[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6126576,"mediaKeyId","2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d","parentId",2667546,"title","Resident says eviction-prevention agencies are turning people away until after court summons; urges changes","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",1851000,"endMs",1973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d&start=1851&end=1973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d/thumbnail_1851000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126576/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Resident-says-eviction-prevention-agencies-are-turning-people-away-until-after-court-summons-urges-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126576-f9778c676862528aa27eee652fbd8239/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167594&Signature=DdXfqddvAlVtOv1uIM6ciCr88ej4jgxRo5h8rdB7up7VWwJGxrd9uCoqfXBGR9FKPY2n7tiam0MLD4lYlcRTay86zLI2YmrXUIsSJpAB2s3Gfh5Q4MNMJrY7YBizDaGYLeFEDgrnu5AqH5qIIuE1vdbbo8BBDkHjlVxnvll8YBLdqzDc374Cw41LXmzfFHUHOyK3gil3UNNRIS-LRmj93BFzz-PsXZY3a0976apMYNA1CBDnniO~OAeIf1RhE0recUmLuS9GwMs0uerOhTWlmkA4VwHV6ynzjuSl515ivR7x0LM7jEttHH-la2KKqQR24Wei-LIDY~mKlEjDxMKN0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Battle Creek","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","During general public comment, Reese Atkins of 84 South 203rd Street described ongoing struggles to obtain rental-assistance help and said local organizations told her they would not provide assistance until an eviction had progressed to the court-summons stage. Atkins said she contacted Community Action, Neighbourhood Inc., and DHS and was told that paperwork or assistance would be discarded if she had not yet been to court. She said that by the time the court issues a summons the sheriff may then enforce an eviction with only 10 days to vacate and that the delay defeats the purpose of prevention programs.

Atkins urged city and community agencies to ensure funds designated to prevent evictions are used to help tenants before they reach the courthouse stage. She said multiple funding sources exist at the city, state and federal level but claimed the delivery systems and eligibility practices were preventing timely aid.

No formal staff report or referral was recorded in the transcript; the comment was made during the general public-comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission regular meeting - 3/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Battle Creek resident described difficulty obtaining rental-assistance help before receiving an eviction summons and urged better coordination among programs that receive public funds to prevent people from being evicted.","taxTitle","Battle Creek City, Calhoun County, Michigan","taxId",3332,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126581,"Resident says earlier attempted‑murder investigation in Battle Creek was not prosecuted; urges justice after later homicide conviction in Kalamazoo",66,1702000,1768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d&start=1702&end=1768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d/thumbnail_1702000.jpg","/articles/6126581/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Resident-says-earlier-attemptedmurder-investigation-in-Battle-Creek-was-not-prosecuted-urges-justice-after-later-homicide-conviction-in-Kalamazoo","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126581-d854e53439c2ee2bdd8f8dafc46f44c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167594&Signature=j-Bysx23rRNfHFYy720WGtjSPKgpx-n8Uf9HiLU4S1M~IUt4xV8oSt0O~MznwJvlNdeN8k-hH9hpd4vnkSi1PIroD40-gSmk~Tb68PVgqzTUN8esy9A0kawLMSFPF7W0db4~YM6LyxxmC9Iojc9KSHZFdDyWAQ1IBn5eVLq08k1NS2u9axbxvgfHzFfafe2Lg04eNVsszFYIf2VVQoroOyVkmIigKQpcnJgIsdjnVnV7iCFDs1n9~ZRYkoMErt0k0v15SMWxZmQMVXzeVkEQgF30zM5jjTavaQMOgiVU7ZpaMn1BdUzwVgoTpT0Pzw1BqfF1yAmQPBPzKNHqu~H~aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During general public comment, Autumn Smith of Battle Creek described an incident she said occurred in 2022 in which a man she described as having driven a vehicle in a Meijer parking lot struck and nearly killed a woman in an attempted‑murder incident. Smith said there was video evidence and a willing witness in Battle Creek but that no charges were filed locally. She said the same individual was later convicted in Kalamazoo County for a fatal hit-and-run at a Walmart and received a lengthy prison sentence there.

Smith said the earlier Battle Creek incident was effectively left unprosecuted and that the earlier victim was denied access to crime‑victim compensation and other remedies because the local case was not pursued. She called on officials to ‘‘follow the laws’’ and to seek justice for the Battle Creek victim.

The commission did not record a staff response or formal referral in the meeting transcript. The statements reported here are those made by the speaker in public comment; the transcript records Smith’s claim that local charges had not been pressed and that a later conviction occurred in Kalamazoo.

Why it matters: public confidence in local prosecutorial and law-enforcement processes can hinge on how seriously reported violent incidents are investigated and whether victims receive statutory remedies. The transcript does not document an official summary of the Battle Creek investigation or any city action in response.","A Battle Creek resident told commissioners she believes a local attempted‑murder case was not pursued by Battle Creek authorities, and said the suspect later killed a woman in Kalamazoo. She urged the commission and law‑enforcement to ensure justice for the earlier victim.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126586,"Emmett Township trustee urges city coordination on Lift Station 38 repairs ahead of larger sewer plan",171,1473000,1644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d&start=1473&end=1644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d/thumbnail_1473000.jpg","/articles/6126586/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Emmett-Township-trustee-urges-city-coordination-on-Lift-Station-38-repairs-ahead-of-larger-sewer-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126586-a0686d0bbb7a05e29f94a3105201bc98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167594&Signature=JNaARMHH6XCVxv8SeZRvTftYhYdf474pOqnmRUEXJq69jxL4gDdbxVKFrrFrR~DKAUmhjOxKZApT5ANT6U8OcvSqgjZI7M9V-BpweECTIOMZwspwvfZD1wyC39KB5hKwqyakmWfzw-bxH~6fYSGTHb5S8wl9IpcwgGmVH1M~3nImmJCbpZpj1jDk9ex7-oAxMopo0oWvFTdg68w2tWDKWYhCxQYl3AxvR0zA6lSls6-7Y2c8m6iVFvC8U61IPWKgFNeU8INwEK3qoPClYsQv-hcBegd0NJVh9uB3pDMTur2PLTXv85elVOOfxk-uxOASEGJi-vRkIVnQMqH3hTfDjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Leonard, an Emmett Township trustee, told the City Commission the township’s Lift Station 38 on Michigan Avenue is in a deteriorated condition and that engineers have designed a plan to eliminate the station as part of a larger sewer project. Leonard said he was told the city planned an emergency repair at an approximate $200,000 cost billed to Emmett Township for 60 to 90 days, and he warned such a short-term fix could be wasteful if the larger project moves forward soon after.

Leonard said engineers and attorneys are already working on the broader project—part A of a larger $40 million sewer project—and that the engineers’ plan is to eliminate Lift Station 38. He asked the commission to be aware of the township’s planning and to ensure better communication so short-term repairs would not duplicate funds or efforts planned for the comprehensive project.

The mayor said the city manager would provide an update; no formal direction or vote was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: Lift stations are critical sewer infrastructure. Repairing a failing lift station only to have it removed in a scheduled larger project could waste public funds and complicate intergovernmental cost-sharing.

No action was taken during the meeting; Leonard’s remarks were recorded in general public comment and will require staff follow-up to reconcile the emergency repairs and the larger capital plan.","An Emmett Township trustee asked the Battle Creek City Commission to coordinate and avoid duplicative emergency repairs to Lift Station 38, which may be removed under a larger sewer-project plan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126591,"Resident questions tax credits and subsidies tied to Blue Light redevelopment pilot program",163,866000,1029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d&start=866&end=1029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d/thumbnail_866000.jpg","/articles/6126591/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Resident-questions-tax-credits-and-subsidies-tied-to-Blue-Light-redevelopment-pilot-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126591-962aabb4cb267a33c8347dd04e658ada/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167594&Signature=dnJKxpb~ASK2meJ1XTrT0Fv~Tdhy4OPFZaX2QMN5vhKaYTbxejzXJqPaEEhoSV8tY14nzPz86b4kEu9JqsgjyBZsRMmc1yHYvCQolSTdwa8xr2qsuxLL7YL5eADYHc0-30OVkxFiGAuGpD5U61JQkIQ2eYwT0bPCQjOVnyCfz1XwhHR-gSIhN5gkqpYq-8XmUtpcK~0VqBmM427StAwOX5svZro0-aFA2vRnvBMvry1GJJkMEQhuovJbnv2h9dqOVRf0quFXdmBuoWot3KrB0oS0KvY3mzkAhLlKdaHB~0YMR-UIZ8RKLZL-rNqpkGFGiDOC0AmA7qkrFje8D0vmlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Battle Creek resident raised questions during public comment about financing and tax treatment for the Blue Light redevelopment project at the former Kmart site, saying the project’s pilot arrangement may be shifting costs to taxpayers.

John Kennebec of 234 South Avenue directed his remarks to adoption of Ordinance 82 (the pilot program) and the Blue Light redevelopment. He said the development would include 96 units, with 48 market-rate and 48 low-income units, and asked whether the low-income units would be supported by tax credits or other subsidies that could involve public funds. Kennebec referenced a prior development (Upholdings LLC) he said involved federal grant dollars and said that history prompted his concern about transparency on financing for the current project.

He asked whether the developer was using tax credits and whether other federal resources would subsidize construction or operating shortfalls for the low-income units. In the meeting transcript Kennebec said the ordinance text mentions that the affordable units are supported by a mortgage from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) but that he did not know whether additional federal resources were involved.

The commission did not resolve Kennebec’s questions during public comment; no staff response with financing detail appears in the meeting record provided.

Why it matters: large housing redevelopments that include tax-credit units often involve layered financing (developer equity, tax credits, state mortgages, federal grants). Residents asked for clarity on whether costs would shift to taxpayers or be covered by developer and housing‑program resources.

The city commission proceeded with agenda business; Kennebec’s questions were recorded in the public comment section but no formal inquiry or referral was recorded in the transcript.","A Battle Creek resident urged clarity on financing and tax treatment for the Blue Light redevelopment pilot, asking whether taxpayer funds or federal subsidies would underwrite units offered at below-market rents.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126596,"Commission extends Blue Light redevelopment deadlines; approves downtown parking and tank-rehab contracts",90,1115000,1205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d&start=1115&end=1205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2667546-2ea11a9da4ee4f4a8231aaa6cb71a40d/thumbnail_1115000.jpg","/articles/6126596/Battle-Creek-City/Calhoun-County/Michigan/Commission-extends-Blue-Light-redevelopment-deadlines-approves-downtown-parking-and-tank-rehab-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126596-33a22d4e567a2e01039a246236100629/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167594&Signature=HDUFFOIIiV62Tf63ezp0xTYdq72NYJCaAZf2cwr1-DpUpqluRNLl2THrRGA9gazMUqYDHgGGveJbyMhnj~k14RLfVV~wQhf7fssDZebjtwBnLWf7bGlbP4nzYQ4m9ba3WPG2~qVevedT~ks~UZs4Mp8B5zivmmpSaqcmJA4TZjSV5IW6sFapN8jcyr2THNSVfdLRGOzbMY9IVd6qzz0USb5xLotua1SmZb4e3tnZx9sI2u5yWHXd~sVPLDGBYVfcALon9NhR7P3hpO8oq3Ng27Ca0-rJQT5CtM-KQJDMyLFlJeEzBCY3T~x87tTN6nxQ96~AdEezxHgL43D52ClYvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Battle Creek City Commission on a unanimous voice vote adopted Ordinance O1-2025 to extend construction and certificate-of-occupancy deadlines for the Blue Light redevelopment at the former Kmart site and approved two separate resolutions authorizing construction-related contracts and change orders.

Ordinance O1-2025 extends the project's construction start date from April 1, 2025, to April 1, 2026, and moves the required certificate-of-occupancy deadline from Dec. 31, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027. The ordinance reiterates that the development may include up to 96 residential units, with at least 48 reserved for the low income housing tax credit program and the balance reserved for workforce housing.

Resolution 85 authorizes a change order to Contract 2025-030B with Ram Construction Services of Michigan Inc. to add painting of the Hamlin Tower stairwells in a not-to-exceed amount of $121,749, with funding provided by the city’s Downtown Development Authority. Resolution 86 accepts the lowest responsive, responsible bid from L & T Painting Company Inc. for the Bridal East and Emmett Township tank rehabilitation project in a not-to-exceed amount of $186,680 and authorizes the city manager or designee to approve change orders up to 10% in the aggregate for city‑initiated, preapproved changes for unforeseen field conditions.

Mayor Mark Behnke moved adoption of Ordinance O1-2025; a support was recorded and the clerk called the vote. Commissioners verbally recorded at least two affirmative responses during the roll call on the ordinance; the commission declared adoption approved. Resolutions 85 and 86 were moved, supported and approved with no recorded roll-call tallies in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: the ordinance locks in the mix of 96 units for the Blue Light project and gives the developer an additional year to begin construction and another year for occupancy. The two resolutions authorize immediate repairs and rehabilitation work that will proceed under contract, with one funded by the Downtown Development Authority and the other subject to contract change-order limits.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance O1-2025 (Blue Light Redevelopment deadline extension): Moved to adopt; recorded as approved. Text in meeting packet: extends construction deadline to 04/01/2026 and occupancy to 12/31/2027; preserves requirement that at least 48 of 96 units participate in the low income housing tax credit program.
- Resolution 85 (Hamlin Tower stairwell painting change order): Moved and approved; not-to-exceed $121,749; funded by Downtown Development Authority.
- Resolution 86 (Bridal East and Emmett Township tank rehabilitation): Moved and approved; not-to-exceed $186,680; bidder: L & T Painting Company Inc.; manager authorized to approve up to 10% aggregate change orders for preapproved unforeseen field conditions.

The commission took no additional formal action on other agenda items and moved to approve the consent agenda before adjourning.","The Battle Creek City Commission adopted Ordinance O1-2025 extending construction and occupancy deadlines for the Blue Light redevelopment at the former Kmart site and approved two contract-related resolutions for downtown parking-structure repairs and water-tank rehabilitation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident says eviction-prevention agencies are turning people away until after court summons; urges changes

Resident says earlier attempted‑murder investigation in Battle Creek was not prosecuted; urges justice after later homicide conviction in Kalamazoo

Emmett Township trustee urges city coordination on Lift Station 38 repairs ahead of larger sewer plan

Resident questions tax credits and subsidies tied to Blue Light redevelopment pilot program

Commission extends Blue Light redevelopment deadlines; approves downtown parking and tank-rehab contracts