Earlier today, the Association submitted its written objections to the May 2, 2025, notice of assessment for the proposed drain project. A copy of the Association’s written objections and supporting exhibits is attached to this email.
Per the Board’s vote at last week’s special meeting, the letter presents the Association’s objections to the proposed costs of the project and the special assessment roll/district, advancing several reasons the proposed assessment amount should be reduced. The letter does not take a position on whether construction of the drain should proceed if the proposed assessment amount is unchanged.
If you wish to express your opinion on that issue, or if you have other questions or comments for the Drain Commissioner regarding the proposed drain project, written comments must be submitted to the Drain Commissioner by 1:00 pm this Wednesday, May 21.
Comments may also be presented in-person at the public hearing of the Drain Commission this Wednesday at 1:00 pm. Board president Bryan Walters will be attending the public hearing to present comments consistent with the Association’s letter.
Thanks to all of you who attended the special meeting on the drain assessment. The Board appreciates everyone’s comments and questions on this very challenging issue.
While the Association has attempted to gather additional information from the Drain Commission, there were questions raised at the meeting that we were unable to answer. Each resident on the lake has the right to voice their questions, comments, and/or objections to the proposed drain assessment directly to the Kent County Drain Commissioner. The Board encourages members to do so. Each of us has a stake in this issue and an opportunity to ask our own questions and voice our own opinions on this issue in a respectful manner.
The Drain Commissioner’s contact information is as follows:
Mr. Ken Yonker
Kent County Drain Commissioner
775 Ball Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-632-7910
drinfo@kentcountymi.gov
Written submissions to the Drain Commissioner must be received by the Drain Commissioner by 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 21. Questions, comments, and/or objections to the Drain Commissioner may also be made in-person at the public hearing on the proposed notice of assessment. The public hearing is taking place on Wednesday, May 21 at 1:00pm at the Drain Commission office at 775 Ball Ave NE.
At the special meeting, the Board voted to prepare and submit a written statement on behalf of the Association to the Drain Commissioner. The written statement will object to the project costs and the special assessment roll/district and will request that residents not be assessed the full cost of the project (i.e., that the County fund a portion of the project itself, given that County drains contribute to flooding conditions during periods of high precipitation). Bryan Walters will also present the Association’s statement verbally to the Drain Commissioner at the public hearing on May 21.
The goal of the Association’s statement is to attempt to persuade the Drain Commissioner (and ultimately the Kent County Board of Commissioners, who will review the Drain Commissioner’s recommendation) to reduce the amount of the assessment to lake residents. Any reduction in the amount of the assessment is clearly in the interest of all Association members.
According to the Association bylaws, the purpose of the Association is “to preserve and maintain Dean Lake [and] its beauty and usefulness.” Having a drain to regulate the lake level would clearly help to preserve and maintain the lake and its beauty and usefulness. However, Association members have widely varying opinions about whether the benefits of a drain outweigh the cost of the drain, particularly at this much higher cost amount.
The Board believes it is appropriate to let individuals express their own opinion directly to the Drain Commission on whether the drain project should proceed, rather than purporting to speak on behalf of the entire Association membership on that issue. Accordingly, the Association’s written statement will not take a position on whether or not the drain project should go forward at this point.
The Board hopes to have its written statement finalized and submitted to the Drain Commissioner by the end of the day on Monday, May 19. The Association’s statement will be emailed to members and posted on https://www.deanlake.org once it has been submitted. Any additional information obtained over the next week will also be posted on the DLA website.
Finally, as discussed at the special meeting, the ultimate decision-maker on the assessment is the Kent County Board of Commissioners. Ben Greene is the Commissioner for Plainfield Township (as well as the chair of the Commission) and Lindsey Thiel is the commissioner for Grand Rapids Township. Commissioner Greene is aware of the issue and plans on attending the Drain Commission hearing next Wednesday. If you are connected with Commissioner Greene or Commissioner Thiel, please follow up with Board President Bryan Walters at bryanrwalters@gmail.com to discuss.
PLM will be treating the lake today for weeds and algae. Optional treatments may occur later this summer depending on lake conditions.
As reported at the annual meeting, PLM has identified a new hybrid strain of milfoil in our lake that requires a different treatment method. The primary difference for lake residents is that there is a 30 day restriction on using water from the lake to supply your home sprinkler system, as pumping water from the lake after treatment may reduce the concentration of the herbicide in the lake and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. There is also a one day swimming restriction.
Of course, you may still use city or well water to water your plants and lawn.
If you have additional questions about this treatment, please contact our PLM representative Jaime Desjardins at 616-891-1294.
The Dean Lake Association Board of Directors has called a special meeting of the Board for Wednesday, May 14, at 7:00pm at New Community Church, 2340 Dean Lake Avenue NE. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the May 2, 2025, notice of special assessment from the Kent County Drain Commissioner regarding the drain pump project and to consider whether the Association shall take any action as an organization related to the notice. The Board anticipates having legal counsel in attendance to advise the Association on this topic.
All members of the Association are invited to attend.
If you have any questions or comments on this topic that you would like to share with the Board in advance of the meeting, please direct them to Board President Bryan Walters at bryanrwalters@gmail.com
The attached file contains the proposed amendments to the Dean Lake Association Bylaws.
Dean Lake Association – Notice of Annual Meeting
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 @ 7:00pm (meet and greet @ 6:30pm)
New Community Church, 2340 Dean Lake Road NE
Tentative Schedule for 2025. The below dates are the week of, not specific day.
4/21/2025 Opt Algae treatment, WQ
5/5/2025 Weed & Algae treatment
6/9/2025 Opt. Weed & Algae
7/7/2025 Opt. Weed & Algae
8/4/2025 Opt. Weed & Algae, WQ, AVAS Survey
8/25/2025 Opt. Algae treatment
Tentative Schedule for 2024. The below dates are the week of, not specific day.
4th of July Weekend Schedule for Dean Lake
Please note: The Dean Lake Association does NOT participate in ANY fireworks displays.
Dean Lake Association Members
Association dues are due May 18, 2022.
Amount is $50
Please remit payment to:
Dean Lake Association
Denny Weener
3789 Holtman CT NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Pay online option now available on our website using debit/credit card or PayPal account.
Click here to pay your dues online. An extra processing fee of $1.80 applies.
Some things your association dues pay for:
