City Charter History and Reference Materials

Series

Identifier: 1801-21

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, Charter amendment text, reports, and pamphlets relating to the history and development of amendments to Seattle's City Charter. The records includes governance studies by local civic organizations and the Board of Freeholders (1974-1975) materials. The bulk of these records date from the mid-1960s to 1977 with the largest portion related to the proposed Freeholders Charter that was defeated in the 1975 municipal election.

Dates

Creation: 1941-1977

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). City Clerk (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access note

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

The City Clerk maintains the City's legislative records, official filings, and the Seattle Municipal Archives; keeps the minutes of City Council meetings; and provides information services to City agencies and the public. Seattle's first City Charter allowed for a Clerk of the Common Council to be elected by the Council. In 1875 the position of City Clerk became elective and remained so until 1896 when the new Charter designated the Comptroller ex-officio City Clerk. The Comptroller served as City Clerk through 1992. A 1991 City Charter amendment transferred the Comptroller's function to the Department of Finance and the City Clerk's Office became a division of the Legislative Department effective in 1993.