The Minneapolis City Council met for more than three hours on Friday to discuss a possible settlement of a lawsuit by senior black police officers, but adjourned without approving it.

Council President Barbara Johnson read a brief statement afterward to reporters that said that city attorneys had given the council an update on the lawsuit and the council provided them with direction.

She said that the city now will report back to federal magistrate Susan Richard Nelson. Nelson has ordered parties in the case not to discuss the case.

Sources familiar with the litigation told the Star Tribune this week that a proposed settlement would provide $2 million to the five plaintiffs who allege discrimination. They sued the city and Chief Tim Dolan last December, alleging that discrimination became more institutionalized after he was named chief.

The potential settlement also would involve the creation of a unit headed by a deputy chief to oversee diversity and race issues, according to the sources.

Two of the officers who filed the federal suit, Lt. Don Harris and Lt. Lee Edwards, were demoted by Dolan. A third officer, Sgt. Charlie Adams, was transferred from the homicide unit over a series of alleged insubordination incidents.

The other officers named in the suit are Lt. Medaria Arradondo and Sgt. Dennis Hamilton. The officers involved average about 20 years with the department.

A clerk for the magistrate's office said she was not aware of any hearings scheduled in the case.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438