Policy Summary

In compliance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and the Ohio Sunshine Laws, the City of Shaker Heights allows for prompt inspection of its public records or provides copies of its public records within a reasonable period of time.

A “record” is any item that:

1. Contains information stored on a fixed medium (such as paper, computer, film, etc.);
2. Is created, received, or sent under the jurisdiction of the City’s municipal government; AND
3. Documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations or other activities of the City government. 

Some records may be confidential and exempt from disclosure.Whether a record is exempt from disclosure depends on federal, state, and local laws and policies. If a public record has information that is exempt from disclosure, the City will provide all other non-exempt information.

Public records are available for inspection during regular business hours. Please contact the Public Records Manager for the City department that most likely retains your particular record. If you are unsure who to initially contact, you may contact the City’s Law Department.

Before inspecting or requesting copies of the City’s public records, determine if the records are already available for review on our website.

Requests for public records are not required to be in writing. However, a specific description of the record requested, and in particular a specific request and description in writing, does facilitate record production and ultimately saves time for the requester. If an ambiguous or overly broad request is made, the City may deny the request but shall provide the requester an opportunity to revise it by informing the requester of the manner in which the records are maintained and accessed by others.

Although the City may not charge a person to inspect its records, it may charge for the actual costs associated with producing a copy of that record. The City may require prepayment of all costs. Copies are typically available on whatever medium on which they are stored as part of the City’s normal business operations. If requested, copies may be mailed by ordinary U.S. mail and reasonable costs may be assessed for postage and mailing supplies. 

View the City's full Public Records Policy.

Public Records Managers:

Department	Manager
Building	Lori Hammer, 216-491-1468
Chief Administrator's Office	Mary Murphy, 216-491-1421
Communications & Outreach	Kim Golem, 216-491-1419
Community Life	Annette Szalay, 216-491-2580
Economic Development	Mary Murphy, 216-491-1421
Finance	Gail Little, 216-491-1422
Fire	Jan Hetzel, 216-491-3251
Health	Sandi Hurley, 216-491-1481
Housing	Joanne Dutches, 216-491-1469
Human Resources	Cait Farrell, 216-491-1427
Information Technology	Mindi Orth, 216-491-1378
Law	Kathy Liebling, 216-491-3213
Mayor's Office	Karin Petrosky, 216-491-3215
Neighborhood Revitalization	Anita White, 216-491-1370
Planning	Kelly Beck, 216-491-3216
Police	Steven Hammett, 216-491-1225 Karen Traylor, 216-491-3134
Public Works	Shirley Dheel, 216-491-3281