Public Meetings - Port Huron, Michigan

The Port Huron City Council convened on October 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM (based on typical start time). The meeting included approval of prior minutes, extensive public comments, city manager reports, consent agenda approval, and two major infrastructure contracts. Several recurring topics dominated discussion: the termination of Polly's Place community garden lease, the closure of Lion Street, and traffic calming in Pine Grove Park. Consent Calendar - Minutes of October 13, 2025: Approved unanimously (6-0; Councilmember Conrad absent). - Resolution 1: Confirming single‑lot special assessments for special trash pickup and right‑of‑way. - Resolution 2: Confirming single‑lot special assessments for large brush/branch pickup. - Resolution 3: Confirming single‑lot special assessments for blight removal and nuisance abatement. All three resolutions were approved as part of the consent agenda on a 6-0 vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Julian Rook (Polly's Place): Presented printed emails showing he had agreed to pay for water hydrant taps, contradicting the city manager’s claim that he demanded free water. He accused City Manager James Freed of a personal vendetta, stating the city manager told him to “slow down” because council dislikes fast progress. Rook asserted he paid $11,900 in legal fees to finalize the lease and that his disabled mother’s living conditions have suffered due to Freed’s actions. - Randy Grosser: Referenced Michigan Public Act 24 of 2025 regarding federal tax income calculations and asked council to investigate the abrupt ending of the September 22, 2025 city council video recording. He also noted that meals served at the soup kitchen rose from 5,000–6,000 (2021–2022) to 10,000–12,000 recently, indicating employment concerns. - Unnamed Speaker (historic comments): Praised an October 18, 2025 “celebration of freedom” event as peaceful. Raised concerns about the Viaduct, a water main break on 17th Street, pothole repairs, and the Lapier Avenue street project delay. Noted that alleys are blocked, hindering tree removal. - Curtis Carl (Parkin Township): Noted lack of signage for the new bike/pedestrian bridge over the canal. Expressed support for Polly’s Place water needs and cited an email showing the city offered water but did not follow through. Asked about $300,000+ annual revenue from marijuana dispensaries and whether it would be dedicated to a specific fund or go to general fund. - Florian Maxwell (1519 Oak Street): Opposed the rejection of community gardens, especially after SNAP repeal, emphasizing the need for low‑income food options. - Brenna Bland (SC4 student): Described a class field trip to Polly’s Place and urged council to retain the garden, citing benefits to food access, mental health, property values, and community cohesion. Expressed concern that tourism focus is squeezing out local families. - Kloham King (SC4 student): Echoed support for Polly’s Place and stated he saw no reason to withhold water from the garden. - Brian Farquhar: Criticized council for not discussing the creation of a tree commission at the prior meeting, only to create one days later. Objected to SC4’s purchase of City Flats, which removes commercial property from the tax rolls, and asked when residents will see tax relief from SC4’s presence. Opined that Polly’s Place was “set up to fail” because the master plan already earmarked the parcels for housing. - Brian Zaytuna (Ryan’s Party Store): Presented a rendering and 474 petition signatures asking for Lion Street to be reinstated. He claimed MDOT lied about vacating the street and that the closure has caused a 40% drop in business. Asked council to help bring MDOT back to the table. - Michelle Denny (manager at Ryan’s): Described near‑miss accidents and a blind corner at Lion Street; noted emergency vehicles are delayed by gridlock. Stated “something needs to be done.” - Mark Gardner (1529 Lion Street): Supported Ryan’s Party Store request, warned of pedestrian safety risks from cars speeding through the parking lot. Discussion Items - City Manager’s Reports - September 22 Video Interruption: James Freed explained the broadcast equipment overheated and was destroyed; a borrowed transmitter is now in use. - Marijuana Dispensary Revenue: Approximately $300,000/year from six dispensaries goes to the general fund for police and fire. Freed cautioned that the market may not sustain long‑term revenue, so the city is being conservative. - Tree Task Force: Corrected that a “comprehensive forestry management work group” has been formed with a narrow scope to develop an RFP for a forestry management plan, not a permanent commission. - Lapier Avenue Project: Concrete subcontractor bailed; a new subcontractor secured and the project is on track for November completion. - Polly’s Place Defense: Freed denied setting up the garden to fail, stating the lease included zoning compliance conditions. He said the city bought buildable lots above market value, gave one to Habitat for Humanity, and intends to build nine single‑family homes on the site (plus 14 townhomes on an adjacent street) to address the housing shortage. Freed alleged that Rook demanded $10,000 to leave and has sent “hundreds of profane emails.” He maintained that the city does not provide free water and that Rook refused to pay metered water costs. - Councilmember Questions on Polly’s Place: Councilmember (likely Archibald) asked why a problematic tenant was offered another property and why the city cannot support a community garden during SNAP cuts. Freed reiterated that water infrastructure for the housing development cannot be moved, and that Rook’s behavior has been consistently untruthful. - Lion Street Discussion: City Manager Freed clarified that street vacation procedures have changed; the Register of Deeds now requires a circuit court action, which complicates reopening Lion Street. He stated it is unlikely MDOT will redesign their project, but the city will work with MDOT and the business owner to explore options. Key Outcomes - Minutes Approved: 6-0. - Consent Agenda Approved: 6-0. - Bid 1 – Secondary Clarifier Rehabilitation: Approved (6-0) the bid from J.F. Kavanaugh Company for $8,875,615. The project will rehabilitate three 1‑million‑gallon clarifier tanks at the wastewater treatment plant, with completion by December 2027. The amount is budgeted in the multi‑year capital improvement plan; water rates will not increase. - Bid 2 – Secondary Building Roof Rehabilitation: Approved (6-0) the bid from William Molnar Roofing Inc. for $1,269,000. The work was also budgeted and anticipated. - Pine Grove Park Speed Bumps: City Manager Freed acknowledged he mistakenly ordered aggressive speed bumps instead of speed humps. The bumps will be removed; proper speed humps will be installed after April 15, 2026 (when installation is permitted). Councilmember (unidentified) supported the change to improve pedestrian safety. - Lion Street: The city will work with MDOT and the business owner to understand the street vacation process; no commitment to reopen the street was made.

The Port Huron City Council met on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM (noted from the transcript start at 22:01:13 UTC) to address routine approvals, public comments, reports, and several resolutions. Key topics included a proclamation for the Chamber of Commerce, public concerns about police conduct, traffic safety, and a major initiative to plant 200 trees. The council passed four resolutions but failed to pass a resolution to create a reforestation task force. Consent Calendar - Minutes: Approved minutes from the September 22, 2025 meeting (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald, supported by Councilmember Mojerac). - Consent Agenda Items (Resolutions 6, 7, 8): Passed unanimously: - Resolution 6: Confirming and approving single lot special assessments for large brush and branch pickup in the right-of-way. - Resolution 7: Confirming the mayor's reappointment of Mary Williams to the Southside Neighborhood Improvement Authority and appointment of Kristen Thompson to fill a vacancy, both with terms expiring October 23, 2029. - Resolution 8: Approving the appointment of Aaron Kriner to the Beautification Commission, term expiring January 30, 2028. Public Comments & Testimony - Joe Pavlo (350 Scott Road, Smiths Creek, representing 64th district): Discussed state budget issues, the failure to fund the Port Huron canal project, and his upcoming testimony to the State Board of Education regarding proposed curriculum changes. He expressed support for local control and parental rights. - Donna Drake (2812 Wright Street): Requested an update on the sale of the Dunn Paper Company and asked for the council's position and whether the Michigan environmental agency had been notified. - Jenna Joseph (no address given): Raised concern about speeding on Garfield Street, especially near the Early Childhood Center and Crawl School. She noted no speed limit signs or school zone signs and requested enforcement and signage. - Jim Soto (Lake View Avenue): Expressed strong support for Resolutions 25-128 and 25-129 (tree purchase and task force). He advocated for a reforestation task force to help recover from historical tree losses (4,298 trees removed from 1992 to 2016 due to Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease). - Crystal Mankey (no address given): Provided a detailed account of an incident on March 18, 2025, involving Port Huron Police Officer Tristan Shouty. She alleged unlawful arrest, false imprisonment, and constitutional violations; all charges were dismissed. She called for the officer's removal and investigation of police misconduct. - Kevin Watkins (NAACP President, St. Clair County): Addressed the recent reprimand by the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners and defended his use of the term "character assassination." He criticized Officer Shouty's conduct and the city's handling of lawsuits. He also read a statement reaffirming his commitment to advocacy. - Brian Farquhar (19th Avenue): Voiced support for the tree resolutions and suggested using a city-owned parcel at the end of Glenwood to create a pocket park for fishermen and plant trees. - Curtis (no address given): Thanked the city for tree trimming at the 12th Street Boat Ramp and for starting work on Kearney Street. He expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the pocket park project and questioned the use of marijuana shop revenue (estimated $174,000 in 2024). He also criticized police conduct and expressed fear. - Austin Wells (Port Huron native): Described dangerous sidewalk conditions on the 24th Street Bridge, with missing concrete and exposed rebar. He urged repairs for factory workers who rely on that route. - Aaron Kriner (no address given): Thanked the mayor for his appointment to the Beautification Commission. He commented on tree tethering, suggesting it is unnecessary and harmful. He also complained about speeding on Taylor Street and asked for enforcement. - Ignazio Balsamo (President, Oakwood Building Company, Macomb County): Addressed a payment dispute for work at 515 River Street. He stated he has never encountered such issues in his 36 years in business and requested payment for the June progress application. - Ashley Balsamo (Ignazio's wife): Supported her husband's statements, arguing that the contract definition of "waste" was misinterpreted. She noted they recycled materials and had proof, but were not paid because materials did not go to the city's designated landfill. She appealed for council involvement beyond the city manager. - Dawn Falk (Port Huron Township resident): Urged the council to remove fluoride from the public water supply, citing health risks and lack of choice. She thanked Mayor Ashford for responding to her emails and promised to provide more information. She noted that Kimball Township passed a resolution opposing fluoridation. Discussion Items - Proclamation – Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day: Mayor Ashford read a proclamation declaring October 15, 2025, as "Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day" in Port Huron, recognizing the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce’s 100+ years of service. Two chamber representatives accepted and thanked the council, noting challenges ahead for downtown businesses. - City Manager's Administrative Report (August 2025): City Manager James Freed provided updates: - Traffic safety: Met with school district heads and principals; engineering department will develop traffic calming devices for schools, including Crawl and Roosevelt. - Dunn Paper site: Eagle (environmental agency) is aware of the property transfer. - Pocket park: Footings and railings will be installed before winter; steel structure to go up in spring 2026. - LaPier Road project: MDOT grant with federal funds; subcontractor dropped due to Trump administration rhetoric on funding cuts. Curb, gutter, and sidewalk work to begin next week; project still on schedule for completion before winter. - 24th Street Bridge: Under county and CX Railroad jurisdiction; mayor and city manager have met with CX to press for improvements. - Central Fire Station demolition: City manager stated the city stands by its decision to withhold payment due to egregious contract violations; city attorney will respond to contractor's letter. - Tree Planting Presentation: City Manager Freed and Forestry Director Jason Kluman presented a detailed initiative: - Current tree canopy: 24.9% (above comparable communities). Goal: 40% in 20 years. - Historical losses: 4,200+ trees removed due to Emerald Ash Borer and other diseases. - 200 trees to be purchased from Marine City Nursery for $80,000, planted fall 2025 and spring 2026. - Total planted since 2021: 481 large (3-4 inch diameter) trees, including those from road projects. - Emphasis on diversifying species, right tree/right place policy, and targeting low-canopy areas using SEMCOG canopy study and Justice40 census tracks. - Citizens portal launched for residents to request trees on private property. - Annual need: 100-150 trees per year to offset loss of 40-60 trees annually. - City manager committed to annual reporting of tree removals and plantings. - Resolution 5 – Reforestation Task Force: Mayor Ashford noted that the resolution was proposed by a resident and requested a status update from the city manager. The motion by Councilmember Peyton lacked a second, so the motion failed. Mayor Ashford expressed disappointment, stating that the council should welcome resident engagement. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: All three items (Resolutions 6, 7, 8) passed unanimously. - Resolution 1 (Authorizing 24 payments): Passed unanimously. - Resolution 2 (FEMA grant for firefighter training – $116,423.22): Passed unanimously. Councilmember Lamb thanked Fire Chief Nicholson. - Resolution 3 (Adopting St. Clair County emergency management program): Passed unanimously. - Resolution 4 (Purchase of 200 trees for $80,000): Passed unanimously. - Resolution 5 (Reforestation task force): Failed due to lack of a second. Mayor Ashford noted the resolution had been requested by a resident and that she had asked the city manager for a status update, which led to tonight's presentation. - Next Steps: City manager will provide documentation regarding the 515 River Street contract dispute to the council. City manager committed to reporting tree removal and planting data annually on the citizen portal. - Announcements: Annual "Cop and Jock" spaghetti dinner on October 14, 2025, at the Masonic Ballroom. Leaf pickup starts week of October 20 through November 29. Twenty vacancies on boards and commissions were announced.

The meeting on October 13, 2025, consisted solely of an audio system test. No agenda, minutes, or substantive discussion were provided. The transcript indicates only testing phrases and no official business was conducted.

The Port Huron City Council met on September 22, 2025, to address a range of community issues, including public comments on zoning, infrastructure, and economic development, followed by staff reports and unanimous approvals of contracts, a funding report, and a partnership with St. Clair County Community College (SC4). Consent Calendar - Minutes of the September 8, 2025 regular council meeting were approved unanimously. - Consent agenda items (not individually read) were approved as a block, including: - Resolution confirming single lot assessments for brush/branch pickup (Resolution No. 5) - Resolution confirming single lot assessments for blight removal and nuisance abatement (Resolution No. 6) - Ordinance (first reading) to rezone properties at 218 Riverview Street and 2601 Omar Street from M1 (light industrial) to PUD (planned unit development), and 2530, 2520, 2500 vacant lots on Wright Street from R1 (residential) to PUD. - Ordinance (first reading) to amend Chapter 16 for a service charge in lieu of taxes for the Robins Crest low-income housing project. Public Comments & Testimony - Julian Rutt (Polly's Place): Reported that the city terminated his 10-year lease for Polly's Place on the South End without warning, after a year and a half of delays (no water hookup). He expressed frustration and proposed pivoting to a virtual gardening app. He asked council for support beyond a proposed buyout of his shed. - Claudia Smith (2625 Wright Street): Supported rezoning the former Dunn Paper property to PUD and opposed any heavy industrial use or gravel truck traffic. She questioned whether materials would arrive by ship and why demolition stopped. - Ken Harris (1521 Wall Street): Raised concerns about road conditions (La Pierre Road, Grassford Avenue, Water Street), questioned CAFER fund spending (unused $30,000), alleged a contractor damaged a home and the owner received a ticket, and noted a suspicious water service line mailing. - Bishop Kim Brown: Thanked the city manager and Cynthia for a presentation on the South Side reinvestment center and expressed support for community voices and youth programs through SCORE. - Kirk Kramer (President, SC4): Reported fall enrollment up 20%, highlighted collaborative vision for campus-city connections (walkability, safety), and announced a joint project with the city to develop a parking lot. - Brian Farquhar: Criticized the city's new AI feature on the website for inaccurate responses, noted poor bike lane signage and missing crosswalks (especially near Holland Woods Middle School), and urged enforcement and better pedestrian infrastructure. - Pete Lacey (SC4): Shared positive community events (Wolverine Invitational wheelchair basketball, Thumb Coast Tip-Off, STEM Fest attendance growing to 7,000) and thanked council for making Port Huron welcoming. - Betty Hall (2107 Stone Street): Asked about job creation and promoting Port Huron for new employers, noting empty industrial park parcels and a homeless population. - Terry Baum (2704 Wright Street): Strongly opposed any industrial use of the Dunn Paper property, supported the PUD rezoning, and expressed faith in council despite a pending lawsuit. - Curtis Carl (Port Huron Township): Complained about road damage (Water Street, 13th Street, Kearney Street), requested tree trimming at the Water Street boat ramp, noted missing sidewalks on Botsford Street, and complained about high chlorine levels in tap water. - Alan Skinner (Stone Street): Suggested a full-line grocery store within a 15-minute walk of the new South Park community center, asked for speed/noise abatement on Stone Street, and criticized the city's five-year plan for not rezoning the Dunn Paper area sooner. - Ignazio Balsamo (Oakwood Building Company): Stated he was the contractor on a project at 515 River Street that was halted, claimed he waited seven weeks for disposal site determination, was accused of ghosting, and then the job was awarded to another contractor without public bid. He requested an opportunity to complete the work. - Trash Clown (resident): Urged proactive action on mental health services (crisis line, social workers with police), pedestrian safety (sidewalks, streetlights), and community service by city employees. Criticized council for focusing on pocket parks and entertainment over basic needs. - James Freed (resident, not city manager): Asked about job creation and promoting the city. Discussion Items - City Manager's Report (James Freed): - Water Street reconstruction from 13th to 10th (approved $800,000 project) will begin in spring 2026; also planning replacements from 10th Street Bridge past LaPierre. - Water service line letters are part of state-mandated lead service line inventory following the Flint crisis; residents are asked to help identify material. - Jobs update: 850 million in new investment over 10 years, 3,750 jobs created, but 300 jobs currently unfilled in the industrial park due to worker shortage. A mental health social worker is now embedded with police (crisis hotline 988). - Explained why the city did not buy the Dunn Paper property: rezoning takes time; the plant never submitted a formal plan until the city initiated zoning change. - Resolution No. 1 – CAPER Report: Jasmine (staff) presented the Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report for 2024 to HUD, highlighting two neighborhood cleanups, 29 housing rehab projects, and plans to partner with nonprofits for credit repair and other services. Council discussed outreach via RFP and nonprofit partnerships. Funding is secure for 2025. - Resolution No. 2 – SC4 Parking Lot MOU: City Manager Freed explained the MOU with SC4 to transfer a city-owned parking lot (corner of Michigan and Bard Street). SC4 will rehabilitate the lot at no cost to the city and keep it free public parking as long as all city lots remain free. This supports SC4 student housing and downtown vitality. Unanimously approved. - Bid Acceptance – Water Filtration Plant: Accepted Ainsworth Electric's bid of $967,730 for control panel upgrades, about $217,000 over budget but necessary. Only one bid received; Freed noted challenges in soliciting bids. Key Outcomes - All consent agenda items and resolutions were approved unanimously (7-0). - Bid for water filtration plant upgrades awarded to Ainsworth Electric. - CAPER report authorized for submission to HUD. - MOU with SC4 for parking lot transfer approved, with SC4 funding rehabilitation and maintaining public parking. - Ordinances (rezoning and housing tax abatement) advanced to second reading; final enactment will occur at a future meeting. - City Manager committed to addressing road issues (Water Street, Kearney Street) and noted that the lead service line survey is ongoing.