Port Huron City Council Regular Meeting – June 8, 2026

Note: The meeting transcript references a date of May 26, 2026, but the provided timestamp is June 8, 2026. This summary uses the June 8 date as instructed.

The Port Huron City Council held a regular meeting on June 8, 2026. Council approved a substantial amendment to the 2021 annual action plan reallocating $798,000 to tenant-based rental assistance, heard extensive public comments on traffic safety in the LightShip neighborhood, and took action on several resolutions and ordinances.

Public Hearing

• HOME ARP Amendment and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance: Council held a public hearing on a substantial amendment to the 2021 annual action plan and HOME ARP allocation plan to reallocate funds to tenant-based rental assistance. No public comments were offered. Staff (Jasmine) explained that $798,000 would be moved from previously planned non-congregate shelter and supportive services funding to Blue Water Community Action for one year of rental assistance for homeless and at-risk persons. The need was driven by high demand and the complexity of HUD compliance for other nonprofits. Council then voted unanimously (6-0) to adopt the resolution approving the amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the participation agreement with the Clemis Authority for IT services for courts and law enforcement (Resolution #5).
• Scheduled a public hearing for June 22, 2026, regarding maintenance costs for the Military Street Streetscape project (Resolution #6).
• Scheduled a public hearing for June 22, 2026, regarding maintenance costs for the Huron Avenue Streetscape project (Resolution #7).
• Accepted the bid from Union Properties Construction, LLC, for $195,841.15 plus a 10% contingency for renovations to Fire Station 4.
• Received and filed the quarterly financial report for the nine-month period ending March 31, 2026.
• Authorized 13 payments.
• Approved the HOME ARP Agreement Amendment with Blue Water Community Action (identical to the item in the public hearing, passed as a consent resolution).

Public Comments & Testimony

Six residents spoke during the public comment period, all addressing traffic safety in the LightShip neighborhood (Prospect Place and Thomas Edison Parkway):

• Breezy Wallace described speeding (30-50 mph) on Prospect Place, dangerous crosswalks, and a lack of pedestrian yielding. She requested traffic calming measures such as parking on one side of the street.
• Bruce Morrison proposed a road diet: eliminating the 12.5-foot center turn lane, adding bike lanes, and narrowing the roadway. He noted the street functions like an interstate on-ramp.
• Luke Wallace echoed concerns about vehicle acceleration and noise, supporting a paint-only pilot project for traffic calming.
• Brandon Hunting presented a petition with over 260 signatures requesting safer streets, slower traffic, and a reversible pilot project to test traffic calming measures.
• Claire Huntoon emphasized the need for safe bike infrastructure and collaboration with the city, offering to form a committee to work on complete streets.

Council acknowledged the comments and committed to following up.

Discussion Items

• Decorative Crosswalk Art Policy (Resolution #3): Council debated a proposed policy to allow student-designed art on crosswalks as a traffic calming measure. Supporters (Councilmember Peyton, Mayor Pro Tem Archibald) cited studies showing it slows traffic. Opponents (Councilmember Lamb, Mayor Ashford, others) expressed concerns about subjectivity, potential distractions, and placing council in the role of arbiters of acceptable art. The motion failed on a 2-4 vote (Peyton and Archibald in favor; Mojarek, Pemberton, Lamb, Mayor Ashford against). Staff offered to bring back more information for future consideration.
• South Park Social District (Resolution #4): Council considered creating a social district in the South Side, generally from Lincoln Park scenic turnout to south of Bonavista. Staff explained that the Southside Neighborhood Improvement Authority (NIA) had vetted and approved the district, with boundaries adjusted to exclude deeper park areas after resident concerns. Council debated impacts on nearby residential areas and churches. A motion to approve passed 4-2 (Peyton and Mayor Ashford opposed; Pemberton, Archibald, Lamb, Mojarek in favor).
• Ordinance to Regulate Virtual Currency Machines (Item J, First Reading): Police Chief Kerrigan presented an ordinance to license and regulate Bitcoin kiosks to combat fraud. Key provisions: $1,000 initial deposit limit, $5,000 daily limit, scam warnings, and annual licensing. Over the past year, Port Huron residents lost approximately $600,000 in fraud, including $60,000 from three cases involving these kiosks. Council unanimously approved the first reading (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Amendment Approved: Unanimous approval to reallocate $798,000 to tenant-based rental assistance via Blue Water Community Action.
• Fire Station 4 Renovations: Bid accepted for $195,841 plus contingency.
• Crosswalk Art Policy Rejected: Motion failed 2-4, but may be revisited with additional information.
• South Park Social District Approved: Motion passed 4-2.
• Virtual Currency Machine Ordinance: First reading approved 6-0; second reading and public hearing anticipated at a future meeting.
• Public Comments: Council acknowledged traffic safety concerns and indicated they would explore pilot projects and further discussion with residents.

Announcements

City offices will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth. Spirit of Port Huron award nominations are open.