Berrien County officials voted to move into a closed session under the attorney–client privilege for a quarterly litigation update and approved minutes from prior meetings, meeting audio shows.

The closed session motion was moved by Rorfa and supported by Vollrath; the body then took a roll-call vote with all members recorded as voting yes. Those recorded as voting in favor were Curran, Freeling, Harrison, Hinkleman, Ott, Tyler, Vollrath, Warfel and Elliot. Meeting participants said the closed session would be used for counsel’s quarterly update and that approval of minutes from prior closed sessions would be handled at 10:30 a.m.

Earlier in the meeting, attendees approved the minutes after a motion identified in the record as “John’s moved” and a voice vote. A brief requisition review preceded the minutes vote; one participant said they did not have a specific number on hand and that staff would pull figures related to “rev excavating” work and provide them at the 10:30 follow-up.

Meeting organizers told members of the public that the session would be held under attorney–client privilege and that the body would break for committee work afterward.

No substantive details of the litigation update were disclosed in the public record because the body moved into closed session under attorney–client privilege.