Seattle City Light Distribution Branch Directors' Records, 1997-2003

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Seattle City Light
Title
Seattle City Light Distribution Branch Directors' Records
Dates
1997-2003 (inclusive)
2001-2003 (bulk)
Quantity
.6 cubic foot, (2 boxes)
Collection Number
1207-02
Summary
Distribution Branch Directors' Records
Repository
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov
Access Restrictions

Records are open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for processing this record series was provided through a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

City Light provides electricity and electrical and conservation services to its public and private customers. It is the largest public utility in the Pacific Northwest. Public responsibility for electrical energy dates to 1890 with creation of the Department of Lighting and Water Works. In 1902, Seattle voters passed a bond issue to develop hydroelectric power on the Cedar River under the administration of the Water Department. Electricity from this development began to serve Seattle in 1905. A City Charter amendment in 1910 created the Lighting Department. Under the leadership of Superintendent James D. Ross, the department developed the Skagit River hydroelectric project which began supplying power in 1924. Both public and private power was supplied to Seattle until 1951 when the City purchased the private electrical power supply operations, making the Lighting Department the sole supplier. The Boundary Project in northeastern Washington began operations in 1967 and supplied over half of City Light's power generation. By the early 21st century, approximately ten percent of City Light's income came from the sale of surplus energy to customers in the Northwest and Southwest with the remainder of City Light's financial support coming from customer revenue. The current name of the agency was adopted in 1978 when the Department was reorganized.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Project and subject files of the Director and Deputy Director of the branch of City Light responsible for operating and maintaining electrical distribution and transmission facilities. Projects include Cedar Falls fiber optic installation and new street lighting for University Way. Also includes records of Joint Labor / Management Committee Meetings.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Seattle City Light Distribution Branch Directors' Records , Record Series 1207-02. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

1207-02:  Distribution Branch Directors' Records, 1997-2003Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
APEX
1997-2001
1/2
Ave Project (University Ave)
2000-2001
1/3
Budget Cuts and Service Reduction Management Plan
2002
1/4
CIP / Budget Reduction
2002-2003
1/5
Cedar Falls Fiber Optic
2001
1/6
Emergent Needs Presentation
2000
1/7
Executive Team
2001-2002
1/8
Leadership Forum
2002
1/9
Public Benefits
2001-2002
2/1
Weekly Management Meetings
2001
2/2
Joint Labor / Management Committee Meetings - January
2003
2/3
Joint Labor / Management Committee Meetings - February
2003
2/4
Joint Labor / Management Committee Meetings - March
2003
2/5
Joint Labor / Management Committee Meetings - April
2003
2/6
Joint Labor / Management Committee Meetings - May
2003

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cedar Falls (Wash.)
  • Labor-management committees--Washington--Seattle
  • Street lighting--Washington--Seattle

Corporate Names

  • Seattle City Light

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)