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Linden council votes to waive FOIA fees for two budget items after mayor abstains
Summary
After extended public comments and discussion about recordkeeping and fees, the Linden City Council voted 5–0 (Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong abstained) to waive FOIA fees for records related to a fire truck and the Mill building, and agreed to add FOIA process review to a future agenda.
Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong opened the July 13 Linden City Council meeting and later recused herself from a vote after distributing a written statement about her FOIA fee appeal. City Manager Ellen Glass reviewed FOIA policy, explained the timing of multiple requests and outlined budget-related considerations for charging fees.
Councilor Brad Dick moved, with a second from Councilor Denise Miller, to waive fees for the FOIA requests related to the fire truck and the Mill building on grounds those are budgetary items that Council should be able to review. The motion passed on roll call 5–0 with Armstrong recorded as abstaining. Earlier in the meeting, the Council also approved a conditional motion (carried 5–0 with one abstention) that would release materials if the Mayor withdrew an appeal in writing and added FOIA process to an upcoming agenda.
Public commenters urged transparency and raised concerns about inconsistent FOIA charges and recordkeeping. Fire Chief Brian Will addressed the scope of records about fire runs, redaction and cost considerations during the discussion. City Manager Glass said staff would return with FOIA-process discussion and timing for any formal policy changes.
What happens next: Council directed staff to place FOIA process and procedures on a future agenda so members can consider revisions; the fee waivers apply only to the two identified budget items discussed at the meeting.
