2004-116

Administrative Case Disposition

Case Disposition:

The parties voluntarily signed a mediation settlement agreement on October 13, 2004.

Date of Disposition: November 3, 2004

Case Manager: Kimberly D. Gardner                                                  

Date: 11/3/2004

Return to Top

Interim Decision on Access

At the September 9, 2004 public meeting, the Government Records Council (“Council”) considered the August 31, 2004 Executive Director’s Findings and Recommendations and all related documents submitted by the parties.  The Council voted unanimously to adopt the entirety of said findings and recommendations. Therefore, the Council hereby finds that on the basis of the party’s mutual agreement to mediate, the Council and Council’s staff will forego any adjudicatory action pending the outcome of mediation.

Interim Decision Rendered by the
Government Records Council
On The 9th Day of September, 2004

Vincent P. Maltese, Chairman
Government Records Council

I attest the foregoing is a true and accurate record of the Government Records Council.

Virginia Hook, Secretary
Government Records Council 

Return to Top

Findings and Recommendations of the Executive Director

Relevant Records Requested (as stated by the complainant):

1. Information concerning a suicide attempt on 1/1/2004 at 18 Haddon Road
2. Logs showing service calls by SPPD (Somers Point Police Department) for 18 Haddon Road, s.p. (segragable portions only)
3. 911 tapes if #2 was denied

Request Made:    6/21/04 & 7/23/04
Response Made: 6/28/2004 & 7/26/2004
Custodian:   Somers Point Police Department – Chief Orville Mathis 
GRC Complaint Filed:  8/1/2004

Background

Complainant’s Case Position

The Complainant filed a Denial of Access Complaint with the Government Records Council on July 1, 2004 pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 et. seq. alleging that she is being denied access to information concerning suicide attempts and 911 logs showing service calls.  On August 23, 2004, the Complainant signed an agreement to mediate.

Public Agency’s Case Position

The Custodian for the Somers Point Police Department has signed an agreement to mediate on August 18, 2004.

Analysis

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-7(d), no analysis is needed at this time.

Documents Reviewed

The following documents were reviewed in preparing the Findings and Recommendations for this case:

1. August 1, 2004 – Denial Of Access Complaint Form
2. August 18, 2004 – Offer of Mediation
3. August 18, 2004 – Custodian’s Agreement to Mediate
4. August 23, 2004 – Complainants Agreement to Mediate

Conclusions and Recommendation of the Executive Director

The Complainant and the Custodian voluntarily signed Agreements to Mediate on August 18 and August 23, 2004. Based on same, the Executive Director respectfully recommends that the Council and Government Records Council staff forego adjudicatory action pending the outcome of mediation.

Prepared By:  
Approved By:  
Paul F. Dice
Executive Director
Government Records Council
August 31, 2004

Return to Top