Chapter 2.97
PUBLIC RECORDS
Sections:
2.97.005 Authority and purpose.
2.97.010 Scope of rules authorized.
2.97.030 Authority to publish rules.
2.97.040 Costs of providing public records.
2.97.050 Interpretation of rules.
2.97.060 Review of denial of request.
2.97.080 Opt out of index of records.
2.97.005 Authority and purpose.
A. Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public Records Act (the “Act”), requires public agencies such as Pacific to make nonexempt public records available for inspection and copying in accordance with published rules. The Act defines “public records” to include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or the performance of any governmental or proprietary function prepared, owned, used, or retained by the agency.
B. The city clerk is designated as the public records officer for Pacific. The city shall establish and publish the Pacific Public Records Act rules to provide the public with full access to public records consistent with the Act. (Ord. 1913 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.010 Scope of rules authorized.
As required by law or to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate, the Pacific Public Records Act rules will contain:
A. A description of Pacific city services, the public records officer’s contact information, the hours and location for inspection of public records and the officer’s responsibilities under the Pacific Public Records Act;
B. The procedure for making, responding to, inspecting and copying records requests; protecting records from damage or disorganization; preventing excess interference with Pacific’s other essential functions; protecting the rights of others; providing fullest assistance to requestors and timely action on public records requests;
C. For informational purposes, a list of laws in addition to the Act that exempts or prohibits the disclosure of public records held by Pacific;
D. Definitions as necessary or appropriate related to the Act. (Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.020 Amending rules.
The city shall amend the Pacific Public Records Act rules as necessary or appropriate to conform to laws or, as appropriate, to enhance services to the public, protect privacy, and/or increase efficiency in administering the Act to the fullest extent permitted by law. (Ord. 1913 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.030 Authority to publish rules.
The public records officer shall make the Pacific Public Records Act rules readily available to the public in electronic and paper mediums. (Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.040 Costs of providing public records.
The city shall establish and/or change the costs of copying or the costs of otherwise providing a requestor with public records in any format or medium to the fullest extent permitted by law. There is no fee for merely inspecting public records. (Ord. 1913 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.050 Interpretation of rules.
The Pacific Public Records Act and the rules will be interpreted consistent with the Act’s intent and case law, including in favor of disclosure as provided by law. (Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.060 Review of denial of request.
The Pacific Public Records Act rules shall provide for obtaining internal administrative review of denials, in whole or in part, of public records requests as required by law. (Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.070 Judicial review.
Any person may obtain court review of denials of public records requests pursuant to RCW 42.56.550 at the conclusion of two business days after the initial denial regardless of any internal administrative appeal. (Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).
2.97.080 Opt out of index of records.
The city finds that creating and maintaining a central city index of records is unduly burdensome and would interfere with city operations. The city clerk’s office shall maintain and make available to the public indexes of ordinances, resolutions, and policies adopted by the city council, minutes of regular meetings of the city council and amendments, revisions, and repeals thereof and all public contracts, deeds and leases. These and all other indexes maintained for city use will be made available for review by the public upon request to the public records officer, unless exempted by state law. (Ord. 1761 § 2, 2010).