FOIL

Freedom of Information Law

The Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”), Article 6 (Section 84-90), of the NYS Public Officers Law, provides the public right to access to records maintained by government agencies with certain exceptions.

The purpose of FOIL is to provide the public with a process to gain access and information about the process of governmental decision making and to review 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.

FOIL Process-

Records Access Officers will have five (5) business days to respond to FOIL requests in writing.
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 written notice as to the reason for the delay and a date.
This must be reasonably 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.

To file a FOIL request, please fill out the form below and click submit upon completion.

City of Niagara Falls

FOIL Request

Contact Us

Records Requested From: *

First Name: *

Middle Initial:

Last Name: *

Email Address: *

Organization/Affiliation:

Address Line 1:

Address Line 2:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Country:

Contact Phone Number:

Phone Number *

Fax Number:

Free Text

*Short title of requested records:

Information provided here helps the City easily identify and categorize your request. *

*FOIL Request / Description of records sought:

Upload Document(s) in support of your FOIL request:

Upload File

Requested Response Format *

Free Text

Please note, fees may apply for certain response formats. The requester will be notified of the fee in advance of the completion of the request.

Free Text

Additional Information

I am requesting this information for the following reason (may select more than one): *

I am an individual seeking information for personal use

I am affiliated with an educational or non-commercial scientific institution, and this request is made for a scholarly or scientific purpose

I am a representative of, or affiliated with, the news media and this request is made as part of a news gathering effort

I am affiliated with a private corporation and am seeking information for use in the company's business for commercial purpose

I am affiliated with a private corporation and am seeking information for use in the company's business for non-commercial purpose

Free Text

The foregoing information will be used for statistical purposes.

If you have questions about submitting a FOIL request, you can contact the City Clerk’s office at 716-286-4398 or city.clerk@niagarafallsny.gov

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