The City of Woodinville responds to
Requests for Access to Public Records in accordance
with the Public Records Act (PRA) RCW
42.56 and Woodinville City Council Ordinance
442, Adopting Public Records Act Rules.
To make a request, complete and submit the Request
for Public Records form.
For assistance or to submit the form, contact:
Public Records Officer
Jennifer Kuhn
17301 133 rd Avenue NE
Telephone: 425.877.2262
Fax: 425.489.2705
Email:
jenniferk@ci.woodinville.wa.us
You may also deliver the form in person to Woodinville
City Hall at the address above.
Public Records requests must include:
- Name and address and contact information for requestor.
- Description of public records adequate to locate
the records.
- Date of request.
NOTE: Many public records are currently available
on this web site at no cost. Examples include maps,
standards and guidelines, comprehensive plan, critical
areas and shoreline updates, budget, City Council,
Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission
meetings (current and past), ordinances, resolutions,
press releases, and other reports.
The Public Records Officer makes records available
for inspection and copying by appointment during normal
business hours, excluding legal holidays. Requestors
will not remove documents from the viewing area or
disassemble or alter any document.
The requestor indicates which documents he or
she wishes the City to copy.
Cost for Public Records
There is no fee for inspecting public records.
- Black & white copies: $.15 per page
- Mailing: Actual cost of postage and shipping
container
- Other media: Actual cost of reproduction
Payments may be cash, check, or money order payable
to “City
of Woodinville .”
For large requests, the City may:
- Require a deposit of ten
percent of estimated cost before making copies .
- Provide copies in installments.
- Require advance payment before providing further
installments.
Response to Records Requests
Within five business days of receipt of the request,
the Public
Records Officer or designee will do one of the
following:
- Make the records available for inspection or copying.
- Send copies to requestor if payment has been received.
- Provide a reasonable estimate when records will
be available.
- Contact requestor to request clarification.
- Deny the request citing reason for denial.
If a requestor does not receive a response within
five days, contact the Public Records
Officer to determine the reason.
Role of Public Records Officer
- Oversee compliance with the Public
Records Act
- Provide the “fullest assistance” to requestors
- Coordinate with departments and offices response
to requests
- Provide timely & efficient action on requests
- Fulfill requests without excessive interference
with city business
- Protect public records from damage or disorganization
Some Records Exempt from
Disclosure
All local government records are available
for review by the public, unless they are specifically
exempted or prohibited from disclosure by State
statutes. The Public Records Act lists the types of
documents that are exempt from public inspection and
copying. A listing of the primary exemptions can be
found at RCW
42.56.230 through RCW 42.56.480. Numerous other
exemptions and disclosure prohibitions are found throughout
the state statutes. The Municipal Research and Services
Center of Washington publication entitled Public Records Act for Washington Cities and Counties Appendix
C lists the public disclosure statutes that are
located in chapters other than Chapter 42.56 RCW.
City of Woodinville 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.
Records Index
There is no single index of City records. Woodinville
City government is comprised of numerous departments,
their divisions and subdivisions. Many maintain separate
databases and/or systems for the indexing of records.
The Public Records Officer coordinates with departments
to assure compliance with the Public Records Act.
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 rights of others,
the Public Records Officer or designee may give notice
and allow time for action by the other parties before
providing the records.
After a request has been filled, the Public Records
Officer may become aware of additional documents existing
at the time of the request. These will be provided
to the requestor on an expedited basis.
Requesting Review of Denials
If a person is denied an opportunity to inspect and
copy a public record held by a local government, he
or she may bring a motion in the superior court of
the county where the record is maintained to require
the local agency to explain, or show cause, why it
has denied inspection. The local agency has the burden
of proving that the denial is in accordance with a
statute which either exempts or prohibits disclosure
in whole or in part per RCW
42.56.
Page last modified:
March 13, 2012
