Skip to main content

Seattle Municipal Archives Finding Aids

Audiotapes

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Found in 57 Collections and/or Records:

Assessed Valuations

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1802-A4
Scope and Contents note

Reports of assessed valuations and tax rates for cities, towns, and special taxing districts in King County; and certificates of assessed valuations for the City of Seattle.

Dates: 1902-1984

Auditing Committee Minutes

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1800-04
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings and supporting documents of committee that reviews and recommends disposition of payroll and voucher claims and demands. Recommendations are made to City Council. There is a gap in the minutes between 1916 and 1921.

Dates: 1890-1993

Certificates of Nomination

 Series
Identifier: 1802-B1
Scope and Contents note

Certificates identifying candidates nominated to run in city elections. Elections up through 1910 were partisan and certificates were filed by political parties. Following a charter amendment in 1910, all municipal elections were non-partisan.

Dates: 1896-1924

Chauncey W. Ferris Correspondence

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1800-08
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence of Chauncey W. Ferris, the first Comptroller of Seattle. Also includes correspondence from Ferris' tenure as City Clerk (1889-1890).

Dates: 1889-1892

City Council Bill Books

 Series
Identifier: 1801-77
Scope and Contents note Council Bill Books are materials before Council during Full Council Meetings to assist in the decision making process. The Bill Books can contain lists of council bills for introduction and referral, copies of council bills, exhibits for council bills, and analyses prepared by central staff on specific issues. Background materials for Clerk Files and Resolutions can also be included. Additional non-legislative items may be included as well, depending on the agenda; biographical data on...
Dates: 1997-2020

City Officials Project

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1802-07
Scope and Contents note

This project was designed to compile lists of all department heads and elected officials, including dates of service, from creation of a City agency to the present. Completed lists include Mayors, City Council, City Attorney, Comptroller, Treasurer, Police Chief, Parks Superintendent, and Superintendent of Lighting. Also included are notes from City Charters relating to City officials and departments.

Dates: 1869-1988

Civil Service Classification Commission Study

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1802-A9
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, minutes, salary schedules, and job descriptions related to "properly" classifying the positions in Seattle's civil service system. The commission met for nearly three years before submitting its final report.

Dates: 1915-1917

Civil Service Commission Classification Specifications

 Series
Identifier: 1802-A7
Scope and Contents note

Job classification specifications compiled by Public Administration Service for the Civil Service Commission. Includes a schematic list of civil service job titles and a set of classification specifications that defines, illustrates, and evaluates the duties of the positions in each class.

Dates: 1938

Clerk File Index

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1802-02
Scope and Contents note An automated index is maintained by the Office of the City Clerk. It includes Clerk File number, title, date introduced to City Council, date filed with the City Clerk, and, if applicable, City Council committee reviewing the file, date of City Council action, and vote. The old manual back-up indexes date from 1904-1992 and include five volumes for the years 1904-1947 and a card file for 1947 to the present. The volumes are indexed alphabetically with five subheadings for each alphabetical...
Dates: 1904-2017

Clerk File Logbooks

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1802-03
Scope and Contents note

This numerical log beginning with CF number 1 (1895) includes number, description of the file, filing date, disposition of the file when City Council action is required, and, more recently, committee referrals. Formerly called Comptroller File Logbooks.

Dates: 1895-1992

Code Collection

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-88
Scope and Contents note

Collection of various City codes filed with the City Clerk. Includes building, plumbing, electrical, fire, zoning, boiler, flammable liquid, and mechanical codes, among others. Also includes standard specifications and the 1936 compilation of general ordinances.

Dates: 1901-1991

Community Renewal Program Steering Team Audiotapes

 Series
Identifier: 1642-14
Scope and Contents note Audio recordings of the Community Renewal Program Steering Team meetings regarding organization, research and planning of the program. Topics include a visit from Earl Singer, general organization, and financial issues.Minutes for the Community Renewal Program Steering Team meetings are availableIn 1962, Seattle applied for and received federal funds from the Housing and Home Finance Agency to conduct a Community Renewal Program (CRP), undertaking a comprehensive...
Dates: 1965-1966

Conditional Use/Variance Hearings

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1650-08
Scope and Contents note

Applications for conditional use permits and variances, CPC committee recommendations, and Commission action. Includes correspondence and notices of hearings.

Dates: 1951-1969

Council Bill Logs

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-08
Scope and Contents note

Numerical log or register of Council Bills arranged in three forms. Early logbooks (1898-1922) include Council Bill, title, and date of introduction. A card file (1906-1954) contains CB number, ordinance number if applicable, title, reference to City Council minutes, and disposition of the bill. Current logbooks (1955-present) include CB numbers and titles, ordinance number if applicable, committee referrals, reading dates, and disposition.

Dates: 1898-1992

Election Canvasses and Certifications

 Series
Identifier: 1802-B4
Scope and Contents note

Tabulations and official certifications of municipal primary, general, and special elections. Includes oversized tabulations by ward and precinct for 1910-1922. Canvasses by City Council include official vote counts for candidates, and certifications by City Council and King County Elections are official designations of election winners. Also included are sample ballots and a sheet with instructions for voting.

Dates: 1895-1986

Franchise Reports

 Series
Identifier: 1802-B2
Scope and Contents note

Statements by franchise holders including name, character of franchise, length, date originally granted, original holder of franchise, date of franchise transfer (if applicable), officers of company or corporation, ordinance numbers granting franchise, and other information concerning the franchise. The bulk of reports relate to railroad and street railway franchises, but also include telephone and telegraph services, utilities, and fire alarm systems.

Dates: 1898-1986

Gasoline and Fuel Oil Tank Bonds

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-87
Scope and Contents note

Surety bonds for maintenance and use of gasoline or other fuel oil tanks in or on a public place such as under a sidewalk, street, or alley. Includes bond number, name of owner, locations of property, and general agreement. Similar bonds filed before 1933 are in the Clerk File (1802-01).

Dates: 1933-1982

Comptroller General Journal

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1800-05
Scope and Contents note

Book of original entry listing debits and credits by fund and account. This series was replace by CFMS daily reports in 1980.

Dates: 1876-1979

Index to Council Proceedings

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-13
Scope and Contents note

One volume is divided into five sections: three sections cross-reference Council Bill, Resolution, and Ordinance numbers to volumes and pages of the minutes; and two sections cross-reference by subject. The second volume indexes volumes 12-21 of the minutes chronologically by broad subject headings.

Dates: 1896-1910

Index to Council Resolutions

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1801-11
Scope and Contents note

Index to Resolutions in Series 1890 through Series 1904. This record indexes the bound volumes of Resolutions and is divided into four sections: 1) cross-references Resolution number to volume and page; 2) detailed subject index; 3) broad generic subject index; and 4) index to street improvements. Entries include subject term, resolution number, volume number, and page.

Dates: 1890-1906

John Riplinger Correspondence

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1800-10
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence of John Riplinger, City Comptroller, related to city finances, investments, and city purchases. Riplinger fled Seattle in 1906 after defaulting on 68,000 dollars in City funds. These records do not relate the defalcation.

Dates: 1905-1906

Comptroller Legal Opinions

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1800-03
Scope and Contents note

Legal opinions and correspondence from the Corporation Counsel relating to the Comptroller's financial and clerical functions.

Dates: 1897-1903

Manuals and Directories of Municipal Government

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1801-24
Scope and Contents note

Unofficial lists of City officials in pamphlet form. Some lists were compiled by the Office of the Comptroller, others provide no author. Some pamphlets include all City officials and their office addresses, boards and commissions, City Council committees, and Council Rules. The run is incomplete; there is not a directory for each year.

Dates: 1908-1965

Maps, Plans and Drawings

 Series
Identifier: 1802-C9
Scope and Contents note Architectural drawings and maps relating especially to City-owned property. Also includes maps and drawings of plats and housing developments. Of particular interest are blue prints of Sick's Stadium; and Zoning Commission maps that accompanied the first zoning code in Seattle. Also included are plans for Memorial Stadium, Green Lake Aqua Theatre, City Light Building on Third and Marion and City Hall. Architects include George Wellington Stoddard and Associates, Earl W. Morrison, and William...
Dates: 1910-2000

Mayors' Messages

 Series
Identifier: 1802-C2
Scope and Contents note Consisting primarily of vetoes of Council Bills, the Mayor's Messages also include annual messages to City Council, budget messages, executive orders, proclamations, and other various communications. The annual messages summarize accomplishments for specific years and also identify key issues for the Mayor in the coming year. Vetoes make up the bulk of the messages and illustrate significant issues dividing the Mayor and City Council. Liquor licenses, for example, were a frequent subject of...
Dates: 1896-1988

Memorandum of Records of Ordinances

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1801-18
Scope and Contents note

A log used in tracking actions taken on legislation. Includes ordinance number; title; adoption date; vote by councilmembers; dates approved, published, and filed with City Clerk; page ordinance appears in Council minutes; and page ordinance appears in volume of engrossed ordinances. Volume includes ordinances 238-1386.

Dates: 1881-1890

Miscellaneous Board and Commission Minutes

 Series
Identifier: 1802-C3
Scope and Contents note

Proceedings of meetings of boards, commissions, committees, and special task forces. Includes minutes of permanent boards, etc., established by the City Charter and special committees, etc., appointed for a short duration. Does not include minutes of City Council.

Dates: 1944-2004

Model Cities Program Contracts

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1802-C5
Scope and Contents note

Contracts and agreements with individuals and organizations for services offered through the Model Cities Program. Includes 434 contracts.

Dates: 1969-1974

Municipal Code

 Series
Identifier: 1801-06
Scope and Contents note

The Seattle Municipal Code codifies all general ordinances currently in effect. The Code is indexed by subject and arranged by title, chapter, and section. Predecessors to the Municipal Code include numerous compilations of City ordinances published between 1884 and 1938, often organized in subject arrangements. These earlier compilations were referred to variously as General Ordinances or Codes. The Office of the City Clerk maintains an automated, full text index to the Municipal Code.

Dates: 1884-2017

Municipal Transportation System Revenue Bonds

 Series
Identifier: 1800-12
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, legal opinions, and copies of legislation relating to a ten million dollar loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to modernize the Seattle Municipal Street Railway System. The City issued bonds to pay for the loan. The system was reorganized as the Seattle Transit System under the direction of the Seattle Transportation Commission. Included are documents outlining the organization and authority of the Commission.

Dates: 1939-1942

Official Names and Naming Proposals

 Series
Identifier: 1802-C6
Scope and Contents note

Petitions and recommendations for and designations of official names or name changes for streets, parks and playgrounds, public buildings, and bridges in Seattle.

Dates: 1908-1986

Official Publications Scrapbook

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1802-10
Scope and Contents note

Newspaper clippings of published ordinances and resolutions, mayoral vetoes, election returns, official notices, and other city business. Of particular interest is a published registration list of legal voters in Seattle by ward and precinct for the 1892 election.

Dates: 1892-1893

Ordinance Amendment Card Index

 Series
Identifier: 1801-04
Scope and Contents note

This card file lists all legislative action which amends, supercedes, repeals, or in some other way affects an ordinance. It is not a true index as the cards are arranged by ordinance number. This index has been superceded by the City Clerk's automated ordinance index.

Dates: 1973-1992

Ordinance Codification Project Records

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1801-16
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, memoranda, notes, and financial records relating to the WPA Project (#201) to codify Seattle City ordinances.

Dates: 1935-1936

Ordinance Indexes

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-03
Scope and Contents note An automated index is maintained by the Office of the City Clerk. It includes ordinance title, council bill and ordinance numbers, date the bill was introduced, the date it was passed, the date the mayor signed it, and the City Council committee that reviewed the legislation. From 1995 forward, the index includes searchable full text of the ordinance. The old manual back-up indexes date from 1884-1992 and are found in two formats. Three volumes index bound/engrossed ordinances for 1882-1984...
Dates: 1882-2017

Ordinance/Council Bill Cross-Reference Cards

 Series
Identifier: 1801-05
Scope and Contents note

These cards list ordinances in numerical order with a short title, Council Bill number, and date approved. Information is sketchy between 1883-1910. Included are some entries from Ballard, Columbia City, and Georgetown.

Dates: 1883-1988

Ordinances

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-02
Scope and Contents note

Permanent laws of the City passed by City Council and signed by the Mayor. Includes ordinance number, title, text, date passed, and signatures. In some instances, background correspondence and affidavits of publication are filed in the ordinance jackets. Most ordinances from number 1 to 254 are not extant. Ordinances 255 to 1068 are found in bound volumes. All other ordinances are microfiched and hardcopy is arranged numerically in boxes.

Dates: 1869-2017

Payroll Registers

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1800-11
Scope and Contents note

Payroll record for all City departments and offices. Includes employee name, department, occupation or job title, pay rate, amount paid, deductions, balance due, and warrant number. This series has been sampled by accessioning every tenth year.

Dates: 1908-1979

Population and Census Data

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D1
Scope and Contents note

Population studies, statistics, and census data primarily for Seattle and the metropolitan area. Includes reports on population of cities and towns in Washington State, population and housing trends in Seattle, and of special interest, the official census of the Town of West Seattle in 1907.

Dates: 1907-1981

Proposed City Budgets

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D2
Scope and Contents note

Budget proposals drafted by the Mayor's budget office and submitted to the City Council for consideration. The City Council subsequently holds hearings, amends the proposed budget, and passes on the final decisions.

Dates: 1968-1986

Public Development Authority Documents

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1802-D3
Scope and Contents note

Annual reports, financial reports and audits, minutes, charters, rules, and applications of public corporations known as public development authorities (PDA). PDAs are responsible for policy formulation and administration of certain public historic districts, public low income housing or housing rehabilitation programs, and economic development programs.

Dates: 1971-2001

Published Documents Collection

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-92
Scope and Contents note Published documents created by or for City agencies. Includes reports, studies, environmental impact statements, master plans, and audits. Also included are City Charters, published ordinances, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the City, and City budgets and Capital Improvement Plans. The document collection is compiled from many sources and are complemented by documents located and described in several other record series. The collection is ...
Dates: 1884-2017

Puget Sound Traction, Light and Power Company Maps and Property Inventory

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D8
Scope and Contents note The Municipal Street Railway System was formed in 1919 when the City purchased the Seattle street car rail lines of the Puget Sound Traction, Light and Power Company, Seattle Division. Voters approved the purchase on November 5, 1918. The Company was owned by Stone & Webster, based in Massachusetts, which purchased utilities and street railways in the late 1890s. Formed in 1898 by Stone & Webster, the Seattle Electric Company consolidated property and rights of small transportation...
Dates: 1918

Recalls and Impeachments

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D4
Scope and Contents note

Petitions, certifications of signatures, reports, correspondence, and statements of expense regarding attempts to recall or impeach City officials. Includes the 1906 petition for a recall amendment to the City Charter.

Dates: 1906-1975

Record of Ordinances

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-19
Scope and Contents note

Numerical listing of ordinance titles. Arranged by ordinance number and including title and date approved. Handwritten, marginal notes indicate repeal dates when applicable. Volume 1 includes ordinances 1-5182; volume 2 includes ordinances 5183-8489.

Dates: 1869-1902

Referenda

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D5
Scope and Contents note

Petitions, certifications of signatures, and City Attorney opinions on referenda. A referendum is proposed or approved legislation that is referred through a petition process to the people for a vote.

Dates: 1913-1977

Register of Appointments

 Series — Box 0
Identifier: 1802-08
Scope and Contents note

Lists of elected officials and appointments to City positions and committees. Arranged chronologically.

Dates: 1890-1908

Resignations and Removals

 Series
Identifier: 1802-D7
Scope and Contents note

Written resignations by elected officials, board and commission members, and city employees; and notifications to City Council by the Mayor of the removal from office of executive department heads and board and commission members.

Dates: 1897-1983

Resolutions

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-09
Scope and Contents note

City legislation of an administrative or administrative nature, or expressing policy. Resolutions are passed by City Council and may carry the Mayor's signature as an endorsement. Arranged numerically with some early duplicate numbering because resolutions were maintained in two-year series from 1890-1906 with each series beginning with number 1. Beginning with series 1906, resolutions are on microfiche or microfilm cassette.

Dates: 1890-2017

Resolutions Register

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1801-10
Scope and Contents note One volume (1890-1906) is an index divided into three sections: numerical with references to bound volumes of resolutions, a broad subject index, and a more detailed subject index that also refers to the bound volumes. A card file (1907-1958), arranged numerically, includes description, reference to Council minutes, and general remarks. From 1958, the Resolutions Register contains the number, title, committee referral, and disposition. This series is superceded by the City Clerk's automated...
Dates: 1890-1992

Rezone Records

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1650-12
Scope and Contents note

Rezone agendas, minutes, correspondence, rezoning petition reports, maps, and notes from City Planning Commission public hearings relating to rezone requests. Researchers should also refer to Record Series 1650-18. Arranged chronologically.

Dates: 1956-1958

Rezoning Hearing Records

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1650-10
Scope and Contents note

Files generated by a petition to change a zoning designation. Includes property affected, justification for change, correspondence to Commission, meeting agendas, minutes of public hearings, actions taken by Commission, and zoning maps. Arranged chronologically.

Dates: 1948-1974

Comptroller Scrapbooks

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 1800-06
Scope and Contents note

Newspaper clippings and photographs relating to the activities of the Comptroller's office.

Dates: 1940-1978

Seattle Financial Management System Conversion Records

 Series
Identifier: 1800-14
Scope and Contents note

Development records for conversion of the City's financial management program from the Central Financial Management System (CFMS) to the Seattle Financial Management System (SFMS). Includes correspondence, planning and management committee minutes, status reports, RFPs, issue papers, agreements and contracts, specifications, and user training plans.

Dates: 1984-1992

Significant Voting Record

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1801-14
Scope and Contents note

Tabulation of legislation "of significant public interest." Includes Council Bill, Comptroller File, or Resolution number; Ordinance number, if applicable; date of Council action; title of legislation; significance of the issue; and each Councilmember's vote. No log was maintained from 1986-1992.

Dates: 1980-2002

Will H. Parry Correspondence

 Series — Box 1
Identifier: 1800-09
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence of Will H. Parry, City Comptroller, relating to city investments, bonds, general finances, and purchasing.

Dates: 1898-1899

Zoning Ordinance Records

 Series
Identifier: 1650-09
Scope and Contents note

Correspondence to the Planning Commission requesting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. Includes ordinance amendment drafts, notices of hearings, and copies of Commission minutes.

Dates: 1953-1972