Berkeley Improves Online Searches Of City Records

BERKELEY, CA – The City of Berkeley announced this month that it launched a new online portal to improve access to city records.

"Users can now search narrowly or widely by selecting specific queries for certain document types such as minutes, resolutions, ordinances, staff reports, commission minutes, election results and voter pamphlets, and city contracts," the city said.

These queries now have additional search criteria available to users to help them refine their searches and find documents easier.

"You can search for staff reports by department," officials said. "You can also select the type of contract. If you're unsure of a spelling, you can also search for a term that 'sounds like' what you're looking for. Some terms may not be placed in the order you believe, so you can also use a 'near' search, which finds words in close proximity."

"Records Online" provides access to such documents as city council minutes, resolutions, ordinances, staff reports, commission minutes, election results, voter pamphlets and city contracts. Minutes and ordinances date back to the early 1900s, resolutions go back to 1984, and staff reports are available from 2005 to present.

To learn more, view a full list of all the documents stored in Records Online, or click here to check out the new Records Online portal.

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