Community Services Committee - February 24, 2026

City Council Meeting – Structured Summary

High-level summary - The meeting centered on the Parks Master Plan (DCS 2605) and related implementation, with staff and council discussing how the plan will guide park development over the next decade as a living document. Key actions included approving amended agendas, receiving prior minutes, and confirming ongoing and future community consultations, alongside museum and community services updates.

Five most important topics discussed

1) Parks Master Plan overview and data-driven recommendations (File: DCS 2605) - Stacy Zanavald presented the Parks Master Plan as a 10-year guiding document with recommendations grounded in surveys, interviews, facility use, budget considerations, and sector trends. Quote: “The plan's recommendations were developed using data from surveys, interviews, facility use, budget considerations, trends in the parks and recreation sector, as well as local opportunities and concurrent projects.” Impact: The plan will shape park, trail, and recreation facility development and maintenance, affecting residents’ access to green space and services.

2) Implementation strategy as a living document (File: DCS 2605) - The plan is described as a “living document” to be updated annually during the budget process, with some recommendations potentially requiring further community input before implementation. Quote: “It should be viewed as a living document to be updated and adjusted throughout the annual budget process.” Impact: Annual budget cycles and public input will steer which recommendations move forward each year.

3) Community consultation and ongoing input (File: DCS 2605) - Delegations emphasized that some recommendations will require additional community consultations during design and implementation phases. Quote: “Further consultation may be needed for some recommendations.” Impact: Residents will have future opportunities to influence specific park projects affecting neighborhoods or facilities.

4) Public engagement channels and opportunities (General) - Public input opportunities include design and implementation consultations, with engagement channels such as the “Let's Talk Grimby” platform, open houses, and surveys referenced across the meeting materials. Impact: Citizens can participate in shaping park projects and related decisions, ensuring transparency and responsiveness to community needs.

5) Related actions and file reference for follow-up (File: DCS 2605) - File number DCS 2605 (Parks Master Plan Report) anchors the discussion, with follow-ups including annual plan updates and continued community consultations. Impact: Future council discussions and budget decisions will reflect evolving plan updates and community input.

Opportunities for citizen input - Ongoing and future community consultations will be held for specific Parks Master Plan recommendations during the design and implementation phases. Residents can engage via the “Let’s Talk Grimby” platform, attend open houses, and participate in surveys during plan implementation and budget cycles. Note: The meeting notes do not provide a specific public email address; engagement is through the platform, open houses, and official channels coordinated by the planning/parks staff.

Motions, outcomes, and key decisions - Approval of Amended Agenda (moved to prioritize item 9.1, DCS 2605) - Outcome: Passed unanimously. - Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes - Outcome: Passed unanimously. - Motion to Discuss Parks Master Plan Report (DCS 2605) - Outcome: Passed. Next steps include proceeding with the amended agenda and deeper discussion as needed. - Motion to Receive Parks Master Plan Report (DCS 2605) as information - Outcome: Passed. - Motion to Accept Parkland Near GO Station Instead of Cash-in-Lieu (public input topics connected to parkland policy) - Outcome: Passed. - Motion to Consolidate Park Recommendations into a Single Table - Outcome: Passed. - Motion to Approve Grimsby Farmers Market Road Closure (DCS 2607) - Outcome: Passed (pending Niagara Region final approval). - Motion to Approve Happening in Grimsby Road Closure (DCS 2606) - Outcome: Passed. - Motion to Receive Museum Information Report (DCS 2603) - Outcome: Passed unanimously. - Motion to Receive 2025 Year in Review Report (DCS 2609) - Outcome: Passed.

Councillors present - DeFlavio - Brethther - Leairard - How - Hal - Death - House (Chair or Chairperson presiding; specific title usage varies by excerpt)

Additional notes on related topics (for context) - Museum and community services updates appear in separate sections with file numbers such as DCS 2603 (Museum Information Report), DCS 2604 (Museum Annual Report 2025), DCS 2608 (Community Services Update), and DCS 2609 (Community Services Year in Review). These sections include actions like grant updates, grand openings, and facility programming impacts, which while not central to the Parks Master Plan, influence overall municipal cultural and recreational planning.

Follow-up actions and next steps - Continue refining and implementing the Parks Master Plan (DCS 2605), with annual budget process updates and targeted community consultations for specific recommendations. - Schedule and conduct future public consultations for design and implementation phases of park projects; monitor parkland policies and potential bylaw updates (e.g., parkland dedication and POPs guidelines) as part of ongoing planning work. - Maintain engagement via public platforms (e.g., Let’s Talk Grimby) and open houses; ensure transparency and timely reporting on progress to council and residents.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to emphasize a particular topic (e.g., parkland policy, public input channels, or museum updates) or prune to strictly five topics with a tighter focus.