Guide to the Archives of the City of Seattle

Record Group 0400
Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics was established in 1971 to promote ethical behavior by City officials and employees, to provide advisory opinions regarding conflicts of interest, and to conduct hearings regarding violations of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for City officials and employees in carrying out City business. The members of the Board of Ethics also served as the Fair Campaign Practices Commission which heard cases of campaign violations, although the two entities maintained separate offices and staff. In 1991 the two entities were consolidated into the independent Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

0400-01
Minutes
1973-1980
0.8 cubic foot

Minutes and agendas of meetings of the Board of Ethics and the Fair Campaign Practices Commission. Minutes include detailed discussions of issues relating to the City's Code of Ethics and Fair Campaign Practices Ordinance. Attached to the minutes are correspondence and reports relating to the respective meeting agenda. Transcripts are included for certain special meetings.

SMA

0400-02
Correspondence
1973-1974
0.2 cubic foot

General correspondence of the Board of Ethics and Fair Campaign Practices Commission. Includes correspondence, memoranda, testimony, legal opinions, and press releases relating to Board and Commission policies and procedures, the City's Code of Ethics, and related issues. Arranged chronologically.

SMA

0401-01
Code of Ethics Development Records
1969-1976
0.2 cubic foot

Correspondence, memoranda, and draft ordinances relating to the 1969 Code of Ethics and subsequent proposed and adopted amendments. Also included is material regarding the Fair Campaign Practices Ordinance and amendments to it.

SMA

0402-01
Hearings
1973-1979
0.2 cubic foot

Hearings and appeals of findings before the Board of Ethics and Fair Campaign Practices Commission. Includes correspondence, sworn statements, Board and Commission decisions, complaints, transcripts of testimony, and newspaper clippings. Only hearings concerning City Council candidates Wayne Larkin and Walter Crowley are represented in this series.

SMA