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Commission approves Kellogg Arena HVAC upgrade; multiple facility contracts and municipal items pass
Summary
City commissioners approved a $2,309,680 HVAC improvement contract for Kellogg Arena and approved several additional resolutions including City Hall boiler replacement ($1,058,710), a 28-unit Helmer Road PUD, a land purchase at 94 Warren Street ($800), a firefighter military service purchase, and a police liaison agreement for 2025–26.
The Battle Creek City Commission on Aug. 5 voted to approve Resolution 200, accepting the lowest responsive bid for Kellogg Arena HVAC improvements from W. Soul and Company in a not-to-exceed amount of $2,309,680. Commissioners discussed the arena’s role and economics, requested usage data, and directed staff to provide schedules and attendance projections.
Commissioner Lance said he is concerned about the arena’s cost and asked whether the facility is underutilized or producing revenue to offset maintenance and bond costs, urging a review of asset management. "It'd be wonderful if we had assets that actually made us money," Lance said, noting the city recently paid off a golf course bond and asking whether the arena could carry more of its own costs.
Vice Mayor Sofia said the arena hosts trade associations and conventions tied to the downtown hotel and requested a report on how many days per year the arena is used and attendance figures. Interim City Manager Ted Dearing offered to share the arena’s schedule and projections and said hotel re-opening should improve performance.
Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes in transcript; tallies not specified): - Resolution 198: Authorize 2025 capital improvement bonds (not to exceed $28,000,000) — approved. - Resolution 199: Accept bid from Schweitzer Inc. for fire station construction (not to exceed $19,884,836; FFE up to $1,500,000) — approved. - Resolution 200: Kellogg Arena HVAC improvements (not to exceed $2,309,680) — approved. - Resolution 201: City Hall boiler and chiller replacement (not to exceed $1,058,710) — approved. - Resolution 202: Planned Unit Development at 14188 Helmer Road (preliminary approval continuation) — approved. - Resolution 203: Purchase of parcel commonly known as 94 Warren Street from Calhoun County Land Bank Authority for $800 — approved. - Resolution 204: Firefighter Josh Hagan authorized to purchase 12 months of military service credit — approved. - Resolution 205: Police officer liaison agreement for the 2025–26 school year with Battle Creek Public Schools — approved.
Several public commenters asked for additional reporting back to the commission on asset performance and neighborhood infrastructure (hydrant visibility, driveway approaches) and urged fiscal caution given the size of the bond package that evening. The meeting adjourned after the mayor announced an extension of the community survey response deadline from Aug. 11 to Aug. 18.
