Battle Creek commission approves consent agenda and several resolutions; closes to review city manager applicants

The Battle Creek City Commission on March 18 took several procedural and project actions. Key outcomes included approval of the consent agenda (which included a not-to-exceed $50,000 consultant engagement for housing-planning work), a change order for City Hall restroom renovations, authorization to seek rehabilitation funding for local infrastructure, authorization to accept a MDOT shared-streets grant for transit, permission to fly the Donate Life flag in April, and a closed-session authorization to review city manager applications. After the closed session the commission moved to invite candidates 4, 10, 11 and 15 to interview.

Votes and actions at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved. The consent agenda included multiple items; meeting discussion and public comment referenced resolution 91 (not-to-exceed $50,000 consultant for housing planning) as part of the consent agenda. The commission moved, supported and approved the consent agenda.

- Resolution 90 (change order to contract 2020Five-fifty3B for City Hall bathroom renovations with Schweitzer Incorporated): Approved. Motion moved and supported; commission authorized a change order not to exceed $44,149.15 to address unexpected electrical and plumbing work uncovered during construction.

- Resolution 93 (intent to seek support for rehabilitation and preventive maintenance of 4 Battle Creek "bridal" as stated in materials): Approved. The resolution authorizes the city manager or designee to seek federal or state financial participation for the described projects; meeting text says passage is necessary to secure state financial assistance.

- Resolution 94 (authorize interim city manager to sign MDOT contract 25-508O for shared streets and spaces grant funding for Battle Creek Transit): Approved. Motion moved and supported; authorized signature and any necessary documentation to proceed with the grant-funded work.

- Resolution 95 (fly the Donate Life flag at City Hall from noon April 1 through April 30, 2025, under the revised flag policy): Approved. Motion moved and supported; sponsorship noted by Mayor Boehnke with support from several commissioners.

- Resolution 96 (set a closed session following commission comments on March 18 to review and consider contents of city manager applicants who requested confidentiality): Approved. The resolution established the closed session; staff told the public the closed session could last an hour to several hours and that additional public notice would be provided if required.

- Post-closed-session action: The commission moved and passed a motion directing the interim city manager to invite candidates 4, 10, 11 and 15 to interview with the commission. The motion was made by Commissioner Lance and received floor support; the commission then conducted a roll-call and the motion passed.

Meeting procedure notes: Several items were discussed in public comment before commission votes, including debate over use of grant funds for housing planning and public concerns about policing. Some public commenters asked for clearer agenda backup showing grant sources. Multiple items were moved and passed with the customary "moved and supported" phrasing; the transcript does not include full roll-call tallies for each resolution in the meeting text.

The commission adjourned after the closed-session action and directed staff to follow up as needed on the authorized contracts and grant applications.