FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF
CONNECTICUT
In the Matter of
a Complaint by FINAL
DECISION
Paul Wallace and
Connecticut Council 4, AFSCME,
Complainants,
against Docket #FIC 86-320
Mayor's Advisory
Task Force Committee on the Dinan Memorial Center of the City of Bridgeport,
Respondent January 28, 1987
The above-captioned matter was heard
as a contested case on December 22, 1986, at which time the complainant Wallace
and the respondent appeared, stipulated to certain facts and presented
testimony, exhibits and argument on the complaint.
After consideration of the entire
record, the following facts are found:
1.
On November 5, 1986, the respondent held an unnoticed meeting and
required the complainant Wallace to leave the room. Certain non-committee members were allowed to remain at the
meeting.
2.
By letter of complaint dated November 17, 1986, and filed with the
Commission on November 19, 1986, the complainants appealed to the Commission,
alleging violations of 1-21(a) and 1-21g(a), G.S.
3.
The respondent claims it is not a public agency and, therefore, not
subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act.
4.
It is found that the respondent is a committee created by the Mayor of
Bridgeport, an official of that city, to advise him on the proper disposition
of the Dinan Memorial Center.
Docket #FIC
86-320
Page Two
5.
It is found that the respondent, as a committee of a city official, is a
public agency within the meaning of 1-18a(a), G.S.
6.
It is concluded that the respondent violated 1-21(a) and
1-21g(a), G.S., by holding an unnoticed meeting, closing it to the complainant
Wallace while allowing other non-agency members to attend, and not following
other requirements for convening an executive session.
The following order by the
Commission is hereby recommended on the basis of the record concerning the
above-captioned complaint.
1.
Henceforth the respondent shall act in strict compliance with the terms
of 1-21(a) and 1-21g(a), G.S.
Approved by order of the Freedom of
Information Commission at its regular meeting of January 28, 1987.
ÿ
Catherine I. Hostetter
Acting Clerk of the
Commission