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Battle Creek commission approves zoning changes, contracts and cemetery permit; several items introduced
Summary
The Battle Creek City Commission on May 5 introduced two zoning ordinances and approved multiple resolutions and contracts, including IT infrastructure replacement, authorization for outside counsel in fire truck-related litigation, a Verona Pumping Station re-roof with a 15% change-order cap, and a special-use permit to expand Sunset Garden Cemetery.
The Battle Creek City Commission on May 5 introduced two zoning ordinances and approved a series of resolutions authorizing contracts, temporary signing authority, and a cemetery expansion.
The commission introduced Ordinance 12-2026, a comprehensive set of text amendments to chapter 12.81 of the zoning code intended to correct formatting and clarify definitions and exemptions, including rules on what constitutes substantial progress for conditional rezonings and limiting site-plan-review exemptions for larger residential developments. Commissioner Lacoste moved to introduce Ordinance 12-2026; a support was recorded and the introduction was approved.
The commission also introduced Ordinance 13-2026 to rezone properties at 14 Yuba Street and 169–175 Main Street from high-density multi-family (MFR) to a T3 neighborhood commercial district to allow conversion of a vacant single-family dwelling into office space supporting the Community Action Partnership Organization. The introduction was moved, supported and recorded as introduced.
On consent and resolutions, the commission approved the consent agenda and then approved Resolution 3-77, authorizing Marcy Gillette (assistant city manager), Erin [last name recorded in transcript only as Erin], revenue services director, or Michelle Hull (human resources director) to execute documents on behalf of the city manager during the manager's absence.
Resolution 3-78 authorized the city attorney to engage outside counsel (Baron and Budd, P.C.; Simmons and Sussman, LLP; and Young and Partners, LLP) to represent the city in litigation related to fire truck manufacturers and alleged anticompetitive practices; the motion carried.
Resolution 3-79 approved a contract with People Driven Technology, Inc., procured through a cooperative purchasing agreement, to replace the city's IT infrastructure last updated in 2018.
Resolution 3-80 authorized the city manager to execute a contract for replacement of the Verona Pumping Station roof and allowed the city manager or designee to approve change orders up to 15% in aggregate for city-initiated and preapproved unforeseen field conditions. Commissioner Lacoste questioned why the change-order cap was set at 15% rather than the more typical 10%; purchasing staff indicated the contract prepared by the purchasing department included the 15% allowance. The commission approved the resolution.
Resolution 3-81 approved a special-use permit allowing Sunset Garden Cemetery to expand onto an adjacent unaddressed parcel (parcel 0066-00-110-0). The property is zoned I-1 (light industrial), a zoning district that permits cemeteries with a special use permit. The resolution was moved, supported and approved.
Several items on the agenda were handled with brief or no substantive discussion; the clerk recorded the motions as moved and supported and the commission voted to approve each item as listed on the agenda. Vote tallies and individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the portions of the transcript provided; the minutes state each item "has been approved."
