[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6101729,"mediaKeyId","2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef","parentId",2807169,"title","Port Huron council approves museum repairs, water-plant equipment, grant funds and other routine items","audioSeconds",13,"startMs",997000,"endMs",1010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef&start=997&end=1010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef/thumbnail_997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101729/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/Port-Huron-council-approves-museum-repairs-water-plant-equipment-grant-funds-and-other-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101729-a8108cc5b5686a741c745016f826a9a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586575&Signature=i3KbxZWDV4teHVgdYBeC6PHJR9nxrf~pXaQ4e127vv-05NVPTM9nTFFAO0l-yVpNv6w01Q1nT0O7BdNhMTh1xcYa0QhHHrfRC72O-rSDLbvE875bJPXtlSoYpRjY~70mFHcPvGxpCnXWjdBMhmrgI7PjhoPxuBy-JiVw73MDMOo4od07AiagNELXmND36V67fVRfz9BNk6r~6u-paXHiGxg4EJ5qZfQKMKtkJ1kYxCg0SsS3rJg3Utbv6wOZPzzv~ATXeU82xehjZpJt5wQWoRUDp8oq01IqFRMV8p~mfEkFhk~sJRXEG5wvIBOdLHkdthHhy-J4NV7gys-jx0LXLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Port Huron","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","At its March meeting the Port Huron City Council approved a set of routine procurement, grant and personnel items, including maintenance at city facilities, equipment for public safety demonstrations, and a state grant to support community engagement.

Key approvals

- Minutes: The council approved the minutes of the March 10, 2025 meeting. The motion to approve was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald and supported by Council Member Moserak; roll call recorded unanimous approval.

- Thomas Edison Depot Museum repairs: The council accepted a quote from Union Properties LLC for $23,450 for approximately 600 square feet of new siding and replacement windows at the Thomas Edison Depot Museum. City staff said the south-side wood was rotting where the sun does not hit; the repair had been re-bid without responsive contractors. Motion moved by Council Member Pemberton and supported by Council Member Moserak; vote recorded as yes by roll call.

- Water filtration plant dehumidification unit replacement: The council accepted a bid from Watson Brothers Service Company in the amount of $136,220 to replace a dehumidification unit at the water filtration plant. City staff said the existing unit (installed in 1999) removes about 480 gallons of water per day and has experienced numerous breakdowns; the replacement has a 20-week lead time and will be included in the next fiscal year budget. Motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald and supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call recorded approval.

- Police simulated impaired driving vehicle (grant-funded): The council accepted a sole-source quote from Inner Corp Ltd for $41,789 to purchase a simulated impaired driving experience car for the police department. The city manager said the purchase is grant-funded and not from general fund. Motion moved by Council Member Moserak and supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call recorded approval.

- Road salt procurement: The council authorized the director of public works to purchase road salt through the State of Michigan extended purchasing program for the 2025–26 season. Motion moved by Council Member Pemberton; roll call recorded approval.

- Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards grant: The council authorized acceptance of a $100,000 grant from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards to support public-safety and community-engagement programs. Chief Kerrigan described the grant as focused on community engagement and relationship building; funds may be expended over two years and specific spending plans are still being developed by staff. Motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald and supported by Council Member Pemberton; roll call recorded approval.

- McMoran Place Commission reappointments: The council approved reappointments of Bob Eppley and Carissa Kramer to the McMoran Place Commission for terms to expire April 1, 2029. Motion moved by Council Member Pemberton and supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call recorded approval.

Votes and roll-call notes

Roll-call votes were used for each action and recorded on the official record. Where individual votes were read, council members recorded yes votes for the listed passing items. Specific roll-call tallies for the larger items (dehumidification unit, grant acceptance, museum repairs, simulated vehicle, salt authorization, reappointments) were in each agenda line and recorded as passed by the council.

What the approvals mean

The dehumidification replacement is not in the current fiscal year budget but will be included in the July 1 budget; the vendor’s lead time means the unit is expected to arrive in July. The $41,789 vehicle is grant-funded, not from general fund. The $100,000 MCLES grant is intended for community engagement programs over two years, with staff returning with more detailed spending plans.

No controversial policy changes were adopted in these items; the council moved on after passing the measures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Port Huron March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Port Huron City Council approved a series of procurement and grant items at its March meeting, including museum repairs, a water-plant equipment replacement, a grant-funded police training vehicle, salt procurement and a $100,000 public-safety grant.","taxTitle","Port Huron City, St. Clair County, Michigan","taxId",4311,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101734,"Council advances first reading of ordinance named for Joshua Connaught; mayor pledges state-level push",895,2479000,3374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef&start=2479&end=3374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef/thumbnail_2479000.jpg","/articles/6101734/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/Council-advances-first-reading-of-ordinance-named-for-Joshua-Connaught-mayor-pledges-state-level-push","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101734-3a704bd13f4df9c0a33b9f59404ba188/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586575&Signature=MMHAT~RjG-1kUS6MP3pup1v7gyCIQcbHqN7Yiy2uo46D5qnzBUqHF5nhwO1s2fvhgEvwaOydCYLK3wLGXDXHMWmIR6bLadu6~BmAcrWeHmdhDsg6DhuErdnFfhaNUw42u9Lx41408xFOUXO7Cnd5bJrkCMp0fyx5tzD3Xjf~h9kXPZTnRSk3Zxy7VZ-KLQyVDx-rT9Y3U6a1LL~YgrBxIQ2JGIR6wWdmi6q9M1Y2MEi1xH~CsmIKC~itMdiXQzJHRSCWILdOYJFxNMAIyPHypkGhNXFEP6WqrQLIcBgGwZNoo95UFmlRdUMNKbNsg68Yt0UbvFEsQwtaXaZlUSACTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Huron City Council approved first reading of an amendment to Chapter 12 of the Port Huron Code of Ordinances to establish training standards for certain security personnel, introduced in the meeting as the \"Joshua Connaught Ordinance.\" The ordinance will return for a second reading at a subsequent meeting.

Mayor Anita R. Ashford said the ordinance was drafted at the family's request and reviewed by the family's attorney and by city legal counsel. The mayor said she would seek to build legislative support in Lansing and that she would \"work with the state representative and the Senate as well, to get bill text to the legislative bureau in Lansing to have a bill text drafted.\" Mayor Ashford asked the public and community organizations to be prepared to support hearings in the state legislature to move the measure forward if the city pursues a state law.

A family member and others addressed the council after the ordinance passed first reading. The mayor framed the next steps as a combination of local ordinance passage and a broader lobbying effort: \"Getting a bill passed in Lansing is incredibly hard. And this will take probably 1 or 2 cycles to get it through,\" she said, and called for bipartisan sponsorship in both chambers.

The council took the first-reading vote by roll call; the motion for first reading carried. The mayor and council also described a community role for testimony when the measure is heard in Lansing so that lawmakers understand the bill’s objectives.

At the meeting the city attorney and Mr. Shouty (the drafter) were credited with preparing the ordinance text and clearing it with the family attorney. The council did not take a final vote to adopt the ordinance at this meeting; that final adoption will require a second reading and any further local revisions before becoming local law. The mayor said she would coordinate with the Conaught family and legislative contacts to pursue state-level enactment.","The council approved first reading of an ordinance to add training standards for certain security personnel—presented as the \"Joshua Connaught Ordinance\"—and discussed plans to pursue similar language through the Michigan legislature with community support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6101738,"Port Huron council fails to confirm mayoral planning commission appointment after questions on process",781,1683000,2464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef&start=1683&end=2464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2807169-cb13bc70465c7a2927375667774f61ef/thumbnail_1683000.jpg","/articles/6101738/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/Port-Huron-council-fails-to-confirm-mayoral-planning-commission-appointment-after-questions-on-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101738-7cd9b4159649a362397692fab5e62c49/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586575&Signature=Gt2GdNoVb17cnZNkumIcvoQC1SxvbQMCJGw0Zo-IV6u0WV1Np21RBFICoTWE4WO4hSMPhJGSi3wvoynUSbpkxZn1XUfY-0vNWMOuvdX2yWVUIzymf3Ayn-rG8sxuBA~RPzM10ZEGBkLI68BWJRqT~F1QKVUVv90gTwC0kaqBwbQcq7Hp5kwVBGGaCwk0CaG8mwkm0OZgGtQGjD6r~4xzysN8ITfSLTo6SAL79Al3ysoQsrEthAp8q9qywNvb2F6MVGs9w4b7BMxRRwol38TBorqcAaqy3EDtNuyRv1Df5WDLDF2Nc1GShyAtt3Y3KSOBB6MwAoNWZB8jLDRqoa6PuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Huron City Council voted down Mayor Anita R. Ashford’s request to confirm Leslie Bender Jutze to the planning commission, with the motion failing after a roll-call vote that left the appointment unconfirmed.

Council members and members of the public disputed how the mayor solicited and considered applicants for the vacancy. Council Member Pemberton said she would oppose the appointment because \"this situation does not seem like it went transparently, the way it should,\" and she recorded her vote as no. After the roll call the mayor said the appointment remains a mayoral prerogative and she would return with a different nominee.

The debate began after the clerk confirmed she had collected several applications for the planning commission over the prior months and forwarded them to the mayor on Friday. Council members said three existing applicants—Tyler Moldovan, former Mayor Pauline Repp, and Jacob Orr—had applied earlier and said they had not received follow-up contact. Several council members said they had attempted to reach the mayor or the applicants to clarify whether the earlier applicants had been considered.

Leslie Bender Jutze appeared at the microphone and described planning and development experience in multiple states, including work as a manager in a large U.S. city, development work involving 6,000 acres across several cities, a law degree, and consulting roles with international partners. She said she has ties to the Port Huron area through family and work history.

Council Member Payton asked whether other applicants had been contacted and whether the process gave earlier applicants a fair chance. The city clerk testified that when she receives applications she forwards them immediately to council members; she said she had searched five years of records to compile the earlier applications and that she had forwarded the recent application the prior Friday.

When the council called for a roll, votes were recorded as follows: Council Member Moserak: No; Council Member Peyton: Yes; Council Member Pemberton: No; Council Member Archibald: No; Council Member Lamb: No; Mayor Anita R. Ashford: Yes. After the vote the mayor said the seat remains a mayoral appointment and she would select another nominee.

The council did not adopt any ordinance or policy change governing how mayoral appointments are solicited or handled at this meeting. The planning commission seat therefore remains vacant until the mayor returns with a new nomination or the council takes additional action.

The outcome preserves the status quo for the vacancy; council members said they wanted clearer, more consistent outreach to long-waiting applicants before future appointments.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote.","The City Council voted against confirming Mayor Anita R. Ashford’s appointment of Leslie Bender Jutze to the planning commission following extended debate over applicant outreach and timing; the motion failed on a 2–4 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Port Huron council approves museum repairs, water-plant equipment, grant funds and other routine items

Council advances first reading of ordinance named for Joshua Connaught; mayor pledges state-level push

Port Huron council fails to confirm mayoral planning commission appointment after questions on process