The City Clerk maintains the City's legislative records, official filings, and the Seattle Municipal Archives; keeps the minutes of City Council meetings; and provides information services to City agencies and the public. Seattle's first City Charter allowed for a Clerk of the Common Council to be elected by the Council. In 1875 the position of City Clerk became elective and remained so until 1896 when the new Charter designated the Comptroller ex-officio City Clerk. The Comptroller served as City Clerk through 1992. A 1991 City Charter amendment transferred the Comptroller's function to the Department of Finance and the City Clerk's Office became a division of the Legislative Department effective in 1993.
The Commission was established to draft a new City Charter and submit it to the electorate. Records include minutes of Commission meetings, a copy of the proposed charter, and internal committee assignments. The proposed charter was defeated.
Records are open to the public.
[Item and date], Commission of Fifteen Freeholders Records, Record Series 1801-17 Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.