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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2015-17 - Public InformationORDINANCE NO. A WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Texas that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of the government and official acts of public officials and employees; WHEREAS, Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, the Texas Public Information Act, provides the statutory regulations governing requests for information and the City's obligations in responding; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to adopt an ordinance consistent with state law governing Public Information and providing for establishment of a city-wide Public Information Policy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS THAT: Section 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby found and declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. Section 2. Chapter 2.23 is hereby added to the Code of Ordinances as set out in Exhibit "A," attached and incorporated herein. Section 3. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. Section 4. All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. Section 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This Ordinance shall become effective on March 1, 2015 and in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown. Ordinance Number: a0lC;-j:j Page 1 of 2 Description: Public Information Ordinance Date Approved:fia3 2015 PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the 10 day of .e 6yu 2015. 1 PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the _,)� day of 'Ft6m0wq, 2015. 1 F.-va-mu Je sic Brettle, Cr Secretary Bridget Chapni4fi, City Attorney THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN By: Dale Ross, Mayor Ordinance Number: aols�--O Page 2 of 2 Description: Public Information Ordinance Date Approved:F-e6pt.A61" 2015 It is the policy of the State of Texas that each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act ("the Act"), Texas Government Code, Chapter 552. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish authority and duties in accordance with the Act and provide for the creation of a city- wide Public Information Policy. ,,public Information" means all information collected, assembled, or maintained under a law or ordinance or in connection with the daily transaction of official business by the City government or for the City government and the City government owns the information or has aright of access to it. "Public Information Officer" means the City Manager as the City's chief administrative officer and any designated public information officer in the City's Public Information Policy. "Public Information Policy" means the city-wide policy established by the City Manager pursuant to this Chapter. A. The Public Information Policy shall establish the process for managing requests for Public Information consistent with the requirements of the Act, as may be amended in the future, and shall provide guidance to City employees, appointed and elected officials and the public. B. The Public Infon-nation Policy shall apply to all Public Information and be followed by all City employees. See. 2.23.40. City Manager's Duties and Authority. A. The City Manager shall be the City's official Public Information Officer under the Act. B. The City Manager shall establish a city-wide Public Information Policy consistent with the Act and implementing this Chapter. C. It is the responsibility of the City Manager to properly instruct all City employees regarding compliance with this Chapter, the Act and the Public Information Policy.