a) Please stop the removal of original records from Boston City Hall
| Submitted | Aug. 3, 2013 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Don Warner Saklad
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:
a) Please stop the removal of original records from Boston City Hall and b) arrange for me to read/view any and all files in connection with the last Public Meeting of Boston City Council including and not limited to all files with the following extensions .sgcap .ptf .rtf .xmptf .cv .txt .sgcvn .htm .html .sgngl .pdf .doc .docx .docm et al, any and all files related to stenographic records.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Don Warner Saklad
From: O'Donnell, Christine
To Mr. Saklad,
This email is in response to your public records request regarding all files related to the last public meeting of the Boston City Council. The minutes of the meetings are available on the City Council's website at http://www.cityofboston.gov/cityclerk/citycouncil/meetings.asp. State law requires public bodies to create and maintain accurate minutes of all meetings. State law requires that the minutes include a summary of the discussions on each subject but does not require a transcript. I have attached the meeting minutes from the meeting held on July 31, 2013.
From: Don Warner Saklad
a) Please stop removal from City Hall of the original Stenographic Record of Public Meetings of Boston City Council and b) arrange for me to read/view any and all Stenographic Record files in connection with the last Public Meeting of Boston City Council including and not limited to all files with the following extensions .sgcap .ptf .rtf .xmptf .cv .txt .sgcvn .htm .html .sgngl .pdf .doc .docx .docm et al.
Emphasis... Stenographic Record files
.sgcap
.ptf
.rtf
.xmptf
.cv .txt
.sgcvn
.htm
.html
.sgngl
.pdf
.doc
.docx
.docm
et al.
Stenographic Record more complete than heavily edited, too brief Minutes!
From: O'Donnell, Christine
Please clarify your request. As stated and provided to you previously, the minutes of the Boston City Council are recorded by a stenographer, using machine shorthand. The stenographic record is that machine shorthand of the minutes. The machine shorthand of the minutes is translated into plain English to become the minutes. State law requires public bodies to create and maintain accurate minutes of all meetings. State law requires that the minutes include a summary of the discussions on each subject but does not require a transcript. The minutes to the City Council meetings can be found on the City Council’s website at www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil. Attached is the PDF of the minutes from the Council meeting on July 31, 2013.
From: Don Warner Saklad
Before Minutes are made from the Stenographic Record, the unedited Stenographic Record can be made available in plain English text for hard of hearing folks, for all.
a) Please stop removal from City Hall of the original full unedited Stenographic Record of Public Meetings of Boston City Council and b) arrange for me to read/view any and all Stenographic Record files in connections with the last Public Meeting of Boston City Council including and not limited to all files with the following extensions
.sgcap
.ptf
.rtf
.xmptf
.cv
.txt
.sgcvn
.htm
.html
.sgngl
.pdf
.doc
.docx
.docm
et al.
From: O'Donnell, Christine
Good Morning,
The Council is in receipt of your follow-up request and will provide you the stenographic record files from the City Council meeting held on July 31, 2013.
Very truly yours,
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 3, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: O'Donnell, Christine
To Whom it May Concern:
The City Council is in receipt of your request and will forward you the stenographic record files. Due to equipment issues there were problems in loading the files. Once the stenographic files are loaded, they will be forwarded to you.
Very truly yours,
From: O'Donnell, Christine
To Whom it May Concern:
Pursuant to your public records request, attached is the stenographic record file from the Council meeting held on July 31, 2013.
Very truly yours,
From: O'Donnell, Christine
My apologies for not including the attachment in the previous email.
Please see the below response.
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cc07302013
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