[Added 1-16-2001]
The City of Meriden hereby establishes a Freedom
of Information Advisory Board. The purpose of the Freedom of Information
Advisory Board is to foster compliance with the State Freedom of Information
Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Title 1, Ch. 14 of the
Connecticut General Statutes, § 1-200 et seq.
The Freedom of Information Advisory Board shall
consist of three members who shall be appointed by the Mayor.
No more than two members of the Freedom of Information
Advisory Board shall be members of the same political party.
The members of the Freedom of Information Advisory
Board shall designate one of its members to be the Chairperson.
Within 30 days after the adoption of this article,
the Mayor shall appoint the initial three members of the Freedom of
Information Advisory Board for the following terms: one shall serve
for a period of three years from the date of appointment; one shall
serve for a period of two years from the date of appointment of the
person first appointed to serve a three-year term; and one shall serve
from the date of appointment for a period of one year from the date
of appointment of the person first appointed to serve a three-year
term. Successor members of the Freedom of Information Advisory Board
shall be appointed for three-year terms commencing of the day after
the date on which the term of their predecessor expires.
Any vacancies on the Freedom of Information
Advisory Board by reason other than the expiration of the term of
office shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor for the remainder
of the term within 30 days after such vacancy occurs. Any vacancy
on the Freedom of Information Advisory Board shall not impair the
right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Board.
A.
The Board, or a member thereof, shall act as liaison
to the State Freedom of Information Commission for educational purposes,
and the members of such Board shall keep current of the requirements
of the State Freedom of Information Act, as interpreted by the State
Freedom of Information Commission and courts, and any other laws,
rulings and materials related to such Act.
B.
The Freedom of Information Advisory Board shall have
the following duties:
(1)
To provide information and education to municipal
officials and employees, and all other persons seeking information
or education, concerning the State Freedom of Information Act, its
interpretation by the State Freedom of Information Commission and
courts, and any other laws, rulings and materials related to such
Act;
(2)
To facilitate the dissemination to municipal officials
and employees, and all other persons, of any materials provided to
such Board by the State Freedom of Information Commission;
(3)
To make recommendations to municipal officials concerning
the application and implementation of the State Freedom of Information
Act;
(4)
To provide interested persons with information concerning
the filing of complaints with the State Freedom of Information Commission;
and
(5)
To make recommendations to the State Freedom of Information
Commission concerning proposed changes to state law relating to freedom
of information.
In addition, the Freedom of Information Advisory
Board may attempt to facilitate the resolution of freedom of information
disputes with agencies but shall not impede in any way a person's
right to a speedy appeal to the State Freedom of Information Commission
or a speedy determination of such appeal by such Commission.
