Greenville council extends FOIA appeal response after residents press transparency concerns

Mayor Jeff Scoby presided over the Greenville City Council's Aug. 1 meeting, where the council heard public comment on an appeal of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) denial and then voted to extend its response deadline.

Brandee Ritsema of Kentwood told the council she had concerns about transparency in the FOIA process and raised questions about tools and procedures for audio and video redaction. Shannon Tanis of Grand Rapids said there had been funding opportunities for body cameras in 2021 and flagged perceived inconsistencies and potential conflicts of interest in how records and redactions have been handled. Sally Orlow of Sparta expressed concern about what she described as the "weaponization" of officers. Those remarks were presented during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

Councilperson Lehman moved to approve a 10-business-day extension for the City Council's response to the written FOIA appeal; Councilperson Johnson seconded. The motion was recorded as unanimously adopted. The transcript does not record individual roll-call votes or dissenting statements.

The extension gives the council additional time to prepare a written response to the appeal. The meeting record does not specify what, if any, additional review or redaction process the council will undertake during the extension period.