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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-20-Resolutions 12-187_Examination - Copying of Public Records Policy - Amendment 2THE CITY OF WAUKEE,IOWA RESOLUTION 12-187 APPROVAL OF POLICY FOR EXAMINATION AND COPYING OF PUBLIC RECORDS,AMENDMENT NO.2 IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE,IOWA WHEREAS,the City of Waukee,Dallas County,State ofIowa,is a duly organized Municipal Organization;AND, WHEREAS,on May 15,2006,the Waukee City Council approved a Policy on Examination and Copying of Public Records (Resolution #06-103),hereinafter known as "The Policy";AND, WHEREAS,on January 21,2008,the Waukee City Council approved Amendment No.I to the Policy (Resolution #08-21);AND, WHEREAS,City staff,in consultation with the City Attorney,reconnnends the Policy be amended to reflect current standard practices and applicable law;AND, WHEREAS,pursuant to Iowa Code Section 22.3,the City may adopt and enforce reasonable rules regarding the examination and copying of the records and the protection of the records against damage or disorganization;AND, WHEREAS,the City may also charge a reasonable fee for services in supervising the examination and copying of the records; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Waukee,Iowa in session this 20th day of Augnst,2012,that Amendment No.2 to the Policy on Examination and Copying of Public Records,which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and by this ference is incorporated herein,be approved. Attest: ROLL CALL VOTE Shane Blanchard Dan Dutcher Casey L.Harvey Shelly Hughes Mike Watts AYE X X X X NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN X EXHIBIT A EXAMINATION AND COPYING OF PUBLIC RECORDS GENERAL POLICY: It is the policy of the City of Waukee to meet all requests for information and documents within the constraints ofIowa Code Chapter 22.The purpose of this policy is to fix fees for public examination and photocopying.The City of Waukee recognizes the right of the public to access public records maintained by the City in accordance with state law.The City also recognizes that certain records maintained by the city are not public records or may be exempt Irom public disclosure and that a request to access public records may require a balance of the right of the public to access the records,individual privacy lights,governmental interests,confidentiality issues,and privilege issues.Additionally,when the City responds to requests to inspect or copy records,costs are incurred by the City.This policy is adopted to balance these competing interests,to establish an orderly and consistent procedure for responding to public records requests and to support the adoption of a fee schedule designed to reimburse the City for the actual costs incurred in responding to public records requests. PROVISIONS: I)This policy applies to all City departments,except the Fire and Police Departments which have their own public records policies and fee schedules.This policy is not intended to preclude verbal responses to routine requests for information. 2)The Police Chief is the lawful custodian of police records,the Fire Chief is the lawful custodian of fire records,and the City Administrator/Clerk is the lawful custodian of all other city records. 3)Requests for records should be made to the lawful custodian of said records.Any request for access to public records maintained by the City of Waukee,with the exception of police and fire records,must be referred to the Deputy City Clerk for review of the request. 4)The following fee schedule shall apply: a)photocopies $0.25 per page (black and white); $0.50 per page (color) b)electronic media*$5.00 per CD (data files) $5.00 per DVD (audio/video) $10.00 per USB drive $10.00 per GIS file *All open records requests that are responded to by electronic media shall be done so that the document may not be altered. c)routinely prepared or bound reports Actual cost(s)to produce d)hourly rate for clerical time needed Actual cost(s)of employee time if time for the reproduction of photocopies involved exceeds fifteen (15)minutes e)hourly rate for professional staff time needed to produce or review documents Actual cost(s)of employee time iftime involved exceeds fifteen (15)minutes 5)All parties are asked to complete a Request for Examination and Copying of Public Records form to allow the City to promptly respond to requests.The purpose of the form is to allow the City to seek clarification of public records requests as the City is unable to provide a response if a request is vague or if the City cannot reasonably determine what records have been requested. 6)No original public records or documents can be removed from the premises at which they are stored.Parties requesting the inspection of public records may do so at a date and time during regular City business hours that is established by the custodian and in an on- premise room as arranged by the custodian. 7)The requesting party shall receive the desired photocopies after all costs are paid.No copies shall be released until full payment is received by the custodian.All custodians shall collect the fee,provide a receipt to the requesting party,and remit the money and copy of the receipt to the Finance Department, 8)The custodian will make every attempt to fill all open record requests in a timely manner in compliance with applicable law. 9)The custodian may consult with other City staff conceming requests for records that may include privileged or confidential records,such as medical records,personnel files, documents conceming litigation,documents related to library patrons,etc.Any request for these types of records shall be referred to the City Attomey for review and response. 10)The City reserves the light to adjust the above fee schedule in the event of unanticipated costs.