Mayor Mark Behnke previews holiday closures, toy drive, police academy and utility billing changes
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Mayor Mark Behnke gave the City of Battle Creek a cluster of service and schedule updates, including a temporary City Hall closure, holiday giving opportunities and changes to how residents pay utility bills.
Behnke said City Hall will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, for an annual employee holiday potluck; normal business hours will be observed before 11 a.m. and after 1 p.m. That closure coincides with the commission’s regular meeting day, which Behnke said will start at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 10 North Division St.
The mayor announced the Battle Creek Fire Department is partnering with the Salvation Army for a holiday toy drive. Residents may drop off new, unwrapped toys at the following stations during the posted daily hours through Monday, Dec. 15: Station 1, 195 East Michigan Avenue (8 a.m.–5 p.m.); Station 2, 145 North Washington Avenue (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); Station 3, 222 Cliff Street (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); Station 4, 8 South 20th Street (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); Station 5, 1170 West Michigan Avenue (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); and Station 6, 2401 Cabell Avenue SW (8 a.m.–8 p.m.). Behnke asked residents to donate only new, unwrapped toys.
The mayor said the Battle Creek Police Department, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police will host a Citizens Police Academy beginning Wednesday, Jan. 7. Applications are open now; space is limited and applicants must pass a background check. Behnke encouraged residents, business owners and community leaders to apply for the interactive program, which will include sessions with special units and scenario-based training.
On city operations, Behnke said Battle Creek will upgrade its utility billing system. The current credit-card payment option will be retired in mid-December; the city plans to introduce a new automated phone-payment system and will publish the updated phone number and online payment links on the city website when they are available.
Republic Services completed its final yard-waste curbside pickups for the 2025 season the week of Dec. 1–5, the mayor said, and curbside service will resume for the 2026 season on Monday, April 6, 2026. In the interim, Behnke offered alternatives for disposing yard waste: hire a private contractor, leave grass clippings as mulch, compost on-site, or haul material to the city residential drop-off compost site, Bryce Pitts, at 715 West River Road. The mayor provided driving directions from Bedford Road to River Road and said the drop-off site is approximately a quarter-mile down the road on the left. Current hours at the site are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; the site is closed Sunday and on holidays and may open late after weather events that require staff cleanup. Behnke reminded residents that burning leaves inside city limits is prohibited, even with a burn permit.
The mayor also highlighted the latest episode of the city’s Battle Creek Connection podcast, featuring Brent White of the Calhoun County Emergency Response Team and hosted by Richard Pyatt; episodes are available on the city website, the City of Battle Creek YouTube channel and on common podcast apps.
A city staff member provided additional logistics about public engagement and meeting access: the City Commission typically meets the first and third Tuesday of each month; residents may attend meetings in person and there are at least two opportunities for public comment during regular meetings. Meetings are broadcast on AccessVision (channel 17 on Comcast and channel 100 on AT&T U‑verse) and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel; agendas are generally posted to the city website on the Thursday before workshops or meetings. Residents who want paper copies of agendas may visit the city clerk’s office at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday.
For more information about any item, Behnke directed residents to battlecreekmi.gov and the city’s news and announcements section. He closed by thanking listeners and wishing them happy holidays.
Behnke said City Hall will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, for an annual employee holiday potluck; normal business hours will be observed before 11 a.m. and after 1 p.m. That closure coincides with the commission’s regular meeting day, which Behnke said will start at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 10 North Division St.
The mayor announced the Battle Creek Fire Department is partnering with the Salvation Army for a holiday toy drive. Residents may drop off new, unwrapped toys at the following stations during the posted daily hours through Monday, Dec. 15: Station 1, 195 East Michigan Avenue (8 a.m.–5 p.m.); Station 2, 145 North Washington Avenue (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); Station 3, 222 Cliff Street (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); Station 4, 8 South 20th Street (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); Station 5, 1170 West Michigan Avenue (8 a.m.–8 p.m.); and Station 6, 2401 Cabell Avenue SW (8 a.m.–8 p.m.). Behnke asked residents to donate only new, unwrapped toys.
The mayor said the Battle Creek Police Department, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police will host a Citizens Police Academy beginning Wednesday, Jan. 7. Applications are open now; space is limited and applicants must pass a background check. Behnke encouraged residents, business owners and community leaders to apply for the interactive program, which will include sessions with special units and scenario-based training.
On city operations, Behnke said Battle Creek will upgrade its utility billing system. The current credit-card payment option will be retired in mid-December; the city plans to introduce a new automated phone-payment system and will publish the updated phone number and online payment links on the city website when they are available.
Republic Services completed its final yard-waste curbside pickups for the 2025 season the week of Dec. 1–5, the mayor said, and curbside service will resume for the 2026 season on Monday, April 6, 2026. In the interim, Behnke offered alternatives for disposing yard waste: hire a private contractor, leave grass clippings as mulch, compost on-site, or haul material to the city residential drop-off compost site, Bryce Pitts, at 715 West River Road. The mayor provided driving directions from Bedford Road to River Road and said the drop-off site is approximately a quarter-mile down the road on the left. Current hours at the site are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; the site is closed Sunday and on holidays and may open late after weather events that require staff cleanup. Behnke reminded residents that burning leaves inside city limits is prohibited, even with a burn permit.
The mayor also highlighted the latest episode of the city’s Battle Creek Connection podcast, featuring Brent White of the Calhoun County Emergency Response Team and hosted by Richard Pyatt; episodes are available on the city website, the City of Battle Creek YouTube channel and on common podcast apps.
A city staff member provided additional logistics about public engagement and meeting access: the City Commission typically meets the first and third Tuesday of each month; residents may attend meetings in person and there are at least two opportunities for public comment during regular meetings. Meetings are broadcast on AccessVision (channel 17 on Comcast and channel 100 on AT&T U‑verse) and livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel; agendas are generally posted to the city website on the Thursday before workshops or meetings. Residents who want paper copies of agendas may visit the city clerk’s office at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Friday.
For more information about any item, Behnke directed residents to battlecreekmi.gov and the city’s news and announcements section. He closed by thanking listeners and wishing them happy holidays.
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