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 April 13, 2016
     A regular meeting of the Freedom of Information Commission was held on April 13, 2016, in the Freedom of Information Hearing Room, 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The meeting convened at 2:12 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
     Commissioner Sean K. McElligott
     Also present were staff members, Colleen M. Murphy, Mary E. Schwind, Victor R. Perpetua, Clifton A. Leonhardt, Tracie C. Brown, Lisa F. Siegel, Valicia D. Harmon, Cindy Cannata, and Thomas A. Hennick.
     Executive Director Colleen M. Murphy administered the oath of office to new commissioner Sean K. McElligott.
     The Commissioners voted 6-0 to approve the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting of March 23, 2016. Commissioner McElligott 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.
Umar Shahid 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.
Kacey Lewis v. Scott Semple, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Kacey Lewis participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Timothy Townsend v. City Clerk, City of New Haven; and City of New Haven
    The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
 Docket #FIC 2015-882
Ira Alston v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Ira Alston participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to reopen the matter. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
 Docket #FIC 2015-883
Ira Alston v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Correction; and State of Connecticut, Department of Correction
     Ira Alston participated via speakerphone. Attorney James Neil appeared on behalf of the respondents. The Commissioners unanimously voted to reopen the matter. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
James Torlai v. 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
     James Torlai appeared on his own behalf.  Assistant Attorney General Steven Barry appeared on behalf of the respondents.  The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report. The proceedings were recorded digitally.
Gregory Tarone v. Director, Office of Student Financial Aid Services; and Director, Division of Athletics, State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut; and State of Connecticut, University of Connecticut
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Katie Corrado and Fox Connecticut v. Chief, Police Department, City of New London; Police Department, City of New London; and City of New London
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Donald Sugalski v. Board of Commissioners, East Hartford Housing Authority; and East Hartford Housing Authority
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Nsonsa Kisala v. Jewel Mullen, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Nsonsa Kisala v. Jewel Mullen, Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
Nsonsa Kisala v. Raul Pino, Acting Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health; and State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health
     The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the Hearing Officer’s Report.
     Colleen M. Murphy informed commissioners that no action would be needed in the following matters, as all had been withdrawn that morning: David Godbout v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles; and State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles, Docket # FIC 2015-270; David Godbout v. Commissioner, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Docket # FIC 2015-276; David Godbout v. 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, Docket # FIC 2015-397; David Godbout v. Guy Vallaro, Director, Scientific Services Department, State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; and State of Connecticut, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Docket # FIC 2015-399; David Godbout v. Director, State of Connecticut, Connecticut Intelligence Center; and State of Connecticut, Connecticut Intelligence Center, Docket # FIC 2015-288; David Godbout v. Sean Cox, Chief, Police Department, Town of East Hampton; Police Department, Town of East Hampton; and Town of East Hampton, Docket # FIC 2015-298; David Godbout v. Owen Eagan, Chair, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; Matthew Streeter, Christopher Hankins, Lenny Winkler, Michael Daley, Ryan Barry, Jonathan Einhorn, Jay Shaw, Francis Barry, as Members, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-321; David Godbout v. Owen Eagan, Chair, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; Matthew Streeter, Christopher Hankins, Lenny Winkler, as members, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-322; David Godbout v. Chair, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-341; David Godbout v. Chair, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-394; in David Godbout v. Chair, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-476; David Godbout v. Executive Director, Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability; and Freedom of Information Commission, State of Connecticut, Office of Governmental Accountability, Docket # FIC 2015-543; David Godbout v. Members, Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, Education Committee, State of Connecticut, General Assembly; and Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, Education Committee, State of Connecticut, General Assembly, Docket # FIC 2015-366. The proceedings were recorded digitally.

     Colleen M. Murphy reported on pending appeals.
     Colleen M. Murphy reminded commissioners that the annual Freedom of Information Conference would be held April 22 at the Riverhouse in Haddam.
     Colleen M. Murphy reported on legislation.

     The meeting was adjourned at 2:47 p.m.

 ______________
Thomas A. Hennick
MINREGmeeting 04132016/tah/04152016