served for 12 years on Seattle's Ethics and Elections Commission.

He defeated David Della in the 2007 City Council race and took office at the beginning of 2008. During his tenure on council, he focused on police issues, preschool, public safety, and the city's finances, among other topics.

Partial Extent

23.6 Cubic Feet (59 boxes)

Partial Extent

20,275 digital files (5 GB)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Records covering issues of note during Burgess's time on City Council.

Related Materials

Additional materials from Councilmember Burgess’ tenure found in City social media accounts and City websites are searchable online through ArchiveSocial and Archive-IT.

Processing Information Note

For electronic records, CloneSpy was used to filter and log duplicate files. Duplicate files and non-record material were deleted. CUSpider SSN Scanning and DtSearch were used to screen for personal and sensitive information. DROID was used to identify file formats, extract metadata, and facilitate processing decisions. Files were then logged and transferred using Robocopy to preservation storage.

Title
Guide to the Tim Burgess Subject Files
Date
2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English
EAD Location
https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv302465

Repository Details

Part of the Seattle Municipal Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 94728
600 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3
Seattle 98124-4728 USA US