Water system privatization - FWW (100) (Baltimore City Department of Public Works)

Beryl Lipton filed this request with the Baltimore City Department of Public Works of Baltimore, MD.
Multi Request Water system privatization - FWW (100)
Est. Completion None
Status
No Responsive Documents

Communications

From: Beryl Lipton


To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Maryland Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Materials related to agreements and proposals, solicited and unsolicited, for the ownership, operation and/or management responsibilities of the water system, the sewer system, a water treatment plant, and/or wastewater treatment (or any portions thereof), including (but not limited to) those materials referencing the entities listed below.

Please include as responsive the following records:
1. Agreements: Any contracts, services agreements, memorandums of understanding, or like agreements related to the ownership, operation and/or management responsibilities of the water system, the sewer system, a water treatment plant, and/or wastewater treatment (or any portions thereof);

2. Procurement: Any request for qualifications, request for proposals, or other bids (both solicited and unsolicited) for the ownership, operation and/or management of the water system, the sewer system, a water treatment plant, or a wastewater treatment; and

3. Communications: For the period between January 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019, any communication (including postal mail, emails, memoranda, meeting agenda or minutes, presentations, and text messages) between representatives of each utility (including the directors of the utility, general managers, the purchasing director, and any other applicable utility representatives) and representatives from water companies or other private water system operators, including:
a. Suez (domain: suez-na.com), including “Jim.Perron@suez-na.com”
b. Veolia
c. American Water or a state affiliate, subsidiary, or representative
d. Aqua America or a state affiliate, subsidiary, or representative

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton

From: Baltimore City Department of Public Works

Dear Ms. Lipton:

From: Baltimore City Department of Public Works

Dear Ms. Lipton:

In your email to the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (“DPW”), you requested “[m]aterials related to agreements and proposals, solicited and unsolicited, for the ownership, operation and/or management responsibilities of the water system, the sewer system, a water treatment plant, and/or wastewater treatment (or any portions thereof).” The Maryland Public Information Act (“PIA”), Maryland Code, General Provisions (“GP”), Sections 4-101 through 4-601 governs your request.

After review, DPW has determined that there are no records responsive to your request within DPW's custody. Moreover, the City Charter was amended in 2018 to prohibit the grant of any "specific franchises or rights" related to the City's sewer and water-supply systems. See Baltimore City Charter, Article VIII, Section 1.

Nothing in this response is intended to indicate that records sought from City agencies exist or to waive any privileges held by the Mayor and City Council. You may contest this response by filing a complaint in the Circuit Court pursuant to GP section 4-362.
Regards,

Paul N. De Santis
Chief of Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Baltimore City Department of Public Works
200 Holliday Street, Suite 203
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Office: (410) 396-3312

Files

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