Aldermen are considering a proposal that would strip the city clerk of his powers relating to public records requests, setting up a power struggle between the city’s elected officials.
Aldermen will discuss a proposal by Mayor Steve Hagerty to split up responsibilities granted under the Freedom of Information Act, which all currently fall under the city clerk’s office. The measure, to be considered by aldermen at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, would split the role between four officers, effectively depriving city clerk Devon Reid of his independent power related to FOIA requests.
The proposal comes about two weeks after Reid filed a suit against the city to determine his rights as a FOIA officer. In the suit, he claims he has been denied access to unedited information requested by the public. Reid is currently the sole FOIA officer for the city. (Read more here…)