BC City Connection Podcast
BC City Connection is the official podcast from the City of Battle Creek, Michigan government. Host Richard Piet visits with various city leaders and experts - from administration to small business development and public works - hear engaging and informational discussions from Battle Creek.
Episodes
26 episodes
Housing: 2026 Housing Master Plan
Over the course of 2026, the BC CIty Connection will include some conversations specifically focused on housing in the city.In the first of those episodes, Planning Supervisor Darcy Schmitt lays out how Battle Creek tackles the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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19:52
Digital Services: Ensuring Information is Accessible
This time on BC City Connection, a discussion outlining how Battle Creek is building an accessible digital city that meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards and puts residents first. From language-ready ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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16:39
Mayor, City Managers End 2025 and Look Ahead to the New Year
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. Epi...
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26:31
Sirens, Safety And Smarter Alerts
Battle Creek’s outdoor sirens are being modernized for targeted, reliable severe weather alerts. Also, learn why monthly tests are important. In this episode of BC City Connection, Bret White from the Community Emergency Re...
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15:24
Meet Battle Creek City Manager Amanda Zimmerlin
In her first visit to the BC City Connection podcast, Battle Creek City Manager Amanda Zimmerlin discusses her background, what drew her to Battle Creek and the challenges and successes she sees in the Cereal City.Zimmerlin joined the Ci...
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26:37
Grant Allows Battle Creek to Continue Assisting Families with Lead Abatement
Since 2018, the City of Battle Creek has been selected to receive the Michigan Medicaid CHIP Lead Hazard Control Community Development Grant. Fiscal year 2026 is included.The grant was approved for a total of $1,345,000. In t...
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16:35
Fire Station Improvement Updates; Meet BC's New Chief Facilities Officer
A plan to reimagine Battle Creek fire stations is coming to fruition. In this episode of BC CIty Connection, Battle Creek Fire Department Battalion Chief Cody Titus discusses how the changes will advance firefighting in the city.
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15:50
Drinking Water Update: City Actively Addressing Elevated TTHMs
The City of Battle Creek is actively addressing elevated total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in the water system, a maximum contaminant level violation.The municipalities affected include the City of Battle Creek, Springfield, Emmett Township ...
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15:59
Get Alerts and Info from the City of Battle Creek - and Offer Input
In this episode of BC CIty Connection, Breanne Humphreys and Eric McClure from the City Hall communications office talk about the opt-in city alert system which helps residents stay informed.The BC City Connection podcast is also discuss...
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22:31
Safety and Crime Prevention Tips from Battle Creek Police
In this episode of the BC CIty Connection, Lt. Ryan Strunk and Sgt. Chris Rabbit bring listeners a wide-ranging list of safety and crime prevention tips.From driving safety to situational awareness and fraud, the BCPD encourages...
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21:43
What Every Property Owner Should Know About Code Compliance (and Free Paint)
The City of Battle Creek understands code compliance can be perceived as a roadblock sometimes. However, the city code compliance office wants to be helpful and resourceful for residents.In this episode of the BC City Connection podcast,...
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17:16
BC Community Development Fellow Supports City and Business Efforts, Fosters New Leadership
In a partnership with the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the City of Battle Creek welcomed a Community Development Fellow in 2025.The role "...supp...
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18:27
Battle Creek City FOIA Requests Now Accepted Online
The City of Battle Creek has activated a new online portal for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.In this episode of BC City Connection, Battle Creek City Attorney William Kim discusses the new process for FOIA requests, as well ...
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9:59
Battle Creek Starts Thinking About Summer Recreation in January!
Even when Battle Creek residents might be immersed in winter activities, the city's Recreation Department is planning for warm weather fun - even when the snow is still flying.This time on the BC City Connection, Recreation Director Dan...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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13:50
Mayor, Interim City Manager Reflect and Look Ahead to 2025 in Battle Creek
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 longtim...
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26:31
Be in the Snow - er, Know - with 'Snowtifications' - Name a City Plow, too!
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 'Snowt...
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16:51
Three Things to Know Before Casting Your Ballot in Battle Creek and Nearby
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 Connect...
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9:55
Fire Department Update: Station Upgrades, Fire Prevention, Training, Recruiting and More
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 sh...
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20:19
Understanding Battle Creek's Manager-Commission Form of Government
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 inter...
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23:26
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Battle Creek Executive Airport
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 t...
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22:55
Check Out Battle Creek's Fun Parks and Recreation Options
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 f...
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10:18
Understanding the Proposal to Upgrade Battle Creek's Fire Stations
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 i...
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29:55
All Things Water: Lead Service Line Replacements, Input from Residents and 'Hydrant Hysteria'
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 progre...
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20:36
Battle Creek Recycling, Solid Waste, Earth Day and More: What to Know
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 Progra...
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18:57
Update on a Potential Battle Creek Community Oversight Board
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 d...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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16:21