City of Asheville Submitted: April 3, 2023 | Updated: May 30, 2023

(April 2023) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: All contracts / communications between Cole Pro Media and the City of Asheville. 01/13/2021 – present day.

Hello City of Asheville, NC Government (Records Officer),

I'd like to make a public records request for the following information under NC Public Records Law.
Ref: https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

A previous request for this info (but with a different timeline) was submitted via Sunshine Request to the City of Asheville / Terry White on June 17, 2020. That request was ultimately fulfilled by Liz Harper on January 14, 2021.

I’d now like to make that same request, but with the new timelines indicated below:

1. Please provide the copy of any contracts or other agreements between Cole Pro Media and the City of Asheville from 01/13/2021 to present day (date the query is run).

2. Please provide the copy of ALL emails, texts, or other communications between Cole Pro Media and any City of Asheville staff members from 01/13/2021 through the present day (date the query is run). This request is not subject or keyword specific.

3. Please provide the copy of ALL emails, texts, or other communications between Cole Pro Media and any members of Asheville City Council from 01/13/2021 through the present day (date the query is run). This request is not subject or keyword specific.

** Please note: I am not requesting to come in person to inspect, nor to obtain printed copies of, these electronic records. In accordance with NC Public Records Law, I’m requesting explicitly that all responsive records be provided via an electronic medium / format (in which the records should already exist), such as an email, file share, google drive folder, mailed flash drive if necessary, etc.

I do not have any additional or further clarifying info to provide other than what you see in the message above. If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for its denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**
——————

** Please note that by submitting this request, I am NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it is not possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I can respond.

This request has been sent solely from the email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me or my Team. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.

Thank you for your assistance!

Editor’s Note: Sunshine Request makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.

Editor’s Note to Sender 04/03/23 : (Not including the request above) — Since June 2020 we have fulfilled 4 requests related to similar subject matter. For reference, you can view all of those requests at the following URLs:

https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/june-2020-request-for-contracts-communications-between-cole-pro-media-and-the-city-of-asheville-nc/

https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/january-2021-request-for-all-contracts-invoices-between-city-of-asheville-nc-cole-pro-media-and-related-companies-01-01-19-present/

https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/june-2022-request-for-city-of-asheville-nc-government-all-current-contracts-between-city-of-asheville-and-cole-pro-media-and-related-companies-as-of-present-day/

https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/august-2022-request-for-city-of-asheville-nc-government-all-past-and-current-contracts-between-city-of-asheville-and-cole-pro-media-and-related-companies/

Status: Government Processing Request

Activity:

  • May 30, 2023 12:41 pm

    1 week ago

    **05/30/23 Editor’s Note: This records request is now #25 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue”. Thank you for using Sunshine Request!


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • May 15, 2023 11:17 am

    3 weeks ago

    **05/15/23 Editor’s Note: This records request is now #26 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue”. Thank you for using Sunshine Request!


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 28, 2023 12:51 pm

    1 month ago

    **04/28/23 Editor’s Note: On 04/04/23 we received the following from Allison in response to one of our records requests:

     

    “From now on, all requests for communications – including emails, text messages, Google Chat messages, voicemails, etc. – will be processed in the order received.” … ”you can check the position of your request at any time using the City of Asheville Communications Search Queue (formerly the City of Asheville Email Search Queue). I appreciate your understanding as I work to fulfill public records requests equitably and as promptly as possible. Thank you!”

     

    Our records request above is now #31 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue”.

     

    Thank you for using Sunshine Request!


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 6, 2023 3:49 pm

    2 months ago

    **04/06/23 Editor’s Note: On 04/04/23 we received the following from Allison in response to one of our records requests:

     

    “From now on, all requests for communications – including emails, text messages, Google Chat messages, voicemails, etc. – will be processed in the order received.” … ”you can check the position of your request at any time using the City of Asheville Communications Search Queue (formerly the City of Asheville Email Search Queue). I appreciate your understanding as I work to fulfill public records requests equitably and as promptly as possible. Thank you!”

     

    Our records request above is now #32 on the City’s “Communications Search Queue”.

     

    Thank you for using Sunshine Request!


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 6, 2023 1:31 pm

    2 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Apr 6, 2023, 1:31 PM
    subject: Re: [External Message Added] City of Asheville public records request #23-185

     

    Sounds good – Thank you Allison! 🙂

     

    ~ The Sunshine Request Team


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 5, 2023 3:12 pm

    2 months ago

    from: City of Asheville Public Records <[email protected]
    to: [email protected]
    date: Apr 5, 2023, 3:12 PM
    subject: [External Message Added] City of Asheville public records request #23-185

     

    City of Asheville Public Records

     

    A message was sent to you regarding record request #23-185:

     

    Good afternoon, Lauren & the Sunshine Team,

     

    Just wanted to acknowledge that I received your message and let you know that once the email search for this request has been completed and reviewed, I will include all contracts in a subfolder of the Google Drive folder before providing you with the link. If you have any questions, please reply to this message or contact [email protected]. Thank you.

     


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 5, 2023 2:14 pm

    2 months ago

    from: Sunshine Request <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Apr 5, 2023, 2:14 PM
    subject: Re: [External Message Added] City of Asheville public records request #23-185

     

    Hi Allison,

     

    Thank you for sharing that info. I’ve noted it on our site.

     

    I do want to also clarify the following info, both for your benefit, as well for the users on our site:

     

    Our recent request #23-185 calls for a “Copy of any contracts or other agreements between Cole Pro Media and the City of Asheville. Copy of ALL emails, texts, or other communications between Cole Pro Media and any City of Asheville staff members. Copy of ALL emails, texts, or other communications between Cole Pro Media and any members of Asheville City Council.” All during the period of 01/13/2021 through the present day.

     

    We understand you feel some aspects of that request have been answered via other Next Requests. However, as our new request has not been completed in its entirety — it would be most organized, efficient, and clear if you can please proceed to fulfill the original request as written, and please provide those responsive records in their entirety.

     

    Thank you!

    ——-

     

    This does not need a response, but I want to also note the following regarding the 4 other Next Requests you referenced. Those were previously fulfilled by your office, and only one was sent from our Team:

     

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/21-97

    Submitted on September 21, 2021. The request was specifically related only to “All emails to or from Cole Pro Media.”, “updated contract with Cole Pro Media, including the latest payments that might exceed an original contract” , Travel expenses for APD Chief, AFD Chief, and City Manager. From Sept. 21, 2020 to whatever was the present date at the time.

     

    (There is info publicly visible on NR to indicate when you actually completed the request. But, it looks like the last document you sent was on January 07, 2022 and the additional files via the Google link you sent, has “details” indicating those were sent and “modified” in some way on April 22, 2022).

     

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/22-139

    Submitted on March 24, 2022. The request was specifically related only to “all contracts between APD and Cole Pro Media”.

     

    (There is no info publicly visible on NR to indicate when you actually completed the request. But, it looks like the last document you sent was on March 28, 2022).

     

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/22-198

    Submitted on April 19, 2022. The request was specifically related only to emails between APD and Cole Pro Media, and materials created by Cole Pro Media for APD. From Jan. 01, 2022 to whatever was the present date at the time.

     

    (There is info publicly visible on NR to indicate when you actually completed the request. But, it looks like the Google link you sent has file “details” indicating those documents were sent and last “modified” on September 07, 2022).

     

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/22-434
    Submitted by Sunshine Request on August 30, 2022. This request was specifically related only to “ALL past and current contracts between the City of Asheville and Cole Pro Media, Cole Pro Media, LLC, Critical Incident Videos, Critical Incident Videos, LLC, and any other related companies” … “all contracts in effect at any time”. From January 01, 2020 to whatever was the present date at the time.

     

    (Because it is our request, we know that the last document was sent on September 02, 2022 and the request was also completed on that day).

    ——-

     

    Thank you for your time.

     

    ~ Lauren (and the Sunshine Request Team)


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 4, 2023 1:02 pm

    2 months ago

    from: City of Asheville Public Records <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Apr 4, 2023, 1:02 PM
    subject: [External Message Added] City of Asheville public records request #23-185

     

    City of Asheville Public Records

     

    A message was sent to you regarding record request #23-185:

     

    Sunshine Request,

    I just wanted to let you know that some of the records you requested were previously requested and provided and are therefore already publicly available in the NextRequest portal. Specifically, some of the records you are requesting can be found by searching the following requests: 21-97, 22-139, 22-198, and 22-434.

     

    View Request 23-185

    https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/23-185

     

     

    **Editor’s Note: We looked up all of the NextRequest numbers Allison referenced in her email:

     

    1. https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/21-97

    2. https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/22-139

    3. https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/22-198

    4. https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/22-434

     

    Request #22-434 referenced above was a request made through our site which can also be viewed here: https://www.sunshinerequest.com/records_request/august-2022-request-for-city-of-asheville-nc-government-all-past-and-current-contracts-between-city-of-asheville-and-cole-pro-media-and-related-companies/


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 4, 2023 12:56 pm

    2 months ago

    from: City of Asheville Public Records <[email protected]>
    to: [email protected]
    date: Apr 4, 2023, 12:56 PM
    subject: [External Message Added] City of Asheville public records request #23-185

     

    City of Asheville Public Records

     

    A message was sent to you regarding record request #23-185:

     

    Your public records request has been received by the City of Asheville and has been assigned to the appropriate person(s) for processing. Once processing is complete, you will receive any responsive records.

     

    Requests for communications are processed in the order received. Your request is number 33 in the search queue; you can view the queue document at any time to see the position of your request. Once the communication records are collected and reviewed, you will receive any responsive records.

     

    Please reply to this message or contact [email protected]v if you have any questions.

     


    Status: Government Processing Request
  • April 4, 2023 12:27 pm

    2 months ago

    **Editor’s Note: This request was sent in via Asheville City Government’s public records request portal. As we receive updates, we will post them here on our website. This request can also be seen on NextRequest here: https://cityofashevillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/23-185

    Thank you for using Sunshine Request!

     

    Hello City of Asheville, NC (Records Officer),

     

    I’d like to make a public records request for information that may be available in your office.

     

    If you’re not the appropriate party to contact about the request, please provide the correct name and email address of whom I should send it to.

     

    Please confirm receipt to let me know the request will begin processing, and if possible, please provide a rough estimate of when the request may be completed. I will plan on following up again in mid-April if I have not heard back before then.

     

    Here are the details of the request:

     

    Subject: (April 2023) Request for City of Asheville, NC Government: All contracts / communications between Cole Pro Media and the City of Asheville. 01/13/2021 – present day.

     

    Message: “Hello City of Asheville, NC Government (Records Officer),

     

    I’d like to make a public records request for the following information under NC Public Records Law.

     

    Ref: https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_132.html

     

    A previous request for this info (but with a different timeline) was submitted via Sunshine Request to the City of Asheville / Terry White on June 17, 2020. That request was ultimately fulfilled by Liz Harper on January 14, 2021.

     

    I’d now like to make that same request, but with the new timelines indicated below:

     

    1. Please provide the copy of any contracts or other agreements between Cole Pro Media and the City of Asheville from 01/13/2021 to present day (date the query is run).

     

    2. Please provide the copy of ALL emails, texts, or other communications between Cole Pro Media and any City of Asheville staff members from 01/13/2021 through the present day (date the query is run). This request is not subject or keyword specific.

     

    3. Please provide the copy of ALL emails, texts, or other communications between Cole Pro Media and any members of Asheville City Council from 01/13/2021 through the present day (date the query is run). This request is not subject or keyword specific.

     

    ** Please note: I am not requesting to come in person to inspect, nor to obtain printed copies of, these electronic records. In accordance with NC Public Records Law, I’m requesting explicitly that all responsive records be provided via an electronic medium / format (in which the records should already exist), such as an email, file share, google drive folder, mailed flash drive if necessary, etc.

     

    I do not have any additional or further clarifying info to provide other than what you see in the message above. If you are unable to fulfill any or all parts of this request, please specifically cite where a reason for its denial is justified under NC Public Records Law.**

    ——————

     

    ** Please note that by submitting this request, I am NOT agreeing to pay any potential fees or associated costs related to my request. If it is not possible to process the request without incurring fees, then please let me know the itemized potential cost and explanations for those charges upfront, and DO NOT proceed until I can respond.

     

    This request has been sent solely from the email address [email protected] . If anyone other than that email address contacts you to pursue a similar request, it did not come from me or my Team. Please do not commingle or treat that as an alteration or cancellation of my request – I intend to continue to pursue my request.

     

    Thank you for your assistance!”

     

    Thank you!

     

    ** Sunshine Request (www.sunshinerequest.com) makes no claim as to the veracity of any statements or information contained in any of the requests, or public records, we receive.


    Status: Sent to Government
  • April 3, 2023 4:41 pm

    2 months ago

    Submitted to Sunshine Request
    Status: Pending