If you read Saturday's Monroe Times story about the City of Monroe's media policy, you're aware that the newspaper last week had to file a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request letters.
The letters are official requests for information the requester believes the public has access to. Here at the Times, it is our procedure to first verbally ask for the information, then file a FOIA request only if necessary. Often, governmental bodies will request a FOIA letter so they have a written document on file.
In this case, we were trying to find out exactly what policy the city is following regarding the mayor's decision to limit the number of people at City Hall who could speak to the media. We also requested the e-mail City Administrator Mark Vahlsing sent to department heads instructing them that any media contact must go through him. City employee policies and directives (e-mails and memos) to employees are considered public records. Anyone can see them if they ask for them.
We also submitted a couple of FOIA requests for records that might help shed some light on the subject of the April 23 closed meeting of the City Council - the potential violation of city policies by an employee or employees.
State law requires local governments to respond to FOIA requests within a reasonable period, generally 48 hours. We've found local governmental bodies to be diligent in responding to FOIA requests in a timely manner. Requests for information from the City of Monroe filed Tuesday and Wednesday were answered satisfactorily on Thursday and Friday.
If you want to know more about the state's Open Meetings Law, and find some information and tools that will help you access public records, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council has a great Web site to visit. The link is provided below.
The letters are official requests for information the requester believes the public has access to. Here at the Times, it is our procedure to first verbally ask for the information, then file a FOIA request only if necessary. Often, governmental bodies will request a FOIA letter so they have a written document on file.
In this case, we were trying to find out exactly what policy the city is following regarding the mayor's decision to limit the number of people at City Hall who could speak to the media. We also requested the e-mail City Administrator Mark Vahlsing sent to department heads instructing them that any media contact must go through him. City employee policies and directives (e-mails and memos) to employees are considered public records. Anyone can see them if they ask for them.
We also submitted a couple of FOIA requests for records that might help shed some light on the subject of the April 23 closed meeting of the City Council - the potential violation of city policies by an employee or employees.
State law requires local governments to respond to FOIA requests within a reasonable period, generally 48 hours. We've found local governmental bodies to be diligent in responding to FOIA requests in a timely manner. Requests for information from the City of Monroe filed Tuesday and Wednesday were answered satisfactorily on Thursday and Friday.
If you want to know more about the state's Open Meetings Law, and find some information and tools that will help you access public records, the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council has a great Web site to visit. The link is provided below.
