Complainant asserts that town violated FOIA open meetings requirements related to (1) adequacy of notice of executive session on agenda; 92) exclusion of town manager from executive session and (3) whether matters discussed were appropriate for executive session. The agenda listed “Executive Session to Discuss Contract and Personnel Issues.” Complainant asserts that he believed the executive session topic related to the town manager employment contract. However, the executive session related to the Chief of Police contract. Agenda does not have to give full explanation of topics or names when confidential personnel matters will be discussed. HELD: Notice was adequate, employment contract negotiation matters are appropriate subject for executive session and FOIA does not address whether Counsel can exclude town manager from executive session.
Read MoreComplainant asserts that Town violated FOIA open meetings requirements when it held executive session to discuss subdivision applications. Town’s agenda properly posted and noticed the executive session but did not state the purpose. Town asserted that executive session was for purpose of receiving legal advice. After going into executive session and receiving legal advice, the Council discussed the applications for about an hour and voted on the applications before coming out of executive session. They re-voted at the public continued public meeting. Meeting minutes did not reflect legal advice. HELD: Executive Session was held for the proper purpose of receiving legal advice. However, Council violated FOIA by not listing the purpose of the executive session on the agenda, discussing applications during executive session and not properly reflecting legal advice in minutes.
Read MoreComplainant asserts City violated FOIA’s open records requirements by denying FOIA request for documents relating to the City Water Department on the basis of “potential litigation.” City asserted that conversations with Complainant made City believe Complainant would file suit against the City as the documents are released. City provided no other reasons for FOIA denial. HELD: City violated FOIA because they provided no evidence of a “realistic and tangible threat of litigation” characterized by objective factors in support of the FOIA denial.
Read MoreComplainant asserts Town violated FOIA by privately (i) discussing whether to accept certain funds from DelDot; (ii) going into executive session to discuss transferring capital improvement funds to a litigation defense fund; and (iii) refusing to permit public comment at public meeting/ Town asserts (i) Town Manager and not Town Commission has authority to determine whether to accept funds and that Town Manager’s request for individual input from Commissioners does not constitute private meetings in violation of FOIA; (ii) executive session was properly noticed and for a proper purpose; (iii) Mayor’s refusal to accept public comment at meeting did not violate FOIA; HELD: (i) FOIA does not apply to Town Manager who had authority to accept or reject DelDot Funds; (ii) executive session was properly noticed and discussion of litigation resources was proper for executive session; (iii) FOIA provides no right for the public to speak at a public meeting.
Read MoreComplainant asserts Smyrna violated FOIA’s open records requirements by not providing copies of records of the Town Ethics Commission concerning a complaint against him. Town provided notes from two meetings but provided no other records. Town asserts, among other things, that Smyrna’s Code of Conduct provides for the confidentiality of the Ethics Committee’s records and that the complaint is exempt from FOIA as a record specifically exempted from disclosure by statute or common law. HELD: Smyrna did not violate FOIA because Town’s Code of Conduct provided FOIA exemption by statute.
Read MoreComplainant asserts that Townsend violated FOIA’s open records requirements by not providing a copy of complaint asserted against her family and because the Mayor had promised her a copy. Townsend asserts that the complaint is exempt from FOIA because it is part of an investigatory file. HELD: Townsend did not violate FOIA by not providing the complaint. Townsend has a public interest in preserving confidentiality of law enforcement files to avoid a chilling effect on those who might bring pertinent information to the attention of law enforcement. Doctrine of estoppel does not apply because even if the Mayor did promise a copy of the letter, Complainant did not rely on that promise to his detriment.
Read MoreComplainant asserts that County violated FOIA by charging an unreasonable amount for copies of text messages and emails which constitute approximately 1,180 pages. County requested a fee of $354 for paper copies and $227.12 for electronic copies on CD. HELD: Charge was reasonable and reasonably calculated.
Read MoreComplainant asserts that County violated FOIA by charging an unreasonable amount for copies of text messages and emails which constitute approximately 1,180 pages. County requested a fee of $354 for paper copies and $227.12 for electronic copies on CD. County also charged another person same amount for same FOIA request. HELD: Charge was reasonable and reasonably calculated. However, County cannot charge for both requests unless it incurs duplicate costs for retrieval.
Read MoreCouncilman Street asked whether the School District Board of Education (the “Board”) violated FOIA by removing a letter a member of the public distributed to the Board members prior to a public meeting and had a State Trooper escort that member of the public out of the building before the meeting started. Prior to the meeting when the Board Secretary began reviewing the letter, Mr. Hynson, a member of the public, approached the secretary and began yelling at him. The Board delayed the meeting for about six minutes in order for them to call the police. A State Trooper arrived and escorted Mr. Hynson from the building. According to witnesses, Mr. Hynson continued to yell the entire time. HELD: FOIA is silent as to whether a member of the public has the right to distribute papers to the members of a public body. FOIA is not concerned with the public’s ability to communicate with a public body, only with the public’s opportunity to observe that body. FOIA does allow a public body to remove a member of the public if they are “willfully and seriously disruptive.” The Board was justified in removing Mr. Hynson.
Read MoreSenator Ennis asked whether the training records for courses taken at the Delaware State Fire School are public records subject to FOIA. HELD: Yes. The State Fire School is a public body subject to FOIA. The records do not constitute personnel or pupil records exempt from FOIA nor do they contain information which, if released, would result in invasion of privacy. However, personal information such as home addresses and social security numbers may be redacted.
Read MoreDelaware's Governor
State Directory
Elected Officials
General Assembly
Delaware Courts
State Employees
Cities & Towns
Delaware State Code
State Regulations
Business First Steps
Phone Directory
Locations Directory
Public Meetings
Voting & Elections
Transparency
Choose Health DE
Tax Center
Personal Income Tax
Privacy Policy
Weather & Travel
Contact Us
Corporations
Franchise Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Withholding Tax
Guides to Services
Help Center
Mobile Apps
E-mail / Text Alerts
Social Media
Built by the Government Information Center
©MMXXVI Delaware.gov
