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.
Collection includes Legislative Department offices, council member portraits, council chambers, City Hall, mayors, events, and celebrations. Council members are pictured at events such as the Sounding the Alarm rally at City Hall, City Hall grand opening, City Council inaugurations, 2019 NARAL rally, 2019 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls bill signing, visits to Sister Cities, press conferences, parades including Pride Parade, farmer's markets, bridge and lock inspections, Skagit River tours, labor rallies, first same-sex weddings at City Hall, and visits to homeless shelters and encampments. Black Lives Matter protests at City Hall are also shown. Other photos depict council members with Boys and Girls Club members, receiving visiting dignitaries, visiting neighborhoods, and delivering speeches. Recent additions to this series include Council President Debora Juarez attends opening of Seattle Indian Health Board clinic in Lake City. Other departments and agencies depicted include the Department of Neighborhoods, Department of Parks and Recreation, The Office of the Mayor, and Sound Transit.
Records are open to the public.
[Item number.] Legislative Department Digital Photograph Collection, Record Series 4600-11. Seattle Municipal Archives.
Photographs acquired through the Seattle Municipal Archives Digital Image Management Program.
This series may grow due to continued accessioning through the Digital Image Management Program. This finding aid will be updated to reflect additional accessions.