The Parkville area man suing the city for documents requested under the Sunshine Law has filed a new court motion stating that the city continues to withhold information that the judge ordered released several weeks ago.
However, the city states the latest motion in a case filed by Jason Maki, is “moot” because city officials already released the requested documents.
The latest filings will be reviewed during a Nov. 13 hearing presided by Platte County Judge James Van Amburg, who has been ruling in the case since Jason Maki filed it was filed it in February.
Maki, who is representing himself in the case, began as a vocal opponent of the city’s handling of a more than 350-acre Parkville development known as Creekside. Maki claimed city officials met behind closed doors with developer Brian Mertz of Parkville Development to negotiate details of the development. City officials have claimed the process they followed was legal, emphasizing they hosted public hearings about the development, as required by law.
Maki since has expanded his objections to include the city’s overall management, claiming most recently that officials have illegally withheld dozens of documents he requested under the state’s Sunshine Law, which is aimed at safeguarding government transparency.
During the upcoming hearing, the judge will review the latest court filings, in which Maki argues the city did not provide some requested information following an August hearing which the judge ordered released.
“He (Maki) is entitled to that information and I want that provided to him,” Judge Van Amburg stated in the August hearing.
Maki had requested the city’s processes for deciding what information is legally private under Sunshine. In August, Maki stated he still had not received some documents he requested or explanations for why they were withheld. However, during the August proceeding, Steven Coronado, who is lead attorney in a team representing the city, said Maki’s requests were vague.
In the latest filings, Maki continues to claim the city has not produced information covered under the judge’s previous order.
In August, Van Amburg stated, “I think the city is going to supplement their answers and be more specific. I believe, Mr. Coronado. Is that correct?” Coronado responded, “That’s correct.” We’re going to provide a privilege log,” which is a document describing why requested information was withheld.
