WHEREAS, it is understood that it is the responsibility of the Municipality to remove trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), to mitigate the spread of EAB, and to keep residents and City workers safe; and
WHEREAS, the recent deforestation of a section of Merritt Island due high risk areas of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation using an excavator with a logging head by an external contractor is concerning to the Green Advisory Committee which includes, but is not limited to: soil compaction, the destruction of the fauna, flora, natural wildlife habitat, the tree canopy, effects and growth of buck thorn and the question of why an inventory of native trees, fauna and flora was not taken prior the deforestation of the area; and
WHEREAS, The Niagara Region has just established a Niagara wide assessment of the tree and forestry coverage that sites the importance of the tree canopy; and
WHEREAS, Merritt Island is zoned as an Environmental Protection Area; and further
WHEREAS, the City of Welland has municipal exemption to the Regional Woodland Conservation By-law for activities or matters undertaken for municipal purposes, but should be open and transparent to the public and good forestry practices should apply.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WELLAND directs staff to provide a detailed report to Council on this project, and to include but is not limited to - the specifics and terms of the contract, the bidders, scoring and the awarding of the contract, any damages, future replanting, costs and funding and to include a recommendation to Council, that a city employee who is a Certified Arborist - review, consult and report to senior staff on future forestry projects, future trails, protected areas and including the removal of trees for infrastructure projects and their report is to be included in reports, that come to Council on these projects. Ref. No. 24-19