Council confirms special assessment district to fund Maple–Benjamin canal dredge

St. Clair Shores councilors voted 7–0 to confirm the assessment roll that will allow a special assessment district to proceed with the Maple–Benjamin 2026 canal dredge, following a public hearing during which neighborhood representatives described resident support and partial voluntary funding.

Ryan Stfansky, treasurer of the Maple Benjamin Canal Association, testified that 31 of 43 households (more than 70%) voted to proceed and that residents have voluntarily contributed over $78,000 toward an estimated $137,000 project. He described the permitting and coordination work required—Army Corps and EGLE permits, engineering and soil testing—and urged the council to approve confirmation of the assessment roll so permitting and contracting can proceed.

Council discussion reiterated permitting complexity and the potential for state legislative help to streamline approvals. Councilmember Karen said a local representative’s office indicated interest in helping associations navigate state permitting (EGLE/Army Corps) and offered to share contact information. Council members also discussed the scale of the project—about 1,000 cubic yards across portions of the canal and bay—and the limits of the recently announced $800,000 state grant in addressing broader lakefront needs.

Councilmember Frederick moved to adopt the resolution confirming the special assessment roll for the Maple–Benjamin canal dredge; the motion was supported and carried unanimously. Council directed staff to ensure the record of the motion specifies confirmation of the assessment roll (the word “roll” was emphasized during the motion to avoid procedural ambiguity).

What happens next: With the assessment roll confirmed, the association and the city will proceed with permitting, contracting and project scheduling in coordination with residents and state agencies; staff and council indicated continued attention to inter-canal coordination and possible future economies of scale across neighboring canal associations.