So, I thought I should explain my new poll for those who may not know what its about. First of all, its just a going to stay up until I get a response, as a reminder of the terrible open records process at the city.
It all started when I wanted to know how many days Schumacher was out of the city and where Compton was for the last meeting. Schumacher’s absences have become a running joke around city hall, and I wanted to see how bad it really was. (So far, without the benefit of actual city records, I’ve been able to determine its been 62 days or 43% of the time since August 1. No answer on Compton yet.) I explained part of the story here, under “Shitty City Service”. It all started Thursday, December 17th, a week ago (Thursday) when I requested copies of the calendars that hang in the council office in plain view for the public. The long time city staff who takes care of this was out of the office til the 28th according to the vacation response. I asked another staff. Meanwhile, the original staff, within 6 hours of my original email, while on vacation, told me to ask the clerks office. The clerk’s office said they don’t have the information which makes sense since it is a calendar maintained by council staff. So, I went back to the original staff and did a tersely worded formal open records request.
[XXXX] –
Ok – we can do this another way if you don’t want to do it the easy way – by sending the calendars of absences that I have seen you use many times in the past. [Comment about inappropriate use of the information]
Please consider this an open records request. Please send all notices you have send out regarding alder absences from the city during 2009. [Direct comment about not providing the information that is in the office and the inappropriate response to a request for that info/]
Brenda
p.s. I’m embarrassed for the city that you would deny this information is in your office and try to make me go to the clerk’s office, who has told me they don’t have the information.
And haven’t heard a word since. Knowing the staff was out of the office, on Saturday morning I followed up with the staff in the office, the city attorney that is the “go to” person on open records laws and council leadership Tim Bruer, President and Mark Clear, Pro Tem. The email I sent them is (partially) as follows:
Tim/Mark
I don’t expect a response from [staff name] on this – [comment about unprofessional behavior of said staff] And since she is out of the office until the 28th, could you please make sure that someone, likely [staff name] is following up on this. The calendars used to hang in the hallway of the Council office by all the agendas for the meetings, right when you entered the office on the right and if they are accurate, that would be ok information. If that is not complete, then the emails would be necessary. What I am looking for is accurate information about when people were out of town and noticed the council office. I know all alders get some emails some times when people are out, [staff name and comment about unprofessional behavior], but that is what I am looking for, in whatever the most accurate form is.Thanks! [Personal comment to Tim and Mark about addressing concerns in Council Office]
Brenda
Obviously, I got some information from some helpful folks, but it wasn’t the official response, which is what I would like to ensure my information is accurate. Knowing the holidays were coming up, after I didn’t hear anything on Monday, Monday evening I followed up with this, to clarify what I was looking for:
Several people have stepped forward and were very helpful in getting me information. However, I don’t know if it is accurate. For instance, while the newspapers say Alder Compton was away on vacation, she was scheduled to be away December 1 – 7 and then listed as absent only on the 15th, so I’m unclear if the info I have received is accurate. I have all the calendars and several emails about absences sent to me by others, but I’m unclear if I have a complete picture. Will someone from the Council office be following up on this?
Brenda
No response on Tuesday.
No response on Wednesday.
I don’t expect a response today, tomorrow or over the weekend.
But . . . I thought someone might have at least sent me a “yeah, we’re looking into it” email. Or, “wait til the staff gets back” response. Or, “we can do that but we’re going to charge you”, as allowed by law and confirming I still want the info. Or, “staff x is the official record keeper of that info an you have to get it from x”. Or “those aren’t official records”. As far as I know, Clear and Bruer weren’t out of the city this week – at least not according to the calendar for December I did receive, but then again, I’m not sure it was up to date and accurate, but since they met with Bob Dunn today, I’m assuming not – unless they phoned it in. But it looks like they are meeting again on Tuesday, so I’m assuming they are checking their email and conducting city business. I know this might not be top priority, but a 30 second response was all I was looking for.
I suspect, they are making sure that I don’t have the information by the meeting on the 5th when the Edgewater comes up again. And it makes me wonder, is there something that they don’t want me to see? Or, are they blowing me off? Or, is it just the holidays? I can’t say that I know, but I do know that it looks bad. Can’t wait til Monday to find out if I get a response then.
