By Maggie LaNoue – Contributing Writer
September 11, 2026
Labor Day had passed, the school year was beginning and Albion was moving from summer activities toward the Festival of the Forks when City Council gathered Tuesday, Sept. 8, a day later than usual because of the holiday. Among the night’s agenda items were the future of Albion College-owned property on Haven Road and an old city dump encountered beneath streets near McIntosh Park.
Albion College is preparing to sell properties at 910 and 958 Haven Road and requested rezoning from Campus Development District to Mixed Use. Council approved the first reading of the ordinance, which will return for a second reading before final adoption.
Across town, an infrastructure project near McIntosh Park brought a reminder of a much older chapter of Albion’s history.
Crews installing new water, sanitary sewer and storm systems beneath Dean and Hoaglin drives encountered remnants of the city’s former dump about two feet below the pavement. The dump was known, but Public Services Director Jason Kern said buried material extended farther than project plans indicated. Crews encountered glass, wire, bricks, bicycles, cans, shovels, tires, and other debris.
Council approved $86,481.36 to remove and dispose of the material. Kern said crews may encounter additional debris as storm-drain work continues, although he expects less.
Construction elsewhere in the city also brought a public comment from Mark Clawson, owner of I’M TIRED at 220 Austin Ave., who said work at Austin and Eaton streets has made his business difficult for customers to reach.
“I have one way in,” Clawson said. “I have people that are calling me trying to figure out how to get into my business.”
Police Chief Aaron Phipps said he would follow up with Clawson. More coverage of Albion’s ongoing construction projects is planned for a future Recorder.
Council postponed a decision on a proposed $40,976 contract with Schneider Geospatial for its SimpliCITY work-order system after questioning whether the city could make better use of software it already owns.
Council member Jim Stuart, who said he uses BS&A software with other municipalities, urged the city to determine whether better configuration or outside expertise could solve the problem before purchasing another system.
“I would love to see us not jump to another software when we already own software,” Stuart said.
Kern responded, “I can tell you with 100% certainty, it is not working for us.” Council tabled the proposal until Sept. 21.
Council also set Albion’s 2026 property tax levy following a public hearing. The four city millages are expected to generate approximately $2.2 million from $138.6 million in taxable real and personal property.
The meeting also highlighted resources available to residents and ways they can help identify Albion’s future needs.
Albion Health Care Alliance Executive Director Amy Reimann provided an update on Healthy Babies Day, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Crowell School, 1418 Cooper St. The free event is for expecting Albion-area residents and families with children from birth through 18 months. Families can sign up for Rx Kids and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and food boxes and other supplies will be available.
“Healthy Babies Day is important for new and expecting moms and families to know that there is a whole community around them as they enter this exciting, and sometimes daunting, period of new life,” Reimann said.
Community connections also figured in a Festival of the Forks preview from Billy Beers, president and CEO of the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. The Festival will be held Sept. 18–19.
He said organizers have been looking through Festival archives from earlier decades as they return to emphasizing Albion’s heritage. Council member Jim Stuart recalled the Festival’s longtime reunion aspect and its role in bringing people back to Albion.
Mayor Victoria Garcia Snyder said that while it is hard to see summer end, she gets “especially excited when Festival of the Forks rolls around.” She said one of her favorite parts of the weekend is “the opportunity to reconnect with friends who have moved away but still consider Albion home and come back to celebrate with us.”
Festival information is available at FestivaloftheForks.org.
Residents also have several opportunities to provide feedback as Albion updates its Comprehensive Plan. City Manager Sheryl Theriot reported that the survey received 80 responses in its first three days. The survey and interactive map at AlbionTogether.com allow residents to identify priorities for housing, infrastructure, downtown and riverfront development, transportation, and other issues that will help shape the city’s plan. Responses are requested by Oct. 31, with additional opportunities for in-person public input planned during Festival of the Forks.
Council’s next regular meeting is Monday, Sept. 21.
