The rules heretofore adopted by this Council on October 15, 1974, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law, are hereby rescinded and in their place and stead a new set of rules is hereby adopted as follows.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Peekskill 2-27-1978 (Ch. 77 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Deputy City Clerk is hereby designated as the records access officer of the City of Peekskill, to have the duty of coordinating the City's response to public requests for access to records.
All requests for City records shall be presented to the records access officer, who may require such requests to be in writing and who shall be responsible for providing same to the applicant insofar as may be authorized by law. All City departments, agencies, bureaus and commissions are directed to provide the records access officer with such records to the extent provided by law.
The records access officer is hereby directed to make available to persons requesting records those public records which, by law, are required to be made available for public inspection and copying. Requests shall be made at the City Clerk's office, City Hall, during regular business hours.
No records shall be removed from the lawful custody of any public office charged with the duty of maintaining such records.
In the event any requests cannot be met because such records are being used for current working purposes, the applicant shall be advised of such fact and every effort will be made to arrange a specific time when such records will be available.
Requests for public information shall be made, to the extent not inconsistent with these rules, in the manner provided in 21 NYCRR 1401.5, and the City shall act on such requests in the same manner.
The records access officer shall maintain a subject matter list as provided in 21 NYCRR 1401.6.
Appeals from denial by the records access officer of requests for information shall be heard by the City Manager in the manner provided by 21 NYCRR 1401.7 as to the denial of access to records.
[Amended 11-13-1984]
No fee shall be charged for records searches or record inspection except as otherwise may be provided by law.
[Added 11-13-1984; amended 9-25-2017 by L.L. No. 2-2017]
A fee shall be charged for each certification requested of the City Clerk under this chapter as set forth in the Consolidated Fee Schedule maintained in the office of the City Clerk.
Public notice of these rules shall be given by posting immediately in public places heretofore designated for posting of public notices.
The purpose of these rules shall be to maintain the spirit of the law and to recognize that the concept of open records is consistent with the purpose of this Common Council.