City Council Meeting Summary

A broad range of updates and decisions were discussed, including the Peach King Center expansion, a comprehensive Community Services User Fee Study for 2026, Grimsby Museum activity and foundation repairs, essential road closures for upcoming events, and an LED retrofit program. Several motions were approved, some items deferred for budget or public-engagement processes, and public input opportunities were highlighted through bylaw discussions and upcoming consultations.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Peach King Center Expansion and Renovation (File: DCS 2538) - Status and timeline: The project is 75% complete with substantial completion expected by December 2025 and a public opening targeted for January 2026. Quote: “Currently we have over 350 parking spaces available.” - Public engagement and utilization: An expression of interest form will be released to gather users, followed by a facility user open house; an indoor allocation policy will be presented to the committee at the end of next month. Quote: “Expression of interest form… later this week” and “facility user open house” and “indoor allocation policy to the committee at the end of next month.” - Impact on operations: Teaching centers and pads are progressing; planning focuses on orderly occupancy and program readiness for January.

2) Community Services User Fee Study (File: DCS 2537) - Purpose and approach: The council discussed the methodology for 2026 facility and program fees, stressing the importance of the process itself. Quote: “The biggest piece for us isn't just the rates that we've landed on. It's really the process that we're taking to get to them.” - By-law and public input: The actual rates will be approved later through the annual bylaw process; ongoing public engagement will shape final recommendations.

3) Grimsby Museum Updates and Foundation Repairs (File: DCS 2535) - Museum activities and impacts: Janet provided updates, noting that October events were postponed due to foundation construction. Quote: “Events for October have been put on hold due to construction on the museum foundation.” - Gala and exhibits: The Grimsby Glam Gala remains a cornerstone event; a Canadian Science and Technology Museum exhibit “Cipher Decipher” is planned, along with a community photography exhibit. Quote: “The gala will be going ahead this year and it is reaffirming its role as the cornerstone celebration of our community arts, culture, and heritage.” Quote: “Cipher Decipher… it’s all about breaking codes and Enigma machines.”

4) Road Closures and Public Safety for Major Events (Files: DCS 2533, DCS 2534, plus related updates) - Remembrance Day and parade closures: The council endorsed Remembrance Day road closures on Main Street West to ensure safety for growing crowds, with a rationale that “we get so many people that come out to the event that we really need the road closed just to make sure we have sufficient area for everybody to set up.” Livingston Avenue Parade road closure was also approved and will be forwarded to the Niagara Region for final approval. Quote: “All in favor? Okay. And that is carried.” - Santa Claus Parade: Grimby Santa Claus Parade road closures were approved (DCS 2533). Public safety and route planning were highlighted in the discussion.

5) LED Lighting Retrofit Program Update (File: DCS 2536) - Progress and scope: The retrofit program is expanding to additional facilities, including Fire Station 1 and the operations center, building on previous gains in libraries, art gallery, town hall, and museum. Quote: “We are continuing our LED lighting retrofit program... and we are now also moving on to buildings such as fire station 1 and the operation center.”

Opportunities for Public Input

• Peach King Center: Expression of interest forms and a facility user open house will provide avenues for community input on space use and programming.
• Museum and bylaw processes: Public input will be sought during the 2026 rates/bylaw development and ongoing public engagement on fee setting and cost recovery.
• Road closures and downtown planning: Public input opportunities may arise via Niagara Region approvals and related public engagement around events and the downtown reimagine project.

Motions and Outcomes

• Approve Amended Agenda
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
  • Next Steps: Item 9.4 discussed ahead of item 9.1.
• Receive Previous Meeting Minutes
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
  • Next Steps: Minutes from specified dates officially received.
• Discuss Grimsby Museum Report (DCS 2535)
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
  • Next Steps: Museum updates presented and discussed.
• Receive Grimby Museum Information Report (DCS 2535)
  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Information received; no further action required.
• Discuss Community Services User Fee Study (DCS 2537)
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously to bring the report to floor for discussion; rates to be approved later through bylaw.
  • Next Steps: By-law process for 2026 rates.
• Gala Support (Public Event) [From related section]
  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Council members to promote the gala and assist with outreach.
• Museum Foundation Repair Timeline (DCS 2537)
  • Outcome: Deferred for further clarification on mural installation and repair-project coordination.
  • Next Steps: Sarah to provide mural timeline update.
• Include Adults in Fee Assistance (Budget Process) [From related section]
  • Outcome: Deferred to budget process for funding considerations.
  • Next Steps: Detailed proposal to be presented in budget deliberations.
• Review/Align Tournament Fees with Other Municipalities
  • Outcome: No formal motion passed; further benchmarking planned.
  • Next Steps: Staff to provide additional data and analysis.

• Finalize Recreational Space Allocation Policy

  • Outcome: Deferred to next month.
  • Next Steps: Policy draft to be completed and presented.

• Field Classification System for Rates and Fees

  • Outcome: Deferred for public consultation and refinement.
  • Next Steps: Staff to conduct public engagement and return with updated proposal.
• Implement Changes to Senior Membership Model
  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Transition to quarterly pre-registration fee model and monitor impact.
• Explore Revenue Generation Opportunities
  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Staff to pursue grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and pilot premium events.

• Adopt Benchmarking Practices for Rates

  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Regular reviews and adjustments based on benchmarking data.

• Peach King Center Update (DCS 2538)

  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
  • Next Steps: Release expression of interest form, host facility user open house, finalize indoor allocation policy, and complete operational planning for January.

• LED Retrofit Update (DCS 2536)

  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Continue LED retrofits across facilities.

• Grimby Santa Claus Parade Road Closure (DCS 2533)

  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Forward closure requests to Niagara Region for approval.

• Remembrance Day Road Closure (DCS 2534)

  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Forward to Niagara Region for approval.

• Community Services Information Update (LED Retrofit) (DCS 2536)

  • Outcome: Passed.
  • Next Steps: Ongoing retrofit implementation.

Councillors Present

• Chairperson (unnamed in the transcripts)
• Councillor DeFlavio
• Councillor How
• Councillor Leairard
• Councillor Christi
• Councillor Rabont (also referred to as Raybond in some sections)

File Numbers Discussed (selected) - DCS 2537: Community Services User Fee Study, Final Report and Proposed 2026 Rates and Fees - DCS 2535: Grimby Museum Information Report September 2025 - DCS 2538: Peach King Center Expansion and Renovation Project Update - DCS 2536: LED Lighting Retrofit Program Update - DCS 2534: Remembrance Day Road Closure - DCS 2533: Grimby Santa Claus Parade Road Closure

This summary captures key topics, decisions, and actions from the meeting sections provided, focusing on issues that affect residents and the public engagement processes surrounding them.