Escanaba council accepts recommendation after closed session on Soderman lawsuit

The Escanaba City Council met in closed session Nov. 25 to discuss litigation strategy in Connor Soderman v. City of Escanaba and Colt Tienen (case no. 24-25601-NI). The council cited Michigan statutes when moving into closed session and then, after returning to open session, moved to accept the council'recommended action in that case.

The council announced the closed-session motion at 00:29:33, citing MCL 15.268(e) and related attorney-client privilege provisions; the clerk made a roll call before the council recessed to the closed session. When the council returned at about 00:46:11 the chair stated, “No decisions were made during closed session at this time,” and a council member then moved “to accept the recommendation from council in the case of Connor Soderman versus City of Escanaba and Colt Tienen, case number 24-25601-NI.” The motion was supported and carried by roll call.

City staff did not provide details of the recommendation on the public record at the meeting. The council’s use of a closed session for attorney‑client privileged discussion was recorded as authorized under the cited Michigan statutes. The council did not read into the open record any privileged deliberations; the motion adopted after the session is reflected in the minutes as an acceptance of the council'recommendation.

The transcript does not state the substance of the recommendation, any settlement terms, or whether the action resolves the case; those details were not disclosed on the public record during the meeting.