Port Huron City Council Meeting – November 24, 2025

The Port Huron City Council held a regular meeting on November 24, 2025. The meeting began with a motion to add the reconsideration of Resolution 25-137 (proposed rules of procedure changes) to the agenda, which carried 6-1 after a councilmember changed their vote. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The bulk of the meeting featured extensive public comment—both in opposition to the proposed rules change and on downtown conditions—followed by council discussion and votes on several resolutions, including the first reading of the rules amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 4: Approved sale of a vacant lot at 1430 Pine Grove Avenue for $5,000.
• Resolution 5: Authorized submission of a $25,000 grant application (Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Fund) with a local match of ~$55,000 to convert a tennis court at Lincoln Park to tennis/pickleball.
• Resolution 6: Authorized submission of a $25,000 grant application (Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Fund) with a local match of ~$25,000 to create a half-court basketball court at Renaissance Park.
• Resolution 7: Confirmed single-lot assessments for large brush and branch pickup and right-of-way.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aaron Croner (109 Taylor St.) objected to the reintroduction of the defeated resolution and criticized the new rule requiring sign‑up sheets to speak, stating it would limit the public’s ability to respond spontaneously.
• Rachel Farquhar (19th Ave.) argued the resolution had not been changed as required for reconsideration, and she asked council to read the fine print in the packet before limiting speech.
• Brian Farquhar (19th Ave.) noted legal counsel had advised the resolution must be changed before reintroduction, and he called the meeting “the people’s meeting,” criticizing the mayor’s handling of disruptions.
• Curtis Carl Poirier (Township) expressed opposition, saying no changes would occur until certain council members are replaced, and he felt his voice was being suppressed as a non‑resident taxpayer.
• Craig Schlinger (address stated) urged transparency, citing Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, and asked council to table the vote or ensure future amendments are properly noticed. He called public comment “the public’s only direct line.”
• Several downtown business owners (Greg Whitaken of Elite Feet, Steve Fernandez of 310 Huron Ave., Betty Hall, Susan Kuhn of Suzanne’s) described the downtown as “dying” or “not thriving,” citing blight, broken streetlights, lack of retail, parking gate issues, and one instance of vulgar music played over the downtown speaker system. They urged city support for retail businesses.
• Madison Reed (1123 Church St.) raised concerns about ICE impersonators and asked for police to protect citizens in such situations.
• Kevin Watson (St. Clair County resident) defended the downtown, citing private investment and the college’s purchase of CityFlats and Sperry’s, and urged patience during construction.

Discussion Items

• Reconsideration of Resolution 25-137 (Rules Change): Councilmember Pemberton, absent at the last meeting, moved to bring the proposed rules amendment back for a vote. The proposal would prioritize city residents and business owners for public comment at the beginning of the meeting, with non‑residents speaking later. Supporters (Mayor Ashford, Councilmembers Pemberton, Lamb, Archibald, Mojarak) argued it would elevate local voices, improve decorum, and attract families; opponents (Councilmembers Haremza, Peyton) cited concerns about limiting free speech and the absence of compromise. Councilmember Pemberton clarified that no one’s voice is being taken away—non‑residents remain entitled to four minutes after residents speak. The resolution passed as a first reading (4–3), meaning final adoption will occur at the next regular meeting.
• Resolution 1 – Marina Dredging Contract: Approved a 5‑year agreement with BMJ Engineers for maintenance dredging and dock repairs at the Black River marina. Discussion noted that only one proposal was received, but the city uses a qualifications‑based selection process.
• Resolution 2 – AI Communication Tool (Ask the City): Approved a two‑year, $36,000 master service agreement with Rept to extend the AI‑powered communications tool on the city website. The tool had a successful four‑month pilot, logging 3,000 engagements and saving an estimated 47 hours of staff time. Councilmembers asked about accuracy monitoring and long‑term usage reporting.
• Resolution 3 – Rezoning Referral: Unanimously referred several parcels to the Planning Commission for consideration of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) district, allowing more flexible future land use.
• Downtown Conditions: City Manager Freed reported over $100 million in private investment downtown in 12 years, with hundreds of new lofts and nearly 1,000 new residents. He acknowledged retail struggles (attributed to e‑commerce) and stated that infrastructure, safety, and events are city roles, while retail recruitment falls to the Chamber of Commerce. On parking gate issues at McMorran events, he confirmed that booth attendants will be deployed for large events going forward.

Key Outcomes

• Rules Change (First Reading): Resolution 25‑137 passed on first reading (4–3: Archibald, Lamb, Mojarak, Pemberton yes; Haremza, Peyton, Mayor Ashford no). The final vote will occur at the next regular meeting.
• Marina Dredging Contract (Resolution 1): Approved unanimously.
• AI Communication Tool (Resolution 2): Approved 5–2 (Peyton and Mayor Ashford dissenting).
• Rezoning Referral (Resolution 3): Approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
• Parking Gate Resolution: City Manager Freed committed to having booth attendants at large McMorran events to prevent egress issues.
• Announcements: City offices closed Nov. 27–28 for Thanksgiving; trash pickup delayed for Thursday customers; Santa Parade Nov. 28.