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Polly's Place supporters urge council to reconsider lease termination as city pursues housing project
Summary
Multiple residents, students and the Polly's Place founder urged the Port Huron City Council to reverse or delay a termination notice for the community garden, citing food access and education benefits. City Manager James Fried said the city must reclaim the site for a planned affordable-housing development and that the city cannot legally provide
Julian Ruck, founder of Polly's Place, told the council the city has issued an eviction notice and said he will fight the termination. "As of right now, Polly the possum has been given an eviction notice...we're gonna fight like hell for the next 11 months to stay," Ruck said during public comment.
Two students from St. Clair County Community College also spoke in support of the garden. Brenna Bland, who said she attended a class field trip to Polly's Place, told the council the garden provides education, food security and community benefits: "This garden could be beneficial to the families and students of all ages and the city if it would allow it to grow." Klaham King echoed those remarks, saying the garden brings people together.
City Manager James Fried responded that the city has previously provided land, materials and assistance to Mr. Ruck and that the administration must terminate the lease to allow a developer to build single-family homes tied to a state grant. Fried said the city worked with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority on a grant application to build nine single-family homes on the parcel and that water and sewer infrastructure in that location make the site suitable for housing. "We served Mr. Ruck notification of the fact that we are going to have to terminate at least within a year, give him proper notice so that he can move his Garden," Fried said.
On the question of free water for the garden, Fried said the city cannot legally provide it. In reference to email exchanges, Fried said, "I cannot legally give you free water... We do not give out free water. In the email correspondence from April 14, I again address it with Julian... that we cannot provide him free water." He explained hydrant taps are metered and billed: staff said hydrant taps can be reduced to garden-hose pressure but must be metered and billed to the user.
Council members asked staff about meetings with Mr. Ruck, whether witnesses had been present and whether the city had offered alternative sites and services. Fried said staff had met with Mr. Ruck repeatedly, that the city provided a $3,500 shed and moved dump truck loads of his soil, and that the city had offered a city parcel at no cost but with a clawback clause should the land be needed for housing in the future. Fried told council the housing project was developed over several months and briefed to council three to four months prior.
The council did not take immediate action on the lease termination during the meeting. Council members who asked questions emphasized they saw both sides: the city's need for housing and community needs for gardens and food access. Several public commenters urged more flexibility given SNAP changes and food security concerns.
Clarifying details from the meeting include the city's statement that hydrant taps are metered and billed, the city provided a $3,500 shed and moved approximately 20 dump-truck loads of soil for the garden, and that the specific affordable-housing plan involves nine single-family homes tied to a state grant (MSHDA). The council discussion did not record a vote on the lease termination during this session.
