The City elects to participate as a member of Statewide City Employees Retirement System for pension, relief, disability, and retirement for the employees of the City as provided by Chapter 41.44 RCW. All employees and officials of the City shall be included in the system; provided, that no elective official shall be included unless the official so elects and files a written notice of such election with the Board of Trustees of the pension system and with the City Clerk. [Code 1970 § 2.42.580; Code 1954 § 2-23.04.]