A tense special meeting of the East Lansing City Council erupted Thursday night as city leaders voted to publicly release an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against City Manager Robert Belleman.

The heated meeting featured sharp exchanges between city officials and members of the public, prompting Mayor Eric Altmann to repeatedly attempt to restore order during public comments.

The investigation stemmed from allegations filed last year by Erica Zdiedzic-Hernandez, who accused Belleman of sexual harassment. According to the independent report, investigators found no violations of city policy or law by Belleman. However, the report did recommend leadership training for the city manager.

Officials said Belleman has since been working with an executive leadership expert following the investigation’s conclusion.

The council voted to release the report following a closed session discussion. The move came just one day after Zdiedzic-Hernandez addressed council members during Tuesday night’s regular council meeting.

The emotionally charged meeting underscored ongoing divisions within the community over transparency and accountability in city government.

In other Michigan news, AAA Michigan is projecting approximately 1.3 million residents will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day weekend. Traffic is expected to be heaviest between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday and between noon and 5 p.m. Monday. Officials say Sunday is expected to see the lightest travel volumes.

Meanwhile, the state is lifting lane restrictions on nearly 60% of road and bridge projects beginning Thursday afternoon through early Tuesday morning to help ease holiday travel congestion. Some traffic shifts and shoulder closures will remain in place.

Also Thursday, the Michigan House of Representatives approved legislation expanding Mackinac Island’s authority over its ferry service operations. The measure would allow the island to regulate mainland parking fees, baggage charges, and other ferry-related costs amid an ongoing dispute involving ferry service ownership and operations.

The legislation now heads to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for consideration.

Additionally, applications are now open for the new Fenner Nature Preschool at Maple Grove in Lansing, described as Michigan’s first fully outdoor licensed preschool program for children ages 3 to 6.