The Powell City Clerk is appointed by City Council and serves as clerk to Council. As a part of these duties, the Clerk prepares and posts agendas and legislation, attends meetings and prepares minutes. All correspondence for City Council members may be directed through the Clerk.
The City Clerk also publishes all public notices as required by law.
The City Clerk is the custodian of all City documents and public records. The City of Powell, through the Clerk, will make public records available upon request. The fees for copying of documents are the actual costs as set forth in the current Fee Schedule(PDF, 647KB) for the City of Powell. Complete details regarding the availability of public records may be found in the City of Powell Public Records Policy(PDF, 36KB). Ohio’s Public Records Act (Revised Code 149.43) gives “any person” access to government records. The act establishes the legal duties of a public office, the rights and obligations of a requester, and what a requester can do if an office violates the act. The act also exempts certain records and information from disclosure.
Requests for records may be made in person between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, by phone, fax or online through NextRequest. A written request is not required but will help staff facilitate the request for public records. Refusal to complete a request form does not impair the requestor's right to inspect and/or receive copies of the public record. (O.R.C. 149.43 (B)(5))
Visit the City's public records portal, NextRequest, to make your request. Requests by mail, phone, fax, email or in person are also accepted, but will be entered into the portal for processing.
Anyone may initiate a request for public records.
Public Records requests may be used to obtain "agency records," which include a wide variety of documents and other materials (including print, photographic, and electronic formats) that were created or obtained by a city agency and are, at the time the request is filed, in the City's possession and control. The Public Records Act excludes certain categories of records from disclosure.
The City responds within a reasonable timeframe by:
• Providing the record(s) or a link to the record(s)
• Acknowledging receipt of the request and providing a reasonable estimate of the time the city will need to respond to the request
• Denying the records request
If a requestor does not receive a response within five days, please contact the Clerk.
The City charges the following for copies of records:
There is no fee for inspecting public records.
For large requests, the City may:
Require a deposit of up to ten percent of estimated cost
Provide records in installments
Require advance payment before providing further installments
For the full list of fees, visit the City's Fee Schedule.
General City Requests: City Clerk Elaine McCloskey
Police Requests: Police Clerk Sarah McNeil
The Ohio Public Records Act, R.C. 149.43, provides that a number of document types and information are prohibited from being disclosed or are exempt from public inspection and copying (see OH Attorney General’s Exemption List).
The City’s retention schedule is reviewed and approved by the Ohio History Connection, State Archives Local Government Records Program.
View the retention schedule.
You are not required to provide your name and contact information when submitting a request. If you submit a request without contact information, the portal will not allow you to receive updates for your request and you will not be able to log in to access documents. It will be your responsibility to check the portal for records that are posted publicly on the portal in response to your request. If the City needs clarification on your request in order to respond to your request and you provide no way to contact you, your request may be closed without a response.
Clerk of Council 614.885.5380 ext. 1002 emccloskey@cityofpowell.us
Legislation
Public Records Request
Ohio Revised Code for Public Records