Urban Forestry Back-log
York-Humber and York-Eglinton
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
(November 9, 1999)
Purpose:
Councillor Mihevc requested that staff report on; the number of outstanding requests
for tree trimming, the approximate timeframe for he work to be undertaken, and the
potential to assign additional resources to address the backlog of requests.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received as information
Background:
York Community Council on May 26, 1999 had before it a communication (April 22,
1999) from Councillor J. Mihevc advising that last year several complaints had been
received from residents regarding tree trimming which have not yet been done: and
requesting that the parks staff provide an update on the number of requests and the
time frame for the work to be undertaken; and suggesting assistance from other areas
to address the backlog.
Since that time, these issues have been reported on a City wide basis in Policy and
Finance Report No. 6, Clause No. 1, adopted by Council September 28 and 29, 1999 as
amended.
As of June 15, 1999 the average wait for tree maintenance across the City ranged from
10 - 13 months, clearly showing an unacceptable level of service across the City.
The tree maintenance back-log in Wards 27 and 28, specifically, as of September 29,
1999 is as follows:
| WARD |
1998 |
1999 |
TOTAL |
| 27 |
129 |
282 |
411 |
| 28 |
90 |
198 |
288 |
| TOTAL |
219 |
480 |
699 |
Comments:
The $650,000 in funding provided by City Council in 1999 to reduce the forestry back-log has
been used to hire contractors. The contract crews have been assigned, and may be
re-assigned to the four Parks and Recreation Districts based on their relative back-logs over
time. One of the crews has been working in the former City of York since September 20,
1999.
It is anticipated that the average wait for tree maintenance in the West District will have been
reduced from 13 months, as it was on June 15, 1999, to 10 months by the end of this year.
This is a result of both the hiring of contract crews and the season. The vast majority of
request for tree maintenance are made while trees are in leaf. The winter period, pending
any major storms, is historically a period in which the amount of work being performed
exceeds the number of requests.
Pending provision of further funds in the Year 2000, it is anticipated that the back-log will be
further reduced to an acceptable level of an average wait of 3 - 4 months.
Conclusions:
The forestry back-log in York, as of September 29, 1999 is 699 (tree pruning/removal). The hiring of
contractors has enhanced our ability to address the back-log in York. It is anticipated that the back-log
will be reduced to an average wait of 10 months by the end of this year.
Contact:
Dean Hart
Manager of Technical Services and Urban Forestry - West District
Phone: 394-8549
Fax: 394-5406
e-mail: dhart@toronto.ca
