Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Freedom of Information Conference. Missed it? Click here to watch a replay via CT-N

TO: Freedom of Information Commission
FROM: Thomas A. Hennick
RE: Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of December 17, 2014
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on December 17, 2014, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:06 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:
     Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding
     Commissioner Jonathan J. Einhorn
     Commissioner Matthew Streeter
     Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins
     Commissioner Michael C. Daly
     Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler
     Commissioner Ryan P. Barry
     Commissioner Francis J. Brady
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Kathleen K. Ross, Tracie C. Brown, Lisa F. Siegel, Paula S. Pearlman, Virginia Brown, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of November 19, 2014.
     Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.
Shawn Crocker v. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police
     Shawn Crocker participated via speakerphone.  The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Edward Peruta v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services, Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; State of Connecticut, Department of
Emergency Services and Public Protection; Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services; and State of  Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Antonio Magno v. Director, Department of Health and Human Services, City of Hartford; Department of Health and Human Services, City of Hartford; and City of Hartford
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Elisabeth Seieroe Maurer v. Office of Corporation Counsel, City of Danbury; and City of Danbury
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Report.
 Docket #FIC 2014-098
Patricia Cofrancesco v. Administrator, Water Pollution Control Commission, City of West Haven; Water Pollution Control Commission, City of West Haven; and City of West Haven
     The Hearing Officer requested that the Hearing Officer’s Report be withdrawn. The Commissioners unanimously voted to table the matter.
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision Not to Schedule in: David Godbout v. Dannel Malloy, Governor, State of Connecticut, Office of the Governor; and State of Connecticut, Office of the Governor, Docket # FIC 2014-039; David Godbout v. Chairman, State of Connecticut, Judicial Branch, Jury Communications Review Committee; and Jury Communications Review Committee, Docket # FIC 2014-071; David Godbout v. Brendan Sharkey, State of Connecticut, Connecticut General Assembly, Speaker of the House, Docket # FIC 2014-090; David Godbout v. Joe Aresimowicz, State of Connecticut, Connecticut General Assembly, Docket # FIC 2014-091. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on a Court order granting the FOIC’s motion to dismiss in Derrick Taylor v. Freedom of Information Commission, CV-14-5016079-S (November 21, 2014).
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to add discussion of a recent Supreme Court decision in Gould vs. FOIC et. al (SC 18966) to the agenda. Victor R. Perpetua reported on that decision and recommended that the commission authorize FOIC staff to petition the court to reconsider its decision. The Commissioners voted, 6-0, to authorize the staff to seek Supreme Court reconsideration. Commissioner Hankins abstained and did not participate in the discussion.
     Mary E. Schwind reported on pending appeals.
     Colleen M. Murphy introduced new staff attorney Virginia Brown.
     Colleen M. Murphy introduced visitors from the China Law Center at Yale University: Ms. Jihong Song, Ms. Xinmei Guo and Professor YanYing Bi.
     Colleen M. Murphy that preparation was underway for the upcoming legislative session.
     The meeting was adjourned at 2:58 p.m.
______________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 12172014/tah/12182014
AMENDMENTS
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The second paragraph of the Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     Subsequent to the hearing and by email dated and received on November 5, 2014, the complainant filed a withdrawal of the complaint with the Commission.  THE COMMISSION TAKES ADMINISTRATIVE NOTICE OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL.
Edward Peruta and American News and Information Services Inc. v. Dora Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
     The second paragraph of the Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:
     Subsequent to the hearing and by email dated and received on November 5, 2014, the complainant filed a withdrawal of the complaint with the Commission.  THE COMMISSION TAKES ADMINISTRATIVE NOTICE OF SUCH WITHDRAWAL.