HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.e. Data Practices ActMEMORANDUM
DATE: January 31, 2000
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
All City Commissions and Committees
FROM: Thomas D. Burt, City Administrator
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT DATA PRACTICES ACT
GOVERNMENT DATA PRACTICES PROVISIONS
One of the most complicated pieces of legislation ever passed
by the Minnesota Legislature is the Government Data Practices Act.
Questions and issues regarding this legislation and its application
to data maintained by the City are best answered on a case -by- case
basis, but the following are several general concepts intended to
give you a basic understanding of this legislation.
PURPOSE AND APPLICATION
The basic purpose of the Government Data: Practices Act is to
govern the treatment and distribution of all data. maintained by
governmental bodies in the .State of Minnesota. It essentially:
defines what data are public in nature and how a governmental body
must make the data available to the public. It also defines data
which are nonpublic and sets forth the protections which public
bodies must 'afford that data. The Act applies to all state
agencies, political subdivisions and state -wide systems.
APPLICATION TO CITY
Generally, most data maintained by the City of Rosemount will
be public as defined by the Act and, therefore, accessible to the
general public. However, certain personnel - related data on current
and potential city employees is not public, and council members
should confer with the City Attorney before releasing any personal
data in their possession to - the -public.
Additionally, certain law enforcement data such as information
that would identify victims or reporters of certain criminal Acts
and current vials involving investigations of persons who may be
charged with a crime are nonpublic.
Finally, certain educational, health, medical, welfare and
mental health data are not available to the public. ,.
Again, it is recommended that City Council members consult
with the. City Attorney on specific Data Practices issues, before
making decisions as to whether the data may orr.may not be released.
to the public.