Subject Files of Jeanette Williams,
1969-1989, reflecting her career on Seattle City Council. Major topics within
the records fall within Transportation, including the West Seattle Bridge and I
90, Parks and Public Grounds, including Discovery Park and the Seattle Center
and records on legislation related to ethics and fair campaign practices. Of
note as well is material relating to the Office of Women's Rights and the
Seattle Women's Commission.
Funding for encoding this
finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for
the Humanities.
Biographical Note
Born in Seattle in 1918, Jeanette Williams attended Mercer Grade School
and graduated from Queen Anne High School. She attended the Cornish School of
Music and received degrees from the University of Washington and the American
Conservatory of Music in Chicago as a violin major. She married in the 1940s
and settled in Seattle, raising her two children in View Ridge.
In 1962, Williams became chairperson of the King County Democrats.
Running for City Council in 1969, Williams stressed two issues: establishing
City programs for senior citizens and issues surrounding turning Sand Point
Naval Base into a park. Williams served on City Council from 1970 until 1989,
when she was defeated in her bid for a sixth term after a fiercely competitive
race against Cheryl Chow.
Williams chaired six committees during her tenure on City Council,
including: Human Resources and Judiciary 1970-1977; Transportation 1978-1981
and 1988-1989; Labor 1982-1983; City Operations 1984-1985; Parks and Public
Grounds 1986-1987; and Intergovernmental Relations 1986-1989.
One of Williams' earliest accomplishments was the establishment of the
Fair Campaign Practices Ordinance in 1971 and subsequent amendments.
Legislation included a matching fund program and required candidates to list
their contributors. The City ordinance was used by the State later when it
drafted a campaign reform law. Two other important projects in Williams' tenure
include construction of the West Seattle Bridge and acquisition of Kubota
Gardens in the Rainier Beach area. The Office of Hearing Examiner was also
created under Williams. Established in 1973, it was a judicial body ruling on
land-use disputes.
Williams successfully advocated the creation of the Seattle Women’s
Commission which was established in 1971. Her work on the women's issues was
recognized at the first annual Seattle Women’s Summit on October 19, 2002. She
also worked on issues related to equal rights in housing and employment. As the
Chair of the Parks and Public Grounds Committee Williams worked on issues
related to the Disney proposal for Seattle Center redevelopment. Williams'
interest in the development of Sand Point Magnuson Park existed many years
prior to its creation in 1974.
Williams continued to be active in civic duties after leaving City
Council. In 1999, she was appointed by the mayor to the Sand Point Blue Ribbon
Committee, charged to review the park’s plan and make recommendations. She was
the Chairperson of the Sand Point Liaison Committee during the 1990s. Williams
served on the Advisory Council of the Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association
and served as a member of United Neighbors. In 2003, she was named to an
18-member Citizen Advisory Panel on Council Elections that studied the pros and
cons of district, proportional, at-large, and other forms of representation.
Content Description
Jeanette Williams worked hard while on Council, evidenced by the issues
she took on and the persistence with which she pursued them. Williams was also
not afraid to take a stand on issues she cared about. The Jeanette Williams
Subject Files reflect her committee work on the Seattle City Council. The
records are arranged in to the following subseries: Intergovernmental
Relations, Land Use and Urban Development, Legislative and Interdepartmental,
Parks, Recreation and Culture, Personnel, Public Safety, Social Services and
Human Rights, Transportation, and Utilities.
Key issues in the largest subseries, Transportation, include the West
Seattle Freeway Bridge and I 90. Within the records on Parks, the Seattle
Center and Discovery Park dominate. Records on the establishment of greenbelts
and reuse of Sand Point Naval Air Base within the Land Use subseries signal
Williams' interest in and work on these issues. Williams' work on legislation
relating to Ethics and Fair Campaign practices is evident within the
Legislative and Interdepartmental Affairs subseries. Researchers will find
material relating to the Office of Women's Rights and the Seattle Women's
Commission within this subseries as well. Major topics within Social Services
and Human Rights include fair employment and open housing.
The work of her legislative aides, especially Tom Rasmussen, is evident
through her papers. Researchers are encouraged to use the Documents database in
conjunction with the Jeanette Williams Papers. Documents on topics such as the
Martha Washington / Kubota Garden site, Discovery Park, and I 90 complement
Williams' papers. Other Councilmember records serving concurrently will be
useful to researchers as well. Some of these include Paul Kraabel, Michael
Hildt, and Norm Rice.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Records are open to the public.
Preferred Citation :
[Item and date], Jeanette Williams Subject Files, Record Series
4693-02. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.
Administrative Information
Arrangement :
The Jeanette Williams Subject Files are arranged in nine subseries:
I: Intergovernmental Relations (1.8 cubic feet)
II: Land Use and Urban Development (5.6 cubic feet)
III: Legislative and Interdepartmental Affairs (3.8 cubic feet)
IV: Parks, Recreation and Culture (7.2 cubic feet)
V: Personnel (1.2 cubic feet)
VI: Public Safety (.8 cubic feet)
VII: Social Services and Human Rights (2.8 cubic feet)
VIII: Transportation (13.4 cubic feet)
IX: Utilities (.8 cubic feet)
Related Materials :
Related Record Series: Michael Hildt Subject Files (4636-02), Paul
Kraabel Subject Files (4647-02), Central Staff Subject Reference Files
(4601-02)
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in
the collection.
Intergovernmental
Relations, 1972-1989
1.8 cubic feet
The subseries Intergovernmental Relations reflects activity at
the county, state and international level. The 1.8 cubic feet of records in
this subseries date from 1972 to 1989, although most date from 1977 to 1989.
Records relating to initiatives regarding peace in Central America are
included. Records regarding Seattle's sister city relationships as well as
Williams' trip to China in the 1980s are part of the subseries as well. Of note
are records relating to Williams' participation in the Local Governance Study
Commission (.4 cf). The Commission was created by the State Legislature in 1985
at the joint initiative of the Association of Washington Cities and Washington
State Association of Counties. The Commission focused on continued urban growth
in unincorporated areas and how to accommodate local government service, issues
that cross jurisdictional boundaries and fiscal constraints for local
governments. Presentations by many different local governments, including
Yakima County and the City of Vancouver are included in the records, as well as
summaries of discussions for the group as a whole.
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Association of Washington
Cities
1978-1983
1/2
Capital Review
Commission
1987-1988
Central America
Box/Folder
1/3
Initiative 28 (Central
America)
1982-1984
1/4
Initiative 28 - Peace in
Central America
1982-1983
1/5
Central America -
Initiative 30- Sanctuary City
1985-1987
1/6
China Advisory Board -
Science Center Exhibit
1982-1984
1/7
Governmental Advisory
Committee
1972-
1/8
Intergovernmental Relations
Committee
1978-1989
1/9
Intergovernmental Relations
Committee
1983-1987
1/10
Intergovernmental Relations,
Miscellaneous
1987-1989
1/11
Job Information
Center
1972-1974
1/12
King County 2000
1987-1989
1/13
King County 2000 -
Reports
1987-1989
2/2
Metro Merger
1977-1989
2/3
Metro / King County
Merger
1978-1979
2/4
Office of International
Affairs
1986-
2/5
Office of International
Affairs
1986-1987
2/6
Puget Sound Council of
Governments
1986-1989
2/7
Regional Issues
1986-1989
Sister Cities
Box/Folder
2/8
Program
1986-1987
2/9
China
1982-1983
3/1
Chongqing
1980-1983
3/2
Chongqing, Williams Trip
to China
1981-1988
3/3
Chongqing
1982-1986
3/4
Chongqing
1982-1987
Washington State
Box/Folder
3/5
Legislative Request
Package
1986-1987
3/6
Legislative Request
Package
1988-1989
3/7
Legislative Request
Package - 1988
1987-1988
4/1
Washington State - Local
Government Study Commission
1985-1987
4/2
Washington State - Local
Government Study Commission
1986-
4/3
Washington State - Local
Government Study Commission
1985-1986
4/4-4/5
Washington State - Local
Government Study Commission
1986-1987
4/6
Washington State - Local
Government Study Commission
The Land Use and Urban Development subseries measures 5.8 cubic
feet and dates from 1970 to 1989. One significant topics was the design and
location of the Convention Center, a lengthy decision-making process from 1982
to 1983. Consideration was given to locating the Convention Center at the
Seattle Center. Issues taken into consideration at public meetings and in other
discussions included housing, housing demolition, air rights, rights of way and
traffic amenities, and naming. Documents include meeting agendas,
correspondence, drafts of agreements, reports and newspaper clippings.
Another large issue during Williams' tenure was the
establishment of greenbelts. Policies, definitions, priorities for acquisition,
and legal issues are touched on in her records, primarily dating from 1983 to
1984. Greenbelt overlay districts were also introduced, establishing a set of
zoning regulations to protect and preserve Seattle's greenbelts, where
appropriate, throughout the Land Use Code.
The Sand Point folders relate to potential uses of the 195 acres
at the former Naval Air Station and development into the Warren G. Magnuson
Park. The deed for the property was accepted by the City in 1975 but planning
for its use started well before then. Some material also relates to issues
surrounding the location of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) regional headquarters facility in an adjacent area to the north.
Other topics include odor and parking issues with the Fauntleroy
Ferry, parking issues throughout the City, and Westlake Mall.
Legislative and Interdepartmental
Affairs, 1969-1989
3.8 cubic feet
The Legislative and Interdepartmental Affairs subseries measures
3.8 cubic feet and dates from 1969 to 1989. Of note in this subseries is are
the records relating to ethics and fair campaign practices. Investigation of
campaign contributions from the music machine, otherwise known as the jukebox
industry, to the campaigns of Councilmembers George Cooley, Wayne Larkin and
Jeanette Williams is included in the records.
Williams also had an important role in the establishment of a
code of ethics and fair campaign practices for city offices and employees and
her work in this area is reflected in this subseries. Records relating to the
creation of a Board of Ethics and those selected to serve on the board are
included. Reports and correspondence related to campaign finance reform
legislation in the 1970s, limiting amount of contributions to campaigns and
allowing matching City funds for candidates who agreed to limit their total
spending to a specific amount are part of this subseries. Minutes and reports
exist for the "Blue Ribbon" Committee Williams appointed in 1976 to revise the
Fair Campaign Practice Ordinance.
Williams' work to standardize legislative oversight of City
boards and commissions is also reflected here. Williams conducted an overview
of the work of boards and commissions citywide and recommended Council review
them biennially, with the authority to terminate, modify, or reestablish them.
Authorizing legislation was passed in 1970.
Records relating to Williams' role in the establishment of the
Office of Women's Rights and the Seattle Women's Commission are also included
in this subseries, as well as those regarding the proposed consolidation of the
Department of Human Rights and the Office of Women's Rights by the Office of
Management and Budget. Other topics reflected in this subseries include the
reorganization of the Office of Policy and Planning, space planning for the
City, and the creation of a policy regarding citizen participation in
government.
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Boards, Commissions, and
Committees
Box/Folder
19/7
Volume 1
1972-1975
19/8
Volume 2
1974-1976
19/9
Volume 3
1975-1976
20/1
Volume 4
1976-
20/2
Studies
1976-
20/3
General
1971-1980
20/4
Sunset
Ordinance
1975-1977
20/5
Historical Review of
Drafting of Sunset Ordinance
1977-
20/6
Sunset Ordinance -
Interviews
1977-
20/7
Sunset Ordinance - With
and Without Criteria
1977-
20/8
Sunset Ordinance -
Original Draft
1977-
20/9
Sunset - Summary of
Information
1977-
Box/Folder
20/10
City Council Rules and
Office Procedures / Committee Assignments
1970-1984
20/11
City Auditor
1973-
20/12
City Charter Amendments,
Volume One
1977-
20/13
City Charter Amendments,
Volume Two
1975-1977
20/14
Citizen Legislative Review
Committee Report
1969-
Citizen
Participation
Box/Folder
21/1
Volume 1
1976
21/2
Volume 2
1976
21/3
Volume 3
1976
21/4
Volume 4
1976-1977
21/5
Department of Community
Development Report / Pat Emerson
1976
21/6
Report / Joel
Bodansky
1974-
21/7
City Operations Committee
Issues
1984-1986
21/8
City Owned Parking
Garages
1986-1988
21/9
Civil Service
Commission
1982-1985
21/10
Code Reviser
1977-1978
21/11
Codification
Committee
1972-1974
22/1
Department of Human
Resources
1970-1972
22/2
Equal Opportunity Agency -
Proposed : Volume 1
1975-1976
22/3
Equal Opportunity Agency -
Proposed - Volume Two (includes OMB Study "ensuring Equal Opportunity in
Seattle" and Responses) Vol. 2
1975-
22/4
Equal Opportunity Agency -
Proposed - Volume 3
1975-
Ethics and Fair Campaign
Practices
Box/Folder
22/5
Campaign Finance
Amendments - Supporting Materials Volume One
1978-1981
22/6
Campaign Finance
Amendments - Volume Two
1974-1981
22/7
Campaign
Financing
1980-
22/8
Councilman Campaign
Contributions / Jukebox Industry (Cooley)
1970-
22/9
Council Campaign
Contributions / Jukebox Industry
1970
23/1
Councilman Political
Donations
1970-
23/2
Campaigns
1970-1980
23/3
Volume 1
1971-1977
23/4
Volume 2
1977-1980
23/5
Volume 3
1979-1985
23/6
Fair Campaign Practices
Ordinance, Volume 1
1977-
23/7
Fair Campaign Practices
Ordinance, Volume 2
1976-1977
24/1
Citizen's Ethics
Committee, Volume 1
1969-1971
24/2
Citizen's Ethics
Committee, Volume 2
1970-1971
24/3
Background
Material
1977
24/4
Code of
Ethics
1975-1977
24/5
Ethics Board
1971-1985
24/6
Ethics Investigation /
Campaign Contributions
1970-1973
24/7
Campaigns Blue Ribbon
Committee
1976-
24/8
Blue Ribbon Commission
Minutes
1976-
24/9
"Blue Ribbon" Commission
on Fair Campaign Practices
The Parks, Recreation and Culture subseries is the
second-largest subseries in Williams' records. The largest quantity of records
in this subseries is devoted to the Seattle Center. The records of the Citizens
Advisory Commission in the mid-1980s are included and relate to creating a long
range plan for the Seattle Center, developing policies, and establishing a
mission. The records of the Management Institutional Alternatives Commission of
the late 1980s, which examined the management of the Center, are also included.
In the late 1980s, the City Council and mayor considered a proposal from Disney
to do an economic and conceptual development plan for the Seattle Center.
Correspondence and reports reflect exploration of the issue by Council. The
proposal was supported by the Mayor, but not entirely fully supported by
Council. Williams was one of the Council members who proposed putting the
project out for bids and not limiting it to a Disney plan.
Within parks related material, the largest quantity of records
relate to development of Fort Lawton into Discovery Park. This topic is also
well-documented in records of the Department of Parks and Recreation, in other
City Council records, and the Documents collection. Records relating to the
decision process surrounding the siting of the Chinese Garden, a gift to the
City from its sister city Chongquing are also in this subseries under Chinese
Garden, Kubota Gardens, and Martha Washington.
Other records in this subseries relate to the Lakeside Trail and
the Burke-Gilman Trail, Seacrest Marina, and the Parks Code and security
issues. There is a large amount of constituent mail relating to various park
issues in this subseries. The smallest amount of material in this subseries
relate to the arts.
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Culture
Box/Folder
29/1
Arts
1971-1973
29/2
Arts Related
Issues
1986-1988
29/3
Arts Commission / Seattle
2000
1981-
29/4
Bumbershoot
1984-1985
29/5
Bumbershoot - Media One
Proposal
1985-
29/6
Bumbershoot
1984-1987
29/7
Goodwill
Games
1989-
29/8
Museum of History and
Industry
1979-1987
29/9
Northwest Folklife
Festival / Seattle Center
1987-
29/10
24th Avenue Pier /
Neighborhood of the Year
1988-1989
29/11
Greater Seattle Viking
Ship
1987-
Parks and Public
Grounds
Box/Folder
30/1
Arboretum
1978-
30/2
Arboretum / Lakeside
Trail Study
1987-1988
30/3
Arboretum / Lakeside
Trail
1988-1989
30/4
Arboretum / Lakeside
Trail - Environmental Impact Statement - Preliminary Scope of Work
1989-
30/5
Lakeside / Arboretum
Trail
1981-1988
30/6
Ballard Bell
1987-1989
30/7
Burke - Gilman
Trail
1989-
30/8
Parks and Public Grounds
- Burke-Gilman Trail
1987-1989
31/1
Chinese
Garden
1986-1989
31/2
Chinese
Garden
1987-1989
31/3
Chinese Garden - Parks
Department
1986-1988
31/4
Chinese
Gardens
1986-1988
31/5
Chinese Garden Advisory
Committee
1987-1988
31/6
Chinese Garden - Citizen
Letters
1988-
31/7
Chinese Garden - News
Clippings
1988-
31/8
Chinese Garden -
Notes
1988-
31/9
Chinese
Garden
1988-1989
31/10
Chinese Garden - January
11 Meeting
1989-
Discovery
Park
Box/Folder
31/11
Correspondence
1970-1985
31/12
Plan
1970-1986
32/1
Kiley Reports and
Maps
1972-1974
32/2
Development
Plan
1974-1986
32/3
Historic
Buildings
1976-1987
32/4
Historic District
Reuse Study, Volume One
1979-
32/5
Historic District
Reuse Study, Volume Two
1978-
32/6
Master Plan Update,
Volume One
1980-
32/7
Master Plan Update,
Volume Two
1978-1980
32/8
Master
Plan
1979-1980
32/9
Master Plan - Public
Comments
1983-1986
33/1
Ft. Lawton Adaptive
Reuse Study
1979-1985
33/2
Remote Transmitter
Site, Volume One
1980-1981
33/3
Remote Transmitter
Site, Volume Two
1979-1980
33/4
Remote Transmitter
Site: Letters
1980-
33/5
Maps
[1980?]
-
33/6
Indian Cultural
Center, Volume One
1980-1981
33/7
Indian Cultural
Center, Volume Two
1974-1979
34/1
United Indians of All
Tribes Foundation (UIATF)
1974-1979
34/2
United Indians and
Surplus Coast Guard Site Proposal, Vol. 1
1980-
34/3
United Indians and
Surplus Coast Guard Site Proposal, Vol. 2
1976-1980
34/4
United Indians
Parking
1986-
34/5
North Beach
Trail
1980-1982
34/6
Correspondence
1985-1988
34/7
Plan (includes
comparisons to 1972 / 1974)
1986
35/1
Margaret Coughlin,
Volume One
1986-1988
35/2
Margaret Coughlin,
Volume Two
1985-1988
35/3
Plan - Staff Papers
and Memos
1983-1987
35/4
Constituent
Correspondence
1983-
35/5
Long Range
Plan
1983-
35/6
Plan - Sept.
1985
1985-
35/7
Fort Lawton Historic
District - Public Comments
1985-
35/8
Don Armeni Park - West
Seattle
1983-
35/9
Fortson
Square
1986-1988
Kubota Gardens
Box/Folder
36/1
Correspondence
1986-1988
36/2
Correspondence (includes
consultant)
1987-1989
36/2
Oversight
Committee
1987-1989
Box/Folder
36/4
Leschi Moorage
Improvements
1985-1986
Martha Washington
Box/Folder
36/5
Site
1983-1987
36/6
Appraisal
1985-
36/7
Exchange - Appraisal /
Appraisal Review
1985-
36/8
Martha Washington
Information
1983-1985
36/9
Exchange - Kubota
Gardens; Rasmussen's Notes
1986-1987
36/10
Martha Washington
Exchange - Maps (undated)
-
36/11
Exchange - Kubota Gardens
Prospectus
1987-
37/1
Options for
Buildings
1984-
37/2
Miscellaneous
Information
1979-1984
37/3
Kubota
Gardens
1977-1980
37/4
Kubota
Gardens
1979-1983
37/5
Kubota
Gardens
1986-1989
37/6
Kubota
Gardens
1983-1986
37/7
P-Patch
Program
1981-1989
Seacrest
Marina
Box/Folder
38/1
Volume
One
1981-1982
38/2
Volume
Two
1980-1981
38/3
Communications,
Volume One
1979-1982
38/4
Communications,
Volume Two
1980-1981
38/5
Urban Ranger
Program
1986-1988
38/6
West Montlake Park /
South Lake Union
1984-1985
Woodland Park
Zoo
Box/Folder
38/7
Issues and
Correspondence
1983-1987
38/8
Woodland Park Zoo
Commission
1984-1985
38/9
Woodland Park Zoo
Commission
1985-1987
Parks -
General
Box/Folder
39/1
Parks
Code
1987-
39/2
Committee
Issues
1987-1989
39/3
Park Security /
Safety Issues
1986-1987
39/4
Parks Capital
Improvement Program and Forward Thrust Reprogramming
1977-
39/5
Constituent
Mail
1977-1984
39/6
Constituent
Mail
1984-
39/7
Constituent
Mail
1984-1986
40/1
Constituent
Mail
1985-1986
40/2
Constituent
Mail
1986-
40/3
Constituent
Mail
1986-1987
40/4
Constituent
Mail
1986-1987
40/5
Constituent
Mail
1986-1988
40/6
Constituent
Mail
1987-
40/7
Constituent
Mail
1988-1989
Seattle
Center
Box/Folder
41/1
Paul Thiry
Plan
1962-
41/2
Advisory
Commission
1962-1982
41/3
Advisory
Commission
1982-
41/4
Advisory Commission,
Volume 1
1985-1987
41/5
Advisory Commission,
Volume Two
1984-1985
41/6
Early
History
1956-1958
41/7
Bagley Wright
Theater
1980-1987
41/8
Bagley Wright
Theatre
1987-
41/9
Center House Plan and
Concession Proposals
1980-
41/10
Center House
Concessions Report
1981-
Disney
Proposal
Box/Folder
42/1
Mayor and Council
Communications, Volume One
1983-1987
42/2
Mayor and Council
Communications, Volume Three
1983-1987
42/3
Council
Communications
1987-
42/4
Parks,
Recreation, and Culture: Parks and Public Grounds - Seattle Center - Disney
Proposal
Records in the Personnel subseries measure 1.2 cubic feet and
date from 1972-1989. The bulk of the records relate to employee classification
studies in the mid-1970s and comparable worth and deferred compensation studies
in the mid-1980s.
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box/Folder
47/1
City Light - Vickery /
Employees Dispute
1974-
47/2
Civil Service
Classifications
1975-1976
47/3
Civil Service Exempt
Positions, Volume One
1975-1976
47/4
Civil Service Exempt
Positions, Volume Two
1974-1975
47/5
Classification / Comparable
Worth Projects, Volume One
1984-1986
47/6
Classification / Comparable
Worth Projects, Volume Two
1985-
47/7
Comparable Worth, Volume
1
1984-
47/8
Comparable Worth, Volume
2
1981-1984
47/9
Comparable Worth, Volume
3
1985-1987
48/1
Comparable Worth
Classifications
1975-1985
48/2
Clerical Study, Volume
1
1975-1976
48/3
Clerical Study, Volume
2
1975-1976
48/4
Deferred Compensation
Committee
1984-
48/5
Deferred Compensation
Committee - July 1984 - January 1985
1984-1985
48/6
Deferred Compensation
Committee - January - April 1985
1985-
48/7
Deferred Compensation
Committee - May - July 1985
1985-
49/1
Deferred Compensation
Committee - August - November 1985
1985-
49/2
Department of Administrative
Services - Employee Grievances
1984-
49/3
Employees Retirement
System
1978-1980
49/4
Engineering Department -
Eugene Avery Appointment
1981-
49/5
Engineering Department -
Eugene Avery Confirmation