Port Huron City Council Regular Meeting – January 26, 2026

The Port Huron City Council met on January 26, 2026, beginning with roll call and approval of the January 12, 2026 meeting minutes. The meeting included two public comment periods, a consent agenda, a city manager report, several resolutions, and a roundtable. A central theme was the community’s response to extreme cold and homelessness over the preceding weekend, with many speakers criticizing insufficient warming shelter capacity and the city manager defending coordination with nonprofits.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 3: Approved appointment of Andrew Kirchner and Tanner Malcolm to the Historic District Commission, terms expiring March 10, 2027. Unanimous vote.
• Resolution 4: Approved appointment of Tanner Malcolm as alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals, term expiring July 1, 2028. Unanimous vote.
• Resolution 5: Confirmed the mayor’s appointment of John Whitmore to the Downtown Development Authority, term expiring February 9, 2030. Unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

First public comment (residents and business owners):

• A resident living on the Black River thanked the council for supporting icebreaker operations to prevent flooding, especially at the railroad bridge.
• Rachel Bodley (1804 Gillett St.) criticized the city for not opening adequate warming shelters, stating the situation was “despicable and even morally corrupt.” She noted that police brought people directly from the hospital to the Blue Water Ally Center, which opened without city support. She also faulted the council for praying while failing to help the homeless, and mentioned LGBT+ community members stepping up.
• Betty Hall (Stone St.) expressed distress over a woman brought to the shelter by police, saying she “cannot get the picture out of my head.” She asked about penalties for the “project on the pier” ($105,000) and demanded that money go to affected businesses. She also inquired about the status of Lincoln Street lofts, South Park townhouses, and River District Housing, calling for more affordable housing. She criticized road conditions and urged the council to act.
• Rachel Farquhar (19th Ave.) thanked the Blue Water Ally Center for opening overnight, and thanked the Port Huron Police Department for de-escalating a barricade situation, praising their use of de-escalation tactics.
• Brian Farquhar (19th Ave.) thanked city crews for plowing roads to the mailboxes. He urged the city to open its checkbook for homeless shelters, noting that McMorne shelter had not opened and that BROC (a funded nonprofit) closed at 2 p.m. on Friday. He asked whether the city funded a party at the Wrigley Center, calling such spending “downright despicable.” He encouraged the city manager to pull bodycam footage of the woman brought to the shelter.
• Americ Latula (address withheld) spoke about a shooting in Minneapolis, arguing that resistance to unjust laws is legitimate. They urged the council to oppose ICE raids, defended the observer who was killed, and called for defunding and demilitarizing law enforcement until a civilian liaison is provided for mental health crises.
• A concerned citizen (no name given) criticized road construction—especially asphalt laid in winter on Lapier Road—and the city’s pocket park project, calling it poorly executed. They complained about building inspections, taxes, and said “there shouldn’t be anybody up here talking about the people that are cold out there.” They demanded McMorne be opened and more action on homelessness.
• Craig Schlinkard (non‑resident) criticized the council for not listening, accused the city of violating ADA compliance (referencing a lack of interactive process), and complained about police misconduct. He stated, “You guys obviously don't give a rat’s…” and said there is “no standard here other than what you guys don't support.”

Second public comment (non‑residents):

• Melissa Merchant (Fort Gratiot) asked what the city will do to protect citizens from ICE raids, and described the weekend’s homeless situation as a “debacle.” She called for more shelters (especially for women not fleeing abuse), more social workers, and criticized churches for not opening—except the Salvation Army. She urged the council to treat homeless individuals as community members with dignity.

Discussion Items

• City manager report on warming centers: City Manager James Freed reported that the city coordinated with a group of nonprofits, identifying more than five warming centers, several operating under “code blue” status (meaning anyone could walk in at any time). McMorne is a former bomb shelter, not a designated overnight shelter, and state regulations require specific staffing and training for overnight stays. He noted the city has funded the construction of shelters (e.g., BWarm) through grants. He expressed disappointment that many churches did not open, and said he would raise the issue with the ministerial association. He stated that police officers know where to find people and take them to open centers; no one was left outside who wanted shelter.
• Purchase of Kubota skidsteer: Motion to accept bid from Wadham’s Equipment for $86,258 for a Kubota skidsteer for the Parks Department. The city manager explained that the city had been renting skidsteers for over $25,000 per year, so purchasing one saves money. Councilmember Lamb asked about price; city manager stated this is the larger model needed to run mulcher and brush hog attachments. Councilmember Peyton voted no. The motion passed 5‑1.
• Revocation of obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate (802 Military St.): Property was transferred to SC4, making it exempt from ad valorem taxes; thus the certificate had to be revoked. No loss of tax revenue. Unanimous approval.
• Vacation of portions of 30th Street for U.S. Farathane expansion: The vacated road runs through the property the city previously agreed to purchase. U.S. Farathane, which currently employs 576 people in Port Huron, plans to build on the site; construction is expected this summer. Unanimous approval.
• Special meeting announcement: Mayor Ashford announced a special meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in conference room 408 to discuss city goals for fiscal year 2026‑27, with an opportunity for public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (appointments) approved unanimously.
• Kubota skidsteer purchase approved (5‑1; Councilmember Peyton dissenting).
• Revocation of obsolete property rehabilitation certificate approved unanimously.
• Vacation of 30th Street portions approved unanimously.
• Council committed to revisiting the warming center plan; Mayor Ashford said “we need a plan to execute on behalf of the warming centers.” Councilmember Payton will join the city manager in meeting with clergy about church involvement.
• Councilmember Payton noted that only Be Warm had declared itself on deck; Blue Water Ally Center opened in 1.5 hours and served 20 people two nights in a row. She called the situation “heartbreaking” and said the city “failed our people that are unhomed here.”
• City manager Freed maintained that no one was left without shelter; officers found places for everyone encountered.
• A special meeting on city goals will be held February 5, 2026.