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Brentwood staff seek updates to open records policy after Missouri Sunshine Law changes; research charge increased
Summary
Staff outlined recent changes to the Missouri Sunshine Law that expand exemptions and clarified request timelines and fees; the commission voted unanimously to forward an amended open meetings and records policy to the Board of Aldermen and noted the city will raise the records research charge from $20.08 to $44.38.
City staff told the Ways & Means Commission on April 2 that recent amendments to the Missouri Sunshine Law require updates to the city's Open Meetings and Records Policy (codified in Chapter 145).
Staff described new or clarified exemptions that include reports of allegations of improper governmental activities, records identifying security systems and access codes, records that contain protected information for minors under 18, certain customer information used for parks facility reservations, and information regarding endangered plant or animal species. The changes also clarify timelines and fees for public-records requests, including specified timeframes when clarifications are requested and requirements for payment prior to fulfillment when fees exceed certain thresholds.
Alderman Sullivan Erger moved and Alderman Jeff Gould seconded a motion to amend the city policy to reflect the Sunshine Law changes and forward the policy to the Board of Aldermen; the commission approved the motion unanimously. Staff also noted an administrative change to the research charge for records requests, updating the hourly rate from $20.08 to $44.38, with the rate to be updated annually to reflect salary changes.
The amendment was forwarded to the Board of Aldermen for consideration; no final ordinance was adopted at the commission meeting.
