Port Huron City Council Meeting – March 23, 2026

The Port Huron City Council held a regular meeting on March 23, 2026, at an unspecified time. The council considered two Michigan DNR Trust Fund grant applications for Lincoln Park improvements, approved a consent agenda, and authorized several resolutions including a grant application for the Black River Canal stabilization, a fire apparatus grant, and a forestry management plan. Public comments addressed park design, stormwater runoff, police accountability, and meeting procedures.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the regular meeting of March 9, 2026 (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Accepted a proposal from Snyder Recreation Incorporated in the amount of $50,000 for outdoor fitness equipment at Knox Field, funded by County Commissioner Lisa Beaton’s ARPA allotment (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Approved a first amendment to the communication site lease with PTI U.S. Towers for a cellular antenna at Riverside Boat Launch (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Approved an option and lease agreement with New Singular Wireless PCS LLC for a communication facility at 2215 Stone Street (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Authorized the director of public works to purchase saws through the state of Michigan My Deal extended purchasing program (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Approved decertification of five streets per Act 51 (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Authorized a special liquor license application for the Rocking the Lake event in August at Lakeside Beach (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Authorized a special liquor license application for the Blue Water Festival on July 16–17, 2026, downtown (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Authorized a bridge and mobility project led by St. Clair County Community College (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-XXX: Approved vacating a reserve utility easement over previously vacated portions of 30th Street (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing 26-001 (DNR Trust Fund Grant – $250,000 for Lincoln Park):
  • Tyler Moldovin (Light Ship Neighborhood) expressed support for the park as a “beautiful treasure” and urged planning for all ages.
  • Chris Lamanke (resident) opposed the investment, citing the park’s historical significance and the need for other city priorities; he also praised the volunteer who tends the flowers.
  • Brian Farquhar (19th Avenue) supported improvements but urged the city to seek community input on what amenities are most needed, and noted the potential to leverage $400,000 in total grant funds.
  • An unnamed speaker (beautification commission member) supported leveraging grant funds and emphasized resident input.
• Public Hearing 26-002 (DNR Recreation Passport Grant – $150,000 for Lincoln Park):
  • A resident asked where the additional funding would come from, given the $400,000 total for both grants. The city manager responded that the match would come from the Neighborhood Improvement Authority tax capture (TIF) and that the improvements follow the community-developed plan.
• General Public Comments:
  • Vivian Orisborn (Port Huron Schools/Crow Elementary) raised concerns about runoff pollution from pet waste, driveway salt, and construction sites, calling for solutions.
  • Craig Schlenker (Stone resident) discussed issues with code blue policies, frozen pipes, and support for the Black River Canal; he also requested a committee to answer questions rather than relying solely on the city manager.
  • Jeff Gushman (Ballantyne Street) thanked the council for the opportunity to serve on the forestry management work group.
  • Tyler Moldovin (Light Ship Neighborhood) praised the student’s comments on runoff, noted switching to coarse sand for traction, and suggested sending engineering staff to SEMCOG green infrastructure seminars.
  • Christal (no last name given) accused the city of corruption, police misconduct, and lack of accountability; she claimed a lawsuit has been filed. The city manager responded that the city has paid zero taxpayer dollars on frivolous lawsuits and defended the police department.
  • Curtis (from Fort Gratiot Township) agreed with Brian Farquhar on bringing non-resident comments back together with residents; reported that MDOT will install lighting and better markings at the Pine Grove connector.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing 26-001 (DNR Trust Fund Grant – $250,000):
  • City Manager James Freed clarified that the grant is for ADA parking at the scenic turnout, an ADA pathway, and renovations to existing pickleball and basketball courts—not a redesign of the entire park. The improvements were derived from a community-led Neighborhood Improvement Authority.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Archibald noted the council’s role in informing the public.
• Public Hearing 26-002 (DNR Recreation Passport Grant – $150,000):
  • City Manager Freed explained that the local match comes from the Neighborhood Improvement Authority’s tax increment financing (TIF) district, which can only be spent in that area. The plan followed dozens of neighborhood meetings and public hearings.
• Resolution 26-XXX (Black River Canal Grant – $6,500,000 federal request with $545,140 local match):
  • City Manager Freed reported discussions with Congresswoman Lisa McClain and meetings with township supervisors. The local match may rise to $1.7 million if required, which could be funded via a bond note.
  • Councilmember Lamb noted the match is “to be determined” and would be shared with partners.
• Resolution 26-XXX (Fire Apparatus Grant – $2,250,000 federal request with $250,000 local match):
  • No discussion; passed unanimously.
• Resolution 26-XXX (Forestry Management Plan – $113,000 with EnviroTRAC LLC):
  • Professor Jim Soto, chair of the work group, presented the recommendation. He noted that SEMCOG data shows tree canopy coverage at 24.9%, with a target of 40%. Two downtown tracts average 12%, and the south end is 19.1%. He described the decline due to DTE utility work and historical removals (e.g., 83 trees removed on Erie Street in 1975).
  • The work group evaluated four proposals and recommended EnviroTRAC, which will conduct a full field inventory of all city-owned trees (GPS, species, size, health, structural integrity).
  • Soto emphasized that the inventory will enable an asset management approach similar to the PACER program for roads. He anticipated near-term tree losses, especially silver maples, before recovery.
  • He urged conservation, replanting, and community outreach (e.g., 54 trees remain from an initial purchase of 200). He suggested swapping parking spaces for tree planting pits as traffic calming and stormwater management.
  • Mayor Ashford added the health benefits of trees (asthma reduction, mental well-being).
  • Councilmember Peyton noted the cost will be funded over two years from the city budget. City Manager Freed stated the inventory will make the city eligible for significant grant funding.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing 26-001: Closed; council voted unanimously to authorize submission of the $250,000 DNR Trust Fund grant application and, if awarded, accept the grant and provide the required local match.
• Public Hearing 26-002: Closed; council voted unanimously to authorize submission of the $150,000 DNR Recreation Passport grant application and, if awarded, accept the grant and provide the required local match.
• Resolution 26-XXX (Black River Canal): Approved unanimously (7-0) to submit a $6,500,000 federal grant application with a $545,140 local match (total project cost $7,045,140) for renovations and stabilization.
• Resolution 26-XXX (Fire Apparatus): Approved unanimously (7-0) to submit a $2,250,000 federal grant application with a $250,000 local match (total $2,500,000) for a new aerial tower fire apparatus.
• Resolution 26-XXX (Forestry Management Plan): Approved unanimously (7-0) to contract with EnviroTRAC LLC for $113,000 to inventory the tree canopy and develop a forestry management plan.
• Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
• Meeting adjourned at an unspecified time.