Right-to-Know Law

Open Records Policy PDF

Right-to-Know Request

REQUEST SUBMITTED BY: E-MAIL/ONLINE FORM

Date of Request

FIRST NAME OF REQUESTER

LAST NAME OF REQUESTER

STREET ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

ZIP

Phone Number

Street Address Associated with Request

If Applicable

Detailed Request

Provide as much specific detail as possible so the agency can identify the information. Text box is expandable for longer requests.

DO YOU WANT COPIES? YES NO

DO YOU WANT TO INSPECT THE RECORDS INSTEAD OF HARD COPIES? YES NO

INSTRUCTIONS WILL PICK UP EMAIL MAIL

ALL REQUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE CITY SOLICITOR. A RESPONSE WILL BE MADE WITHIN 5 TO 30 DAYS

Consent agreement I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANONYMOUS SUBMISSIONS AND CASES CURRENTLY UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DENIED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DOCUMENT I AM RECEIVING MAY BE INCOMPLETE OR MAY HAVE TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER DOCUMENTS TO HAVE A COMPLETE AND TOTAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CITY’S REGULATORY UNDERPINNINGS. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY IS REQUIRED TO CHARGE ME FOR THIS REQUEST.

On January 1, 2009, a new Right-to-Know Law (the “RTKL”) took effect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under this statute (Act 3), public records of the City of Altoona, and all municipalities, are generally available to the public who request them. The City of Altoona, and all municipalities, are required to make available for public inspection, records which meet the generally outlined qualifications set forth in the Act. For more information regarding the Act go to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records website: www.openrecords.pa.gov

PUBLIC RECORD

The Right-to-Know Law defines a public record as information, which documents a transaction or activity of the City, and that is created, received or retained pursuant to law or in connection with a transaction, business or activity of the City.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS

Criminal investigative records related to open criminal investigations will be denied under the Right to Know Law.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDINGS

Law Enforcement recordings to include any audio or video recording made by a law enforcement agency under Act 22 of 2017 must use the Law Enforcement Recording Request Form – Act 22 of 2017. The PA Right to Know Law does not apply to such recordings. Act 22 requires requests to be submitted in person or by certified mail. Requests must be submitted within 60 days of the event, recorded on the Act 22 Form, with ALL of the information provided. The City of Altoona has 30 calendar days to respond. For more information on Pennsylvania Law and Act 22 Audio or Video Recordings go to www.openrecords.pa.gov

REQUESTS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Requests for public records must be made in writing by completing and submitting the City’s Right to Know Request Form. The City of Altoona will also accept the Commonwealth of PA Office of Open Records Form as required.

All such requests should be submitted to the City of Altoona’s Open Records Officer:

City of Altoona
Open Records Officer
1301 12th Street, Suite 100
Altoona, PA 16601

online: https://www.altoonapa.gov/rtkl This is a fillable, submittable form

email the Commonwealth form to: cityclerk@altoonapa.gov

A hard copy of the form is available at City Hall.

ANONYMOUS REQUESTS

The City of Altoona will not respond to anonymous or AI generated requests for records. Requestors must provide current date, valid name, address, phone number and email address.

RESPONSE

The City will respond to your request in the manner required by the Act.

FEES

Paper copies - 25 cents per page

Color copies - 35 cents per page

Plus the actual cost for postage if mailing is requested.

Certification is an additional charge of $3.00 per document. Fees are payable to:

City of Altoona

Open Records Officer
1301 12th Street, Suite 100
Altoona, PA 16601

If the fee associated with a Right-to-Know request is anticipated to be greater than $100.00, the fee must be paid in advance before the City is obligated to distribute the records.

APPEALS

If your request is denied follow the appeals process on the PA Open Records Website www.openrecords.pa.gov

Open Records Policy PDF