Combined zoning boards approve executive session to consider personnel investigation

A combined meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals and the zoning board voted to enter an executive session to consider a personnel investigation, meeting attendees said.

Fred Updike, identified in the meeting as a Morgan Township trustee, read the stated reason for the closed meeting: "Certain personnel ... the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, office license, or regulated individuals, unless the employee, office license, or regulated individual request a public hearing." Updike introduced that language before the motion.

An attendee who was not named in the public transcript said, "I'll make the motion," and Updike seconded. The panel then conducted a roll call vote; the transcript records 'Yes' votes from Ken Tumbleson, Kevin Brandis, Brett, Steve Grody, Gabe Hernandez and Connie Reinhart. The motion passed unanimously on the roll call.

The attendees did not discuss the substance of the alleged charges or identify the person(s) involved during the portions of the meeting recorded in the public transcript. The stated reason for the executive session indicates the board intended to discuss personnel-related complaints or investigations; the transcript does not include any further details or a timeline for when any findings or staff reports might be released.

Following the vote, the board indicated it would go into the closed session described in the motion. No public action on the underlying complaint or investigation was recorded in the public segment of the transcript.

The meeting record provided only the motion language, the roll call results and attendees' names; additional context, documents, or outcomes from the closed session were not included in the public transcript.