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

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.