(A) There is hereby created and established a Shade Tree Commission for the village, which Commission shall consist of the following six members: the Mayor; the Street Commissioner; President of Council; the President of the Board of Public Affairs; and two persons, citizens and residents of the village, who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of Council, and whose term shall continue until the next election for Mayor, whereupon each Mayor successor in term shall make said appointment of two citizens at his or her pleasure.
(B) Said Commission and its members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any and all necessary expenditures in carrying out the function of the Commission.
(C) (1) The Commission shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and keep a journal of its proceedings. A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. All plans, findings, advices, reports, and recommendations made by the Commission shall be in writing and designate by name those members of the Commission approving or concurring therein, and members who do not so approve or concur therein shall have the right, as a part of such report, to state their reasons for refusing to approve or concur.
(2) The Commission, when requested by Council and the Mayor, shall consider, investigate, make findings, report, and recommend upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work.
(D) Said Commission shall have authority and power to control and regulate the type or species, the planting, the spacing, the trimming, the maintenance, and the removal of shade trees and other ornamental shrubbery in and along the streets and alleys within the public right of way and to control the blight and disease thereof.
(E) (1) No person shall plant any shade tree or ornamental shrubbery in and along the public streets within the public right-of-way unless the type or species thereof and the place where such is to be planted has first been approved and designated by the Commission.
(2) Any shade tree or ornamental shrubbery so planted without such approval or designation having been first obtained may be forthwith removed by the Street Maintenance Department upon written directive of the Commission.
(F) No person shall affix, regardless of method, any poster, advertising sign, card, or device, of any type or character, to or upon any shade tree or ornamental shrubbery in and along the public streets within the public right-of-way.
(G) Any new street or housing development shall have trees planted in accordance with plans approved by Commission
(H) A list of approved trees and ornamental shrubs which may be planted along with overhead utility lines right-of-way shall be established by the Commission.
(Ord. 1982-14, passed 2-7-1983) Penalty, see § 31.99