Coblentz v. City of Novi

This case asks us to determine if the trial court appropriately found requested documents exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. We address also whether it was appropriate for defendant to charge fees to plaintiffs for the work of defendant’s attorney in retrieving and separating documents plaintiffs sought under the act.

This case revolves around an underlying settlement agreement between defendant and a third party. Plaintiffs filed a FOIA request for documents associated with the agreement. Requested were “site plans” and “global readings” on…