[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6586512,"mediaKeyId","5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438","parentId",5480257,"title","Battle Creek announces public works open house, community survey, new licensed vendors and MetroNet inspections","audioSeconds",390,"startMs",170000,"endMs",560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438&start=170&end=560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438/thumbnail_170000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586512/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Battle-Creek-announces-public-works-open-house-community-survey-new-licensed-vendors-and-MetroNet-inspections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586512-3f92a49e32eaa282208f76f5008c58ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771126418&Signature=XanCjyky8E1yuzc-euf~Zr77pbtxFaUorlkcBD4cOC-3l-sExauImoNcbizHZ5HJ2jOoQUEoIxdEWLryZiwNR6497vkgdNMSEU8R7N24QojJ-ZRmwBOPbum~NzjxJkOp0CxDUVBSoOsEg5h1C7kt5BClNgsaq3XJESbvnoaruMBPKNmkIyFKSTiWnOyYrUIuRuJIRGHbbOzRixHRDTrq9s8GVd0O8jiIZLpT1Cb~oVlQ8rf3P8QKxtJeg1xmAya10ZYiJzNZWs85YFBUXMob6h8znGvKc2eYb3~StKxrEpr0yXblNeI5J1yjDZz1bidn58K9V10pjkROY66qhN7E7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-26T03:12:55.393Z","article","Mayor Mark Behnke used his July 15 report to list several community notices and upcoming events for Battle Creek residents.

Public Works open house: The Department of Public Works will host its annual open house on Wednesday, July 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 150 South Kendall Street. The free, family-friendly event will feature city vehicles, a scavenger hunt, giveaways such as compost and plants, music and demonstrations. A food truck will be on-site.

2025 National Community Survey: The city is conducting the National Community Survey through mid-August. In early July, 3,000 randomly selected households received postcards with a QR code and link to participate. A paper version is being mailed to some households. A community-wide version of the survey will open Monday, July 28; all survey responses are due Monday, Aug. 11. The city uses the survey (administered by Polco) to guide long-term planning, goal-setting and policy development.

Licensed door-to-door vendors: The city has issued new business licenses to a number of door-to-door vendors, including representatives from Vyvint, Smart Home Pros Incorporated and Rapid Roofing. Under the city charter, certain businesses must be licensed to operate in the city. Door-to-door vendors may operate only between 9 a.m. and sunset, must carry a city-issued vendor permit and display an official ID badge. Residents were advised to ask to see identification and to call the Battle Creek Police Department nonemergency number, (269) 781-0911, if they have concerns.

MetroNet pole inspections for fiber project: As part of a citywide fiber-optic project, contractor Vertical Dynamics will conduct surveys of utility poles, taking photographs and measurements to assess pole condition and capacity for additional lines. Survey teams may knock on doors to request access to backyards to inspect poles; neighbors were advised to ask for employment verification.

City alerts, jobs and meeting schedule: The mayor reminded residents how to sign up for city alerts and notifications at battlecreekmi.gov (I want to → apply or sign up → alerts and notifications). The city is hiring for several positions, including bus drivers, mechanics, electricians and police officers; job listings are on the city's website. The next regular City Commission meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 5 and Tuesday, Aug. 19, both starting at 7 p.m. in Commission Chambers at City Hall, 10 North Division Street. Meetings are broadcast live on AccessVision channel 17 (Comcast) and channel 100 (AT&T U-verse) and streamed on the city's YouTube channel.

Why this matters: these notices cover community engagement opportunities, public-safety guidance about vendors and utility work, and city services that affect routine resident experience.

Contacts and more information: for questions about licensed vendors or home repair calls, residents were directed to (269) 966-3311. MetroNet and contractor verification questions should be directed to the company or the city's customer service channels listed on battlecreekmi.gov.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","S02025 E13 - BC City Connection: Mayor's Minute for 7/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Mark Behnke outlined several upcoming events and notices including a Public Works open house July 30, the 2025 National Community Survey (NCS) with deadlines, new door-to-door vendor licenses and rules, MetroNet pole inspections for a fiber project, and job openings.","taxTitle","Battle Creek City, Calhoun County, Michigan","taxId",3332,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6586516,"Battle Creek water TTHM readings improving but federal violation remains, officials say",97,303000,400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438&start=303&end=400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438/thumbnail_303000.jpg","/articles/6586516/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Battle-Creek-water-TTHM-readings-improving-but-federal-violation-remains-officials-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586516-812e9ca03b8f22d1856dccef8ae221e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771126418&Signature=jct4UBA0hoVp3~WhH7Ln3-ENIKHSFki6aG3v7YTUhtVXCZtbI3lx~aOweMryBfDfauFd4bh7UhRa04620IB75wRM4GuPKjT2YoRMW84qy-rMhV2nDv2G2h3uFUatmt65g01PeD0BANzO7Mz5cwrphdB4TXSheqidlu-zqYxdGxxRLtELYqCfAEz~F14b9iD-HbAFOYKYgZlY0SYx82yx8bGYm0R2zXciVW3JbGXcvkKba8usq-h9IZCir9DLeONgJWzNkQiMzrftXfti31-oIW2GIli6bzAGf7Oi9PfvocJ8TJPjMVh8kEJf2aM9aCcbqbGFtqtbcqL1Y7pX9RONNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Battle Creek officials reported that recent testing shows improving levels of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in the municipal water system, but a federal drinking-water violation remains in effect because the running annual average (RAA) is still above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 80 parts per billion, Mayor Mark Behnke said in the July 15 mayor’s report.

Quarterly testing from May indicates that the most recent TTHM samples no longer exceed the federal MCL at monitoring locations, the mayor said. However, the RAA is calculated from the most recent four quarterly samples, and earlier elevated readings continue to push the annual average above the limit. Until older results are replaced by consistently lower readings, the violation remains in effect.

The violation affects water customers in the city of Battle Creek, Springfield, Emmett Township and portions of Penfield Township, the mayor said. The city’s water division sent affected customers a letter detailing the latest results and ongoing corrective actions; the letter is posted at battlecreekmi.gov.

City officials described several steps intended to reduce TTHM formation and lower the RAA: adjusting treatment processes, completing the annual hydrant flushing program to remove older water and sediment, increasing sampling at the Verona well field and throughout the distribution system, conducting quarterly operational evaluations to assess water age and tank cycling, and replacing aging wells at the Verona well field to improve long-term water quality. The mayor said these actions are expected to continue lowering TTHM levels until the RAA returns below the federal standard.

Why this matters: TTHMs are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water; federal rules set an MCL of 80 ppb for TTHMs to protect public health. The city’s statement indicates corrective steps but does not specify when the RAA will fall below the MCL.

Residents with questions were directed to the city’s 311 line at (269) 966-3311 and to battlecreekmi.gov for the posted letter and further updates.","Quarterly tests show recent total trihalomethane (TTHM) levels below the federal maximum contaminant level, but the running annual average is still above 80 parts per billion, keeping a violation in effect. The city described steps underway to reduce TTHMs.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6586522,"Battle Creek names four finalists for city manager; public meet-and-greet Aug. 6, interviews Aug. 7",0,317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438&start=317&end=317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5480257-695b5b4687672dce3a8d69f1cec4f438/thumbnail_317000.jpg","/articles/6586522/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Battle-Creek-names-four-finalists-for-city-manager-public-meet-and-greet-Aug-6-interviews-Aug-7","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586522-4a6fce23876084b22b511b742dc3a6e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771126418&Signature=S-YHNsrlPSCGS~P7XOikuqXf48MWES2UUmtQ41yuodKzAY6Vk6tHcob2lquriSRB~o9TRke3KJwHrlkfSyybYKpTYoTI73NjH2H3mEiQPGNhmN2p17MrqZDTmPkfXuYv8uGE~wfp61gk2MfIs~NgzHuEj8ybCNM8XiIww6PIkmF5LwNPDVcBgtQbzdT5JM4K2P9KrhWBw7MoeUDzX7p2KduOnz7QngoJJa0FzDpcFpkajDhZahI-6usEBLA58KPK0vNrTauoVykLRWTeQuM5s51gIn8A9rqpuM~0ZRS7tqO7PSoX8WVxogSvXLXwbuZZxCxX6ljExoqxEZz4op~Yrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Battle Creek City Commission has selected four finalists for the city manager position, Mayor Mark Behnke said during his mayor’s report at the July 15 meeting. The finalists were screened from seven semifinalists recommended by Strategic Government Resources (SGR), the recruitment firm the city hired to lead the search.

The finalists listed by the mayor were: Burke (identified in the report only by surname), who previously served as township administrator for Westchester Township, Ohio, from February 2018 to February 2025 and as assistant city administrator in Bellevue, Nebraska, from 2012 to February 2018; Amanda Zimmerman, city manager of Clayton, Ohio, since February 2020 and formerly assistant city administrator in Springdale, Ohio; Matt Hartline, who served as village manager of Villa Park, Illinois, from 2022 to May 2025 and previously as assistant city manager in Dover, Delaware; and Carl Gefkin, city manager of Fort Smith, Arkansas, from March 2016 to December 2024 and formerly chief operating officer and interim director of children and youth services for Berks County, Pennsylvania.

The city hired SGR to recruit and vet applicants for the position, which has been vacant since former city manager Rebecca Flurry retired in November 2024. Since Flurry’s retirement, Assistant City Manager Ted Dearing has served as interim city manager.

Neighbors are invited to meet the finalists at a public meet-and-greet on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 Capitol Avenue. The event will be held in the atrium from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with candidate introductions beginning shortly after 5:30 p.m. Each finalist will undergo a final interview with the city commission during a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 7; the mayor said more details about that meeting would be released soon.

Why this matters: the city manager is the top administrative official responsible for carrying out City Commission policy and managing daily operations. Filling the position will move Battle Creek from an interim management arrangement back to a permanent chief administrative officer.

How residents can participate: attendees at the Aug. 6 meet-and-greet may ask questions and provide feedback to elected officials, the mayor said. The city’s website will carry additional details about the special meeting and any public-comment procedures for the interviews.

Background: the Commission reviewed candidate qualifications in a closed-door session on July 15, as part of the recruitment process managed by SGR. The mayor’s report provided biographical highlights for each finalist, including academic credentials and prior municipal experience; the report did not supply each finalist’s full first name for the candidate listed as \"Burke.\" The city did not announce a timeline for a formal appointment during the mayor’s remarks.","Mayor Mark Behnke announced four finalists for city manager after a closed session July 15. The city will hold a public meet-and-greet Aug. 6 and conduct final interviews Aug. 7.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Battle Creek announces public works open house, community survey, new licensed vendors and MetroNet inspections

Battle Creek water TTHM readings improving but federal violation remains, officials say

Battle Creek names four finalists for city manager; public meet-and-greet Aug. 6, interviews Aug. 7