Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Prospective vendors must upload their bids to our secure bid-management website.

The Citizens Police Academy is your opportunity to learn more about how the Battle Creek Police Department operates. The Academy runs once a year. The Citizens Police Academy is a group of Battle Creek area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their Police Department operates and the policing challenges our community faces. Participants in each session commit to meeting for 3 hours, 1 night per week for 10 weeks to learn about each aspect of the department.

The purpose of the Battle Creek Police Citizens Academy is to develop positive relations between the police and community through education. The goals are to create a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential of influencing the public opinions about police practices and services. Citizens will gain an appreciation of the problem and challenges facing law enforcement and have an opportunity to offer comments and ideas regarding solutions.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older. They must be a resident of the City of Battle Creek, Bedford Township, a business owner in the area or otherwise have a vested interest in the community. Participants will be chosen at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

• Communications Division 
• Criminal Investigations 
• Department Tour 
• Firearms Policies/Use of Force 
• Gang Problems
• Items of interest to participants 
• Motor Vehicle Enforcement 
• Observer with Officers 
• Patrol Division 
• Search and Seizure/Laws of Arrest 
• Youth Issues

You may contact Jenny Mualhlun at 269-966-1678 for more information, or just fill out the quick and easy

We wish we had enough snow plows and drivers to take care of every street right away, but our resources are limited, so we must adhere to a carefully laid out system for clearing the streets. If we allowed our plows to be diverted each time a special request is made, it would take longer to get all streets in the city cleared. Plowing priorities are: 1) State trunklines and major streets; 2) Battle Creek Transit bus routes and around schools; 3) residential streets; 4) cul-de-sacs and alleys.

We estimate that it takes three days to plow the entire city.

Each snow plow has an assigned section. If the trucks spread salt on the way to their destination, they won't have enough to spread in their sections. Plus, other drivers passing through may plow off the salt without realizing it. Plowing along the way would mean that it would take that much longer for the truck to reach its assigned section.

A plow can easily cut a path through the snow on a straight road surface, but trying to plow and turn the blade in the small circle of a cul-de-sac is very difficult. Therefore, smaller pickup trucks with plows are used to plow most cul-de-sacs more efficiently than the large trucks. We also plow toward the middle of the street, to avoid filling driveways in this smaller space. Please note that cul-de-sacs are lower on our plowing priority list, since we have fewer neighbors living on them. We ask for your patience and our trucks will get to you.

We generally don't use sand because, in an urban setting like Battle Creek, sand washes into and can clog our storm sewers. However, there are occasions when we will use a small amount of sand, when roads are extremely icy and temperatures are extremely low. If we see a lot of hard-packed snow at an intersection and salt isn't working, we will use sand. We do not use sand downtown.

Sidewalks are a lower priority and our crews begin that work when possible, once roads are cleared. We have 300 miles of roads within the city limits and 25 crew members who plow in the 13 maintenance sections of the city. 

When we're able, we clear city-owned sidewalks around our parks, cemeteries, and several other areas.

We do also have designated snow removal priority areas -- in particular around schools and public transportation routes. For more information on our sidewalk ordinance (Chapter 1022), please call our Code Compliance Division, 269-966-3387.

For the 2018-2019 season, we have a budget of roughly $2.1 million, which includes major, local, and MDOT roads. Plowing is funded by state Public Act 51 money, which comes from the gas and weight taxes. Local taxes do not fund snow plowing operations. Overall, our budgets have started to increase, but we face increased expenses. We deal with fuel costs, equipment costs (a dump truck cost $70,000 in 2000 and $125,000 in 2012), and salt costs.

We place two salt orders for the year. In 2018-2019, our early order (October delivery) was 500 tons at $60.43 per ton. Our seasonal order (throughout the winter) was 5,500 tons at $54.45 per ton. Total, that's nearly $330,000 for the season.

2008 -- In short, the 2008 laws provided a legal use of marihuana for medical purposes only by qualifying patients, and allowed caregivers to register and provide qualifying patients the marihuana. It also limited the amount of "usable" marihuana the patients could possess and the number of marihuana plants that could be grown. Marihuana dispensaries (selling) were not allowed.

2016 -- The 2008 laws are still in effect, but the 2016 laws allow for a series of commercial-like medical marihuana licenses: growing, processing, safety compliance (testing), transportation, and provisioning center (selling). Fewer restrictions apply, and the number of plants allowed to be grown may be well over 1,000 per license. A qualified patient or caregiver may purchase medical marihuana directly from a licensed provisioning center (dispensary). 

Recreational marijuana is not legal in Michigan at this time.

1. Grower -- A commercial entity that cultivates, dries, trims, or cures and packages marihuana for sale to a processor or provisioning center.

2. Processor -- A commercial entity that purchases marihuana from a grower and extracts resin from the marihuana, or creates a marihuana-infused product for sale and transfer in packaged form to a provisioning center.

3. Safety Compliance (testing) -- A commercial entity that receives marihuana from a marihuana facility or registered primary caregiver, tests it for contaminants, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids, returns the test results, and may return the marihuana to the facility.

4. Secure Transporter -- A commercial entity that stores marihuana and transports it between marihuana facilities for a fee.

5. Provisioning Center (selling) -- A commercial entity that purchases marihuana from a grower or processor and sells, supplies, or provides marihuana to registered qualifying patients, directly or through their registered, primary caregivers.

City staff researched other, nearby communities to learn where they restrict or allow medical marihuana facilities. Through zoning regulations, which control land use, the city may allow these facilities in some areas, while prohibiting them in others. 

Based on staff research, allowable locations may be industrial areas, like the area of the W.K. Kellogg Airport, Fort Custer Industrial Park, and limited commercial corridors. At this time, these locations are conceptual, as seen on these Medical Marihuana Maps.

Such facilities may be prohibited near residential neighborhoods, churches, schools, parks, and day cares. These prohibited areas are similar to other communities.

Community Comparisons:  Click Here to see what other communities near Battle Creek are deciding on allowing/disallowing MMLFA uses.

No. 

The state-issued license does not automatically give approval at the city level. If the City Commission decides to allow medical marihuana licenses locally, there will be a new city permitting process and a set of local regulations that must be met.

Both a state license and local permit must be issued before a medical marihuana business can open in Battle Creek. At this time, it appears that a potential licensee would need conceptual approval from the city before the state would issue a medical marihuana license.

Yes.

Based on current information, the state will restrict growing facilities to industrial and agricultural areas. Many cities are restricting further, keeping medical marihuana businesses a required distance away from schools, churches, parks, and residential properties. The City of Battle Creek has drafted conceptual maps, which show similar restrictions.

Click the link and scroll down the main Planning Division page to find the Medical Marihuana Maps

The State of Michigan has not established a minimum age. However, local communities may require a minimum age. Some nearby communities have used a minimum age of 18.

According to state law, stores that sell, or allow on-site consumption of, alcohol or tobacco products cannot sell medical marihuana.

Marihuana spelled with an "h" references the 2008 and 2016 Michigan laws pertaining to medical purposes. Marijuana with a "j" typically refers to recreational use.

The city can regulate, in part:

-Location

-Number of permits/licenses

-Proximity to other uses/businesses

-Hours of operation

-Size and height of buildings

-Types of businesses

In Michigan, marihuana can only be grown, distributed, and sold for medical purposes. States allowing recreational marijuana use regulate marijuana in a way similar to alcohol.

Maybe.

The City Commission may decide to require public notification for proposed medical marihuana businesses, depending on the type and number of licenses, or scale of the project.

An ordinance is effective 10 days after adoption, so applications will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, May 14. The City Commission approved the ordinance at the May 1, 2018 regular meeting.

City Hall Room 117, 10 N. Division St. On the first floor, it's the last door on the left. You also can call Planning staff with questions, at 269-966-3320.

A property owner or tenant (with written permission from the property owner) of single-family homes or duplexes.

1. Submit a hen license application, with the $20 fee, and submit a shed/fence application, with the $80 fee.

2. Once the applications are approved, you will have 30 days to complete the construction of the shed/fence, and request final inspection. If you do not complete this step in the allotted 30 days, you will lose your place in line for a permit. 

3. If the shed/fence are approved, you will be issued your hen license.

4. Hens now are allowed on your property.

The number of hens allowed is based on the overall property size. Applicants must meet setbacks for the coop and enclosure.

Review the ordinance online here: ADOPTED urban livestock ordinance

View your property on the city's GIS mapping app here: BC map

Planning and Zoning staff can assist with additional questions at 269-966-3320.

No, you may not build/install the fence/shed prior to obtaining the permit, or you will be fined $150 for doing work prior to receiving a permit.

Yes -- the hen permit is good for three years. You must apply for a renewal license, for the fee of $20.

Absent voter ballots are available to all registered voters for all elections.  Your request for an absent voter ballot must be in writing and must be submitted to the City Clerk's office by hand, via postal mail, fax, or email, as long as a signature is visible .  The written request may be on a pre-printed application form supplied by the City or on the absent voter ballot application supplied by the State of Michigan, in a letter or on a postcard. Requests to have an absent voter ballot mailed to you must be received by the Clerk no later than 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. If you’re already registered at your current address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at the Clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on the day prior to the election. If you’re registering to vote or updating your address by appearing at the Clerk’s office on Election Day, you can request an absent voter ballot at the same time you register. If you request your AV ballot the day before the election or on election day, you must vote the ballot in the Clerk's office.  

Voters will be asked to present an acceptable photo ID, including:

• Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
• Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal, state or local government-issued photo identification
• U.S. passport
• Military ID with photo
• Educational institution ID
• Tribal identification card with photo

The ID does not need to include the voter’s address.

Please note that voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still can cast a ballot and will be asked to sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID.

August Primary

You cannot "split" your ticket (i.e., vote in more than one party column) when voting in the August primary. Voters participating in an August primary must confine their votes to a single party column.

November General Election

You can "split" your ticket when voting in the November general election.  A voter participating in a November general election who wishes to cast a "split" ticket can vote for individual candidates of his or her choice under any party. 

Yes. Under state law, you may request assistance from the precinct board for voting assistance. When a voter asks the precinct board for voting assistance, two election inspectors who have expressed a preference for different political parties must provide the needed help. Under federal law, a voter who is blind, disabled or unable to read or write may be assisted with his or her ballot by any person of the voter's choice, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or an officer or agent of a union the voter belongs to.

Yes. A minor child may accompany a voter in the voting booth at an election. Anyone under the age of 18 years is regarded as a minor child under state election law.

No. Voter registration is permanent, however if you move from one community to another or change your name, you must re-register to vote.  State law requires that you register to vote at the address shown on your Michigan Driver’s License. 

Your polling location and precinct number are located on your voter ID card. If you do not have your voter ID card, you may obtain this information by calling (269) 966-3348 or visit the State of Michigan Voter Website.

You can check on the status of your absent voter ballot request by contacting your city or township clerk's office. Voters can obtain contact information for their clerk by using the Michigan Voter Information Center.

To register to vote, you must be all of the following:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old by Election Day
• A resident of the State of Michigan
• A resident of the City of Battle Creek

How to Register:

Eligible citizens may become registered to vote in a variety of ways, at any time through Election Day.  Individuals who register to vote within the 14-day period immediately preceding an election must appear in person at their city or township clerk’s office and provide proof of residency. 

Individuals using any other method must register to vote at least 15 days before Election Day and are not required to provide proof of residency.  Other methods of registration include an application obtained at one of the following locations: 

• Your local Secretary of State branch office 
• Your local county, city, or township clerk's office
• Offices of several state agencies, like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
• Military recruitment centers
• Voter registration drives
• Online at www.Michigan.gov/sos

Michigan law states that the same address must be used for voter registration and driver's license purposes. That means, if the residence address you provide on the application differs from the address shown on a driver's license or personal identification card issued by the state of Michigan, the Secretary of State will automatically change your driver's license or personal ID card address to match the residence address entered on this form. If a change is made, the Secretary of State will mail you an address update sticker for your driver's license or personal ID card.

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If you are a military or overseas civilian voter who is eligible to vote in Michigan and you are living outside the U.S., you may send a Federal Postcard Application to register to vote and request an application. This application is distributed through U.S. embassies and military bases.

The use of video cameras, still cameras and other recording devices are prohibited in the polls when they are open for voting. This includes still cameras and other recording features built into many cell phones. The ban applies to all voters, challengers, poll watchers and election workers. Exceptions are made for credentialed members of the news media though certain restrictions and for voters wishing to take a photograph of their own ballot.

Voters may take a photograph of their own ballot but only while they are within the voting booth. However, the following actions are prohibited:

• Taking “selfies” of themselves, either in the voting booth or anywhere within the area where people are voting.
• Taking any other type of photograph within the area where people are voting. 
• Sharing images of a voted ballot within 100 feet from the polling place – the buffer zone where electioneering is prohibited

If you move within the City of Battle Creek, a change of address should be made with the Clerk’s Office, at a Secretary of State Branch Office, or by visiting ExpressSOS.com. If you have not completed a change of address prior to Election Day, you will not lose your right to vote. You can vote one last time in the precinct where registered.  A voter registration form can be completed at the precinct to register at your new address for the next election.

If you move outside the City of Battle Creek, a change of address should be made at your new Local Clerk’s Office, a Secretary of State Branch Office, or by visiting ExpressSOS.com. 

Write “Return to Sender - Does Not Live Here” on the card and put it back in your mailbox for your postal carrier to pick up.

Returning mail for someone who no longer lives at your address - or has passed away - helps the Clerk’s Office keep voter rolls accurate and up to date.

When a Voter ID card is returned, it tells us the voter may no longer live at that address - or may have passed away. Here’s what happens next:

• The voter’s record is marked “Verify" in the QVF system.
• We send a confirmation notice to the voter.
  • This notice can be forwarded, so if the voter filed a change of address with USPS, it may reach them at their new address or be returned to us with forwarding information.
•  If we get a forwarding address, we mail the notice to that new address.
• If the voter comes to vote or requests an Absentee Ballot while their record is marked “Verify,” they must confirm their address before receiving a ballot.

What happens if the confirmation notice comes back as undeliverable?

• The voter’s record is updated to “Challenged.”
• The voter must then provide proof of address the next time they vote.
• Their registration begins a cancellation countdown:
• If they do not vote by the second November General Election (held in even‑numbered years) after the notice is sent, their voter registration will be cancelled.

Write “Return to Sender - Deceased” on the card or election mail and put it back in your mailbox for your postal carrier to pick up.

• The Clerk’s Office will research and verify the death using state death records or other official information.
• If the death can be confirmed, the voter’s registration is cancelled.
• If death records cannot be fully verified, the voter’s record will be placed in the “Verify” status and follow the same process used for voters who may have moved.

Returning mail for someone who no longer lives at your address - or has passed away - helps the Clerk’s Office keep voter rolls accurate and up to date.

The city’s current residential curbside waste contract with Waste Management expires at the end of March 2021, so in 2020 we worked through the process of seeking proposals for that service. Waste Management and Republic Services submitted proposals, and Republic was the lowest responsive, responsible bid. Staff recommended Republic to the City Commission, and the commission approved the new contract at their Dec. 15, 2020 regular meeting.

Service with Republic begins in the city on April 1, 2021.

Services with Republic will be mostly the same as those living in the city have now:

• Weekly, unlimited curbside trash pickup. You may use your own containers, or rent a trash cart from Republic.
• Weekly, unlimited curbside bulk waste pickup. You must bag mattresses and box springs. No commercial, construction, or tire waste.
• Weekly, unlimited curbside yard waste pickup from April to December. You can use your own containers and/or paper yard waste bags, or rent a yard waste cart from Republic.
• Every-other-week curbside recycling. You must opt in, telling Republic you wish to recycle. If you do this, you will receive one recycling cart from Republic, at no charge. Please visit our website to learn more and opt in (or see additional FAQs here) - battlecreekmi.gov/recycling.
• Backyard service
• Spring and Fall cleanup collections, allowing curbside pickup of construction waste.
• Live/fresh holiday tree pickup after Christmas.

City customers will pay their Republic service bill as part of the monthly utility bill, as you do now. If you choose to rent trash or yard waste carts from Republic, that will be a separate bill, directly from Republic, also as happens now.

The contract with Republic is for five years, with possible extensions. The costs are as follows.

As of January 2021, city customers pay $19 per month for curbside regular service. Rates typically have increased once each year, as part of each contract. Both service proposals the city received for the new contract showed cost increases.

If you do not already receive the senior/handicapped service discount you can apply with the form at this page: Click here to access the Elderly/Handicapped Discount form.

If you already receive backyard service, or have a senior/handicapped discount, those will remain in place when we transition to Republic service.

Click this link to access the forms to apply for these services, if you do not have them and would like them. For backyard service, choose Optional Service Selection-Garbage, and for the discount, choose Request for Elderly/Handicapped Discount.

For more information, please call our Utility Billing team at 269-966-3366.

Republic is working now (January 2021) to determine the best routes, for the best service in the city. They will also determine recycling routes, once we know which neighbors wish to opt into that service.

With these factors in mind, it is possible your trash and recycling pick-up days will change, and it is possible your trash and recycling will be collected on different days.

Please stay tuned. We will share more information, calendars, and maps once this information is finalized.

Trash - You can use your own containers or trash bags at the curb, or you can rent a cart from Republic.

Recycling - If you choose to recycle, you will receive one recycling cart from Republic at no extra charge. You can rent an additional cart from Republic, if you wish.

Yard waste - You can use your own containers (marked with stickers available in the city Utility Billing and Public Works offices) or paper yard waste bags, or you can rent a cart from Republic.

To rent one or more carts - Please call Republic at 888-249-5112. The cost to rent carts is $39 per year for the first cart, and $30 per year, apiece, for each additional cart.

As soon as possible, please do one of the following:

• Complete this simple web form (our preferred method) - click here to access the web form
  • This form also allows you to indicate if you would like to rent a trash and/or yard waste cart from Republic. This will be a separate bill, directly from Republic.
• Call Republic - 269-216-8008. Please leave a message with your name, address, phone number, and email address.
• Email Republic - BCrecycles@republicservices.com

If you call or email, please give your name, address, phone number, and email address. You can also say if you would like to rent a trash and/or yard waste cart from Republic. When you take this step to opt into recycling, Republic will bring a recycling cart to your home before the April 1 service start. There is no extra cost for the recycling cart.

Check out this image to learn what you can recycle in the Republic curbside cart. Like we have now, this is a single-stream cart, so you will place all items in the cart, loose and together.

What can I recycle? Que puedo reciclar?

Yes, Republic has recycling drop-off centers in Kalamazoo and Marshall, which accept the same items you can place in the curbside cart.

There will be a small fee to use these centers, for anyone who does not recycle at the curbside. If you opt into curbside recycling, you can use the centers at no extra cost.

The main reason for the city contracting with one hauler is to limit the wear and tear on our streets, and limit the large truck traffic in the neighborhoods. There are more than 16,000 households receiving service, so it requires many fewer trucks when we stick with one hauler.

Republic Services and Waste Management submitted proposals, with a difference of $6 million between the two, over the contract time.

The price difference is less stark when we look at it on a per-household basis, and when we look at the percent increase per year. The price the city paid in late 2020, at the time of the new contract approval, was much less than either new proposal.

-The current contract price we pay Waste Management is $14.45 per household
-Republic proposed $19.24 per household, with increases each year
-Waste Management proposed $20.20 per household, with increases each year

Along with the other calculations Republic made to propose that price per household, note that they have a Calhoun County facility, and don’t have to transport waste a great distance, which saves time and money.

Yes. We asked those submitting proposals to include pricing for unlimited curbside trash pickup, which the city has now, as well as recommendations for service changes that could reduce costs, improve operation efficiency, and be more environmentally friendly. The city would work with the City Commission and the community on such changes, and we believe a change to our ordinance would be helpful. We did not have time to move that along before the current contract expires, but have plans to do so during 2021.

At the time of the new contract, we will continue to have unlimited curbside trash pickup.

The city did use Republic for service at city-owned parks and buildings, and we had an issue with incorrect billing. That was over five years ago, and Republic has since changed their software. We don’t think this will be a problem.

The city is working with both Waste Management and Republic to coordinate WM pickup of their recycling and rental trash/yard waste carts, and delivery of any Republic carts to your homes. We hope to do this in a way that keeps service running smoothly, as we transition. 

Please stayed tuned for more specific information as we know it, and get closer to the switch (April 1).

Call Republic at 269-216-8008.

Email Republic at BCrecycles@republicservices.com.

Our existing road salt facility is at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, on West River Road. We are considering expanding a program to compost the bio-solids left at the end of the wastewater treatment process, and need to use the space and the building that we currently use for salt storage. 

Regardless of what happens with the bio-solids project, a facility on Helmer Road also will be more centrally located for our snow and ice operations. This will speed up our trucks' response time during winter weather, and be much more efficient for us.

New salt facility location map

We are currently planning for a 200-foot by 80-foot building for salt and liquid de-icer storage. We may also include a storage building for our Field Services Division, and a combination storage and work space building for our Traffic Division. We don't have a complete plan yet for what it will look like, but for comparison, here is the Calhoun County Road Department salt storage building in Marshall:

Generally, no. There might be times that you see multiple trucks coming or going from the facility at the same time, most often when we are preparing before a forecasted storm. Typically, the trucks visit salt storage individually to load up when needed, or unload after a shift.

You will see semi trucks (potentially multiple trucks over several days) deliver the salt. This involves one large, bulk salt delivery in the fall. This new facility is larger than the current facility, so it can hold more salt from this early delivery. We will only receive a delivery later in the winter if we need it.

Only a small amount of noise. Most of the time, we won't staff the facility. We won't have offices there, and expect to have staff there occasionally to clean up the salt piles, and do other maintenance work. 

Mostly during winter storms, there will be heavy activity there, sometimes around the clock.

The facility will include a large garage that trucks will drive right into for loading, so that also will minimize any noise.

No. We will pave all roads, driveways, and parking areas. Other areas will be grass, so dust should not be an issue.

The community will not have to pay additional costs for us to build this facility. We have saved funds over the last couple of years, because we knew we would need it. This money comes from our Act 51 funds used for snow operations, the Michigan Transportation Fund from gas and registration taxes.

We don't yet know the total cost of the facility, but an early estimate is $1.5 million.

All of the materials we store here will be kept inside, so we will not have any stormwater runoff concerns.

An outside contractor completed an environmental site assessment in early August of 2021, and we received a favorable report. This means the project can move forward.

We will do a small amount of landscaping, and plant grass and trees.

We don't know yet what signs might look like, or how we will secure the facility (for example, with a potential gate across the main driveway).

Hoffman Bros. accepted an option to purchase the property in June of 2021, after the City Commission approved us moving forward with the purchase.

City staff spent time speaking to neighbors nearby about the project, and sent this letter to about 270 people within a half-mile of the property.

We must request a special use permit, because this area is zoned B-1 Corridor Commercial District. We took this request to the Planning Commission at their Feb. 23, 2022 meeting. You can view that meeting here: https://youtu.be/vBPGy_Ab2Cg, with this item beginning at 1:30:30. The Planning Commission approved the special use permit, so this moves to the City Commission agenda on March 15, 2022 for final approval.

If all goes according to plans, we expect to start construction in the fall of 2022, and start using the facility during the winter season of 2023-2024.

The main operations will be to store our road salt, and liquid de-icer. The liquid is corn-based, and we store it in plastic tanks.

We have not finalized any other Public Works operations that might take place here, but they could include storage for our Signs and Signals Division, collection of street sweeper debris, and storage of our cold patch asphalt. We collect sweeper debris and store cold patch at the current salt storage facility.

We do not plan to collect yard waste here; those operations will continue at our compost site, Brice Pit, at 715 W. River Road.

Contact our Field Services Division at 269-966-3343 or publicinput@battlecreekmi.gov.

We do not anticipate an increase in taxes as part of this effort, other than naturally occurring growth. The Lakeview District Development Authority (LDDA) is a Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIF). TIF districts capture incremental property taxes generated within the district. A baseline property tax amount is established at the initiation of the district, and any incremental taxes collected (due to growth in the district) are captured by the TIF and can be used for projects within the district. TIF capture is the primary source of revenue for implementing the study recommendations.

The study, including a subsequent update of the LDDA development and TIF plans, is funded by State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provided by the Department of Treasury during the pandemic.

The plan calls for a combination of private and public investment. The Lakeview District Development Authority is largely privately owned, with exceptions such as streets and their associated rights-of-way, the Linear Path, and the water tower/cemetery site. As a result, most of the district would involve private investment on private property, facilitated by public investment in public infrastructure. Examples of public investment include projects such as narrowing Capital Avenue S.W. north of the highway and re-greening the south end of the mall. In contrast, mixed-use development in the Target Plaza would be a private investment. The goal is to create a vision for private investment similar to the development of the corridor in the 1980s.

The City of Battle Creek's Geographic Information Systems/Sciences (GIS) provides several mapping resources. You can also find property information here. 

The City of Battle Creek identified a drinking water standard violation affecting water customers in Battle Creek, Emmett Township, Springfield (which receives Battle Creek water), and specific streets in Pennfield Township are affected. Quarterly testing through December 2025 shows that total trihalomethanes (TTHM) levels in the water system exceeded the standard of 80 parts per billion (ppb). This average was calculated over the previous 12 months.

No. The city states this is not an immediate health emergency, and customers do not need to boil water or take other corrective actions. The city will notify the public within 24 hours if water becomes unsafe to drink. Long‑term exposure to elevated TTHMs over many years may affect the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, or increase cancer risk. Vulnerable individuals (infants, older adults, those with compromised immune systems) may consult healthcare providers.

The Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) exceedance is likely due to drilling and aquifer testing new wells at the Verona Well Field, a project that began two years ago, with well drilling starting in August 2024. At the recommendation of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), to keep drinking water safe from bacteria, the city used additional disinfectants which have likely resulted in higher TTHM levels.

A combination of conditions made it easier for TTHMs to form: heavy rainfall, well‑drilling and aquifer testing at the Verona Well Field, and low water use in some areas, which increased natural organic material in the source water and water age in parts of the system. When chlorine (our disinfectant) reacts with natural organics over time, TTHMs can form. This temporary increase in organics associated with the rehabilitation project is the primary contributor identified by the city.

Following state/public‑health guidance, we temporarily increased disinfectant to protect against bacterial risks while construction activities were underway. That protective choice can also increase TTHM formation under certain conditions.

The water systems with TTHM present above the water quality standard are Battle Creek, Springfield, Emmett Township, and Pennfield. Total water services for those systems are as follows:

The City is actively implementing short‑term and long‑term measures to lower TTHM levels, in partnership with consulting engineers and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Current actions include:

System Operations & Treatment Adjustments

• Running a strategic, system‑wide flushing program guided by water‑age modeling.
• Adjusting treatment processes to reduce the conditions that allow TTHMs to form.
• Completing two major rounds of system‑wide hydrant flushing in May and August 2025, with continued targeted flushing to improve circulation.
• Increasing sampling both at the Verona Well Field and throughout the distribution system to monitor conditions more frequently.
• Conducting quarterly operational evaluations to assess system performance and guide improvements.
• Installing permanent water‑flushing devices in key areas to help maintain lower water age and improve circulation.

Wellfield Rehabilitation (Long‑Term Fix)

The City of Battle Creek began notifying water customers of the Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) exceedance in December 2024, when the Department of Public Works Water Division issued a public notice to Emmett Township residents, where the issue first emerged.

In March 2025, following a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violation that affected Battle Creek, Springfield, and Emmett Township, the city expanded its outreach efforts to ensure broad public awareness. These actions included:

• Mailing letters to impacted residents
• Posting alerts on the city’s website: battlecreekmi.gov
• Sending CivicReady alerts to subscribers of city news and emergency notifications
• Issuing media advisories and participating in news interviews
• Sharing updates across social media platforms
• BCCC Podcast episode on the water system
• Including the information in the bi-weekly Mayor’s Report on WBCK 95.3 FM
• Featuring updates in the monthly report on WIN 98.5 FM, aired the first Monday of each month

The city remains committed to transparency and will continue to provide updated information, including quarterly sampling results, until the TTHM exceedance is resolved within the water system.

In the letters mailed in March 2025, we informed water customers that reducing Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) levels could take up to 18 months. While this represents the higher end of the timeline, we want to be transparent about the process. The timeline accounts for the Running Annual Average (RAA) of TTHM levels, which means that even if future sampling shows results below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 80 parts per billion, it will take sustained improvement over time for the RAA to return to compliance.

To help accelerate this process, the city is actively working with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to secure permits for new wells. As of early October, we’ve received seven permits, with five more pending and additional applications in progress. We anticipate having all permits for wells in the north well field soon.

The first pumps were installed the week of September 22, and once the initial five wells are in place, we’ll begin connecting them to the water distribution system. This will reduce the need for additional disinfectant, which is a key factor in lowering TTHM levels. Installation of underground piping, electrical systems, and control components will continue over the coming months, depending on weather and site conditions.

The city remains committed to keeping the community informed and will continue to share updates—including quarterly sampling results—until the TTHM exceedance is fully resolved.

For health-related questions contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Toxicology and Environmental Health hotline at, 800-648-6942, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The new wells are drilled to the same depth as the original wells—up to 150 feet—but use a different drilling method. The original wells were constructed using cable tool drilling, which involved breaking up soil and rock while driving the casing down the full length of the well bore. In contrast, the new wells are rotary drilled in two stages:

1. The first stage drills through the upper aquifer and into the Marshall Sandstone formation.
2. In the second stage, a casing is set 10 feet into the Marshall Sandstone, and then drilling continues through the casing and sandstone to match the depth of the original well being replaced.

The higher TTHM results at the Emmett and Battle Creek sites suggest these areas have greater water age, meaning the water has been in the system longer before reaching customers. These locations experience lower water demand and have infrastructure that limits flow, which contributes to older water sitting in the system—an environment where TTHMs are more likely to form.

In contrast, the Springfield site showed smaller increases due to hydraulic control valve adjustments made with the assistance of Springfield DPW staff. These adjustments improved water movement through the area, allowing newer water to flow in and resulting in lower TTHM levels.

To address these disparities and reduce TTHM levels system-wide, the City of Battle Creek is taking several actions:

• Using a water model to assess water age and guide a strategic flushing program
• Adjusting treatment processes to reduce TTHM formation
• Completing system-wide hydrant flushing twice a year, as well as daily targeted hydrant flushing.
• Increasing sampling at Verona Well Field and throughout the system
• Conducting quarterly operational evaluations
• Replacing aging wells at Verona Well Field:
  • Once the first five wells are installed, they will be connected and placed into service (anticipated January 2026)
  • Underground piping, electrical, and controls work will continue through the coming months, depending on weather and site conditions

The city is also working closely with consulting engineers and EGLE to explore additional improvements at the treatment facility and throughout the distribution system.

These efforts are expected to lower TTHM levels and bring the system back into compliance, while also helping to prevent future increases by improving water age and system flow.

No. Hydrant flushing uses system‑side water and does not pass through customers’ meters.

Some NSF‑certified filters can reduce TTHMs. Residents should consult NSF’s contaminant reduction guide for TTHM‑specific filters.

The first link below will explain who the NSF is, the second link provides filtering information. With the filter information, please scroll down to the last article for TTHM information. 

1. https://www.nsf.org/knowledge-library/who-is-nsf-international 
2. https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/contaminant-reduction-claims-guide

Additional sampling on December 26, 2025 and January 9, 2026 showed downward trends, with most locations below the regulatory threshold. These samples are outside the formal compliance schedule but confirm improvement.

For official samples, compliance is based on the Running Annual Average (RAA), which includes the past four quarterly samples. Older elevated results still affect the average, so the violation remains until those age out.

The FOIA allows that "persons" have the rights to access and request public records. However, an individual serving a sentence in a federal, state, or county correctional facility is not entitled to make a request.

FOIA requests must be submitted in writing, include the requestor's name and contact information, and must describe the requested records in sufficient detail to allow the records to be located. The fastest and best way to submit a FOIA request to the city is through this portal.

If you submit a request in any other manner, then your request will be transcribed or uploaded to this portal and processed. It is recommended that you include the words "FOIA" or "FOIA Request" in any communication you make with the city outside of this portal. Before making a request, we also recommend that you first look to see if the information you would like to request is already publicly available.

A FOIA request can be made for any public record prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by the city in the performance of its official functions. You may specify the format you wish to receive the records (i.e., printed or electronically) and the city will comply with the request to the degree it has capabilities to do so.

However, the FOIA does not require the city to create new records or compile information.

No. 911 Dispatch is a function of the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority. Requests for those recordings must be made with that entity.

More information on how to submit a FOIA request for 911 recordings: https://www.calhounmi911.gov/foia.html

Yes. The FOIA contains several listed exemptions to releasing public records in MCL 15.243. The city may exempt certain material from requests and send records that contain only nonexempt material, or it may deny the request outright.

Yes. As part of the city’s response to your request, if the request is granted or granted in part, you will receive a “good faith fee estimate” if the estimated cost will exceed $50. This estimate will break down the costs of your request, as allowed by Michigan law.

If a fee estimate is provided to you, you will be expected to pay the required fee before any documents are produced for your request. If the estimate is over $50, a deposit of half of that amount shall be required. If the total cost is estimated to be less than $50, the total cost of your FOIA request must be paid before you receive any records.

A good faith deposit, if required, must be paid within 48 days, or the request is considered abandoned.

When making a FOIA request through the city’s online portal, you will receive (via email):

1. Within 24 Hours of Request: A confirmation response stating that your FOIA request has been received which will contain a link to the city’s FOIA policies and procedures (which detail the collection of fees, your rights to appeal decisions, etc.)
2. Within 5 Business Days of Request: The city’s initial response to your FOIA request granting your request, granting it in part and denying it in part, denying it, or alerting you that the information you requested is publicly available or available elsewhere. A good faith fee estimate will also be included if the estimated cost is in excess of $50. The city may send you a message at this time notifying you that a response will take an additional 10 days.
3. Variable, Depending on Request: The responsive documents you requested from the city. The city will attempt to provide these documents within the good faith time estimate provided to you after you have paid any fees or deposits required in the response sent in #2. If you requested to view the documents in person, a message will be sent to you confirming that the documents are ready for your review with information on how to schedule a time to review them.

The city has 5 business days to respond to a FOIA request and may extend that response an additional 10 days, by notifying the requestor. Review and production of requested records will occur as soon as reasonably practical.

If a good faith estimate is required, collection and review of requested records will take place after we have received payment of that estimate.

Information will be given to requestors via this portal or by regular mail or email; a requestor may also ask to pick up physical copies of the documents and may schedule a time to do so during normal business hours.

The records requested likely contained material that was exempt under the FOIA. In addition, some information is protected by other statutes, such as the Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Crime Victim's Rights Act, which requires the city to redact certain information.

The city’s policy and procedures document details how you may challenge the denial of your record request or challenge what you believe to be an excessive fee imposed by the city. You may find that document on the city's website, here.