Item - 2016.BU26.11

The Budget Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve an additional temporary six positions for a duration of six months from January 2017 to June 2017 for a temporary initiative to address the increase in complaints and permit applications under the Municipal Tree Protection By-Laws with an associated gross expenditure of $0.284 million gross and $0 net, to fully recovered by permit and contravention fees generated under the bylaws for this purpose.

2.  City Council approve that the 2017 Interim Operating Budget Estimates for Parks, Forestry and Recreation be adjusted accordingly by $0.142 million gross and $0 net, to provide sufficient spending authority in advance of the 2017 Budget process.

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report back through the 2017 Second Quarter Operating Variance Report on the progress of this response.

The purpose of this report is to increase the 2017 Interim Operating Budget Estimates for Parks, Forestry and Recreation to accommodate the cost of adding an additional six temporary positions for six months to address a recent surge of complaints regarding bylaw infractions under the Street Tree and Private Tree By-laws (City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 813, Articles II and III) and Ravine and Natural Feature Protection By-law (City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 658) as well as an increase in permit applications.

The cost of this response will be recovered by the permit and contravention fees generated under the bylaws during this period.