(1) Persons wishing to inspect or copy City records shall first make such request to the City Clerk or the department head of the City department which maintains the requested records. If the requester does not know which department maintains the records, the request shall be made to the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall direct the requester to the appropriate department. All assistance necessary to help the requester locate the particular record shall be provided promptly either by the City Clerk or by the particular department maintaining the records. The provision of such assistance shall not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of the City Clerk, the department, or the assisting employee.

(2) The City Clerk or other City employee shall not distinguish among persons requesting records. Persons requesting records shall not be required to provide information as to the purpose for the request, except to establish whether the inspection or copying would violate RCW 42.17.260(5) or other statute or ordinance which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records to certain persons. (Ord. 57-97 § 6)