Seattle Voices

The Seattle City Council has been making audio recordings of its proceedings, including committee meetings and public hearings, since 1955, although there are very few recordings before 1969. This page offers samples of audio material from selected events on a variety of topics. Note that these samples are not intended to be a full representation of what happened at any meeting but are small excerpts.

Audio holdings at the Seattle Municipal Archives are primarily of City Council Committee and Full Council meetings. The recordings provide a different perspective on the legislative process than can be gained from textual documents alone. Audio recordings of meetings allow individuals not documented elsewhere in the Archives to come to life and provide context and insight to the creation of City policies and legislation.

Audio recordings are searchable by date, subject, and associated legislation in SMA's Digital Collections. Note that the sound quality is quite variable on these recordings.

People and Issues

Building the Kingdome (1975)
Includes Bob Santos, Elaine Ko, Mayumi Tsutakawa, and Nemesio Domingo

The Seattle Women's Commission (1970)
Includes Freddie Mae Gautier, Jill Severn, Wanda Adams, Ramona Bennett, Clara Fraser, Judy Porterfield, and Barbara Laners

Domestic Partnership and the Family Leave Ordinance (1989)
Includes Linda Averill, Lorem I. Nelson, and Doreen McGrath

Aaron Roberts (2001)
Includes Dustin Washington, Robert Jeffery, and Richard McIver

Teen Dance Ordinance (2000)
Includes Krist Novoselic and Chris Walla

Street Musicians (1974)
Includes Jim Page

Central Area Housing Issues (1972)
Includes Pearl Armstrong, John Floy, Mary Garlic, Bill Stone, and a former employee of the city's Building Department

Roma in Seattle (1973)
Includes Sylvester Burch, Ephraim Stevens, Clara Fraser, and Councilmembers Bruce Chapman and Jeanette Willams

Redlining (1976)
Includes Councilmember Paul Kraabel, Karen Morgan, Edward Lange, and Nick Licata

Police Review Board (1965)
Includes Alvin Ziontz, E. June Smith, Rev. Samuel McKinney, and Ernest Barth

Roberto Maestas (1973 and 1997)

Bicycle Registration (1978)
Includes Councilmembers Michael Hildt and Sam Smith

R.H. Thomson Expressway (1969)
Includes Mayor Floyd Miller, James McCurdy, Bill Mary, Maynard Arsove, and Margaret Tunks

Women's Shelter (1975)
Includes Melissa Thompson, Tamara Turner, and Frances Johnson

Rent Control (1976)
Includes Marie Donohoe, Donna McArthur, Russell Farrell, and Elisabeth Garlichs

Law and Justice Planning (1972)
Includes Philip Sherburne

City Charter Review (1971)
Includes Councilmember Jeanette Williams and Jean Godden

Seize Time for Oppressed People (1974)
Includes Adriane Nihaund, Mark Levin, Judith Freel, and Elmer Dixon

Energy Conservation (1977)
Includes Councilmember Jonathan Whetzel and Robin Calhoun

Open Housing (1963)
Includes Rev. John H. Adams, Tak Kubota, Rabbi Norman Hirsch, Robert Gans, Nancy McGhee, Eileen Meacham, Rev. Thomas W. Miller, and Wing Luke

Intermittent Workers (1977)
Includes John Scannell

Low Income Housing at Pike Place Market (1977)
Includes Shirley Collins

Crimes Against Women (1975)
Includes Sheila Bayne

Interstate 90 (1970)
Includes Councilmember Tim Hill, Robert Eyre, Ed Banks, Tom Gayton, Pat Emerson, Carl McCray, William Merry, and Kathy Howlett

Central Area Police Precinct (1977)
Includes Councilmember Sam Smith

Musicians in the Pike Place Market (1975)
Includes Garry Marshall and Sam Smith

Sewage and Environmental Health (1977)
Includes Eldon L. Grimes and Margaret Ceis

Women in the Fire Department (1977)
Includes Councilmembers Jeanette Williams and Wayne Larkin

Bicycles at Westlake (1977)
Includes Councilmember Tim Hill and Bill Stalzer

Sexual Orientation and Housing Discrimination (1972)
Includes Tim Mayhew

Inquest for Louis Jones (1971)
Includes African American community leader Larry Gossett and Acting Mayor Charles M. Carroll

Condo Conversions (1978)
Includes Clifton Albright, Sharon Feigon, Bob Royer, and Margaret Thornton

Medical Waste Incineration (1994)
Includes Dr. Glover Barnes and Liz Moses from Washington Toxics Coalition

Hollow Point Bullets (1975)
Includes Police Chief Robert Hanson, Jonathan Hake, Judith Freel, Roberto Maestas, and Rev. Samuel McKinney

Opening the Doors of Government (1978)
Includes Nick Licata