The council of any city located upon or adjacent to any of the navigable waters of the state shall have the power to establish, construct, maintain and control public wharves, docks, piers, landing places and levees, basins and canals, upon any lands or property belonging to or under the control of the city; and for that purpose the city shall have the use or control of the shore or bank of any lake, river or other waters within the city, not the property of individuals, to the extent to which the state can grant the same, and the council may lease wharfing and landing privileges upon any of the public wharves, docks, or landings, but not for a longer time than 5 years, and in such manner as to preserve the right of all persons to a free passage over the same with their baggage.
MCL 97.1