Berrien County commissioners approve consent calendar, vote to enter closed session for FOIA appeal and settlement talks

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved the consent calendar and other routine business and later voted to go into closed session to consider a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal and trial or settlement negotiation.

The board first approved the minutes from the June 19 meeting after a motion by Commissioner Tyler with support from Commissioner Pitchford; the motion passed on a voice vote. The consent calendar was moved by Commissioner Vollrath and supported by Commissioner Tyler; the chair called the roll and commissioners present voted in favor, and the chair said the consent items were approved.

The board later voted to enter closed session under Michigan law, citing MCL 15.268(1)(h) and MCL 15.268(1)(e). Commissioner Warfel made the motion, supported by Commissioner Vollack. A roll call was conducted and commissioners answered in the affirmative; the chair said the livestream would be shut down before the closed session.

No substantive action taken in closed session was recorded in the public transcript. The chair said the board expects to return to open session and that minutes from prior closed sessions would be considered then; the chair also said there may be additional actions after the closed session. The transcript identifies the closed-session legal citations but does not record any board decision reached in closed session in the public portion of the meeting.

Ending: The board adjourned the public livestream before moving into the closed session. Future open meetings were announced: there will be no meeting the week of July 4 and the next meeting will be a night meeting on Thursday, July 10, at Watervliet Charter Township Hall starting at 6 p.m.