Ann Arbor Area Civic Document Repository

A group of Ward 4 residents approached me with concerns they have about a house in their neighborhood that has been the subject of many police reports. In discussion with these residents, I agreed to seek a meeting with staff, including representatives of the police department and the City Attorney’s office. To prepare to make my meeting request, I asked the City Administrator and Police Chief for all police reports regarding that house from the last two years. I was informed that my request would be handled as a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to insure proper preparation of the documents.

I was rather surprised to receive a bill for the FOIA request. The police department informed me that they had estimated the cost of processing my request would be about $119, including 3.5 hours of staff time to search and retrieve the reports and to review the documents for redaction of exempt information.

The City is charging a City Council member for the release of public documents the Council member requested to assist his constituents.