Dredging agreement reached

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Regular meeting Monday night for the Port Huron City Council, where an intergovernmental agreement was approved between the city of Port Huron and neighboring townships. Fort Gratiot and Port Huron Townships will help share the expenses to continue dredging the Black River Canal, which is a popular shortcut for boaters into and out of Lake Huron. However, last year the city had to clear the canal more often due to rising lake levels and some northeastern winds, says City Manager James Freed. Fort Gratiot and Port Huron Townships will each pay 25% of the annual cost of dredging the canal. Part of the deal includes township residents being allowed into Lakeside Beach Park at the same rates as city residents. The purchase of two thermal imaging cameras for the Port Huron Fire Department was also approved Monday night. Port Huron Chief of Public Safety Michael Reaves says the cameras are needed for safety issues, as the old ones have ghosting problems and technology has changed. The cameras are used not only for fire concerns, but also for locating missing children at night. The council also recognized Hunter Hospitality House in Port Huron as a nonprofit organization. Hunter House provides a home away from home for those that have loved ones staying in the hospital, and provides a place for them to stay close to the hospital, instead of constantly commuting back and forth from home.