BC City Connection Podcast

As 2024 closes, the City of Battle Creek looks upon some new beginnings in 2025. Ten-year City Manager Rebecca Fleury has retired, providing a chance for her successor to be discovered in 2025.The city also hired a successor for longtime attorney Jill Steele and decided on a plan to upgrade the city's fire stations.And then there's the Olive Garden.Mayor Mark Behnke and Interim City Manager Ted Dearing join the BC City Connection to look back at 2024 - and ahead to 2025.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle CreekBattle Creek City ManagerBattle Creek City CommissionWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

Did you know there are about 300 road miles the City of Battle Creek has to clear when it snows?That's just one fact among many in this BC City Connection episode with Field Services Superintendent Todd Gerber, who also discusses 'Snowtifications' meant to help keep residents informed.Click to listen, as well, to hear how you can make your mark on the city's snowplow trucks by helping to name them.Episode ResourcesBattle Creek Public WorksMore about SnowtificationsWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

Modern voting in Battle Creek means there are multiple options to cast your ballot: Early voting, absentee ballot or on Election Day. But, before your ballot is cast, there are important things to know.In this episode of BC City Connection, Battle Creek City Clerk Victoria Houser tells us the top three things voters should be aware of before they make a choice and cast their ballots.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle Creek ElectionsCalhoun County ElectionsMichigan Voter Information CenterYour Voter InformationMichigan Department of State – ElectionsWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

This episode of the BC City Connection podcast welcomes three members of the Battle Creek Fire Department to update residents and listeners on several important topics.Part of the discussion is key information every resident should hear about fire safety in their homes, including what to do if you can't afford or need help getting smoke detectors installed in your home.Also discussed: The latest on Battle Creek fire station upgrades, interim fire department leadership, fire training and recruitment.Episode ResourcesBattle Creek Fire DepartmentPrevious Episode: Understanding the Proposal to Upgrade Battle Creek's Fire StationsWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

In this episode of BC CIty Connection, Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury discusses how the city manager and commission-form of government operates. She takes time to bring context and understanding for listeners on how each segment interacts.Fleury also discusses how elections can have an effect on that interaction.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle Creek websiteBattle Creek Mayor and Commission websiteBattle Creek City Manager websiteYour Government Battle Creek websiteWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

This year, 2024, marks the centennial of the Battle Creek Executive Airport. In this episode of Inside Calhoun County, Aviation Director Phil Kroll talks about the history of the airport, a special event the public can attend to commemorate the occasion, as well as some other details.Episode ResourcesBattle Creek Executive Airport websiteAirport Centennial Celebration infoWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

Warm weather months in Battle Creek bring city staff out to prepare parks and recreation spaces for summer.In this episode, Duska Brumm visits with BC City Connection to talk about parks and recreation options in the city - everything from Bailey Park to Full Blast to Binder Park Golf Course.Episode ResourcesBC Parks and Recreation websiteWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

In this episode of the BC City Connection, Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury and Fire Chief Bill Beaty help listeners understand the reasoning behind a proposal to upgrade the city's fire stations.At the center of the reasoning is one city fire station built more than 100 years ago, along with a second which are no longer suitable as fire station buildings.Click to hear how the city has studied the proposal and gathered input from residents.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle Creek websiteCity of Battle Creek Fire Department websiteBCFD Fire Station Information websiteYouTube: Public Session VideoWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

The City of Battle Creek has undertaken the significant task of replacing lead service lines in the water distribution system. In this episode of BC City Connection, the Water Division's Matt Miller and Amber Whitcomb discuss the progress made on the replacements and how residents can assist by completing a special city survey.The pair also discusses the city's water quality report and Battle Creek's nationally-recognized hydrant assembly teams.Episode ResourcesWater Department SurveyCity of Battle Creek Water Division websiteWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

How should you recycle styrofoam? Can your commingled curbside recycling be in a bag inside your recycling bin?The answers might surprise you!This time, the BC City Connection podcast welcomes Bessie Stears, Environmental Program Coordinator and Patty Hoch-Melluish, Environmental and Storm Service Manager at the City of Battle Creek.Bessie and Patty also discuss how you can participate in special Earth Day activities, the results of a recycling audit and how to buy a rain barrel from the City of Battle Creek. Click to listen.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle Creek Environmental Services websiteWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

In the time since citizen input was sought in November 2022 about a potential Battle Creek Community Oversight Board, information gathering and other work has continued.Additionally, the Battle Creek police chief has changed and a new diversity, equity and inclusion officer has joined the team.In this episode, Chief Shannon Bagley and DEI Officer Kimberly Holley visit the BC City Connection Podcast to offer an update on progress toward the establishing of the panel.Click to hear the discussion.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle Creek websiteCity of Battle Creek Police Department websiteCity of Battle Creek Police Chief websiteWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.

In the first episode of the BC City Connection Podcast, Battle Creek City Clerk Victoria Houser discusses a new voting option: Early voting. When Michigan voters passed Proposal 2 in 2022, that cleared the way for 9 days of early voting ahead of many elections going forward. The idea behind it: Provide additional chances for voters to cast a ballot in addition to Election Day voting and via absentee.Shortly after, Michigan’s presidential primary was moved to February 27 from March.Now, voters will experience the confluence of those two things. While the city has established all the necessary protocols for early voting, it is important for voters to know where they will need to go to cast that early ballot. It may not be where they would typically go to vote.Click to listen for details.Episode ResourcesCity of Battle Creek websiteMichigan.gov Voter Resources website (check your polling location here)Battle Creek City Clerk websiteCalhoun County Elections websiteWatch the video of this discussion here or see the episodes on Access Vision in Battle Creek Tuesdays at 6:30 PM on channel 17/917.The BC City Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.