Chapter 2.52
PROCESSING FEES
Sections:
2.52.020 Inspection of public records.
2.52.010 Dishonored checks.
When any fee, fine or other payment is made to the city by any person by check, and such check is dishonored by the bank upon which it was written for insufficient funds having been on account, a processing fee of twenty dollars shall be added to the fee, fine or other sum due the city for each check thus returned, and the processing fee shall be subject to collection in the same manner as the underlying fee, fine or other sum due. (Ord. 1797 §1, 1998; Ord. 1513 (part), 1984; Ord. 1345, 1979).
2.52.020 Inspection of public records.
When any person has made a request to inspect or copy any public records of the city, and a determination has been made that such person is entitled to do so, the following rules, regulations and fees shall be applicable:
A. Request. The request for inspection of documents in possession of the city shall be made to the city recorder, who shall within seven working days upon receipt thereof make a determination as to whether or not any of the requested information is exempt, and advise the requesting party of the determination and a date and time for the inspection and the estimated cost.
B. Date and Time of Inspection. The date and time of inspection shall be during normal City Hall office hours, but shall be scheduled in such a manner as to cause the least possible disruption to ongoing city business. Such date and time of inspection shall in no event be more than ten working days from the date and time of the city recorder’s determination of exemption as set forth in subsection A of this section.
C. Manner of Inspection. The city recorder, or a designee, shall be present at all times during any inspection of records or documents. The requesting party may have photocopies of any nonexempt documents requested, but such copying shall be done only by city personnel and only upon prepayment of all inspection and copying charges required by this section.
D. Inspection and Copying Charges. Except as provided in subsections E and G of this section, upon receipt of a request to inspect or copy public documents, the city recorder shall determine and charge the reasonable cost to the city of such request and may require payment in advance by the requesting party of such costs, prior to allowing inspection or copying to occur. The city recorder shall be entitled to include in such costs the reasonable costs of any and all employee time in dealing with the request, including locating the requested documents, witnessing the inspection and preparation of copies, and reasonable charges for copies.
E. Fee Waiver or Reduction. The city recorder may reduce or waive the fee set forth in subsection D of this section if the city recorder determines that the reduction or waiver would be in the public interest because making the record available would primarily benefit the general public. In making such determination, the city recorder shall consider the following:
1. Whether there is a genuine public interest in the subject matter of the requested information;
2. Whether the requested information would meaningfully contribute to the public development or understanding of the subject;
3. Whether the requested information is already available in the public domain;
4. The requestor’s identity and qualifications; and
5. Whether the requestor has any personal interest and could be reasonably expected to personally benefit by disclosure.
F. Appeal of Denial of Fee Waiver or Reduction. A person who believes there has been an unreasonable denial of a request for fee reduction or waiver by the city recorder may have the matter reviewed by the city council by filing with the city manager, within ten days of the denial, a written request that the city council review the denial. Upon receipt of such written request for review, the city manager shall bring the matter before the city council at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The city council shall consider the factors listed in subsection E of this section, and may then affirm the denial or grant the request for reduction or waiver.
G. City Council Meetings Tapes. Tapes of city council meetings shall be made available for review by the public, without charge, for a period of ninety days, after which the normal fee will apply unless waived or reduced by the city recorder under subsection E of this section. (Ord. 1969 §1(part), 2013; Ord. 1838 §5, 2003; Ord. 1681, 1992; Ord. 1536 (part), 1984; Ord. 1513 (part), 1984).