Access to public data

All information maintained by the city is public unless there is a specific statutory designation which gives it a different classification.

People entitled to access

Any person has the right to inspect and copy public data. The person also has the right to have an explanation of the meaning of the data. The person does not need to state his or her name or give the reason for the request.

Form of request and response

Request

The request for public data may be verbal or written.

Response

  • The city is not required to provide information verbally over the telephone.
  • The city may provide information by fax or e-mail, at its own discretion.
  • The city is not required to provide information in any specific format, except that if the data is maintained in electronic format and is requested to be electronic format, then it must be provided in that medium. This does not mean that the city will provide the data in an electronic format or program that is different from what the city has.

Questions of requesting parties

People requesting public data must not be asked to identify themselves or state a reason for the request. They may be asked to provide certain identifying or clarifying information for the sole purpose of facilitating access to the data.

Time limits

Requests

Requests will be received and processed only during normal business hours.

Response

If copies cannot be made at the time of the request, copies must be supplied as soon as reasonably possible.

Fees

Fees may be charged only if the requesting person asks for a copy or electronic transmittal of the data. Fees will be charged according to the City’s standard photocopying policy, available on the Fees for Copies page, unless significant time is required. In that case, the fee will include the actual cost of searching for, retrieving, and copying or electronically transmitting the data. The fee may not include time necessary to separate public from non-public data.

The responsible authority may also charge an additional fee if the copies have commercial value and are a substantial and discrete portion of a formula, compilation, program, process, or system developed with significant expenditure of public funds. This additional fee must relate to the actual development costs of the information.