How Do I request a Public Record?
The City of Zillah's Public Records Policy is intended to provide timely action and for the fullest possible assistance on requests for public records. This policy is also intended to protect the integrity of the City's records and is sensitive to responding to proper requests without adversely interfering with other essential functions of the City. Upon request, the City will make available any public record for inspection by the public and/or copying by the staff for the public unless the record is exempt from disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW, chapter 10.97 RCW, chapter 13.50 RCW, attachment "B" of the City of Zillah Public Records Policy 2011-01 or other statutes.
IDENTIFIABLE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS:
The City is only required to disclose reasonably described records already in existence since those are the only records that can be identified. The City is not required to generate records or analyze data in response to a request for information.
REQUEST HOURS & GENERAL COPYING INFORMATION:
Records will be available for inspection and copying during the customary City Department's office hours which are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. Copies are available at a cost of .15 cents per black and white page or as otherwise set forth on the Cities fee schedule. The City may, at its discretion, require the requestor to deposit a sum in amount to exceed 10% of the estimated cost of providing copies for a request. In addition, because the City is prohibited from lending its credit, a requestor must prepay the estimated copy cost for any copies that must be made by an outside vendor.
MINUTES, ORDINANCES, AGENDAS, RESOLUTIONS:
Readily accessible copies of records that include approved minutes, agendas, ordinances, and resolutions, can be reviewed at City Hall without charge. Draft minutes can be made available for review or copying once they have been transcribed and reviewed by the City Administrator and with the understanding that they have not been officially approved.
The City Council or other Commission or Board agenda sheets shall be available upon request and without charge usually on the Friday preceding their meeting.
MEETING INFORMATION:
Informational items for meetings of the City Council or for other Commissions or Boards will be available in City Hall for audience use, usually by the Friday before the meeting. A request for multiple copies of this information will be processed at .15 cents per page for black and white and within the constraints of the normal request for records procedure.
RECORDS INDEX:
Based upon the findings set forth in Section 4 of Ordinance No. 1271 and pursuant to RCW 42.56.070(4), the City Council orders the following:
The City is not required to maintain an all-inclusive index of public records due to the undue burden and near-impossibility of maintaining such an index.
The City will make available for inspection and/or copying all public records, including any indexes that are maintained by the City as set forth in Section 3 of Ordinance No. 1271, except to the extent that such records are exempt from public disclosure.
RESPONSE TO RECORDS REQUESTS:
The City shall make an initial response to the request for public records within five (5) business days of receipt of the request. IN the event a request for public records is received after 5:00 p.m., the request shall be deemed to have been received on the next business day. Depending upon the nature of the request, the City may respond initially by:
- Producing the record after payment of applicable fees, if any;
- Acknowledging in writing the City's receipt of the request accompanied by an estimated of the time necessary for further response;
- Denying the request in writing accompanied by an explanation of the basis for the denial;
- Acknowledging in writing that the records relating to the request are available for inspection; or copying and that a deposit is required for copies; or
- Requesting in writing clarification of the request.
SOME RECORDS EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE:
The Public Records Act lists types of documents exempt from public inspection and copying. Other laws also prohibit the disclosure of certain records.
The City of Zillah will not disclose lists of individuals for commercial purposes.
If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, the Public Records Officer or designee will redact the exempt portions before providing the document.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
If a requestor has not reviewed or claimed records within thirty days of notice that records are available or fails to make payment, the Public Records Officer may close the request.
If requested records contain information that may affect the rights of others, before providing the records, the Public Records Officer or designee may give notice and allow time for action by the other parties.
After a request has been filled, If the Public Records Officer becomes aware of additional documents existing at the time of the request, these will be provided to the requestor on an expedited basis.
City Hall/Admin./Public Works Dept.
Attn: City Administrator
503 First Avenue
PO Box 475
Zillah, WA 98953
509-829-5151
509-829-5457 FAX
Zillah Police Dept./Municipal Court
Attn: Police Chief
111 7th Street
PO Box 388
Zillah, WA 98953
509-829-6100
509-829-5605 FAX
Fire/Building Dept.
Attn: Fire Chief
111 7th Street
PO Box 388
Zillah, WA 98953
509-829-3760
509-829-5605 FAX
cityhall@cityofzillah.us
Phone: 509-829-5151
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