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:

Cynthia A. Cannata

RE:
Minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of July 13, 2016
DATE:             July 14, 2016

A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on July 13, 2016, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:03 p.m. with the following Commissioners present:

Commissioner Owen P. Eagan, presiding

Commissioner Jay Shaw (participated via speakerphone)

Commissioner Ryan P. Barry

Commissioner Jonathan J. Einhorn

Commissioner Matthew Streeter

Commissioner Christopher P. Hankins

Commissioner Lenny T. Winkler

Also present were staff members, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Tracie C. Brown, Kathleen K. Ross, Valicia D. Harmon, Paula S. Pearlman, Lisa F. Siegel, and Cynthia Cannata.

The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of June 22, 2016.

Those in attendance were informed that the Commission does not ordinarily record the remarks made at its meetings, but will do so on request.

Faroulh Dorlette v. Scott Semple, v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
   The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Albert Farah v. 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 approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.

Edmundo Mendieta v. Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

Edmundo Mendieta participated via speakerphone. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Mark Dumas v. John Harkins, Mayor, Town of Stratford; and Town of Stratford

Mark Dumas appeared on his own behalf. Attorney Bryan LeClerc appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.

Mark Dumas v. Louis DeCilio, Registrar of Voters, Town of Stratford; Richard Marcone, Registrar of Voters, Town of Stratford; and Town of Stratford

     Mark Dumas appeared on his own behalf. Attorney Bryan LeClerc appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commission unanimously voted to table the matter. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Gregory Slate v. Chief, Police Department, Town of Westport; Police Department, Town of Westport; and Town of Westport

The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.

Jonathan Pelto v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut Department of Education; and State of Connecticut Department of Education

The Commissioners voted 6-0 to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report. Commissioner Hankins recused himself from participating in the matter.

Vance Solman v. Chief, Police Department City of New Haven; Police Department, City of New Haven; and City of New Haven

     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.

Ohan Karagozian v. Board of Examiners for Opticians, State of Connecticut, Department Of Public Health; and State of Connecticut Department of Public Health

Ohan Karagozian appeared on his own behalf. Assistant Attorney General Kerry Colson appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.

Christopher Bielik v. Donna Cullen, Chairman Board of Education, Regional School District 16; and Board of Education, Regional School District 16

The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*

Dmitry Zhdanov v. President, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut

The Commissioners unanimously voted to amend the Hearing Officer’s Report. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report as amended.*

 The Commissioners unanimously voted to affirm the Decision not to Schedule in:

David Godbout v. Tim Ackert, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-574; David Godbout v. James Albis, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-575; David Godbout v. David Alexander, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-576; David Godbout v. William Aman, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-577; David Godbout v. David Arconti, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-578; David Godbout v. Joseph Aresimowicz, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-579; David Godbout v. Members, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-766; David Godbout v. James Albis, Member, State of Connecticut, House of Representatives; and State of Connecticut, House of Representatives, Docket # FIC 2015-824; David Godbout v. Attorney General, State of Connecticut, Office of the Attorney General; and State of Connecticut, Office of the Attorney General, Docket # FIC 2015-613; David Godbout v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles; and State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles, Docket # FIC 2015-661; David Godbout v. Connecticut Secretary of the State, Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Docket # FIC 2015-672; David Godbout v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services; and State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Docket # FIC 2015-679; David Godbout v. Joe Aresimowicz, Brendan Sharkey, Len Fasano, Themis Klarides, Members, State of Connecticut, General Assembly; and State of Connecticut, General Assembly, Docket # FIC 2015-843. The proceedings were recorded digitally.

 
Kathleen K. Ross and Tracie C. Brown reported on pending appeals.

Mary E. Schwind reported that the Executive Director continues to work on the separation of the FOIC from the Office of Governmental Accountability, making provisions to ensure the Commission has Human Resources, IT, business office, and payroll services.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:46 p.m.

______________________

Cynthia A. Cannata

MINREGmeeting 07/13/2016/cac/07/14/2016

AMENDMENTS

Christopher Bielik v. Donna Cullen, Chairman Board of Education, Regional School District 16; and Board of Education, Regional School District 16

     

The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:

9. It is found that the town of Beacon Falls is one of two town members of Regionaolo School District 16. It is found that the town of [Plymouth] PROSPECT is the other town member of Regional School District 16.

Docket #FIC 2015-773                Dmitry Zhdanov v. President, State of Connecticut, University of                                                        Connecticut; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut


The Hearing Officer’s Report is amended as follows:

23. It is found that, by email dated November 20, 2015, Dr. Pescatello informed Ms. Vitullo that she had no additional responsive records; by email dated November 20, 2015, Dr. Polifroni informed Ms. Vitullo that she had no additional responsive records; by email dated November 20, 2015, Dr. Hamilton informed Ms. Vitullo that he had no additional responsive records; and by separate emails dated November 20, 2015 and November 21, 2015, Dr. McGrath and Dr. [Faquir] JAIN again confirmed with Ms. Vitullo that they had no records responsive to the request.