Port Huron City Council Meeting: Residency Incentive and Public Safety - February 9, 2026
Port Huron City Council Meeting - February 9, 2026
Mayor Ashford opened the meeting with a recognition of his one-year anniversary as mayor, receiving a congressional certificate from Representative Lisa C. McLean. The minutes from January 26, 2026, were approved unanimously. A public hearing on liquor license delinquencies closed with no speakers.
Consent Calendar
The following items were approved unanimously (with Resolution 26004 removed for discussion):
- Approval of minutes from January 26, 2026.
- Resolution 26005: Scheduling public hearings for February 23, 2026, and March 23, 2026, on general needs, community development, housing, and special services utilizing CDBG and HOME funds.
- Resolution 26006: Confirming single lot special assessments for special trash pickup in the right-of-way.
- Resolution 26007: Confirming mayor's reappointment of Carissa Kramer to the Downtown Development Authority (term expiring February 9, 2030).
- Acceptance of unit price bid from ML Chartier Excavating in the estimated annual amount of $289,401 for maintenance dredging and dock repairs for downtown marinas (2026–2028).
- Acceptance of bid from Rawhorn Electric Incorporated for $10,494 for the Hancock Street Sanitary Pump Station generator replacement.
- Authorization of payments (resolutions authorizing 26 payments).
- Resolution 26002: Agreement with St. Clair County Community College (SC4) for maintenance responsibilities of Bard Street from Michigan Street to Fort Street, part of a planned non-motorized pedestrian corridor connecting the Black River to SC4 and the St. Clair River.
- Resolution 26003: Similar agreement with SC4 for another road segment (same pedestrian corridor vision).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Crystal Mink: Expressed concerns about police misconduct by Officer Tristan Shouty (badge 45) regarding an incident on March 18, 2025. Alleged Shouty received a substantial raise (approximately $12,000) from City Manager James Freed, despite misconduct. Claimed charges against her (misuse of 911 and felony obstruction) were dismissed in October 2025 for lack of probable cause. Demanded an audit of Shouty and all police misconduct, and questioned why City Attorney Todd Shouty (Tristan's father) has not addressed the issue.
- Rachel Farquhar: Praised the recent work session and brainstorming on community needs. Questioned the residency incentive policy (5% raise for city employees living in Port Huron), preferring direct incentives like relocation or down payment assistance to address barriers to affordable housing. Emphasized the need for clear policy specifications.
- Brian Farquhar: Appreciated the work session but criticized the residency incentive as a raise that disproportionately benefits higher-paid staff (e.g., those making over $100,000 get $5,000). Suggested moving incentives instead. Praised the Chili Fest and ice races downtown. Requested Councilmember Pemberton attend more meetings, noting a 70% attendance record.
- Dimitri Stafford (Blue Water Area Rescue Mission): Welcomed home after moving from Houston. Thanked the community for supporting homeless populations during cold weather. Urged unity and focus on what unites the city, quoting scripture.
- Ken Harris: Complained about icy sidewalks (6–8 inches on both sides of the viaduct on 24th Street) and lack of enforcement. Questioned why the State of the City address was held at the Wrigley Center instead of City Hall. Requested speed restraints on Water Street and noted the shift from owner-occupied to rental properties in his neighborhood. Expressed condolences for John Kennedy (sponsor of the American Indian Boulder) and Rico Ruez (former council member with health issues).
- Trash the Clown (activist): Delivered an emotional speech appreciating the collaborative spirit of Port Huron, citing weekly family dinners at Blue Water Recording and Outreach. Expressed optimism for 2026 despite divisive times.
- Jason Richards (volunteer with warming shelter): Reported overflow of 43 people (including women and children ages 3 months to 12 years) over the previous three weeks, a significant increase from the normal 10–15. Thanked the city for $540 in rooms and private donors for $430. Called for better communication among organizations and a coordinated emergency plan to prevent people from falling through the cracks.
- Carol Miller (resident): Addressed a policy change by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department (announced January 20, 2026) that deputies will no longer respond to stray animals unless there is a dog bite or immediate danger, shifting responsibility to animal control. Noted that Port Huron has limited holding capacity (reportedly one animal). Asked the city to engage with the county on shared services or expanded agreements. Also questioned what animal welfare training Port Huron police officers receive.
- Eileen Tesh (activist): Raised transparency concerns about the J.B. Thompson development project approved in January. Alleged City Manager James Freed signed a confidentiality agreement with the Economic Development Alliance (EDA), citing a video of Dan Casey (EDA) from an April 2025 meeting. Stated she filed a FOIA request for agreements from 2014 onward, received a response costing $71 but no agreements. Freed denied signing any NDA. Tesh said she will appeal or seek judicial review.
- Curtis Carr (non-resident taxpayer): Criticized the seating arrangement and segregation of public comment (non-residents go last). Accused City Council of dividing the community. Mentioned receiving attention from Detroit News. Praised the State of the City address but wished it were held at City Hall. Raised pothole issues on Water Street and 16th Street, urging concrete repairs rather than cold patch. Noted selective enforcement of ordinances (e.g., friend with a boat got a citation while sidewalk enforcement is lax).
Discussion Items
- City Manager's Report: James Freed addressed sidewalk complaints, explaining that enforcement is constrained by the Equal Protection Clause and a large senior population (many unable to shovel). He stated the city sends warning letters and social media reminders but will not issue tickets to seniors. He sent formal warnings to commercial properties. He also noted the State of the City address was held by the Chamber of Commerce due to room capacity (City Hall holds ~190, event had 300+).
- Black River Icebreaking: Freed confirmed a tugboat contract for icebreaking was signed that morning; the boat can be operational within days. The city monitors flow gauges upstream (about 4–5 hours lead time) to mobilize. Council member asked about preparedness for storms.
- Residency Incentive Policy (Resolution 26004): Freed explained that state law prohibits requiring city employees to live in Port Huron or using residency as a hiring criterion. The 5% pay bump is voluntary, aimed at retention and recruitment. He noted 30% of the city workforce is expected to retire in the next five years. Many other Michigan cities use similar incentives. Council members expressed support, citing benefits of response times, community investment, and declining population (federal funding based on population). One council member shared experience from Detroit where officer relocation hurt neighborhoods. The policy passed unanimously (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items approved except Resolution 26004, which was removed for discussion and subsequently passed unanimously.
- Residency incentive policy approved: City employees who live in Port Huron receive a 5% pay bump, effective immediately.
- City manager committed to contacting commercial properties about snow shoveling and continuing social media campaigns. No enforcement action against seniors.
- Icebreaking contract secured; city ready for potential flooding.
- No formal action on animal control concerns; resident requested future engagement and volunteered to organize citizen support.
- City manager denied signing any nondisclosure agreements; FOIA response yielded no agreements; Eileen Tesh indicated intent to appeal.
- Council praised the Chili Fest and ice races, with suggestion to develop a backup land-based event in case the river is not frozen in future years.
Meeting Transcript
of America and the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. Let's see where is it. Before we get started here, on last uh at our last meeting, uh I wasn't aware we had uh Lisa McLean's um aide here and apparently he had a recognition that he wanted to present to me and I told him we need to wait till after the meeting and what it was is it's a congressional uh sort of like a congressional certificate and it was made to me but even though it was made to me it belongs to you so with your uh indulgence here I want to read that it says uh dear mayor I have it I left it on the table at home so it says dear mayor ashford I want to extend my sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of your one year anniversary as mayor of the city of Port Huron this milestone offers an opportunity to recognize not only your first year as mayor but also your many years of dedicated service to the Port Huron community serving as mayor is both an honor and a significant responsibility prior to being elected mayor you uh spent years serving uh on the Port Hearing City Council building a strong understanding of the city and its residents and the values held by the community your continued service reflects a deep commitment to Port Hearing and a willingness to step forward when called to serve your historic your historic election marked an important moment for the city for the city and stands as a testament to the trust placed in you by its residents the milestone also reflects the continued growth of our city and the shared value of those who I'm sorry of those who call Port Hearn home please accept this letter as recognition of your first year of service as well as appreciation for your many years of service to the city of Port Huron I extend my best wishes for the work ahead and for your continued service to our community sincerely Lisa C. McLean member of Congress and so it's just a regular folder you get in a you know a certificate you can clap because that is an honor and that's for you so it's not for me it's for you and so it it certainly is a humble um a humble thing that uh that she that she you know she gave me here so you know you don't look for anything or any pats on the back anything it's just all done in love and it's just the thing to do and what I love doing and you have made that a lot more richer by your receptivity and how you reach out and continue to reach out and come here and be a part of our city and making sure that we are you know all together up here as one so thank you City of Port Huron now we will call road police councilmember Archibald Councilmember Haremza here councilmember Lamb here. Councilmember Mojrac Councilmember Peyton here councilmember Pemberton here Mayor Ashford present council members you have before you the meeting from January the 26th is there a motion so move support moved by councilmember lamb and supported by councilmember Pemberton is there any discussion hearing none roll call please councilmember haremza yes councilmember lamb yes councilmember patent yes councilmember Pemberton yes mayor ashford yes our next item here to hear comments concerning liquor licensees delinquent and payment of taxes and or income tax reporting and payments public hearing is now open is there anyone in the audience wishing to address the public hearing this evening once going twice seeing none public hearing closed item E and now is the time for public comment speakers may address the city council on any agenda item or any matter under the city's jurisdiction speakers are allotted one four minute opportunity to make their comments and the clerk will proceed to call Going once. Going twice. Seeing none. Public hearing close. Item E. And now is the time for public comment. Speakers may address the city council on any agenda item or any matter under the city's jurisdiction. Speakers are allotted one four-minute opportunity to make their comments. And the clerk will proceed to call those names, please. Our first speaker will be Crystal Mink. And my heart is there. Yes, yes. Let's talk about police misconduct. I have addressed you guys at previous meetings about Officer Tristan Shouty badge number 45 and the incident he and I had on March 18, 2025. Eileen Tesh aired a special report on Officer Shouty on November 7, 2025, in regards to Tristan's police misconduct with Charles Reed, which is a resident, and with me. According to our report, Tristan got a substantial raise of approximately 12,000 as she got from the budget. The raise came from our city manager, James Freed, as he is responsible for hiring and firing the Port Heron police officers. When it came to the audit done on the city of Port Huron, the lady came and showed all the little numbers on the slides and showed all the funding that has ran through our city. The funding for our law enforcement should have been elaborated on, as we the people in our city hall meetings have asked for it. We want to know. The residents should have to be should be able to ask auditor questions. We are forced to pay taxes here. We should be able to ask questions as we live here and get the truth about our funding. Officer Tristan Shouty has shown his police misconduct on more than one occasion, hence the body cam footage that was leaked to the news. Tristan Shouty is an officer of the law here in Port Huron, but keeps breaking the law himself, along with breaking his oath. Tristan Shouty's fellow officers just sit by, watch, and allow Tristan Shouty to perform acts of police misconduct as seen on body camp. They are just as guilty as he is. As this is going on in our city to our residents by our police, our city manager James Freed is also sitting by allowing this to happen to our taxpaying residents. Instead, he gives substantial raises and no severe consequences. Officer Shouty keeps costing our city money. When does it end? When do we, the taxpayer, taxpaying residents have to pay for his misconduct? We the people demand an audit of Tristan Shouty in all acts of police misconduct of all officers and be investigated. I and my entire family have been targeted and harassed by law enforcement here in Port Hero, Michigan. First Amendment audits is my way of speaking for the people and my posterity. Look at BW Rock. Hosting events at bars and host members got arrested after event for DUI. This is a nonprofit organization for rehabilitation for addicts. They get funding from our city. I would really like to hear from Todd Shouty, our city attorney, as to what he thinks of his son Tristan's behavior in his duties as an officer of the law, who took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution. Or does he cover it up for them? Is there really any accountability or consequences for Tristan? Maybe Tristan does what he wants because he has no proper training to enforce to enter the force or just lack of consequence, period.
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