Village attorney: Michigan court declined to hear Michiana’s appeal; council meets in closed session

Attorney Sara Senica updated the Village of Michiana council on litigation with New Buffalo Township during the June 13 meeting, saying the Michigan Court of Appeals denied a request to hear the village’s appeal.

Senica told the council she was disappointed by the denial and said the Michigan Municipal League board had discussed the matter and that a legislative amendment had been considered; she said she would keep the council informed if there were further developments.

After public comments the council voted to enter closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act to consider an attorney‑client privileged letter. Tim McCarthy made the motion to enter closed session and the motion, read on the record, stated: "I make a motion under Section 8(H) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act to go into closed session to consider an attorney-client privileged letter from our council, which is exempt from public disclosure." Mike Botelho seconded the motion and the council entered closed session; the transcript records the council later returning to open session but provides no minutes of the closed discussion.

The transcript does not disclose the contents of the attorney‑client communication discussed in closed session. Senica’s update was the only litigation status comment provided on the public record at this meeting.