Legislative Department Executive Director's Records
Scope and Contents note
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, and staff reports related to issues that come before the City Council for consideration. Also includes copies of City Council work programs and policy planning agendas. A large portion of the material relates to regional planning issues, especially water, electrical power, transportation, and governance.
Dates
- Creation: 1976-1994
Creator
- Seattle (Wash.). Legislative Dept. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Records are open to the public.
Historical Note
The Legislative Department is comprised of the City Council, Office of the City Clerk, and Central Staff (policy analysts and budget support). The City Council is responsible for setting City-wide policy through the adoption of ordinances and resolutions, overseeing the Executive's implementation of policies and programs, and passing the City budget. The first City Charter, in 1869, established a seven-member Common Council. In 1890, the new City Charter created a bicameral legislative branch with a nine-member Board of Aldermen and 16-member House of Delegates. The 1896 Charter returned to a single body of 13 members elected from 11 wards and two at-large. As the number of wards increased, the number of Council members grew to 18 in 1907. A City Charter Amendment in 1910 reduced the number to nine, all elected at large, and made elections non-partisan. In 1946 Councilmember terms were increased from two years to four years. The Office of the City Clerk and the Office of the City Auditor became part of the Legislative Department in 1993. In 1999 the Office of the City Auditor became an independent department.
Full Extent
4.8 Cubic Feet (12 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Location of Records
SMA
Subject
- Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (Organization)
- Seattle (Wash.). City Council (Organization)
- Seattle City Light (Organization)
- Seattle (Wash.). Police Dept. (Organization)
Geographic
- Cedar River Watershed (King County, Wash.)
- Green Lake (Seattle, Wash.)
- Seattle (Wash.)
- South Lake Union (Seattle, Wash.)
Topical
- Ackerley Arena (Seattle, Wash.)
- Children -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Criminal justice, administration of -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Data processing -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Domestic partner benefits -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Electric utilities--Rates--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Family violence -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Fort Lawton (Seattle, Wash.)
- Homelessness -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Labor Unions -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Open spaces -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- People with disabilities -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Pike Place Market (Seattle, Wash.)
- Police internal investigation -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Refuse and refuse disposal -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Regional planning -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Smoking law and legislation -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Title
- Guide to the Legislative Department Executive Director's Records 1976-1994
- 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/xv743034
Repository Details
Part of the Seattle Municipal Archives Repository