High-level summary - The council tackle d leave-of-absence rules, bylaw updates on election signs, and a broad set of administrative and technology modernization efforts. Key decisions included the approval of the Leave of Absence Policy, movement on an Election Sign Bylaw and related discussions, and multiple information-receipt motions related to clerk’s, IT, HR, communications, and public-safety administration. Public input opportunities were not explicitly defined in these excerpts, but future hearings or consultations were noted for some items, with ongoing public-facing processes referenced.

Five most important topics (with direct quotes and resident-impact notes) 1) Council Leave of Absence Policy and attendance expectations - What was discussed: A proactive Leave of Absence policy aligned with the Municipal Act to prevent abrupt vacancies, plus attendance reporting requirements to preserve quorum. - Resident impact: Provides clearer processes for members who cannot attend, with potential implications for quorum and elections if absences are unavoided. - Direct quotes: - "This policy provides council members a proactive way to say I can't attend three meetings or I can't I need to declare a leave of absence because I'm not well." - "The municipal act section 259 specifically says...if the member is absent from the meetings of council for three successive months without being authorized...your seat's vacant and we have to hold a bi-election." - File/bylaw reference: TC26-01.

2) Election Sign By-law updates and discussion - What was discussed: Updates to the election sign bylaw, including the introduction of an election sign permit, deposit fees, sign size, and ward-restricted placement; comparisons with neighboring municipalities; practical concerns about sign sizes and enforcement. - Resident impact: Changes affect campaign signage, compliance costs, and where signs can be placed, with the 5x5 sign size cited as a safety/visibility measure. - Direct quotes: - "Now it would be outlined only within the ward you're running." - "5x5 is an odd size... If you go to the lumber yard, find something 5x5, you're not going to get it. But it's a special order." - File/bylaw reference: TC25-21; discussion item also noted as Election Sign Bylaw Discussion.

3) Clerk’s Division and strong mayor powers; marriage licenses expansion - What was discussed: Implementation of strong mayor powers and related procedural updates, plus modernization of marriage licensing and civil ceremonies (including off-site locations). - Resident impact: Increases transparency and efficiency in mayoral powers; broader accessibility for civil ceremonies; potential impacts on municipal governance and service locations. - Direct quotes: - "To ensure the use of strong mayor powers is carried out transparently and consistently, we implemented several measures." - "Now we have a service in Grimby that residents can actually have their ceremony and license here, which didn’t exist before." - File/bylaw reference: TC26-3 (2025 Clerk’s Division Accomplishments Report).

4) 2026 Holiday Closure planning (Town Hall) - What was discussed: Proposal to close town hall administration on December 31, 2026, using floater or vacation days; emergency services and other facilities to remain open. - Resident impact: Affects service availability on a holiday; staff-work-life balance considerations. - Direct quotes: - "We're just not seeing the demand of service... it's a struggle to get staff, so this would promote some work-life balance over the holidays." - "It's not a free day. They have to take it as part of their holidays." - File/bylaw reference: TC26-04.

5) IT and municipal technology modernization; cybersecurity and service improvements - What was discussed: 2025 IT accomplishments, including a new phone system, network upgrades, and enhanced cybersecurity; ongoing needs for event payments and broader digital service improvements. - Resident impact: Potential improvements in how residents access services, report issues, and pay for events; improved cyber resilience and faster response to inquiries. - Direct quotes: - "We enhanced our cyber security posture again in 2025 by completing an independent assessment of our network firewalls." - "Just making Grimby a cyber-safe place is really important because the downside is really down." - File/bylaw reference: ITSI 26-2; related discussions around payment systems.

Opportunities for public input - Public input opportunities were not explicitly detailed in these transcripts. Some sections note that input could occur during future public hearings or consultations (e.g., bylaw updates), while others indicate no explicit opportunities were provided in the segment. If you want to participate, monitor forthcoming public hearings or feedback channels connected to the election sign bylaw updates, IT/accomplishments discussions, HR/communications initiatives, and the clerk’s division programs.

File numbers discussed (for reference) - TC26-01 — Council Leave of Absence Policy - TC26-04 — Holiday Closure 2026 - TC25-21 — Election Sign Bylaw Updates / Discussion - TC26-3 — 2025 Clerk’s Division Accomplishments Report - TC26-2 — 2025 ITSI Accomplishments Report - L26-01 — 2025 Municipal Law Enforcement Accomplishments - CEO 26-2 — 2025 Human Resources Accomplishments - DC26-1 — 2025 Communications Accomplishments - ITSI 26-2 — 2025 ITSI Accomplishments Report (alternate naming used in one section)

Motions passed, rejected, or deferred (with titles and outcomes) - TC26-01: Approval of Council Leave of Absence Policy - Outcome: Passed unanimously. - Election Sign Bylaw Update Report - Outcome: Introduced for discussion; no final decision recorded in that section. - TC25-21: Election Sign Bylaw Discussion - Outcome: Passed. Next steps: Further discussion and potential approval in subsequent meetings. - ITSI 26-2: Receive 2025 ITSI Accomplishments Report for information - Outcome: Passed unanimously. - 2025 Municipal Law Enforcement Accomplishments (L26-01) - Outcome: Passed (receive for information). - CEO 26-2: 2025 Human Resources Accomplishments - Outcome: Passed unanimously (receive for information). - DC26-1: 2025 Communications Accomplishments - Outcome: Passed unanimously (receive for information). - TC26-04: Holiday Closure 2026 - Outcome: Passed unanimously. - 2025 Communications Accomplishments (discussion motion) - Outcome: Passed to floor for discussion (discussion initiated); no further action specified in that excerpt.

Councillors present - Mayor Jordan - Councillor Vardy - Councillor How - Councillor Marty - Councillor Bernie - Councillor Bardy Note: Several sections reference staff and chairs (e.g., Katie, Chair) and other participants, but the councillors explicitly named include these individuals. If you need, I can tailor the list to only those explicitly identified as councillors in a specific section.