(a) The Urban Forester shall develop and promulgate rules and regulations under the authority of city ordinances, rules and regulations established for the care of the city’s tree and greens planting and maintenance program within the city’s jurisdiction.
(b) The Urban Forester shall:
(1) Plan, organize, contract and direct the installation and maintenance of public trees in the city right-of-way, bike paths, parks, public green spaces and municipal facilities as necessary to implement the city’s master urban forest plan;
(2) Provide guidance and direction to any assigned employees, contractors and volunteers supporting this work and is directly responsible for the planting, removal, pruning, watering, health, care, protection and maintenance of street trees and other public trees. Supervises city personnel in the execution of urban forestry and arboriculture duties and other matters relative to landscape maintenance;
(3) Provide staff support for the Tree Commission and assists in cultivating their skills and contributions to the city by attending monthly meetings, attending educational programs together, communicating regularly, and requesting input about budgets, specifications and the urban forestry program. Works with the Tree Commission to develop, maintain, annually review and update the city’s urban forest management plan, Tree Commission Ordinance, and Tree Ordinance;
(4) Establish tree planting, pruning, removal and care specifications and standards for use with municipal trees for both public crews and contractors. Assist with the contract development, bidding, specifications and oversight for contractual work related to all public tree care activity;
(5) Organizes, schedules and oversees the city’s tree care maintenance program, performed by public crews or contract, with coordination from Engineering with the Street Tree Program. Must be able to inspect and directly supervise all tree-related work, particularly for special projects, volunteer work and engineering activity;
(6) Must be skilled in tree identification, pest and disease diagnosis and management, tree risk assessment and reporting on field observations for the Tree Commission, direct supervisor, City Council and the Mayor. The Urban Forester must work with various civic and professional organizations in coordination with the Tree Commission marketing efforts. The Urban Forester must attend department and public meetings, presenting information regarding urban forestry and arboriculture issues. Coordinate with various departments for all work that impacts trees and the city’s urban forest. Provide guidance to city personnel and contractors on landscaping issues for development and construction areas within the city;
(7) Maintain computerized survey data and inventory to ensure accuracy and safety of all municipal trees on public rights-of-way and utility easements. Organize and oversee all urban forest management recordkeeping and interfaces with the Tree Commission, Administration, City Council and other city officials on a regular basis;
(8) Maintain recordkeeping including correspondence, inventories, purchases, vendor communication, management plans, policies, contracts, tree care activity and time keeping. Maintain tree inventories as requested by city officials and tracks such inventories in a database utilizing appropriate technologies. Keep all records and official documents for the city’s Tree City USA;
(9) Receive, track and respond to emergency work following all requirements for emergency work as outlined in the current collective bargaining agreement;
(10) Responsible for development of annual department budget; oversees purchases of materials, equipment, and supplies, monitors expenditures; and
(11) Search and recommend grants for submittal pertaining to tree maintenance, planting, inventory and tree education programs.
(Ord. 23-77, passed 4-24-2023)
Cross-reference:
Tree Commission, see Ch. 288
Trimming of trees, plants and shrubbery along public streets and sidewalks, see § 668.01