139.08 AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC RECORDS.

   (a)   As used in this section:

      (1)   "Public record" means any record that is required to be kept by the City, except medical records, records pertaining to adoption, probation and parole proceedings, trial preparation records, confidential law enforcement investigatory records, and records the release of which is prohibited by State or Federal law.

      (2)   "Confidential law enforcement investigatory records" means any record that pertains to a law enforcement matter or a criminal, quasi-criminal, civil or administrative nature, but only to the extent that the release of the record would create a high probability of disclosure of any of the following:

         A.   The identity of a suspect who has not been charged with the offense to which the record pertains, or of an information source or witness to whom confidentiality has been reasonably promised;

         B.   Information provided by an information source or witness to whom confidentiality has been reasonably promised, which information would reasonably tend to disclose his identity;

         C.   Specific confidential investigatory techniques or procedures or specific investigatory work product; or

         D.   Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel, a crime victim, a witness or a confidential information source.

      (3)   "Medical record" means any document or combination of documents, except births, deaths and the fact of admission to or discharge from a hospital, that pertains to the medical history, diagnosis, prognosis or medical condition of a patient and that is generated and maintained in the process of medical treatment.

      (4)   "Trial preparation record" means any record that contains information that is specifically compiled in reasonable anticipation of, or in defense of, a civil or criminal action or proceeding, including the independent thought processes and personal trial preparation of an attorney.

   (b)   All public records shall be promptly prepared and made available to any member of the general public at all reasonable times for inspection. Upon request, a person responsible for public records shall make copies available at cost, within a reasonable period of time. In order to facilitate broader access to public records, the City shall maintain public records in such a manner that they can be made available for inspection in accordance with this section.

   (c)   Ohio R.C. Chapter 1347 pertaining to Personal Information Systems does not limit the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 81-88. Enacted 8-31-81.)