Item - 2016.PE14.2
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 8, 2016 with amendments.
- This item was considered by the Parks and Environment Committee on October 19, 2016 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on November 8, 2016.
PE14.2 - Growing Toronto's Tree Canopy (Tree Planting Strategy)
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 8 and 9, 2016, adopted the following:
1. City Council adopt "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy", Attachment 1 to the report (October 4, 2016) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to develop a Tree Planting Strategy based on the recommendations included in the report "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy" and report back in the third quarter of 2017.
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to form an Urban Forest Working Group with key stakeholders to develop a Tree Planting Strategy and raise necessary funds to implement the recommendations in the report "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy".
4. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to invite the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute to take part in the Urban Forest Working Group and to develop funding support for the tree planting initiative along the 401 between Keele Street to the Pickering town line through a partnership with the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation as part of the Tree Planting Strategy.
5. City Council adopt the following policy with respect to the receipt of replacement tree planting funds collected under the Street Tree and Private Tree By-laws (City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 813, Articles II and III):
a. that all replacement tree planting funds collected be contributed to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) at the end of every fiscal year to ensure actual revenues collected are available to expand the tree canopy and facilitate long term planning;
b. as part of the annual operating budget cycle, Parks, Forestry and Recreation estimate the replacement funds collected as current revenue to be received, and an equivalent expenditure in the form of a contribution to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) be included as part of the Operating Budget; and
c. that the future expenditures for the Tree Planting Strategy be included as part of future Operating Budgets and funded by withdrawals from the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220).
6. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to transfer the 2016 final year end cumulative balances of replacement tree planting funds held in the deferred accounts 220239, 220288, 220289, 220290, 220291 to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) and discontinue their use once the appropriate alternative budgetary mechanisms are established.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-97019.pdf
Attachment 1 - Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-97020.pdf
Communications (Committee)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to invite the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute to take part in the Urban Forest Working Group and to develop funding support for the tree planting initiative along the 401 between Keele Street to the Pickering town line through a partnership with the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation as part of the Tree Planting Strategy.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-09-2016 9:37 AM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - PE14.2 - De Baeremaeker - motion 1 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 29 | Members that voted Yes are Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Michael Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
Total members that were Absent: 15 | Members that were absent are Paul Ainslie, Christin Carmichael Greb, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michelle Holland, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson |
PE14.2 - Growing Toronto's Tree Canopy (Tree Planting Strategy)
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Parks and Environment Committee recommends that:
1. City Council adopt "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy", Attachment 1 to the report (October 4, 2016) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to develop a Tree Planting Strategy based on the recommendations included in the report "Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy" and report back in the third quarter of 2017.
3. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to form an Urban Forest Working Group with key stakeholders to develop a Tree Planting Strategy and raise necessary funds to implement the recommendations in this report.
4. City Council adopt the following policy with respect to the receipt of replacement tree planting funds collected under the Street Tree and Private Tree By-laws (City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 813, Articles II and III):
a. That all replacement tree planting funds collected be contributed to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) at the end of every fiscal year to ensure actual revenues collected are available to expand the tree canopy and facilitate long term planning;
b. As part of the annual operating budget cycle, Parks, Forestry and Recreation estimate the replacement funds collected as current revenue to be received, and an equivalent expenditure in the form of a contribution to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) be included as part of the Operating Budget; and
c. That the future expenditures for the Tree Planting Strategy be included as part of future Operating Budgets and funded by withdrawals from the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220).
5. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to transfer the 2016 final year end cumulative balances of replacement tree planting funds held in the deferred accounts 220239, 220288, 220289, 220290, 220291 to the Tree Canopy Reserve (XR1220) and discontinue their use once the appropriate alternative budgetary mechanisms are established.
Origin
Summary
The purpose of this report is to advise City Council of the recommendations made by a consultant team (Beacon Environmental Ltd. and Urban Forest Innovations Inc.) in response to direction provided by City Council through the approved 2015 Operating Budget which included $0.050 million to help direct future investment in tree planting.
The consultants were retained to facilitate stakeholder workshops and prepare recommended actions to direct the development of a tree planting strategy that will help achieve the City's tree canopy target of 40 per cent through partnerships and engagement of private landowners. The recommended actions are outlined in a report titled 'Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy'. The report describes 16 actions focusing on programs and services to increase tree planting and stewardship on private property.
The City of Toronto has adopted the goal of increasing the city's current tree canopy cover, estimated at 26.6 - 28 per cent, to 40 per cent. Sustaining and Expanding the Urban Forest: Toronto's Strategic Forest Management Plan outlines the City's strategy for achieving this goal. Key findings identified in this plan are that more than half of Toronto's land area lies in private ownership and that successful implementation of the plan, including the goal of achieving 40 per cent tree canopy cover, can only be achieved through private-public partnerships.
The consultant's report supports the City's urban forest management vision and goals with particular regard to working with external stakeholders and private landowners to expand Toronto's urban forest. The recommended actions, developed through public input and stakeholder feedback, are organized in the report under the following categories: private tree establishment; promotion, partnership and outreach; planning and management; and resources and leadership. These recommendations include the establishment of new private-public partnership programs, prioritization tools, funding mechanisms and process improvements.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-97019.pdf
Attachment 1 - Actions to Grow Toronto's Tree Canopy
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pe/bgrd/backgroundfile-97020.pdf
Communications
Speakers
Councillor Jaye Robinson
Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker