Grimsby Council Meeting: Library Growth, Downtown Reimagining, and Flood Response

Grimsby council received presentations from the Grimsby Public Library and the Grimsby Downtown BIA, adopted a Grimsby-specific emergency management program, debated flood response and longer-term stormwater planning after recent flooding events, defeated a proposed new corporate brand identity, delayed completion of the Transportation Master Plan for additional consultation, and unanimously opposed any Livingston Avenue extension beyond the Grimsby GO station.

Topics Discussed

1. Library services, growth planning, and facilities

The Grimsby Public Library Board presented its end-of-term report and 2026-2030 strategic plan. Chair Dedri Burke said the board had been "guiding and supporting the library as it continues to provide valuable services and programming to Grimby" while "exploring the present and future needs of a growing Grimby and setting the stage for the future of library services."

The board reported a 7.5 per cent increase in visits, a 16.7 per cent increase in circulation, a 16.9 per cent increase in digital resource use, and a 44.5 per cent increase in programs. Attendance rose to 10,592 in June 2026 from 5,000 in 2024. The presentation also referenced a 2025 growth feasibility study, recent facility upgrades, a planned 10,000-square-foot expansion, and a second branch projected for around 2045.

Councillor Don Howe said "the library is an enhancement of the residents quality of life and that can't be understated."

2. Downtown BIA programs and the "Downtown Reimagined" project

The Grimsby Downtown BIA reported on downtown events, beautification, business support, and capital planning. The organization said it rebranded from the DIA to the Grimsby Downtown BIA in 2024. Current initiatives include holiday lights, seasonal planters, comedy nights in the park, story walks, a shopping passport program, a holiday market, and the Halloween event "Grims Boo."

BIA representative Lianne Vardy told council, "The next council has an opportunity to redefine downtown for a generation. This is a massive investment, a big project, and the BIA is going to continue to be very actively involved." The BIA also warned that existing vacancies downtown could increase during construction and said the municipality should think about what kinds of businesses it wants to attract afterward.

3. Emergency management program and displaced residents

Council adopted a Grimsby-specific emergency management program and plan. Staff said the municipality had previously been part of the Niagara West emergency management plan and had now created one tailored to Grimsby.

Discussion included emergency control group roles and whether councillors should have a more formal place in the plan. Councillor Vardy suggested revising the plan to include roles for councillors other than the mayor and deputy mayor, noting that councillors are "often the people residents talk to first when they have an issue."

Council also discussed residents displaced by recent emergencies. Councillor Nick DiFlavio asked whether the town had "a procedure in place to keep track of people who have been displaced," noting that not everyone can stay with relatives or afford a hotel. Councillor Howe added that he was concerned about "hidden displaced people" after the recent events. Staff said they would consult the region's emergency social services plan on tracking those residents.

4. Flooding, sewage backup, and stormwater planning

Council spent substantial time discussing flooding on July 21, 27, 28 and Aug. 2, 2026, including basement flooding, overland flow, ditch and culvert maintenance, and sewage backup during a power outage.

Mayor Jeff Jordan said, "I understand and share the frustration and concern being experienced by residents and businesses affected by the recent flooding and storm impacts." Councillor Veronica Charrois said the impact was widespread: "Within 48 hours I had 107 people message me on their own. And since then I'm probably up to about 130... I would say it's every neighborhood in Grimsby."

Councillors discussed possible homeowner assistance measures including backwater valves and sump pumps. Jacob Baradziej called sewage in basements "a very serious biohazard emergency" and said he wanted to see a backwater flow valve program considered. DiFlavio said the town should "investigate the possibility of a backflow valve program" to help subsidize installations.

Council also discussed longer-term planning. Reg Freake said, "we would all really like to be able to do something to stop this from happening again. But that is a very big solution and virtually impossible because that means redoing the existing infrastructure." Councillor Delight Davoli said, "we need to have a plan," even if it is a five-year plan, and that staff may need additional resources to develop it.

5. Branding, transportation planning, and Livingston Avenue

Council considered, but did not approve, a new corporate brand identity for the Town of Grimsby. The proposed public-facing brand included a new logo and the tagline "Friendly by Nature," while staff said the municipal crest would remain in use. Councillor Davoli said, "It's really important when we have a design like this that it not be close to the design of anyone else or any other organization."

Council also received a memo that the Transportation Master Plan would be delayed for additional consultation, including extra time requested by Indigenous communities and further documentation requested by the ministry. Staff said the delay would push the report into the next term of council.

Later in the meeting, council unanimously approved a resolution opposing any extension of Livingston Avenue beyond the Grimsby GO station. Freake said he felt strongly that "the Livingston Avenue extension passed any farther than the GO station should be permanently off the table."

Motions

• Emergency Management Program and Emergency Management Plan (File DCS26-39) — Passed
• Town of Grimsby Corporate Brand Identity (File DCS26-40) — Defeated
• Heritage designation: 101 Main Street East — Approved
• Heritage designation: 346 Main Street West — Approved
• Heritage designation: 3E Street — Approved
• Transportation Master Plan staff memo / consultation extension — Received and approved
• Resolution opposing Livingston Avenue extension beyond the Grimsby GO station — Passed unanimously
• Bylaw 26-50 — Passed unanimously
• Bylaws 26-47 to 26-49 — Introduced

Attendees

• Mayor Jeff Jordan
• Councillor Reg Freake
• Councillor Don Howe
• Councillor Nick DiFlavio
• Councillor Jennifer Korstanje
• Councillor Lianne Vardy
• Councillor Jacob Baradziej
• Councillor Veronica Charrois
• Councillor Delight Davoli