Due to public health concerns, CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS scheduled for the weeks of March 16 and March 23 are POSTPONED. The regular meeting of the FOI Commission scheduled for March 25, 2020, is CANCELED.

TO: Freedom of Information Commission
FROM: Thomas A. Hennick
RE: Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of April 22, 2015
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on April 22, 2015, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:13 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
    Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
      Commissioner Jay Shaw (participated via speakerphone)
     Commissioner Matthew Streeter
     Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
     Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler
     Commissioner Ryan P. Barry
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Clifton A. Leonhardt, Kathleen K. Ross, Tracie C. Brown, Lisa F. Siegel, Valicia D. Harmon, Paula S. Pearlman, Virginia Brown, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
     The Commissioners voted, 5-0, to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of April 8, 2015. Commissioner Winkler abstained.
     Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.
Ramon Lopez v. Chief, Police Department, City of Bridgeport; Police Department, City of Bridgeport; City of Bridgeport; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Ramon Lopez participated via speakerphone. Attorney Gregory Conte appeared on behalf of the Bridgeport respondents. Attorney Nicole Anker appeared on behalf of the Department of Correction respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Ramon Lopez v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Ramon Lopez participated via speakerphone. Attorney Nicole Anker appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Juan Maldonado v. Chief, Police Department, City of Hartford; Police Department, City of Hartford; and City of Hartford
     Juan Maldonado participated via speakerphone. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.  The proceedings were recorded digitally.
David Godbout v. Edward Meyer, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate
     David Godbout appeared on his own behalf. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s  Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
David Godbout v. Andrea Stillman, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate
     David Godbout appeared on his own behalf.  The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Mike Brodinsky v. Chairman, Public Utilities Commission, Town of Wallingford, Electric Division; and Public Utilities Commission, Town of Wallingford, Electric Division
     Mike Brodinsky appeared on his own behalf.  Attorney Janis Small appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 5-0, to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners voted, 5-0, to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* Commissioner Shaw did not participate in this matter.
Joe Wojtas and the New London Day v. Information Technology Director, Town of Stonington; First Selectman, Town of Stonington; and Town of Stonington
     Joe Wotjas appeared on behalf of the complainants.  Attorney Michael Estep appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*  The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioners Shaw and Barry did not participate in this matter.
Paul Baer v. Sara B. Laughlin, Chairman, Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; and Town of Thompson
     Paul Baer appeared on his own behalf.  Attorney Douglas Williams appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.* The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioners Shaw and Barry did not participate in this matter.
Paul Baer v. Paul Lenky, First Selectman, Town of Thompson; Kerstin Forrester, Shaina Smith, as members, Board of Selectmen, Town of Thompson; Board of Selectmen, Town of Thompson; and Town of Thompson
     Paul Baer appeared on his own behalf. Paul Lenky and Kerstin Forrester appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioners Shaw and Barry did not participate in this matter.
Paul Baer v. Sarah Laughlin, Chairperson, Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; Erica Groh and Linda Jarmolowicz, as members, Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; and Town of Thompson
     Paul Baer appeared on his own behalf.  Attorney Douglas Williams appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners voted, 4-0, to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally. Commissioners Shaw and Barry did not participate in this matter.
Walter Micowski v. Executive Director, Housing Authority, City of Meriden; and Housing Authority, City of Meriden
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Eva Maldonado v. President, Board of Representatives, City of Stamford; and Board of Representatives, City of Stamford
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
     Mary E. Schwind and Valicia D. Harmon reported on pending appeals.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported to commissioners that the annual FOI Conference on April 10 had drawn more than 150 attendees and had, from all reports, been very well received. She asked that Commissioners recognize the efforts of Attorney Tracie Brown, Attorney Lisa Siegel, Thomas Hennick and Cindy Cannata in planning, organizing and running a successful conference.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on legislation.
     The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m.

 ______________
Thomas A. Hennick

MINREGmeeting 04222015/tah/04242015
AMENDMENTS
Ramon Lopez v. Chief, Police Department, City of Bridgeport; Police Department, City of Bridgeport; City of Bridgeport; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     23. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE RESPONDENTS VIOLATED §1-210(a), AND 1-212 (a) G.S.  BY FAILING TO PROMPTLY PROVIDE THE COMPLAINANT WITH ALL THE NON-EXEMPT RECORDS HE REQUESTED.
     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:
5. The BRIDGEPORT respondents shall forthwith provide a copy of such redaction log and all affidavits to the complainant, free of charge.  The respondents shall forthwith also provide a copy of the redaction log, along with a copy of all non-exempt responsive records to the complainant, free of charge, via the Commissioner of the Department of Correction for review pursuant to §1-210(b)(18), G.S.
6. COUNSEL FOR THE BRIDGEPORT RESPONDENTS SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE COMMISSION OF THE BRIDGEPORT RESPONDENTS’ COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ORDER.
Ramon Lopez v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:

     18.  Applying the legal standard set forth in the two Commissioner decisions, cited in paragraphs 11 and 12, above, it is concluded that the reasons given by the respondents at the hearing in this matter regarding disclosure of information to inmates generally, are not “pretextual,” OR “irrational[,] .” [or “unreasonable.”] 
David Godbout v. Andrea Stillman, Member, State of Connecticut, Connecticut State Senate
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     The following order by the Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the above-captioned complaint:

     1. The respondent shall conduct a search for e-mails and other records responsive to the complainant’s request. ANY RESPONSIVE RECORDS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE COMPLAINANT FREE OF CHARGE.
Mike Brodinsky v. Chairman, Public Utilities Commission, Town of Wallingford, Electric Division; and Public Utilities Commission, Town of Wallingford, Electric Division
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     13. AT THE HEARING ON THIS MATTER , THE PARTIES INFORMED THE HEARING OFFICER, AND IT IS FOUND, THAT ON DECEMBER 2, 2014, THE RESPONDENTS PROVIDED THE COMPLAINANT WITH FOUR RECORDS THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN WITHHELD.
     14. [13.] Also at the hearing on this matter, and in their brief, the respondents claimed that the information that they redacted and the records THAT WERE NOW BEING [they] withheld are permissibly exempt from disclosure pursuant to §1-210(b)(4), G.S.
     15. [14.] However, the complainant contended at the hearing, and in his brief, that the records and information are more akin to pleadings and answers in a civil action than strategy and negotiations within the meaning of §1-210(b)(4), G.S.  THE COMPLAINANT FURTHER CONTENDED THAT THE RESPONDENTS UNDULY DELAYED PROVIDING THE FOUR RECORDS MENTIONED IN PARAGRAPH 13, ABOVE, AND THEREBY VIOLATED THE PROMPTNESS PROVISIONS OF §1-210(A), G.S.

     Paragraphs 15-19 are renumbered and are now 16-20.
     21. [20.] Based upon careful review of the in camera records described in paragraph 20 [19], above, it is found that, at the time of the request, such records and information pertained to “strategy” and “negotiations” with respect to a pending claim to which the respondents were a party within the meaning of §1-210(b)(4), G.S., and that they WERE [are] permissibly exempt from mandatory disclosure pursuant to such provisions at the time of the complainant’s request. 
     22. WITH RESPECT TO THE FOUR RECORDS PROVIDED TO THE COMPLAINANT ON DECEMBER 2, 2014, AS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH 13, ABOVE, IT IS FOUND, BASED ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CASE, THAT THE RESPONDENTS DID NOT UNDULY DELAY DISCLOSURE OF THOSE RECORDS.
     23. [21.] It is therefore concluded that the respondents did not violate the disclosure provisions of §§1-210(a) and 1-212(a), G.S., as alleged by the complainant.
Joe Wojtas and the New London Day v. Information Technology Director, Town of Stonington; First Selectman, Town of Stonington; and Town of Stonington
     The order in Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     3. Within two weeks of the date of the Notice of Final Decision in this matter, the respondents shall provide an unredacted copy of the email and cell phone messages, including the related cell phone numbers, if any, responsive to the request described in paragraph [2] 31, above, to the complainants, free of charge.
Paul Baer v. Sara B. Laughlin, Chairman, Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; Board of Assessment Appeals, Town of Thompson; and Town of Thompson
     The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     2. It is found that by e-mail dated [September] JUNE 13, 2014 the complainant appealed to this Commission alleging that the respondents violated the Freedom of Information (“FOI”) Act by failing to file the minutes for meetings held by the respondent board between March 4, 2014 and May 7, 2014 as required by §1-225(d), G.S.  The complainant requested the imposition of civil penalties.