Port Huron council authorizes park grant applications, approves road contract and other fiscal actions; directs draft of security ordinance

Port Huron City Council on Tuesday held eight public hearings and approved a bundle of grant applications, contracts and resolutions affecting parks, public safety and infrastructure.

Council authorized submission of multiple Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Recreation Passport and Trust Fund grant applications for park improvements at Knox Field, Lakeside Park and Sanborn Park; approved two congressionally directed spending applications — one for an aerial tower fire apparatus and one for Black River Canal renovations — and accepted construction and supply contracts including a $4,145,330 bid for the Hospital Area Road Reconstruction and Utility Replacement (Phase 1). Council also approved a unit‑price chemical bid for aluminum sulfate at $607 per dry ton, a security contract for Lakeside Beach, and a special liquor‑license application for the Blue Water Fest concert venue.

Votes at a glance

- Michigan DNR Recreation Passport Fund (Knox Field and Park) — application up to $150,000. Motion to authorize submission moved by Council Member Pemberton, supported by Council Member Moserak; roll call vote recorded in the meeting was unanimous in favor. Outcome: approved (resolution to submit application and accept funds if awarded).

- Michigan DNR Trust Fund (Knox Field and Park) — application up to $250,000. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald, supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Michigan DNR Recreation Passport Fund (Lakeside Park) — application up to $150,000. Moved by Council Member Moserak, supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Michigan DNR Trust Fund (Lakeside Park) — application up to $250,000. Moved by Council Member Pemberton, supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Michigan DNR Recreation Passport Fund (Sanborn Park) — application up to $150,000. Moved by Council Member Pemberton; supported by Council Member Moserak. Discussion included public comment about community benefits and maintenance. Roll call: passed (Council Member Payton recorded a “No” on one Sanborn vote). Outcome: approved.

- Michigan DNR Trust Fund (Sanborn Park) — application up to $250,000. Motion moved and supported; roll call: passed. Outcome: approved.

- FY 2026 congressionally directed spending request — aerial tower fire apparatus, up to $2,250,000. Public testimony stressed the need for a new aerial ladder truck and supply‑chain/tariff risks; council moved by Council Member Moserak, supported by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved (authorize submission and accept funds if awarded).

- FY 2026 congressionally directed spending request — Black River Canal renovations and stabilization, up to $6,500,000. The council heard public testimony emphasizing tourism, water flow and erosion concerns. Motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald, supported by Council Member Lamb; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Accept unit‑price bid from Chemtrade Chemicals U.S. LLC for aluminum sulfate at $607 per dry ton (estimated 430 dry tons) for water/wastewater plants. Motion moved by Council Member Pemberton; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Accept bid from Raymond Excavating Company in the amount of $4,145,330 for Hospital Area Road Reconstruction and Utility Replacement (Phase 1). Motion moved by Council Member Lamb, supported by Council Member Moserak; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Receive and file quarterly financial report for the six months ending 12/31/2024. Motion moved by Mayor Pro Tem Archibald; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: received and filed.

- Authorize 19 city payments (claims list). Motion moved and supported; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Approve agreement with Premier Security Solutions for Lakeside Beach security services for summer 2025. City staff said contracted security is a cost‑effective alternative to police overtime for large beach events; motion moved and supported; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Authorize special liquor license application for Blue Water Fest (concert venue, ticketed events July 10–12, 2025) and recommend issuance to the state Liquor Control Commission. Motion moved and supported; roll call: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Direction and follow‑up

- Council directed the city manager to draft ordinance language reflecting proposals from the Conant/Schultz family for regulation and training standards for private security and bouncers; the mayor also asked staff to prepare draft state‑level bill text for presentation to the local legislative delegation.

- Council members asked staff and the city attorney to draft a possible backyard‑chicken ordinance; the city manager said work will begin and legal counsel will help prepare draft language.

What council discussed

Multiple members of the public questioned how competitive the DNR grants are and whether the city has local matching funds. City Manager James Fried and other staff said most of the park matches are budgeted from the parks and recreation half‑mill (about $600,000 annually) and from previously allocated capital funds; by design, the grant applications are meant to leverage local millage funds and nonprofit partnerships. Staff also noted that the aerial tower truck requires long‑term planning and that a match would be budgeted (the fire truck match cited in discussion was $250,000). Residents urged council to pursue canal stabilization funding, stressing tourism and water‑quality impacts. Council members agreed the grants are competitive but recommended applying broadly.

Why it matters: The council’s approvals open the city to potential state and federal funding that could accelerate park improvements, replace aging public‑safety equipment, and begin a multi‑million‑dollar road and utility reconstruction in the hospital/college corridor.