The Corporation of the TOWN OF MILTON

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1 Report To: From: Council M. Paul Cripps, P. Eng., Commissioner, Engineering Services Date: June 26, 2017 Report No: Subject: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Strategy Update 2017 Project Update Recommendation: THAT additional TreeAzin treatment of ash trees be undertaken with funding from the existing EAB Implementation Strategy (C ) project budget; AND THAT a complete tree inventory study for all tree types located on Town-owned properties and right-of-ways be undertaken with funding from the existing EAB Implementation Strategy (C ) project budget; AND THAT project C (EAB Implementation Strategy) be utilized to carry out the recommendations of the tree inventory study, with a focus on EAB impacted trees; AND THAT Council delegate the authority to the Manager, Purchasing and Risk Services to negotiate additions to work with the Town s tree contractors, for any work arising from the tree inventory study, and that staff be directed to report the results back to Council on the awards; AND FURTHER THAT the Manager, Purchasing and Risk Services be authorized to execute the contract(s), as outlined by the purchasing bylaw and the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign any other required paperwork. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In the spring of 2017, staff re-assessed all the remaining non-treated ash street trees in the urban neighbourhoods. Upon completion of the re-assessment, a tender was issued for the removal of the remaining EAB infected (non-treated) trees in Milton s urban streetscape areas that was awarded to Asplundh Canada ULC. Due to the reduced scope of work involved and aggressive contractor pricing, there is a positive variance of

2 Page 2 of 5 approximately $700,000 in the EAB Implementation Strategy capital budget approved for Town staff are recommending that the positive variance be used for the following forestry activities that will continue to assist in addressing EAB infected removals, as well as any future potential insect pests and current tree hazards: An additional treatment of approximately 250 ash with TreeAzin for an estimated cost of $42,000 An update of the GIS based tree inventory at an estimated cost of $200,000 Based on the results of the tree inventory process, it is also recommended that further EAB and other dead tree removals in business parks, rural areas, hamlets, woodlots and various Town-owned parcels throughout Town be carried out through the EAB Implementation Strategy project. REPORT Background The most recent update to Council with respect to the EAB program was provided in September 2016 (ENG ). In 2017, Town staff tendered the removal of all remaining infected ash street trees and various ash stumps identified in the following neighbourhoods: Dempsey, Clarke, Beaty, Coates and various areas bordered by Steeles Ave, Thompson Road, Derry Road and Bronte Street. That work is currently underway. The current contract will remove approximately 850 trees and/or stumps (tree and stump removal or just stump removals) compared with 1,500 in the approved budget. When combined with the favourable pricing received through the competitive bid process, savings of approximately $706,000 have been realized. Replacement trees for that same geographic area will require the planting of approximately 1,300 street trees due to current removals and the backlog of replacements from prior year removals. The replanting work is scheduled for the fall of this year, subject to the availability of suitable planting stock. Details with respect to that contract award are outlined in CORS Discussion Additional TreeAzin Treatments There is a lot of concern for the ash tree alleys and special large trees, such as those lining Laurier Avenue near Laurier Park. To allow for a very gradual transition from mature ash to a juvenile species streetscape in this neighbourhood, the Town has been taking a successional removal and planting approach, whereby trees are treated with TreeAzin to prolong their life and removals and replacements are completed gradually. Special ash specimen trees were treated last year with TreeAzin and the efficacy of such treatment is meant to last for two years. However, due to the drought-like conditions last year, translocation of such treatments were not as effective as they could

3 Page 3 of 5 have been. As such, Town staff recommend that a portion of the EAB Implementation Strategy savings be redirected to an additional 2017 treatment to ensure that we can maintain the existing trees for as long as possible as we continue to approach our removals and replacements in a manner that provides as smooth a transition as possible. Based on last year s treatment price, it is anticipated the TreeAzin treatment will cost approximately $42,000. The value of this work depends on the condition of the treated trees. Some treated trees will require removal or remedial pruning due to their declining condition. Tree Inventory Update In 2009, the Town commissioned a street tree inventory to be completed and that inventory, in conjunction with developer as-built data, enabled the Town to roughly calculate the scope of the potential impact of EAB. As work has continued on the EAB program, it has become clear that the Town s information on its tree inventory is outdated and insufficient to support an effective and efficient tree maintenance program. Town staff are confident the EAB removals in the majority of urban Milton will be completed under the recent tenders, however, specific EAB removals have not occurred along rural roads, within the urbanized hamlets of rural Milton, in the industrial business parks as well as within many woodlots and on small Town-owned land parcels. Through ENG , it was anticipated the rural roads would be cleared of ash under the Town s annual roadside brushing program, as such, roads have a variety of species that require removals and also require safety and visibility clearing of various other trees and shrubs. Due to the accelerated deterioration of the EAB trees, combined with limited internal resources to perform roadside brushing activities over the last few years, the Town has been unable to complete the necessary tree removals along rural roads as well as in the urbanized hamlets of the rural community. To better understand the Town s tree removal needs, and prioritize and schedule the required removals, it is recommended that a portion of the positive variance in the EAB Implementation Strategy project be redirected to undertake a complete tree inventory across the Town, including the 401 business park, rural areas, hamlets, woodlots and various Town-owned land parcels. This tree inventory can then be used to better allot resources to eradicate the remaining EAB problem as efficiently and effectively as possible. As it has been eight years since such an inventory has been undertaken, and the scope was much smaller than the recommended inventory, staff are estimating the cost of the inventory to be in the range of $200,000 (inventory cost adjusted for inflation per the Urban Forest Management Strategy document presented to Council

4 Page 4 of 5 through staff report COMS ). A tender process would be undertaken in order to retain a firm to undertake the inventory for the Town. It is essential to update an urban forest inventory periodically to ensure the most up to date data is being used. Inventory updates every five years is a good practice to keep data current for making informed forestry management decisions. It also supports asset management requirements as the Town works towards a comprehensive plan encompassing all assets. Implementation of Inventory Study Findings The recommended inventory and treatment work will create an understanding of the location, size, type, and condition of the Town s tree inventory and this data will be used to prioritize the removal of the remaining EAB infected ash trees as well as provide valuable information to support the ongoing annual tree maintenance and roadside brushing programs. It is further recommended that the EAB Implementation Strategy project surplus be utilized to address all hazardous and rapidly declining trees, ash and non-ash, focusing on rural roads, hamlets, industrial parks and woodlots, as prioritized through the recommended tree inventory. Priority will be placed on the removal of ash trees, however, in areas where multiple species of trees require removals, it is recommended these works be undertaken simultaneously within the scope of this project to gain efficiencies and streamline the overall tree maintenance program. This work will not commence until the completion of the tree inventory and will be added to existing contracts. It is anticipated that work will be prioritized within the remaining budget using the results of the tree inventory and an update on the work completed will be reported back to Council once finished. Financial Impact Through the 2017 Capital Budget, $1,320,145 was approved to address the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, as outlined in ENG Of this amount, $763,200 was identified for the removal of an estimated 1,500 ash trees within the urban boundary, primarily focused on street trees within the Bristol Survey. Due to a competitive bid process and a reduction in the number of tree removals required from 1,500 to roughly 850, savings of $706,000 were realized through the tender process. $534,240 of the 2017 Budget was incorporated in order to undertake the tree planting replacement program. The results of the tender process for that work are presented in CORS , and show a favourable variance of $39,213. It is recommended the surplus funds be repurposed to support an additional TreeAzin treatment for 250 special ash trees (estimated cost of $42,000) and to complete a comprehensive Town-wide tree inventory (estimated cost of $200,000). Based on the results of the tree inventory process, it is also proposed that further EAB and other dead

5 Page 5 of 5 tree removals in business parks, rural areas, hamlets, woodlots and various Townowned parcels throughout Town be carried out through the EAB Implementation Strategy project (project C ). Respectfully submitted, M. Paul Cripps, P. Eng. Commissioner, Engineering Services For questions, please contact: Attachments None Jon Meyer, Coordinator Forestry and Landscape Architecture ext CAO Approval William Mann, MCIP, RPP, OALA, CSLA, MCIF, RPF Chief Administrative Officer