Albion staff propose city-run K–8 summer enrichment at McIntosh Park, reshaping grants and partnerships

At a council meeting, a city staff member presented a plan to run an in-house summer enrichment program centered at McIntosh Park, targeting kindergarten through eighth-grade students and serving up to about 70 children, and to shift a portion of recreation millage funds and subgrant administration from outside contractors to the city.

The proposal matters because it would change how Albion delivers summer services and how local organizations access public funds. Staff said the move responds to community feedback about duplicated services, transportation barriers and uneven access; it would pair a city-run core program with a parallel small-grant process for community providers.

The staff member said the city previously contracted with the YMCA for much of its recreation programming and that a recent recreation roundtable of roughly 40 participants highlighted gaps in engagement and transportation. "We decided to step back and look more strategically at one of the recreation needs in the community," the staff member said, and proposed a program emphasizing academic enrichment—science, technology, engineering, reading and math—primarily at McIntosh Park with occasional visits to Highland Park.

Staff described the funding picture in general terms and cited figures in the agenda packet: an item was referenced as $63,000 and staff noted approximately $100,000 in program-related funds after packet changes. The staff member said the source of the funding would be the city's recreation millage and that council approval is required for the transfer or reallocation of those dollars.

Under the proposal the YMCA would no longer be the primary routing partner for subgrants; instead, smaller organizations with sufficient organizational capacity would apply directly to the city. Staff described accountability steps for subgrantees: mandatory training for anyone working with students, budgets that reflect the program offered and end-of-program reporting so the city can track how public dollars were spent.

Several council members asked for operational details. One asked who would manage day-to-day operations; the staff member replied, "I don't want to be your recreation director," and said the city has hired Cheryl Timmons to coordinate the program, that Timmons will "train the trainers," and that the plan calls for hiring at least five staff (including 16– and 17‑year‑old assistants supervised by senior coordinators). Staff also said they are exploring AmeriCorps support and hourly fellows to supplement capacity.

Staff identified several prospective partners and small programs included in the packet—named by staff as SCARF recreation camp, playwright sports and a Safe Neighborhoods application—and said the STAR program currently operates out of Market Opportunity High School and could contribute open-swim hours for participants. Staff also said a modest pool of funds (a $6,000 line cited in the packet) could be available to support smaller organizations in applying for subgrants.

Council members pressed for quality and supervision standards, emphasizing consistent training and adult supervision in activities that involve children. Staff said the program would report to the Recreation Advisory Committee after the summer, and staff would bring findings and recommendations back to the council for further review.

No formal vote on the program or reallocation of funds was recorded at the meeting; staff said council approval will be required for any transfer of millage dollars. The item will return for any required formal approvals and staff reporting.