Battle Creek Commission approves ordinances, capital bids and administrative updates

The Battle Creek City Commission approved multiple ordinances and resolutions at its April 7 meeting, including changes to retiree rehiring rules, an extension for the Blue Light development pilot, and several capital projects and administrative updates.

Ordinances and administrative changes: The commission adopted Ordinance 10-2026 to amend section 296.09 of the city code to allow short-term rehiring of retirees for critical positions for up to six months without full commission approval and to require commission approval thereafter. It also adopted Ordinance 11-2026 to extend commencement and completion deadlines for the Blue Light development pilot; staff described the extension as precautionary to account for construction scheduling issues.

Capital projects and contracts: The commission accepted low bids for multiple 2026 capital projects. Resolution 357 awarded the 2026 capital preventative maintenance (chip seal and fog seal) to Pavement Maintenance Systems LLC for an estimated $618,47.95 with the city manager authorized to approve change orders up to 10 percent. Resolution 358 accepted Lakeland Asphalt Corporation’s bid for local street milling and paving in an estimated amount of $1,56,558.98 with similar change-order authority. Resolution 359 approved a low bid from Hoffman Brothers Incorporated for full-depth reconstruction of Taxiway A at the municipal airport in an estimated $9,971,470 with up to 10 percent change-order authority.

Other approvals: The commission authorized temporary suspension of a park fishing prohibition for two youth events (Resolution 360); recognized the Lake View Band and Orchestra Boosters as a nonprofit for the purpose of obtaining a charitable gaming license (Resolution 361); approved adding interactive voice response (IVR) phone payments for utility bills with a processor fee of 3.95% plus a $0.50 per-transaction fee (Resolution 362); and approved property transfers and purchases requested by MDOT related to sidewalk ADA upgrades and a small parcel sale (Resolutions 364–365).

What happens next: The ordinances and contracts take effect as provided by law and by their terms; several capital contracts include authority for the city manager to approve up to 10 percent in change orders to address unforeseen conditions. The meeting adjourned after commission comments.