FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Freedom of Information Act Requests

Question: How do I obtain a copy of a traffic crash report (UD-010)?

Answer: You can obtain a copy of a traffic crash report (UD-010) instantly by utilizing this link Accident Reports (Clemis).

To order online, you must have the following information: driver’s license number of one of the drivers involved in the crash, date of birth of a driver involved in the crash, and date of the crash OR the crash number, date of birth of a driver involved in the crash, and date of the crash. If you choose not to use the Crash Portal, you may alternatively submit your request by email, fax, mail, or in-person if you were involved in the crash.

Question: How do I obtain a copy of a Michigan criminal history?

Answer: You can obtain a copy of a Michigan criminal history instantly by utilizing the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). To order online, you must have the following information: the subjects first and last name, gender, and date of birth.

Question: How do I make a public records request?

Please visit https://cityofchelseamipd.nextrequest.com to submit your record requests with ease. Emailed, faxed, and mailed requests are always accepted as well.

Although no specific language is required to make a request for public records, the requester must at least identify the records requested with sufficient clarity to allow the City to identify, retrieve, and review the records. If it is not clear what records are being sought, the records custodian must contact the requester for clarification and should assist the requester in revising the request by informing the requester of the manner in which the office keeps its public records.

The law does require the requester's identity, address, and phone number or email address to be provided to the public body.

In processing the request, the City does not have an obligation to create new records or perform new analysis of existing information. An electronic record is deemed to exist so long as a computer is already programmed to produce the record through simple sorting, filtering, or querying. Although not required by law, the City of Chelsea may accommodate the requester by generating new records when it makes sense and is practical under the circumstances.

Question: Is there a fee for obtaining records? If so, what is the fee?

Answer: The fee varies based on the type of record and the labor costs for retrieval and review of the documents. As the fees vary, the City is not able to give an estimate of the fee until the request has been received. A requester may be required to pay in advance for costs involved in providing the copy. If a requester asks that documents be mailed, they may be charged the actual cost of the postage and mailing supplies. Other than the reproduction costs, there is no charge for documents emailed.

Question: I’ve been notified that a payment is required, how do I make payment?

Answer: Payments can be submitted via mail or in person to the City of Chelsea (City Offices) located at 305 S. Main Street Suite 100, Chelsea MI 48118. To ensure proper credit, please reference your FOIA number or enclose a copy of the fee or response letter with your payment if paying by cash or check. Credit card payments are now accepted and can be paid over the phone by calling the City Offices at 734-475-1771, option 0 for city staff. City Office hours are Mondays 8a-6p, and Tuesdays through Fridays 8a-4p.

Question: How long does it take to receive a response?

Answer: Once a request has been received, a response will be issued within 5 business days. The response may be a notice of extension allowing the City additional time to gather and review the responsive records. If there is a fee for obtaining the documents, payment must be received prior to the MSP producing the documents.

Question: Do you offer same-day service?

Answer: Sometimes a request can be reviewed and processed the same day; however due to the volume of Freedom of Information Act requests received, the potential to obtain documents from off- site locations, and the need to review and process exempt information, we may not have the ability to process same-day requests.

Question: I received a notice of extension, what does this mean?

Answer: A notice of extension is sent to the requestor when additional time is needed to process the request. The notice of extension will include the extension date, by which the City must issue a response to the request.

Question: Can the City deny a request?

Answer: Any denial of public records requested must include an explanation, including legal authority. If portions of a record are public and portions are exempt, the exempt portions may be redacted and the rest released. If there are redaction(s), there must be supporting explanation for the exemption from public disclosure. If the requester makes an ambiguous or overly broad request for public records, the request may be denied. The requester may be given an opportunity to revise the request by informing the requester of the manner in which records are maintained and accessed by the City of Chelsea.