By Maggie LaNoue – Contributing Writer
October 9, 2026
Sharing information took many forms at Monday’s Albion City Council meeting, from reports on summer recreation and the arts to a new city text-messaging service, photographs displayed outside the council chambers and comments from residents.
The well-attended Oct. 5 meeting also felt different from many council sessions. Residents in the audience applauded repeatedly, particularly for children involved in summer recreation and for the Albion Arts Center. The applause was a noticeable change from many of this year’s construction-focused meetings.
Children stopped in the second-floor hallway before the meeting to look at photographs from Albion’s summer recreation program, then took their seats in the council chambers.
The evening’s first presentation was a virtual introduction to TextMyGov by company representative John Kenna. Kenna said the system can be used for notices including water-main breaks, severe weather, road closures, voter information and water-bill reminders.
The two-way service also allows residents to report such problems as potholes, leaks, fallen trees and streetlight or park-maintenance issues, including photographs.
Kenna described the system as highly configurable. It can be set up to answer frequently asked questions — such as voting questions — by directing residents to information on the city website. He said the system is designed to be simple to use and includes training for city staff.
The company estimated the city could initially reach about 2,000 households through a database provided with the service. How Albion will configure the service, including what types of messages residents can choose to receive, will involve both technical setup and policy choices.
The children, who had been waiting patiently, were next. Council heard about what children and recreation leaders had learned during a program assembled on a short timetable this summer, including training recreation staff received from Starr Commonwealth. The program is explored in greater detail in a separate article.
Arts provided another form of communication Monday. Representatives of the Albion Arts Center described activities during the center’s first months. Mary Slater told council, “We have over 600 artists. Can you really believe that? More than 600 artists in this community.”
Calhoun County Commissioner Gary Tompkins, who represents District 7, also made a special presentation recognizing longtime Council Member Lenn Reid, who is not seeking another term.
Public comments added still more voices to the meeting. Staci Stuart, president of a local rental property owners association and wife of Council Member Jim Stuart, raised concerns about rental registration and a SAFEbuilt notice received by a property owner. Council members indicated the subject could be placed on a future agenda for further discussion.
Junita Solis Kidder, a longtime volunteer with Citizens to Beautify Albion, complimented some of the city’s newer signs while also questioning a no-parking sign she believed was incorrectly located. City officials said the sign would be checked.
When council later moved into its voting agenda, members unanimously approved the $7,000-a-year TextMyGov subscription. Council members also discussed who would administer the system.
Council also authorized the city to apply for a $20,000 Michigan Arts and Culture Council grant for fiscal year 2027. The grant requires a $5,000 local match, which would come entirely from Arts Commission funds.
All action items were passed unanimously. Council Member C.J. Frost was absent and excused.
City Manager Sheryl Theriot also reminded residents that work continues on Albion’s Comprehensive Plan and Housing Assessment. A community-input pop-up survey is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at the main entrance of the Albion District Library. The library is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Surveys are also available at City Hall, the Forks Senior Center and the library, as well as online at AlbionTogether.com.
Public Safety Chief Aaron Phipps announced a DEA National Drug Take Back event Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Family Fare. Residents can bring expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal. ADPS and Substance Abuse Prevention Services coordinate the event. A red drop box is also available at City Hall.
The city’s Fall Cleanup will be held the following Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with drop-off locations at the north parking lot behind City Hall, Ketchum Field and Harris Field. Accepted items include furniture, appliances, scrap metal, small amounts of carpet, motorized equipment, and general household items.
The evening illustrated another side of public communication when technical difficulties affected the city’s own recording of the meeting. The video archived on the city’s YouTube channel ends after about 17 minutes, following the TextMyGov presentation, rather than preserving the remainder of the approximately 90-minute meeting. The cause was not clear Tuesday. A similar problem occurred March 23, when an archived council meeting that also included a virtual presenter runs less than 20 minutes.
Recent Albion City Council meeting recordings can be found under the “Live” tab on the city’s YouTube channel rather than its regular “Videos” tab.
Theriot had submitted her written city manager’s report in advance and gave council members highlights Monday, leaving time for questions and comments. Near the end, she mentioned a new restaurant near the railroad tracks that was open until 9 p.m.
With adjournment approaching at about 8:30, there was still time for dinner.
