Pier 4 beach closed due to toxic blue-green algae

Toxic blue-green algae has been confirmed at Pier 4 Beach in Hamilton Harbour.  Do not come into contact with the water. City of Hamilton conducting clean up along parts of the Hamilton Harbour shoreline.

 
Trust and Confidence Report

Forestry Profile

To promote and preserve a sustainable urban forest through species diversity, tree-health management, professionalism, and community awareness.

Mandate: Bylaw 15-125 To Regulate Trees on or Affecting Public Property, and Tree Preservation and Sustainability Policy.

  • Increase the City’s tree canopy coverage to over 35%;
  • Protect the City’s highways (roadways and public spaces as per Municipal Act, 2001 (64)), and those using the highways through maintenance of trees on or affecting the highways; and
  • Regulate and/or prohibit the destruction or injury of public trees.

Pursuant to the Forestry Section’s Mandate above we: plant a diverse range of tree species; operate a tree trimming/maintenance program above industry basic-standard; manage a development plan review and tree removal permit process; engage in public outreach programs to educate the public on the value of trees; hire professionals trained in Arboriculture; and strive for excellent customer service.

Activities provided by the City of Hamilton Forestry Section:

  • Street Tree Trimming/maintenance
  • Removal of Dead, Diseased, or Dangerous Trees and Stumps in Public Spaces
  • Plant Trees in the Public Right-of-Way and other Public Spaces
  • Operate a 24-hours 7-days a Week, Emergency Response Protocol
  • Monitor the City’s Existing Tree Canopy Through our Forest Health Program
  • Urban Forestry Protection Through Development Plans Review and Permitting
  • Pest Management Programs Such as Emerald Ash Borer, and Gypsy Moth Control
  • Public Education Programs

Service Details

Related Subservices

  • Tree Planting
  • Tree Maintenance
  • Tree Maintenance and Planting Support Services

Type of Service

  • Public facing

Rationale

  • Essential/Mandatory, Legislated requirement (for emergency services access)

Primary Funding Sources

  • Grants/Subsidies
  • Net Levy
  • User Fees
  • Area Rating Reserves

Service Level

  • At standard

Service Level Source

  • Legislated
  • Council approved policy or service standard

 

Performance Measures

2020

How much did you do?

Tree Planting

  • Total trees planted: 12,218
  • Some examples of how trees were allocated:
    • 6,572 City-wide tree planting program (includes 3409 EAB replacements)
    • 4,800 - bare root stock through the Federally funded “50 Million Trees Program”
    • 10 trees - 85mm or larger through Ward specific program funded by Councillors
    • 836 - container-stock planted through 3 volunteer planting events
  • Ash tree replacements as per the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan (1:1 replacement): 3372
  • Street trees as per the Free Street Tree Program: 2100
  • Tree planting services requests: 3117

Tree Maintenance

  • Total Customer Service Requests: 16,255
  • Removals and Stumping: Removals 60,913cm and Stumping 89,317cm

How Well Did You Do It? (quality)

  • Grid Trimming: cmDBH/day/crew 379cm/crew/day
  • Trees Planted/contractor/day: 15.44 trees planted per contractor per day

Is Anyone Better Off? (impact)

  • Safety Improvement (tree trimming in a timely manner): grid pruning cycle: 9.1 years

How much did you do?

Tree Planting

  • Total trees planted: 9,109
  • Some examples of how trees were allocated:
    • 7,259 City-wide tree planting program (includes 3409 EAB replacements)
    • 1,850 container-stock
  • Tree planting service requests: 3,690

Tree Maintenance

  • Total Customer Service Requests: 17,823
  • Removals and Stumping: Removals 61,811cm and Stumping 105,517cm

How Well Did You Do It? (quality)

  • Grid Trimming: cmDBH/day/crew 445cm/crew/day
  • Trees Planted/contractor/day: 16 trees planted per contractor per day

Is Anyone Better Off? (impact)

  • Safety Improvement (tree trimming in a timely manner): grid pruning cycle: 6.7 years

How much did you do?

Tree Planting
  • Trees planted: 11,508
  • Some examples of how trees were allocated:
    • 6,608 City-wide tree planting program (includes 1978 EAB replacements)
    • 4,500 container-stock through the provincially funded “50 Million Trees Program”
    • 400 trees through ward specific programs funded by Councillors
  • Ash tree replacements as per the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan (1:1 replacement): 1,978
  • Street trees as per the Free Street Tree Program: 2,084
  • Tree planting service requests: 3,117
Tree Maintenance
  • Total Customer Service Requests: 20,625
  • Removals and Stumping: Removals 52,889cm and Stumping 56,134cm
  • Storm Response: 2039 Service Requests
  • Storm Investigations: 163
  • Plans reviewed and comments provided in regards to municipal tree assets: 1224

How Well Did You Do It? (quality)

  • Grid Trimming: cmDBH/day/crew 365cm/crew/day
  • Trees Planted/contractor/day: 13 trees planted per contractor per day
  • Tree Removal: # days from service request (new for 2019)

Is Anyone Better Off? (impact)

  • Tree Canopy increase: not measured in 2018
  • Safety Improvement (tree trimming in a timely manner): grid pruning cycle: 9 years
  • Tree removal in a timely manner improves customer service

How much did you do?

  • Total trees planted: 11,849
    • City-wide Tree Planting Program: 7,063 (includes 1,300 EAB replacements)
    • Container stock through the 50 Million Trees Program: 4,500 
    • Councillor funded ward specific programs: 286
  • EAB Management Plan: 3,300 removals and 150 injections.
  • 1,200 Development Application review by year end (23% increase over 2016)

How Well Did You Do It? (quality)

  • Large Caliper Tree Planting Daily KPI: 48 trees (Annual Target = 5,760)
    • Large Caliper at year-end = 5,283 TTL = 11,849
  • Grid Trimming Daily KPI: 390 cm dbh per day (Annual Target = 189,150)
    • Target exceeded and KPI method is under review for greater accuracy in data input.
  • Investigator Service Requests KPI: 50 /person/week
    • 17,445 responses to calls/emails for Forestry service at year-end, including storm response (917)

Is Anyone Better Off? (impact)

  • Increased canopy coverage ties directly to the strategic priority of Clean and Green.

How much did you do?

Tree Planting
  • Trees planted: 15,062
  • Some examples of how trees were allocated:
    • Ash tree replacements as per the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan (1:1 replacement): 1,699
    • Street trees as per the Free Street Tree Program: 1,848
    • Tree planting service requests: 5,435
Tree Maintenance
  • Customer Service Requests: 10,615
  • Removals and Stumping: 217,237 cm
  • Storm Response: 590 trees
  • Storm Investigations: 225 trees
  • Plans reviewed and comments provided in regards to municipal tree assets: 978