The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions. The more open a government is with its citizenry, the greater the understanding and participation of the public in government. The people’s right to know the process of governmental decision- making and to review the documents and statistics leading to determinations is basic to our society. Access to such information should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality. The legislature therefore declares that government is the public’s business and that the public, individually and collectively and represented by a free press, should have access to the records of government in accordance with the Freedom of Information Law.
Records Access Officers will have five (5) business days to respond to FOIL requests in writing and they must produce disclosable records within another twenty business days. If the records cannot be produced within this time frame, the Records Access Officer must provide the requester with a written notice as to the reason for the delay and a date, which must be reasonable dependent upon the circumstances, by which the records will be available. Any failure to comply with these regulations will be considered a denial, allowing a requester to begin the appeals process. Foil application (here)
All forms can be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk or by mail, fax or email
City Clerk’s Office
745 Main Street
Niagara Falls, New York 14301
Fax: (716) 286-4398
Email: city.clerk@niagarafallsny.gov