As anticipated, a majority on the Sturgeon Bay City Council voted to override the veto of Mayor Thad Birmingham Tuesday evening, and in doing so, allowed a settlement with developer Bob Papke. Papke and Sawyer Hotel Development had sued the city for more than a half a million dollars due to alleged misrepresentation related to his effort to build a hotel on the city’s west side waterfront. Mayor Birmingham said he vetoed the settlement plan because he felt the the cost was too much, the decision was contrary to legal advice given the city, and the action was premature. The settlement approved on a five to two vote includes a $360,000 payment and the acknowledgment that Papke had acted in good faith. The two “no” votes were cast by Aldermen David Ward and Seth Wiederanders.
