BC City Connection Podcast

Mayor, City Managers End 2025 and Look Ahead to the New Year

• City of Battle Creek

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In this episode of the BC City Connection, Mayor Mark Behnke, City Manager Amanda Zimmerlin and Assistant City Manager Ted Dearing reflect on a year of change in Battle Creek and share plans to turn that transition into momentum.

Episode Resources
City of Battle Creek
Battle Creek City Commission
Battle Creek City Manager


BC CIty Connection Podcast is produced by Livemic Communications.




Richard Piet:

I'm Richard Piet. This is the BC City Connection Podcast, the official podcaster in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan. You might be seeing us on YouTube or Access Vision. You might be hearing us in podcast form. We welcome that. Here's a tip: all you have to do is go where you get podcasts and type BC City Connection, subscribe, and you'll get alerted when these episodes come about. You could follow the City of Battle Creek on YouTube as well. And even if you're watching us on Access Vision, you have those options as well. Here we are at the end of 2025. It's zoomed on by, and here we are with what's really becoming a bit of a tradition here, where we look back on the year and look ahead. And we have quite the group with us today. City Manager Amanda Zimmerlin is with us from Battle Creek, Assistant City Manager Ted Dearing, and Mayor Mark Behnke. Welcome to all of you. Thank you. So the first thing I have to say is last year when the mayor and Ted were with us, we joked a little bit about one of the accomplishments which was well regarded, the addition of an olive garden in Battle Creek. And we laughed about it at that time. There's been all kinds of attention on Beckley Road and around this area, hasn't there? And Ted's been immersed in that. It's true, isn't it, Ted?

Ted Dearing:

It is true, right? You know, as you know, I think we talked about this a little bit last year. We have been uh working on a reimagining of the Beckley Road corridor, and uh, you know, we're that process is progressing nicely, but it's really nice to see some momentum out there. And obviously we talked about Olive Garden then, we can talk about Texas Roadhouse and a few others now.

Richard Piet:

So it's it's great. You'd have pasta for lunch and steak for dinner or the other way around, something like that. That's right. Amanda, you have been here a little while now. We've already had a conversation, but I want to ask you again, because there's been a little bit more time, right? How have things been as you've gotten settled in and looked around at what impresses you, what challenges you? Uh talk about that again, if you would.

Amanda Zimmerlin:

You know, you know, I've been here about three months now. Uh it's been a great three months. And I can tell you, you know, I envision Battle Creek, you know, where housing, people, and places grow together, intentionally, inclusive and organically. You know, a Battle Creek where neighborhoods are affordable but diverse, you know, looking at a really well-rounded housing strategy where we're touching low-income, moderate, and a high income, really bringing multiple housing options here. I think that, you know, successful housing is a foundation for success for our city.

Richard Piet:

Sure. Folks need uh affordable places to live. And uh, if they can't have that, a lot of other things uh get interrupted, don't they?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

They do. They absolutely do. When we're talking about a uh well-rounded housing strategy, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. We just can't do that. Um, you know, and I know that our focus has been on low income to moderate income right now, but I think that we do need a diverse mix of single-family homes, you know, those duplexes, uh, mixed-use developments, workforce and attainable housing, and options for seniors, young professionals, and families.

Richard Piet:

This is ringing a bell, Mayor, right? Uh you and I have talked about housing many times. Uh, and so it's still out there in the forefront, isn't it?

Mark Behnke:

It is. And I tell you what, I think our city staff has worked really hard at putting together a list of possible uh developments throughout the city and following up with them. I know that Ted, every time I turn around, I'm having to ask him, can you send me the list of those developments that we feel a little more comfortable about? And I spoke just recently to one of the service clubs, and they're excited about our potential. They talk about the uh blue light special one, but there's several that are throughout the city that we're doing our best, and we're just thankful that the Kellogg Foundation is supporting us and Battle Creek Unlimited too.

Richard Piet:

Yeah, and what kind of year has this been, Ted, when you look back, sort of keeping the fort, holding down the fort, is that the expression? Uh while we were sorting out uh when Amanda would be arriving. What kind of a year was this based on your experience of past years?

Ted Dearing:

Well, you know, I I think it was a year of transition. I think that might be one of the best ways to describe it. Obviously, a you know, a significant transition in leadership here at City Hall. Some changes with the Kellogg Company, obviously, over the course of the year. You know, BCU introducing a new strategic plan. Um, I don't think that, you know, the work that they have done over the past couple of years should be underlooked in any way, given their investment in the downtown and making projects like the Double Tree happen. So I just I feel like it's all very positive, um, but it's change, right? And so, you know, 2026 is going to be our opportunity to take advantage of the change to move the community forward.

Richard Piet:

Yeah, it certainly is true when we look at even just the Kelanova Kellogg conversation, right? Uh Mars uh closes on Kelanova, Faro completed its uh WK Kellogg uh acquisition not all that long ago. It is change, isn't it? And uh this can make people a little uneasy. And uh Kellogg, you know, it's been such a long time uh fabric of our community, but it makes us nervous when this happens. Isn't that true, Mark? You've probably heard some of these things when you talk to people.

Mark Behnke:

Yeah, and there's still quite a few of the articles that are coming out uh trying to project what it's gonna look like. I mean, you're gonna have two separate subsidiaries of those organizations operating in Battle Creek. So we'll still see the Kellogg name. The WK Kellogg Cereal Company will still be there, Kellanova will still be there, but they'll be operating under two family organizations, and I think that's great. I think there provides further opportunities for Battle Creek to excel.

Richard Piet:

Amanda, when you see this and you think about you bring an outside view, which can be helpful, uh, to the notion of a of an organization like Kellogg that's been so ingrained here, or any organization that has been in the foundation of the community, and maybe there's change afoot that feels uneasy in some ways. What's your view on that? And do you uh look on it as uh something which could be of significance?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

Oh, it absolutely is a significance, but I think, you know, we really need, as Mayor said, frame it as an opportunity. You know, frame it as an opportunity to continue to build those relationships with those companies, those institutions that are so ingrained within our community. And I think that, you know, also with the outside companies coming in and purchasing those two, it gives us another perspective. They have an outside perspective of Battle Creek as well. And I think that it provides possibly a path to new beginnings for us.

Richard Piet:

So, Mark, what about you? You look back on 25, you see the uh transitional year, the traits of that. Also, what else do you see?

Mark Behnke:

Uh, I just saw a city commission that uh rolled up their sleeves, wanted to work together to do some things. I mean, you've got the $25 million fire station upgrade that that's historic for Battle Creek. I mean, the firefighters have been operating out of a lot of smaller facilities. Now they're gonna have a lot larger facilities. It gives an opportunity to work together with municipalities, but that'll be something to see for Battle Creek. There's gonna be some fine uh fire stations in our community, starting with uh station number two and station number three. Um we saved the station from being demolished in uh post-Franklin. So I think that's important. I think if you look at the commission as a very conservative commission, but with the vote of our city manager, they rolled up their sleeves, they understood the opportunities that we have with Amanda, and they said we want to put a best footboard and uh we want to support her. And then we came through with a unanimous vote for her. That sends a strong message to the community that uh we understand we need the best person, and Amanda was our best person.

Richard Piet:

Yeah, and and the process of finding Amanda took longer than perhaps was anticipated. There was a second round uh through which you went in the search. Uh, talk about that a little bit, Mark. Was that a little felt a little uneasy for some folks?

Mark Behnke:

Well, you know, we we stuck with Michigan Municipal League. They worked with us on the city attorney, they did a very nice job. I like her, but I think this was a little bit out of their league, and we needed to go to a bigger firm, and that's what we did. Ted brought to our attention this the firm that we ended up with actually had bid uh previously and was ranked very high, but unfortunately, we didn't see that and what they could bring to the plate. And I think that um the representative of that firm knew how to work with a lot of the candidates, knew how to work with Amanda, uh, and ultimately made uh a recommendation to us that uh I I really appreciated it. So the consultants, they're not cheap, but at the same time, you you get what you pay for.

Richard Piet:

Yeah, Ted, that's uh an important thing, right? I mean, um fair amount of folks rely on the benefit of an outside guide, you might say, to lead municipalities through this situation. For example, the city commission, the elected officials, don't necessarily spend their professional hours immersed in HR and hiring and executive search. So this makes a difference, doesn't it, when you have uh folks who do.

Ted Dearing:

Yeah, and I I think it was a great process. You know, I have to give the commission a lot of credit for you know, for looking at where we were after the first round saying, hey, you know, we we're not really quite where we want to be yet. You know, we're gonna take the time necessary to get the right person for Battle Creek. And, you know, these processes, you know, do a good job of attracting folks that are looking, but they don't always necessarily attract folks that aren't looking, who might be a really good fit for our community. So I think having a chance to go through a a second round uh helped us identify uh a really strong field of candidates, uh, and then one obviously who emerged out of that group who seems to be the perfect fit for Battle Creek. So I, you know, the process was a little longer than we anticipated, but the end result I think was uh exactly what the commission was looking for.

Richard Piet:

You know, Amanda, I want to give you a chance to to talk about that again. Uh the idea that you were examining this opportunity.

Amanda Zimmerlin:

Uh-huh.

Richard Piet:

What stood out to you as you did?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

You know, while I was looking at whether or not Battle Creek was going to be a good fit for me, you know, I have to say uh I was very grateful for Ted. I mean, he was willing. I picked up the phone and I called him and I was like, hey Ted, tell me about Battle Creek. Tell me about all the good things, tell me about the bad things. He was incredibly candid, which I I appreciate. And, you know, I came away from that with the idea that, you know what, Battle Creek is gonna be a great place for me. That, you know, we may have um some self-deprecating tendencies, just like every city, right? We don't realize what we have. But, you know, being able to come here and to hear Ted to, you know, actually visit the community before I decided to apply, you know, I'm like, this is the place for me.

Richard Piet:

I do recall Mark you saying at one point during this process, so one of the candidates had been here, I think more than once. Uh, guess who that was? So uh that means that uh uh there was a certain level of seriousness going on about this choice on both sides. And that probably stood out, right, Mark? Would you say?

Mark Behnke:

Oh, absolutely. I mean, um Ted shared with me that she had called a few times, and then um I think the first weekend after it was revealed who our finalists were, she was here in town and spent the weekend here on a way to another business trip. So I think that's important. It shows the seriousness of that individual candidate. And then I believe there was a second visit that came through. I just think it's important to the city commission to get the right person, and I think that we worked hard enough together with Ted and with the consultant to make certain that we had um all the information that we needed to make the right decision for the people at Battle Creek.

Richard Piet:

All right, let's look forward now, 2026. Amanda, what do you see as the priorities here and uh maybe some of the challenges?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

Sure. Um, we've already talked about housing, so I'm not I'm not gonna go back into that. But I do think that we have an opportunity to continue to build on momentum. I mean, when you look at our successes that we've had downtown uh with the new restaurants that have come in, Gall Lake is one of our newest. These continued wins to move downtown being more of a destination where people want to gather. Um, I know it's one of the things that I was really excited about when I came here is that we have a downtown, we have a city center, we have a gathering space. And, you know, I think that if we have that strong downtown, it's going to continue to boost our small businesses and help the larger economy for the city. I also think, you know, when we're looking forward, um, shoring up our public safety right now, um, you know, we don't have a fire chief. Right. Um, that is one of my top priorities is getting a good, qualified fire chief in there to um really help steer the department and help us become a better department. And then also we have an opening for the deputy police chief. Um, our current police deputy police chief is retiring. So hopefully early in 2026, we'll also have a new deputy, someone to help Chief Bagley to help guide the department.

Richard Piet:

Is hiring a challenge in these areas like we hear it can be in other areas?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

It can be. I mean, I think that there is just kind of a draw on public safety anyway. I mean, people it's hard work. It's very hard work. And you know, not as many people go into that line of work that used to go into it.

Richard Piet:

Aaron Powell Ted, what do you think? Uh you have in particular an economic development view of things, but even more than that, what does 26 look like to you?

Ted Dearing:

Aaron Powell Obviously we're and Amanda mentioned it a minute ago too. I mean, you know, housing is going to remain the number one economic development priority for us in 2026. As the mayor mentioned, you know, there are several projects in the works in various stages of development. You know, I I think in in this role, you know, I'm gonna work hard to try to facilitate all of those to fruition, right? As we'd love to see, you know, groundbreak on a number of these projects in in 2026. So and then as Amanda and the mayor have both mentioned, too, you know, actually implementing the fire facilities upgrades, right? Some of that work is beginning late this year, but the vast majority of that work will take place in 2026. And that's exciting for obviously our our public safety team, our uh, you know, which includes both police and fire and the community as well. So there's some good things that are gonna happen. You know, we'll continue to work with Battle Creek Unlimited uh on the various initiatives that they've got going on. I think we're gonna see some some good things happen in 2026.

Richard Piet:

Mayor, what do you hear? Uh I imagine all of you, when folks meet you on the street, uh, have something to say, but uh Mayor Benke gets out there maybe uh a little more often and he's he's seen a lot. So I presume that you get a lot of folks who talk to you maybe more frequently. What do people say about what they're concerned about or what they're happy about, etc.?

Mark Behnke:

Well, I think people just want to know exactly what's going on. I mean, when is the jack in the box gonna open? And those technically I think they're great. I really do, because they're spending disposable income in our community, and that's important. I think Ted worked hard on the Lakeview Downtown Development Authority, and I think you're gonna see some other uh outlots being sold at the mall. I think the mall is gonna use that, but I think they need to work with our administration because there are some funding mechanisms that we can use to assist them in making the right decisions for the people at Battle Creek for the next 20 or 30 years. I also hear a lot about economic development in downtown Battle Creek. There's been a lot of things. Percy Bean has 99 West Michigan Avenue, he's gonna develop that into a multi-million dollar facility. That is huge. Him and his wife have been consistently present in our downtown community when it comes to that. So I can go on and on, but I think the Calhoun County Transit Authority is a huge plus for the people at Battle Creek. So I look forward to working with Mallory, even though she's not a city employee anymore. I think she's the right person in the right place at the right time. And you're gonna see transit, that hurdle uh being eliminated in our community, especially on the north side of Battle Creek.

Richard Piet:

I think the answer to this might be somewhat obvious, but let's make sure. Why is this important for Battle Creek? And practically speaking, how will it help the transit authority?

Mark Behnke:

I'll give you a quick example. I had my car in the shop and I forgot that I had to be at a meeting at noon. I called the transit authority, they had someone there within five minutes. And then they picked me up after I was done. And for three dollars each way.

Richard Piet:

Yeah.

Mark Behnke:

And if people understand that if it comes to a doctor's appointment, maybe they're relying upon a relative to pick them up and something happens. They don't have to cancel it. They can call the authority, and the authority will dispatch a vehicle there within a minute. Easy to get into, very clean, little box that you put your three dollars in. So you can't beat that. But that's what it's about. And you're going to work out in Fort Custer. I see a lot of these vehicles at Lakeview High School when I s drop my son off in the morning. Mm-hmm. So the kids are using them.

Richard Piet:

Amanda, you've seen this too, I presume. Transit becomes one of the key issues, right? If you can't get somewhere, uh it now is a problem to your livelihood. Absolutely. How did this look to you as this as you joined us and looked at this uh transit authority that was coming together based on others that you've seen or or maybe become acquainted with?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

You know, accessibility is a big deal. Having people be able to get to where they need to be, to be able to feel as though they are part of the community because they can access the entire community is a big thing. You know, where I come from, we did have a regional transit authority. So when I saw that we were migrating to that here, I was like, okay, this is good. We are going to be able to expand throughout the entire county to help bring people together.

Richard Piet:

And uh if it really does work, like you've said, Mark, call them up and and it can happen or you can schedule ahead of time, I think. Uh this is uh a huge difference.

Mark Behnke:

I encourage everyone just try it, and you'll be so happy that you were able to save a problem for someone else and you eliminate it yourself.

Richard Piet:

Ted, you've observed this and you have an institutional memory on the notion of transit and the challenges with which we've dealt. How do you see it? This helps people get to, I don't know, Beckley Road and and downtown and all these places we keep talking about.

Ted Dearing:

Yeah, you know, for people that are privileged enough to have a vehicle, right? We take that all for granted. And people that don't, they, as Amanda pointed out, they they can't stay employed, they can't stay healthy, they can't feed their family because they lack access to transportation to do that. And so I think this is great for the community. The TAC, which we refer to as the acronym the TAC, is you know, has a very robust service plan in mind that would significantly expand on-demand services, you know, to essentially all hours of the day, almost a 24-7 operation. And, you know, we have not had that in the past, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, so that's gonna be a big change for people. And so I it they're gonna need a little time to ramp up. I understand everybody's really anxious for change immediately, right? And they're doing a good job of uh transitioning to a you know a self sustaining transportation organization. It's gonna take a little bit of time, but I think you know, uh one, two, three years from now, we'll have a very robust and much appreciated transit operation. In our community.

Richard Piet:

Trevor Burrus, Jr.: I'm going to ask sort of this broad question, and any of you can answer, or all of you if you want. What's the biggest opportunity we have right now in Battle Creek for advancement of some sort?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

Aaron Powell I'm happy to answer that. I'll give you my take. I think I've said it before, but it's our people. I really think that that is our biggest opportunity. You know, being here for the first three months, the number of nonprofit, you know, non-governmental organizations that I've met with who want to help, who want to move everyone forward, who want to lift everyone is impressive. I think that our opportunity, I mean one of our challenges is going to be just making sure we're all marching in the same direction. But I think everybody kind of has the same goal in mind that, you know, everybody wants to make Battle Creek the best that it can be.

Richard Piet:

Mayor, what do you think?

Mark Behnke:

I agree with Amanda there, but I also will say that uh LeJune Montgomery Tavern sent out a letter last week on Friday. And um, there were some key identifications in that letter that you're gonna see their commitment to Battle Creek increase in some new areas. Still, children are very important to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and families, but um, she specifically said that because of these sales, they're gonna be refocused on some of the things that need to be done in our community, and we're gonna take a leadership role in that and they're gonna be studying things. And I think that was remarkable coming from her. She is so committed to our community that I think it was a good message to read. And I encourage people to reread that letter because there was a lot of thought that went into it.

Richard Piet:

Yeah, this touches on uh some of the things that we alluded to a moment ago. The the idea that when change like this happens, it makes us feel a little unsettled. And frankly, sometimes we say, look, you know, this company has been, these companies have been so committed to our communities. What happens now? If decisions are being made elsewhere, do they feel the same for Battle Creek that maybe uh has been the case in the past? And you start worrying about philanthropy and things of this nature. I think what you're saying, Mark, is someone's observing this and saying, let's let's look at this closely.

Mark Behnke:

I think that uh her message was the right time and the right place on that Friday um when the sale was sold. What do you think, Ted?

Richard Piet:

What's our biggest opportunity?

Ted Dearing:

And I know we have talked a lot about housing, but I think our biggest opportunity is to truly make Battle Creek a live-work play destination. Uh you know, one of our biggest challenges and our greatest opportunity is this notion that there are a lot of people who work in Battle Creek that don't necessarily live in Battle Creek. And I think addressing housing, philanthropic investment, and a lot of other things can make this the type of an attractive community where you would like to both live and work. And so I think, you know, we have a great opportunity to address housing, uh, transportation, childcare, quality of life, et cetera, to attract folks into the community. And again, I think it's it's our current largest challenge, and it's also our greatest opportunity.

Richard Piet:

Mark, one of the things that I know you're focused on is that Amanda gets acclimated and uh she becomes among the faces of the community. How does that work? What's your view? I mean, you're a face of the community. Ted's a face of the community, Amanda is too. How does this all work and how do you envision Amanda and her role in visibility?

Mark Behnke:

Well, I I I've seen Amanda operate, and I I think that she truly believes in what she has to offer, and uh, she understands the responsibility. It's a huge responsibility. She's shephering close to 500 employees in the city of Battle Creek, and she's already mentioned that she has two difficult positions to fill. Plus, she's gonna have Ted's position at some point in time to fill. Those are big decisions to make, I feel, especially the fire chief. We have not been successful with the fire chief in the last five years. So we've got to work a little bit harder there. The second in command in the police department is a difficult one. And of course, Ted is. Ted is everywhere, and he's done a great job when it comes to being there for uh Amanda and her responsibility. So as a commission, we need to allow her to do her job. And I believe that this commission is. I hope there will not be anyone standing her way.

Richard Piet:

Amanda, it was not my intention to talk about you like you're not here. What do you think your uh role is in terms of visibility?

Amanda Zimmerlin:

I think that volunteering in the community, especially if we're talking about just getting into the trenches and being with people, volunteering in the community, I think is a big part of that. Going out and actually, you know, boots on the ground, going out to help. You know, you can talk all day long about um, you know, wanting to make, you know, a better place, but if you're not willing to go out and do it, it doesn't mean a whole lot. So I think that I I have the opportunity to do it twofold. One, through policy that the city sets, and then also through actually going out and helping.

Mark Behnke:

I thought that was a very good point. She wants to get down there and get dirty and and really understand where people are coming from. And I think that's important. And I think I've heard from her a lot of people have said, hey, I called and got an appointment and I actually got to meet her. And I think that's something that we may have not seen in the past as much as we should have. You know, everyone gets an appointment to see the city manager. I think that's a big plus.

Richard Piet:

Ted, you're not really leaving, are you?

Ted Dearing:

Well, I I tell you, I would say I'm not I'm not focused on that right now. I'm really more focused on trying to be a resource to Amanda to help her get settled and and go through the the transition. But the i that things are inevitable, right? I've been around for a while, and you know, I I think we can get excited about the future of Battle Creek and and and new leadership like Amanda Zimmerlin, for example, will be good for the community. And so um, you know, again, I'm not focused on it now, but I recognize that transition will happen over time.

Richard Piet:

Well, it's probably a good thing that you're not focused on it at the moment, after the changes that we have made, right? This speaking of transitional years, city manager change and city attorney change, these are key positions that uh that have changed within months of one another. And so uh it's nice to have some institutional memory around, right? And uh have that support for a while going forward. So good point uh, I suppose on all of that. Well, thanks to all of you. We uh always appreciate having this opportunity at the end of the year to talk about and reflect on what we've just seen and look ahead, and we'll continue to check in over the course of the next 12 months. Thanks to all of you. Don't forget you can subscribe to the BC City Connection podcast and get alerted when these episodes come available. Thanks for being with us.