The attorney for the former developer of a hotel on Sturgeon Bay’s waterfront has filed papers in Door County Circuit Court seeking a judgment requiring the city to produce any paperwork related to the waterfront development project. Developer Bob Papke, through his attorney, Jonathan Smies of Green Bay, contends that the city did not follow through on a request in July of this year for public records related to the development of a hotel on the westside waterfront. The city countered, through its attorney, Randy Nesbitt, that the request was overly broad and should be more narrow in scope. In August, the two attorneys met and changes were made. However, Attorney Smies, in his court filing, indicates that the city failed to produce the requested documents as soon as practical and without delay, violating Wisconsin’s open records law in the process. On behalf of his client, he is asking for a “writ of mandamus” directing the city to produce the requested documents, an order declaring the city in violation of the Wisconsin open records law, attorneys fees, damages and other costs related to the complain, and any other relief the court deems fair and equitable. The city has until December 28th to respond to the complaint in writing.
