HomeMy Public PortalAboutPRR 15-178502/0312015 16:46 Commerce Group TAX )9543600807 P.0021002
RECORDS REQUEST (the "Request ")
Date of Request; 2/3/2015
Requestor's Request ID #: 1037
REQUESTEE; Custodian of Records Gulf Stream Police Department
REQUESTOR: CG Acquisition Company, Inc.
REQUESTOR'S CONTACT INFORMATION: E-mail; records@commerce- group.com
Pax: 954 - 360 -0807; Address: 1280 West Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
REQUEST:
Provide a copy of all photographs which Include Martin O'Boyle, a White, Ford,
On them. Additionally we are requesting all written or tvpod (Including computer,
generated documents) and Police Incident Reports, generated by any of the Police;
or other government racer a genera a y, s ore y or race ve y t e u cam
appointment calendars, timasheets and radio communications,
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING REQUEST:
THIS REQUEST IS MADE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE], SECTION 24 OFTHE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND CHAPTER 119,
FLORIDA STATUTES
IF THE PUBLIC RECORDS BEING SOUGHT ARE MAINTAINED BY YOUR AGENCY 1N AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT PLEASE
PRODUCE THE RECORDS IN THE ORIGINAL ELECTRONIC FORMAT IN WHICH THEY WERE CREATED ORRECEIVED.
1119.e421MI. FLORIDA STATUTES. TR NnT Av.Tr
ALSO PLEASL TAKL+ NOTE OF �119.a7(Il(HI OF THE Fr pwIDA 9TpTlITFS, WHICH PROVmRS THAT °1FA CIVIL ACTION
IS INSTITUTED WITHIN THE 3n -DAY PERIOD TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION WITH RESPECT TO
THE REQUESTED RECORD, THE CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS MAY NOT DISPOSE OF THE RECORD EXCEPT BY
ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISUICrJUN AFTER NOTICE TO ALL AFFECTED PARTIES."
ALL ELECTRONIC COPIES ARE RROIIR¢TRDTO BES IT BY E-MAIL DELIVERY
PLEASE PROVIDE THE APPROXIMATE COSTS OF ANY) TO FULFILL THIS PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST IN ADVANCE.
It will be required that the Requester approve or any cam, anarted by the Agency (oz donned In Florida Statute, Chapter 119.01
(Definitions)), In advance or any torts Imposed to the Roqueator by the Agency.
.BY FULFILLING THIS RECORDS REQUEST, THE AGENCY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TAE RESPONSIVE DOCUMENTS
ARE "PUBLIC RECORDS° AS DEFINED IN CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES".
UPINPIFLRR
1.12.2015
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
Delivered via e-mail
February 6, 2015
CG Acquisition Company, Inc. [mail to: records @commerce- group.com]
Re: GS #1785 (1037)
Provide a copy of all photographs which include Martin O'Boyle, a white, Ford f -150 truck (plate
no. H317DA9 or any signs that have the name Martin O'Boyle on them. Additionally, we are
requesting all written or typed (including computer - generated documents) and police incident
reports, generated by any of the police; or other government records generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department on March 3, 2014 and /or March 4, 2014. This
would include appointment calendars, timesheets and radio communications.
Dear CG Acquisition Company, Inc. [mail to: recordsacommerce- eroup.coml,
The Town of Gulf Stream has received your public records requests dated February 3, 2015. If
your request was received in writing, then the requests can be found at the following link:
htta: / /www2.gulf- stream. ore/ WebLink8 /0 /doc /36490/Pagel.asix. If your request was verbal, then
the description of your public records request is set forth in the italics above. Please refer to the
referenced number above with any future correspondence.
The Town of Gulf Stream is currently working on a large number of incoming public records
requests. The Town will use its very best efforts to respond to you in a reasonable amount of time
with the appropriate response or an estimated cost to respond.
Sincerely,
Town Clerk, Custodian of the Records
Kelly Avery
From: Postmaster
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 2:33 PM
To: Local Recipient
Subject: 1JL6740- response request production.PDF
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 15TH
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR PALM
BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO. 2014CA004474 AG
MARTIN E. O'BOYLE,
Plaintiff,
VS.
TOWN OF GULF STREAM,
Defendant.
RESPONSES AND OBJECTIONS
TO PLAINTIFF'S INITL&L REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION
Defendant, TOWN OF GULF STREAM, responds and objects to Plaintiff's Initial
Request for Production dated May 14, 2014 (Nos. 1 through 10) as follows:
DOCUMENTS REOUESTED
1. All handbooks, personnel manuals, supervisor's manuals, policies, rules and regulations,
memoranda and any other document containing defendant's policies, guidelines, or
procedures and practices relating to public records from 2012, to the present.
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly
broad and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
At issue in this lawsuit is Defendant's March 7, 2014 response to a public records
request made on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014." Plaintiff has simply made conclusory allegations that additional records
should have been produced and that records should have been produced in
electronic format.
Discovery in a public records request action is generally limited to that which is
necessary for a determination of the allegations asserted in the trial court's
discretion subject to review only for an evident abuse of power. Lorei v. Smith, 464
So. 2d 1330, 1333 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985). By this suit, Plaintiff complains that
Defendant did not fully respond and/or did not produce documents readily available
in electronic format when it responded on March 7, 2014 to a public records request
made by Plaintiff on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014." The request for documents regarding policies, guidelines and procedures and
practices from 2012 to the present is thus patently overbroad and not the proper
subject of discovery in this public records suit. See, e.g., Johnson v State, 769 So. 2d
990, 995 (Fla. 2000) (denying evidentiary hearing and additional discovery based on
"bare allegations" that additional records "should" exist).
Moreover, the request for "any other document" containing defendant's policies,
guidelines and practices would encompass communications transmitting drafts of
policy manuals and any other communications regarding policies and procedures
from 2012 to the present and is thus likewise patently overbroad.
Subject to and notwithstanding its objections, Defendant states that it does not yet
have in effect a written Public Records Compliance Manual. However, a draft of
that Public Records Compliance Manual as of January 2014, previously produced
to Plaintiff on May 9, 2014 in response to public records request #493, is provided
again as Exhibit "A ". The current draft of the Defendant's Public Records
Compliance Manual, reflecting edits made since May 2014 is attached as Exhibit
111311. Defendant further states that the only other manuals used are State of Florida
records production and destruction guidance (i.e. the Florida in the Sunshine
Manual, which is also available online, and the General Records Schedule GS1 -SL
For State and Local Government Agencies, also available online).
2. All handbooks, personnel manuals, supervisor's manuals, policies, rules and regulations,
memoranda or any other document containing defendant's policies, guidelines, or
procedures and practices relating to the storing of telephonic or radio communications of
the Gulf Stream Police Department.
RESPONSE: None.
Any and all statements, documents, recordings and transcriptions executed by or taken
from any of the parties to this suit and delivered to other outside the purview of privilege.
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly
broad and seeks information not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence. The request is not even limited to the subject matter of the
instant lawsuit, which is whether the Town unlawfully withheld records and failed
to produce records in electronic format when it responded on March 7, 2014 to the
March 6, 2014 public records request attached to the Verified Complaint as Exhibit
A. Defendant further objects on the grounds that the request for "[a]ny and all...
documents... executed by or taken from any of the parties to this suit and delivered
to others" is so vague and ambiguous as to preclude Defendant from framing a
proper response.
4. Any and all documents relating to any training that employees of the Defendant have
received relating to the Public Records requests.
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly broad
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
At issue in this lawsuit is Defendant's March 7, 2014 response to a public records
request made on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014.1' Discovery in a public records request action is generally limited to that which
is necessary for a determination of the allegations asserted in the trial court's
discretion subject to review only for an evident abuse of power. Lorei v. Smith, 464
So. 2d 1330, 1333 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985). By this suit, Plaintiff complains that
Defendant did not fully respond and/or did not produce documents readily available
in electronic format when it responded on March 7, 2014 to a public records request
made by Plaintiff on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014." The request for "[a]ny and all documents" regarding "any training" that
employees of the Defendant have ever received relating to the Public Records
requests is thus patently overbroad and not the proper subject of discovery in this
public records suit. See, e.g., Johnson v State, 769 So. 2d 990, 995 (Fla. 2000)
(denying evidentiary hearing and additional discovery based on "bare allegations"
that additional records "should" exist).
Any and all documents relating to any failure to the Defendant to comply with Chapter
119 Florida Statutes.
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly broad
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
Subject to and notwithstanding its objections, Defendant states that Defendant did
not fail to comply with Chapter 119, Florida Statutes in response to the March 6,
2014 public records request at issue and, therefore, there are no documents relating
to any such failure.
6. Any and all documents that relate to the specific services that the Defendant pays for
under the budget item Police "Communications ".
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly broad
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
At issue in this lawsuit is Defendant's March 7, 2014 response to a public records
request made on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014." Discovery in a public records request action is generally limited to that which
is necessary for a determination of the allegations asserted in the trial court's
discretion subject to review only for an evident abuse of power. Lorei v. Smith, 464
3
So. 2d 1330, 1333 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985). By this suit, Plaintiff complains that
Defendant did not fully respond and /or did not produce documents readily available
in electronic format when it responded on March 7, 2014 to a public records request
made by Plaintiff on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014." This request, which is not limited to any time period, is not the proper
subject of discovery in this public records suit. See, e.g., Johnson v State, 769 So. 2d
990, 995 (Fla. 2000) (denying evidentiary hearing and additional discovery based on
"bare allegations" that additional records "should" exist).
Subject to and without waiving its objections, Defendant incorporates its response to
Interrogatory No. 9 and states that as of March 3 and 4, 2014, the
"Communications" budget item included expenses associated with (1) cellular
telephones used by Town police officers while on duty (not including Police Chief
Ward) and (2) air cards for internet services to be used by Town police officers
while on duty. As of the date of Plaintiff's request, March 6, 2014, there were no
records generated by, stored by or received by the Town Police Department that
related to either of these two budget items for March 3 and 4, 2014.
Any document that identifies the Police officers on duty on March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014.
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly
broad and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence
and incorporates herein its Answer to Interrogatory No. 13.
8. Any documentation that describes any corrective action taken by the Defendant in
response to any violations of Chapter 119 Florida Statutes.
RESPONSE: Defendant objects to this request on the grounds that it is overly broad
and not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. At
issue in this lawsuit is Defendant's March 7, 2014 response to a public records
request made on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014." Discovery in a public records request action is generally limited to that which
is necessary for a determination of the allegations asserted in the trial court's
discretion subject to review only for an evident abuse of power. Lorei v. Smith, 464
So. 2d 1330, 1333 (Fla. 2d DCA 1985). By this suit, Plaintiff complains that
Defendant did not fully respond and/or did not produce documents readily available
in electronic format when it responded on March 7, 2014 to a public records request
made by Plaintiff on March 6, 2014 for certain records "generated by, stored by or
received by the Gulf Stream Police Department for March 3, 2014 and March 4,
2014:' This request, which is not limited to any time period, is not the proper
subject of discovery in this public records suit. See, e.g., Johnson v State, 769 So. 2d
990, 995 (Fla. 2000) (denying evidentiary hearing and additional discovery based on
"bare allegations" that additional records "should" exist).
0
Subject to and notwithstanding its objections, Defendant states that Defendant did
not fail to comply with Chapter 119, Florida Statutes in response to the March 6,
2014 public records request at issue in this case and, therefore, there are no
documents relating to any corrective action in connection with that request.
9. Any transcript or records of any communications made by members or employees of
Gulf Stream Police Department and third parties regarding the removal of political or
campaign signage on March 4, and March 4, 2014.
RESPONSE: Defendant possesses no such records in its possession, custody and
control. The only telephone and radio communications of the Town Police
Department that are recorded are those that are transmitted to the City of Delray
Beach Police Department, which provides police dispatch services to the Town. The
Town does not maintain those records. The City of Delray Beach Police Department
has advised the undersigned that it automatically stores those communications and
maintains those records for a period of 90 days.
By the public records request attached as Exhibit "C" as modified by a telephone
call on June 2, 2014, the Town has requested that the City of Delray Beach Police
Department immediately remove from its destruction schedule, preserve and
maintain any recordings of communications of the Town Police Department for
March 3 and 4, 2014. The Town further requested that Delray Beach forward to
undersigned counsel any recordings of telephone or radio communications by any
officer or employee of the Town including any that relate to Case No. 14 -0417. The
Town understands that the Delray Beach Police Department's Communication
Manager, Katie Hartmann, searched all cellular phone numbers for the Town's
police officers and the Town police department telephone number for calls made on
March 3 and 4, 2014 and discovered a single telephone call made on March 3, 2014
at 0717 hours. The Delray Beach Police Department produced all radio
communications of the Town from March 3 and 4, 2014. A copy of the Delray
Beach Police Department's response is produced contemporaneously herewith. No
recordings appear to relate to the removal of political or campaign signage.
10. Any and all documentation that describes the Defendant's policy regarding the
destruction or discarding of records of telephonic or radio communications of the Gulf
Stream Police Department.
RESPONSE: None.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished
via the E- Filing Portal this 17th day of June, 2014, to: NICK TAYLOR, Esquire, the O'Boyle
Law Firm, P.C. 1286 West Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442
(ntavlore,obovlelawfirm.com and obovlecourtdocs @,obovlelawfirm.com.
pAdocs 113147 \00060\pld\ Ijd4004.d=
JONES, FOSTER, JOHNSTON & STUBBS, P.A.
Attorneys for Defendant Town of Gulf Stream
505 South Flagler Drive, Suite 1100
Post Office. Box 3475
West Palm Beach, FL 33402 -3475
Telephone: (561) 659 -3000
Un
11
Tf9de M. O'Connor
Florida Bar No. 0498807
ioconnor(@,,ionesfoster.com
Up GI er 9
32 a q rKl
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
PUBLIC RECORDS
COMPLIANCE
(1� POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
current as of 1/2014
Ex. A
EAn�Jf7t�cA_ .
Y� Iti�
/. w
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
PALM BFACII COUNTY, FLORIDA
Public Records Requests
1. Introduction
The records that the Town of Gulf Stream, ('Town ") keeps in the course of carrying out its
duties and responsibilities are public records. Public records are different from records of
businesses and private organizations because Florida Law requires public records to be readily
accessible and available to the public upon request. Employees and agencies do not have the
authority to withhold records deemed "sensitive." The only records that can be withheld from
public disclosure are those specifically designated by the`Florida Statutes as confidential or
exempt. This policy will provide employees with the information necessary to understand and
carry out their public records• responsibilities.
This policy will affirm the public's right to access Town records and the commitment of the
Town to respond to each request in &time that is reasonable under the circumstances of each
request. This policy will also set fortliprocedures that will facilitate access to the information
requested and establish fees.to be paid to the Town to cover the cost of responding to public
records requests in accordance.with Florida law,
2. Policy
It is the Town's Policy to ensure that public records in the Town's custody are maintained and
managed as required by Florida's Public Records Laws. These laws provide that all materials
made or received by Florida's local governments in connection with their official business are
public records.
The Town of Gulf Stream responds to all public records requests in a timely manner. A
Town employee is designated as the Public Records Coordinator by the Town Manager and
Town Clerk to assist with the production of public records requests, and reports directly to the
Town Manager. It is the policy of the Town that all public records, with the exception of records
or portions of records exempted by Florida Statutes, shall be open for personal inspection by any
person. Requested records cannot be withheld for any reason unless the record or a portion of the
record is specifically designated as confidential or exempt from public disclosure under Florida
Law.
3. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide Town employees with the information and
procedures necessary to understand and carry out their responsibilities under the Florida Public
Records Law, including the requirements for managing public records, and the manner in which
public records requests are to be processed to ensure that responses to each request are
organized, inclusive, and in compliance with applicable statutes and rules.
4. Scope
This policy applies to all Town employees, who are responsible for forwarding any public
records requests to the Records Custodian or Public Records Coordinator. This policy applies to
all public records of the Town, regardless of the medium in which they exist (e.g. paper,
electronic, or other).
;r
5. Definitions /
a. "Public records" are all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs,
films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the
physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to
law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any
agency. Florida Statutes :§ 119.011(12).
b. "Confidential' means public records that7tave been identified in the Florida Statutes
as confidential. The information in these records.is not subject to inspection by the
public and may be released only to the,persons and entities designated in the statute.
c. "Exempt' means public records that have,been identified in Florida Statutes Chapter
119 or other applicable Florida Statutes id, exempt from public disclosure.
d, "Inactive records "means records which have lost some of their value or have been
'superseded by new records, but have not reached their specified retention. Records
thk,are referenced les §.than once per month are usually considered inactive.
e. "GS1 -SL" means the General Records Schedule GS1 -SL for State and Local
Government Agencies, which is available at
http: // dlis .dos.state.fl.us /recordsmgmt/gen records schedules.cfm
6. Procedures
a. Records Management: Records management entails retention, storage,
disposition, and all other record - keeping requirements and practices that support
Department programs, activities, operations, and accomplishments in order to best
serve the public.
i. Organization and Maintenance: Public Records shall be organized,
arranged, and maintained using a filing or record keeping system that:
1. Is appropriate to the nature, purpose, and use of the records.
2. Can be easily understood by all users.
3. Facilitates the location of and access to those records by all users,
when and where it is needed. /
ii. Records Retention Schedules: Tlie Town follows the General Records
Schedule GSI -SL for State and Local Government Agencies, and other
General Records Schedules that may apply to specific records maintained
by the Town, e.g. ones pertaining to Law Enforcement.
iii.
Disposition: The Town should systematically dispose of p#ic records
that have met their retention requirements and are no longer needed.
1. The Records Custodian or designee must properly document
disposition ofpublic records, A records disposition document form
is available from.the:Divisinn of Library and Information Services
website at htt-p://difs.dos.state.fl.us/bami/forins/disr)ositiondoc.1)
The Records Custodian must permanently retain the completed
disposition forms. ..?`
' b. Public Records Requests
The Town shall respond to all public records requests in a reasonable time, taking
into account the extent, scope, and nature of the request.
i. Receipt of a" Public Records Request:
1. A public records request is a request to either inspect or copy, or
both, public records pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 119.
2. There is no requirement that the request be made in person or in
writing, or be in any particular form.
3. The person making the request is not required to identify himself
or herself, or to provide information about the reason for the
request, or how the records will be used
4. The request must be clear enough to enable the Town to conduct a
meaningful search. The agency may ask questions about the
request in order to respond to the request fully and in a timely
manner.
a. If the records requested are in the possession of a third
party, such as a consultant or Commission member, the
Town shall forward the request and a description of what is
needed to the third party
5. All requests should be directed to the Records Custodian or Public
Records Coordinator
ii, Responding to the Request:
The Town of Gulf Stream has developed the following internal procedure
to respond to a public records request and assist the public in obtaining
public records:
1. Mark Public. Records Request as received.
If the request is received by someone other than the Records
Custodian 'or Public Records Coordinator, the employee will
forward the request to the Public Records Coordinator or Town
Manager, who will then add the request to the Public Records Log
for monitoring purposes
2. Acknowledge receipt of Public Records Request
a. As soon as reasonably possible after the valid receipt of a
Public Records Request, the Town of Gulf Stream will
acknowledge the request in writing.
3. Additional Correspondence
Prior to fulfilling a request and based on each request individually,
the Town of Gulf Stream may need to send one of the following:
a. Requestfor Clarification
• As a courtesy to the requestor to ensure the proper
documents are produced or an accurate estimate is
provided, if the request requires clarification the Town
will send correspondence asking the requestor to clarify
the request before proceeding with production or an
estimate.
1. Requests for clarification will be sent out when
a request is:
a. Very broad in scope;. or
b. Ambiguous; or
c. At the discretion of the Town Clerk or
Designee if he or she needs further
clarification to fulfill the request
l
b. Estimate letter
• If it is determined to be necessary by the Town Clerk or
Designee, he or she will provide the requestor with an
estimate of the cost to produce the documents and ask
for the estimate to be paid prior to the requestor
receiving the documents.
• All estimates are based on Florida Statutes § 119.07(4)
for both physical production and the labor cost, which
is based on the cost incurred by the Town for extensive
use of information technology resources or the labor
cost of the personnel providing clerical and supervisory
assistance, or both.
G
" I n t h e e v e n t t h a t t h e a c t u a l c o s t o f d u p l i c a t i o n n e e d s t o
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r e l e v a n t F l o r i d a S t a t u t e s , t h e P u b l i c R e c o r d s
C o o r d i n a t o r c a n r e f e r e n c e t h e "