Legislative Department Photographs

Series

Identifier: 4600-04

Scope and Contents note

Formal photographs of the full City Council for assorted years from 1946-2019 (bulk). Mostly prints with some negatives and a few proofs. Prints are of varying sizes. There are also two formal photographs from the late 1800s of the Mayor with the Board of Aldermen, which preceded the establishment of the Council. Included in this collection is a small mounted poster displaying three photos of the 1900 City Council inspecting Volunteer Park accompanied by a list of names ientifying the men in the photos. There are also formal photographs of councilmembers, City Engineers, and other legislative staff.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1889-2019

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). Legislative Dept. (Organization)

Historical Note

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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.