[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6518273,"mediaKeyId","5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7","parentId",5394451,"title","Residents tell Port Huron council canals and Black River need work after boats damaged; city points to state jurisdiction","audioSeconds",4031,"startMs",2233000,"endMs",6264000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7&start=2233&end=6264","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7/thumbnail_2233000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518273/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/Residents-tell-Port-Huron-council-canals-and-Black-River-need-work-after-boats-damaged-city-points-to-state-jurisdiction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518273-8a00c832ad5dc9c5cdd268b1e2a87627/orig.mp4?Expires=1775631486&Signature=emG94OGYjEbjOA-brFqU8KV3i82RampEeIbYWMQ2J-mSES7NLRhE--lgLPtMXxQm~aDtazibfTVIK7eYccP~Fww9iGqg3OALy08zpHY5OYAolAMIkyeanSaw5a-bRDG-U~B~K1W-Z6YPveJrHMc4AyTDwOH2ULmtDjfjzvm10llxMIfP9VTtbsyE4kAroH2hCNLv2AsN2808ZsPrKKUWLXGdsK0uaKYCZVRH-qELpS-HSB7eb6O0fscWw23DZbSwQcMvaDfC2wqDm7cqLqVD3rSdSI7hFHWDKwlgHumqNS85GRgQhskgu2MiD1orHt9fU-bgSbnMzUhR2Klq4i6tUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-15T12:06:55Z","article","Several Port Huron residents used the public‑comment period to press the city for immediate action after months of low water and shoaling at the mouths of residential canals leading to the Black River.

Residents said shallow conditions have damaged boat props and drivetrains, limited recreational access and reduced visitor appeal for waterfront properties. A number of speakers described repeated calls to city offices and, in at least one case, a request for a 30‑day plan from staff that residents said they did not receive. One resident, Suzanne O’Brien, said she hit a sandbar on the Black River and lost propulsion on a WaveRunner; she described the incident as a close call. \"I hit a sandbar. I was able to hold us on. Thank God there was no injury,\" O’Brien said.

Other commenters said city materials or web pages they consulted suggested the city was responsible for canal maintenance. City staff and the mayor addressed the audience and said the city does not control the Black River or the surface‑water channels that lead into it. City Manager James Freed told the council: \"The city of Port Huron has no jurisdiction or responsibility of the Black River or the canals that lead to it.\" He said state bodies control surface waters and that the city can pursue natural‑resources grants (for example, DNR grants) but that short‑term dredging or canal‑opening actions are subject to state permits and approvals.

Speakers described efforts to get a faster fix: one resident said a contractor offered to open a canal for a private fee, and another said the city had previously budgeted money for work that was later reallocated. At least two waterfront speakers asked how the city would respond quickly to avoid additional boat damage and potential injuries.

City staff said they had attempted follow‑up with residents who left contact information but that in one case a digit error prevented prompt phone contact. Freed said staff documented their outreach and would continue to pursue options, including grant opportunities and coordination with state agencies.

Why it matters: the canals and the Black River serve dozens of waterfront property owners and contribute to recreational and tourism uses of Port Huron's riverfront. Residents emphasized both economic and safety stakes — damaged boats, potential personal injury and the effect on property values and local tourism.

What council asked for and next steps: council members urged staff to continue pursuing state contacts and to return with a written summary of options and any short‑term mitigations that are feasible without violating state permitting requirements. The city noted it will continue to explore DNR grant avenues and to provide clearer public guidance about responsibility and timelines.

Quotes: \"The city of Port Huron has no jurisdiction or responsibility of the Black River or the canals that lead to it,\" City Manager James Freed said. Resident Suzanne O’Brien described the hazard: \"I hit a sandbar ... the drivetrain on the WaveRunner quit.\" Several residents asked the council for a clearer, faster path to reopening canals or protecting boaters.

The council and staff encouraged residents to provide written contact information and said they would follow up through the clerk’s office and by email on possible next steps with state agencies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Port Huron July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several canalfront residents told the Port Huron City Council that shallow conditions at canal mouths and in the Black River are damaging boats and pose safety risks, and they asked who is responsible for dredging and repairs.","taxTitle","Port Huron City, St. Clair County, Michigan","taxId",4311,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6518263,"Votes at a glance: Port Huron council approves consent items, payments and TV channel agreement",828,5320000,6148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7&start=5320&end=6148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7/thumbnail_5320000.jpg","/articles/6518263/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Port-Huron-council-approves-consent-items-payments-and-TV-channel-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518263-07feb59a319712c36528539619530231/orig.mp4?Expires=1775631486&Signature=guAgJa1H7hCKyh1GHGaD447KNEoXO9itpzm9z~NSzNgtB3SJc~spYt8leFLcdF~1TFNtW4KN6oX0khfY49WbAlbSlq2dvmp-895SDmiaVOQnTFCnLwDq5T4ljvObyUi9bFSd7BAdyHj0HxAC4e0xDn66l5RVzRVbn7nuajkccrWvHPrKAuVwy7B7QviazZX7pqvv~kcPpXDw7J0-FlhGgQJ7IadrBhVOCxpzcm2AznuUEbeVXyTZwGUkgBTRWtUbU6WbWjCdjGj8rib5zGhvHaoJD2yfZl0b36QMGQ0HLgl8O3uTYyCvfwEUNCDD9xbWEztLPyNZJXtL4d7zEW7xAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Huron City Council recorded several formal actions during its July meeting. Most items passed on roll call with unanimous votes as noted in the meeting record.

Summary of formal actions

- Consent agenda (8 items): Council approved eight consent items, including single‑lot special assessments related to blight abatement, special trash pickup assessments, certification of delegates for the Municipal Employees Retirement System meeting and the appointment of Derek Smith to the Historic Commission (term to expire March 10, 2028). Motion carried on roll call.

- Motor vehicle fund equipment purchase: Council accepted a quote from Wadham’s Equipment in the amount of $24,638.63 for a Kubota subcompact tractor with attachments to be used by maintenance staff. The item was moved by Council member Lam and supported by Council member Pemberton. The city manager said the purchase is funded from the motor vehicle fund, which has sufficient budget.

- Authorize payments: Council authorized 23 payments (consent resolution for disbursements). Council discussed a change order of approximately $592,000 tied to Elmwood Street/Russell Court work and explained the change principally covered replacement of a 100‑year‑old water main where contractors were already digging, a budgeted decision to avoid repaving over old water infrastructure.

- DLZ engineering agreement for Water Street: Council approved a professional services agreement with DLZ Michigan Incorporated for the Water Street area reconstruction project (see separate article for details); the motion passed on roll call.

- Blue Water Television Network (Thumb Coast TV) channel agreement: Council approved an agreement with Blue Water Television Network LLC to operate Comcast channel 12 as a local community channel. Staff said the channel provider (Thumb Coast TV) already produces a high volume of local content, operates a Roku streaming feed and ran live feeds for recent local events and the council meeting under a pilot program. The council and staff said the agreement carries no direct city cost beyond providing fiber connectivity for live council broadcasts.

Votes and movers (high level): the meeting record shows motions moved and seconded as noted above; roll call votes recorded affirmative votes from the full council on listed items. The clerk recorded 'Yes' votes from Council members Archibald, Herrimza/Harrimza, Lam, Moserak/Moserat, Peyton, Pemberton and Mayor Ashford on the recorded roll calls shown in the meeting record.

Why it matters: the approvals fund routine city operations (equipment, payments), advance a capital reconstruction project with grant support and set a vendor relationship for community television that staff said will help broadcast city and community events.

Where to find details: specific resolutions, change orders and contract documents were referenced in the meeting packet and will be posted in council minutes and on the city website; council asked staff to provide detailed explanations for substantial change orders so the public can review the scope and budget impacts.","The Port Huron City Council approved the consent agenda, authorized equipment and payments, approved a Water Street engineering contract and approved a community channel agreement during its July meeting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6518268,"Port Huron council approves DLZ contract for Water Street reconstruction; project includes $1.2M grant share",152,5584000,5736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7&start=5584&end=5736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7/thumbnail_5584000.jpg","/articles/6518268/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/Port-Huron-council-approves-DLZ-contract-for-Water-Street-reconstruction-project-includes-12M-grant-share","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518268-fb7c7891d78e7a2fd62855d2402920e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775631486&Signature=DzSj0USEKa~gn3aA9-1zpPUaGqQdDq8N-SwVmj4bhyRWmKbtX8yBuafRBEP36p3JK~z8SNM-5ixCgm2NrUn3L4kXfEVXPqeV0uOx9W5TfBk4aKKUH-O~Qa~tJI080VpHAF-eS~P9Gc7BddqmVgzln8nK0CcAkE5OPiD08vILHWLm7O-ED~5Hb3HzQ0Enava98OxmcmmsxY7lMGLp~eq1s59QTRfrKE-gM7vFZZ0z6ffULJhbG14WYYuwntfSNbftVhbBOcPDOhGA0nGeNtba1K071bufpY7RIt8CvMvbUJJTNdwyojRfpkB5sSE6vhWozkcaCWiwmBNAruwptAywdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port Huron City Council voted to approve a professional‑services agreement with DLZ Michigan Inc. to design and oversee the Water Street area reconstruction project.

Council discussion identified the project’s overall cost at about $2,645,000 and said roughly $1,200,000 of that amount is secured through a Scott’s Task Force grant to help repair Water Street between Tenth and Thirteenth streets. The proposed engineering contract before council was $748,146; the agreement pairs DLZ with a local partner, BMJ, to perform portions of the work.

Council members and staff said the timing will be coordinated with other planned downtown and Michigan Department of Transportation work to avoid closing multiple thoroughfares at once. The city said it preferred a 2026–2027 window for major construction but will remain flexible to align with other projects and to keep traffic flowing during peak seasons.

Why it matters: the Water Street corridor serves downtown access routes to I‑94 and businesses; poor pavement and failing subsurface infrastructure have prompted the project. The council said repairing the corridor now will improve safety, downtown business access and long‑term maintenance costs.

Votes and procedure: the resolution authorizing the DLZ agreement passed by roll call; the contract was moved and seconded and approved unanimously in the record shown at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will move forward with final design and coordinate construction sequencing with MDOT and other planned projects so work does not unduly interrupt downtown traffic or the planned reconstruction near I‑94.","City Council approved a professional services agreement with DLZ Michigan Inc. for design and oversight of a Water Street area reconstruction project estimated at $2.645 million, with about $1.2 million in grant funding noted and $748,146 for engineering work under the DLZ agreement.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6518278,"MDOT updates Port Huron council on Blue Water Bridge plaza expansion, timeline and local impacts",1800,221000,2021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7&start=221&end=2021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394451-e4cde38589ed678af867a56fb93f9bd7/thumbnail_221000.jpg","/articles/6518278/Port-Huron-City/St-Clair-County/Michigan/MDOT-updates-Port-Huron-council-on-Blue-Water-Bridge-plaza-expansion-timeline-and-local-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518278-af56c6ff4342dbffae1e141aab870e3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775631486&Signature=Z4sUokZmkXAwpa0aAJNgIrstxgNJ2xUIvCzo72w~HkDgw81rwMGbWFbyPIxhgyNTniCQ2DijwbfCU7D6MzHUjDz55m51t74BRtovw~5aTKNPau1yvjnLH6uhVHzyGiEFkA3wz9RP3p8PMM948~S66Mm0PlAvWs9TTjCnY3GECd0kaQFz47ftodC~8A2SiTZ5beUmq56kmz6aQMM1J8gwQJ2biwLpETwgOnn-zYxOUGVrM981tiOETbPLtaE~Zp5Xv2-D0-HddAzm~P3Rxrek1p9QqIqtay4djaLEGMEqPe5B2t7zKBY4Vy0fYsgJ7NWf2BvhsYUtGkeEKbrWUHNZ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation told the Port Huron City Council that construction of the Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion has begun on the southern, vehicle circulation elements and that procurement is underway for a second contract to expand the plaza to the south.

The state said construction work now under way includes a half‑mile freeway reconstruction to add capacity approaching the bridge, reconfiguration of the Pine Grove connector ramp, and a new noise wall along the business loop. The presentation described the project in numbered components; MDOT said component 1 is active and that some landscaping and final acceptance items were scheduled to remain until about 2028 to allow plantings to establish. The agency said it expects contract award for component 2 in the spring following procurement and heavier construction in 2027 with about two years of work projected for that phase.

The project team said the northern areas of the plaza — which include U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection facilities and the duty‑free area — await separate federal appropriations and therefore have no fixed schedule. MDOT also showed designs for visual impacts along Scott Avenue and said the proposed noise wall and relocated tolling operations should largely screen new buildings from most residential sight lines.

Why it matters: council members and residents focused on the project’s effects on local traffic, air quality and neighborhood livability. The plaza handles both commercial truck throughput and passenger traffic to Canada; changes to tolling, inspections and lane geometry affect local circulation on Pine Grove, Tenth Avenue and adjacent streets.

MDOT staff said the ultimate goal is safer, more efficient handling of both local and international traffic rather than a singular capacity increase. \"The main purpose and need of the project ... is safe, efficient handling of traffic as well as homeland security,\" the MDOT presenter said. The agency repeated that duty‑free operations will be moved inside the plaza so customers would no longer have to exit the freeway to access the store.

Council members pressed MDOT on congestion and on whether trucks could be allowed to queue (\"stack\") on local streets or inside the plaza. The city said it obtained a written assurance from MDOT that plaza operations will prevent stacking; City Manager James Freed told council that if trucks were stacked in a way that created environmental health risks, the city could take legal action under federal environmental laws. \"If this does get built and there is stacking there under the environmental protection laws, the Clean Air Act, we will have to take legal action to make sure that that stacking doesn't occur,\" Freed said.

MDOT said it has installed continuous air‑quality monitoring in the area with a PurpleAir sensor in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and that the city already has baseline pre‑construction air quality measurements to compare with post‑construction data. MDOT also said a 24/7 operations center will monitor traffic flow and that toll operators can be instructed to hold entry onto the plaza to avoid backups.

Project costs and local investments: MDOT and Blue Water Bridge funds were described as the primary payers for the fully funded components; the presentation also noted a separate, roughly $20 million Blue Water Bridge commitment to reconfigure a skewed intersection on Scott Avenue and a roughly $35 million Blue Water Bridge investment to relocate and upgrade a DTE substation. MDOT staff said the intersection update and substation work were added in response to public feedback and infrastructure needs and were funded from Blue Water Bridge accounts.

Construction staging and local impacts: MDOT described temporary lane schemes and detours that will change as paving and ramp work proceed (the agency said crews hoped to switch the freeway to two lanes of traffic in mid‑to‑late August and to complete current ramp work in September, weather permitting). The Pine Grove corridor will be staged with one lane in each direction until crews move traffic to the opposite side of the road; MDOT staff asked residents to follow posted detours and consider alternate routes to reduce worker exposure and commuter frustration.

MDOT also discussed landscaping, pedestrian amenities and lighting: the Pine Grove corridor will include a multi‑use path, decorative lighting scaled for pedestrians and preserved mature trees where possible.

Quotes and local acknowledgments: MDOT singled out city staff and local officials for cooperation; the presenter thanked local police and staff for operations coordination and singled out a Port Huron officer, Steve Garrigan, for helping preserve a local ramp for commuters. \"A very pleased local commuter ... thanked us all for the efforts we put in to reserve that local ramp off Pine Grove for local traffic,\" the MDOT presenter said. Mayor Ashford and other council members thanked the MDOT team for the update.

What comes next: MDOT said the public can review past presentations and project materials at www.michigan.gov/bwbplaza and contact the project team for one‑on‑one questions. Council members and staff said they will continue to monitor traffic, air quality and community impacts as construction progresses.","Michigan Department of Transportation staff briefed the Port Huron City Council on the multi‑component Blue Water Bridge Plaza expansion, outlining construction phasing, a timeline through 2028–2029 for landscaping and later components, traffic changes, environmental monitoring and commitments to avoid truck “stacking.”","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents tell Port Huron council canals and Black River need work after boats damaged; city points to state jurisdiction

Votes at a glance: Port Huron council approves consent items, payments and TV channel agreement

Port Huron council approves DLZ contract for Water Street reconstruction; project includes $1.2M grant share

MDOT updates Port Huron council on Blue Water Bridge plaza expansion, timeline and local impacts