Item - 2023.AU1.7
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 29, 30 and 31, 2023 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Audit Committee on February 13, 2023 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on March 29, 30 and 31, 2023.
AU1.7 - Getting to the Root of the Issues - February 2023 Performance Update of Urban Forestry Contractors and City Crews
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 29, 30 and 31, 2023, adopted the following:
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to discontinue reporting to all regular meetings of Audit Committee, as previously directed by City Council in Item 2021.AU8.6, on the performance of urban forestry, and instead City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to report relevant metrics and progress through the Auditor General's Recommendation Follow-up Process until such time as the outstanding recommendations are fully implemented.
2. City Council request the City Manager to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2023 on options to improve tree maintenance services, including the feasibility of the City providing the service.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-234059.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That:
1. City Council request the City Manager to report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in Quarter 4, 2023 on options to improve tree maintenance services, including the feasibility of the City providing the service.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Mar-31-2023 5:43 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - Matlow, Motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 12 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Alejandra Bravo, Shelley Carroll, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 10 | Members that voted No are Brad Bradford, Jon Burnside, Mike Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Stephen Holyday, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Lily Cheng, Gary Crawford, James Pasternak |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Mar-31-2023 5:45 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - Motion to Adopt as Amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 19 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Brad Bradford, Alejandra Bravo, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Vincent Crisanti, Paula Fletcher, Ausma Malik, Nick Mantas, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Chris Moise, Amber Morley, Jamaal Myers, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Dianne Saxe |
| Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Stephen Holyday, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Lily Cheng, Gary Crawford, James Pasternak |
Councillor Fletcher, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that she did not think the Auditor used the word "steal" and that Councillor Matlow should have learned to watch how he discusses things and names things.
Councillor Robinson, rising on Point or Privilege, stated that she doesn't feel that Council needs to be exposed to this type of language and that this is a Chamber of people elected to represent the various neighbourhoods and communities in Toronto, and she doesn't think they expect Members of Council to conduct themselves like this. Councillor Robinson further stated that she is offended and would like those comments to be retracted.
Councillor Matlow, rising on Point of Privilege, stated that he had notes that he is referring to on his phone and that the City was ripped off roughly 2.6 million dollars.
Councillor Thompson, rising on Point of Privilege, stated that he wished to clarify the Speaker's ruling and to know if the Speaker was asking Councillor Matlow to withdraw the comments that he made and that Councillor Robinson has referenced that she objects to and which Councillor Thompson also objects to.
Speaker Nunziata further ruled that Councillor Matlow, when speaking in Council, should face the Speaker and watch his language.
Speaker Nunziata further ruled that Councillor Matlow was being rude and ended his speaking time.
AU1.7 - Getting to the Root of the Issues - February 2023 Performance Update of Urban Forestry Contractors and City Crews
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Audit Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to discontinue reporting to all regular meetings of Audit Committee, as previously directed by City Council in item 2021.AU8.6, on the performance of urban forestry, and instead direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report relevant metrics and progress through the Auditor General's Recommendation Follow-up Process until such time as the outstanding recommendations are fully implemented.
Origin
Summary
On February 9, 2021, the Auditor General released a report entitled "Getting to the Root of the Issues - A Follow-Up to the 2019 Tree Maintenance Services Audit", which was tabled at the Audit Committee meeting on February 16, 2021. Council provided direction to Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to each meeting of the Audit Committee on experiences and data collected on the performance of Urban Forestry contractors and City crews.
This performance update report highlights the outcomes of the improved and robust contract management and crew oversight framework that Parks, Forestry and Recreation has implemented, and covers a full year of experiences and data tracked for Urban Forestry contractors and City crews, from January 1 to December 31, 2022. This report demonstrates the overall continual improvement in productivity and operational efficiency being exhibited by the crews as a result of the implementation of the Auditor General's recommendations and Parks, Forestry and Recreation's increased oversight and enhanced contract management.
The regular tracking of key performance metrics has created an additional ability for Parks, Forestry and Recreation to integrate better reporting into their business practices to analyze trends and make informed decisions on performance with the intent to continually improve operational efficiencies. When issues of unproductive time are found, Parks, Forestry and Recreation has and actively uses tools to take immediate action to hold contractors and City crews accountable in accordance with contract terms and the collective agreement.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-234059.pdf
Motions
That
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to discontinue reporting to all regular meetings of Audit Committee, as previously directed by City Council in item 2021.AU8.6, on the performance of urban forestry, and instead direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report relevant metrics and progress through the Auditor General's Recommendation Follow-up Process until such time as the outstanding recommendations are fully implemented.