L.A. Complaints Tracking System database documentation
| Submitted | Jan. 26, 2019 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Ben Welsh
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
All documentation, schema, and data dictionaries about the "Dynamics - CTS (Complaints Tracking System)" described in city application portfolio posted at https://data.lacity.org/A-Well-Run-City/Application-Portfolio/qzxk-wqtd
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Ben Welsh
From:
I am out of the office, returning on Monday 28th, 2019.
For IT Professional Contract requests, please contact Maryam Abbassi at 213-473-9797, or email at Maryam.Abbassi@lacity.org in an emergency, or leave me a message, I will contact you upon my return. (mailto:Maryam.Abbassi@lacity.org)
For CPRA matters, please leave me a message, and I will contact you upon my return,
Please note that every other Monday is my Regular Day Off (RDO).
Thank you.
--
Kuljeet Arora
Sr. Systems Analyst II
Information Technology Agency
200 N. Main St, CHE, 14th floor (14-171)
Los Angeles, CA 90012 213.922-8307 | Kuljeet.Arora@ lacity.org (mailto:greg.kung@lacity.org) * a department of 'City of Los Angeles' 'Please note that every other Monday is my Regular Day Off'
"Teaching and Learning Are Lifelong Journeys". ~ Author Unknown Please consider the environment before printing this email
From: Los Angeles Information Technology Agency
Hello Mr. Welsh,
ITA received your CPRA request for the Dynamics - CTS (Complaints Tracking
System)" - to provide you the All documentation, schema, and data
dictionaries about the system.
The information that you see the city application portfolio posted at
https://data.lacity.org/A-Well-Run-City/Application-Portfolio/qzxk-wqtd is
the information we can provide.
What we post in the App Portfolio ODP DS (open data portal) is all that
we'll give out to folks, for cybersecurity reasons. Detailed knowledge of
the data schemas and technical specifics to the operating/program platforms
is like a "road map" for hackers.
Additionally, we're utilizing the Microsoft Dynamics platform, which the
City uses on a subscription basis - we do not own, nor have access to the
technical specifics of the Dynamics platform.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Thank you
Sincerely
--
Kuljeet Arora
Sr. Systems Analyst II
Information Technology Agency***
200 N. Main St, CHE, 14th floor (14-171)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
*(:213.922-8307 | *: Kuljeet.Arora@lacity.org <greg.kung@lacity.org>*
** a department of 'City of Los Angeles'*
*'Please note that every other Monday is my Regular Day Off'*
"Teaching and Learning Are Lifelong Journeys".
~ Author Unknown
-
* P Please consider the environment before printing this email *
From: Ben Welsh
Kuljeet,
Thank you for the prompt response. While I appreciate your interest in security, a total denial of this request is not in keeping with the past practice of your department, nor is it in keeping with the California Public Records Act and how it is routinely applied across the state.
In past years, I have requested table layouts and other documentation for databases maintained by your department, such as the 911 call management system. I have done with the same other city departments, such as the Housing Department's rental inspection database. In all cases I have received the documentation. Some government agencies even go so far as to publish their table schemas and data dictionaries online for anyone to search and find. I can provide you examples if that would be helpful.
This is routine because there is no threat in releasing basic metadata about a database. To be clear, I am not asking for passwords, private APIs or other sensitive information.
So I urge you to reconsider. I suggest a short telephone call to outline what precisely I'm seeking and potentially narrow the scope so that it does not include anything you view as unsafe to release.
Please let me know as soon as possible,
Ben Welsh.
From: Los Angeles Information Technology Agency
Hello Mr. Welsh,
I will be happy to discuss this with you over the phone if you would like,
please be advised that we are utilizing the Microsoft Dynamics platform,
which the City uses on a subscription basis - we do not own, nor have
access to the technical specifics of the Dynamics platform.
Do you still think that we can provide the information that you are
seeking!?
Please let me know.
Thank you
Sincerely
--
Kuljeet Arora
Sr. Systems Analyst II
Information Technology Agency***
200 N. Main St, CHE, 14th floor (14-171)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
*(:213.922-8307 | *: Kuljeet.Arora@lacity.org <greg.kung@lacity.org>*
** a department of 'City of Los Angeles'*
*'Please note that every other Monday is my Regular Day Off'*
"Teaching and Learning Are Lifelong Journeys".
~ Author Unknown
-
* P Please consider the environment before printing this email *
From: Ben Welsh
Yes. I'd still like to have the call. Is there a time today that would work for you?
From: Los Angeles Information Technology Agency
I am available now, 213.922.8307.
Thank you
--
Kuljeet Arora
Sr. Systems Analyst II
Information Technology Agency***
200 N. Main St, CHE, 14th floor (14-171)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
*(:213.922-8307 | *: Kuljeet.Arora@lacity.org <greg.kung@lacity.org>*
** a department of 'City of Los Angeles'*
*'Please note that every other Monday is my Regular Day Off'*
"Teaching and Learning Are Lifelong Journeys".
~ Author Unknown
-
* P Please consider the environment before printing this email *
From: Los Angeles Information Technology Agency
Hello,
I didn't get a call from you.
I am also available today after 1:00 p.m. pacific time and can be reached
at 213-922-6307. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you
--
Kuljeet Arora
Sr. Systems Analyst II
Information Technology Agency***
200 N. Main St, CHE, 14th floor (14-171)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
*(:213.922-8307 | *: Kuljeet.Arora@lacity.org <greg.kung@lacity.org>*
** a department of 'City of Los Angeles'*
*'Please note that every other Monday is my Regular Day Off'*
"Teaching and Learning Are Lifelong Journeys".
~ Author Unknown
-
* P Please consider the environment before printing this email *
Files
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