Article 5. Open Public Records
2.5.1. Purpose.
It is the purpose of this Article to establish reasonable access to or copies of open public records in the possession of the City to avoid the necessity of using general public funds of the City to subsidize special services and benefits to a record requester. The official record custodian shall periodically recommend to the Governing Body such changes in this Article as may be necessary to secure this purpose.
(Ord. 71)
2.5.2. Inspection fee.
Where request has been made for inspection of any open public record which is readily available to the record custodian, there shall be no inspection fee charged to the requester. In all other cases, a record inspection fee may be charged at the rate per hour per employee engaged in the record search as set forth within the City’s Schedule of Service, License and Permit Fees.
(Ord. 71)
2.5.3. Copying fee.
A fee as set forth within the City’s Schedule of Service, License and Permit Fees shall be charged for photocopying public records, such fee to cover the cost of materials and equipment. One copy per person permitted. For copying any public records which cannot be reproduced by the City's photocopying equipment, the requester shall be charged the actual cost to the City, including staff time, in reproducing such records. Records of the City shall not be transmitted in electronic format so as to preserve the integrity of such documents. Individual pages may be transmitted via PDF picture format at the same cost associated with transmission of paper pages.
(Ord. 134)
2.5.4. Prepayment of fees.
A record custodian may demand prepayment of the fees established by this Article whenever he or she believes this to be in the best interest of the City. The prepayment amount shall be an estimate of the inspection and/or copying charges accrued in fulfilling the record request. Any overage or underage in the prepayment shall be settled prior to inspection of the requested record or delivery of the requested copies.
Prepayment of inspection and/or copying fees shall be required whenever, in the best estimate of the record custodian, such fees are estimated to exceed five dollars ($5.00).
Where prepayment has been demanded by the record custodian, no record shall be made available to the requester until such prepayment has been made.
(Ord. 71)
2.5.5. Payment.
All fees charged under this Article shall be paid to the custodian of the records inspected and/or copied unless the requester has established an account, for purposes of billing and payment, with the City.
(Ord. 71)