RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The City of Richmond has announced that it will pilot a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reading Room with records pertaining to the water crisis. The act allows the public to request records or free entry to some meetings from "public bodies" unless there is an exemption. According to an announcement by the city in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 1, the reading room contains documents "of substantial public interest" that were previously released under FOIA. As of 2 p.m. on April 1, documents listed on the room's page of the city's website include inspection records, response plans, an assessment of the water treatment plant and more. City officials, the FOIA manager and subject matter experts will reportedly determine whether a record is of substantial public interest and included in the FOIA Reading Room. In addition, a city spokesperson said all city directors and deputy directors will now be required to take a mandatory annual FOIA training "to ensure that every city department knows the importance of timely, complete and accurate responses to FOIA requests." As of reporting, since the water crisis, the city's FOIA team has reportedly responded to 61 water-related FOIA requests. Twenty-two people have requested records. Of those, the city took the seven-day extension on 46 requests -- amounting to about 75% -- and responded late, after the required deadline, five times, according to the city. Across all requests, as of reporting, the city has reportedly charged requesters about $1,440. The city provided the following guidance regarding FOIA requests: State law requires the city to respond to FOIA requests within five business days—which doesn’t include days the city isn’t open, like weekends or holidays. If needed, the city can take a seven-business-day extension.  Some records can be redacted or withheld (either partially or entirely). When this occurs, the city must provide a written response stating the specific section of the Code of Virginia that allows the withholding.  The Code of Virginia specifies several reasons a record may be redacted or withheld. During the Water Crisis, the city cited those exemptions and withheld records that contained: “information...which would jeopardize the safety or security of any person; governmental facility” (§ 2.2-3705.2),   "working papers and correspondence of the…mayor or chief executive officer of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth" (§ 2.2-3705.7)  “Written advice of legal counsel to…local public bodies or the officers or employees of such public bodies, and any other records protected by the attorney-client privilege" (§ 2.2-3705.1).  The city can charge for the actual costs of responding to FOIA requests, including staff time spent searching for and reviewing the requested records.   Costs are charged at lowest hourly rate of the staff member capable of fulfilling the request. The highly technical and sensitive nature of some records occasionally require subject matter experts, deputy directors, or even department directors to pull records.  The city’s FOIA team will regularly work with requester to narrow the scope of their requests. This saves the requester money and helps ensure efficient use of staff time and retrieval of information that accurately addresses the individual’s request.  ...read more read less