The South Haven City Council isn’t making any changes to its conflict-of-interest policy after a suggestion to do so by member Mary Hosley this week.

Things got a little tense at Monday’s meeting when Hosley said the planning commission and city council have been operating under different conflict-of-interest standards since changes were made early this year by the planning commission. She suggested the different interpretations could require recusals of council members on issues like the Overton project.

However, City Manager Kate Hosier said under the charter, only financial conflicts of interest apply to council members.

“This was a bylaw that was passed by the planning commission that affects only the planning commission,” Hosier said. “This has no impact on this board. This city council’s conflict of interest is really governed by our charter, which is very clear that unless you have a pecuniary interest, you’re not conflicted out.”

Hosier said each of the other bodies in question could have their own policies. She was backed by City Attorney Dave Eberle, but Hosley pushed back, saying the planning commission, zoning board of appeals, and city council should all be on the same page.

“I’m simply trying to be proactive so that we don’t have something come in front of us, which then we’re trying to address it at the same time, like what happened at the planning commission,” Hosley said.

Hosley indicated she was being bullied, but attorney Eberle suggested the opposite.

“When you constantly punch down, it’s just very disheartening. And frankly, Kate [ Hosier ] and I sit here very frequently trying to maintain a level of composure,” Eberly said. “And to the extent we respond, it is often with one hand tied behind our back.”

Other council members agreed with the legal advice of the attorney. Mayor Annie Brown finally ended the discussion, saying there was no majority support to take action.