There is hereby established the position of Municipal Arborist in and for the City, and the City hereby adopts the Avon Lake Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice.
(a) Duties. The Municipal Arborist shall abide by and have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations under authority of the Avon Lake Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice, which rules and regulations shall govern the planting, maintenance, removal, mulching, fertilization, pruning and bracing of trees on the tree lawns and public places in the Municipality, and the Municipal Arborist shall direct, regulate and control the planting, maintenance and removal of all trees growing now or hereafter in any tree lawn or public place in the Municipality. He or she shall cause the provisions of this chapter to be enforced. In his or her absence, these duties shall be the responsibility of a qualified person designated by the Municipality.
(b) Authority.
(1) In General. The Municipal Arborist shall have the authority and jurisdiction to regulate the planting, maintenance and removal of trees in tree lawns and public places to ensure safety and preserve the aesthetics of such public sites.
(2) Supervision. The Municipal Arborist shall have the authority and it shall be his or her duty to supervise or inspect all work done under a permit issued in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
(3) Condition of Permit. The Municipal Arborist shall have the authority to affix reasonable conditions to the granting of a permit in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
(4) Master Street Tree Plan. The Municipal Arborist shall have the authority to formulate or modify the Master Street Tree Plan with the advice, a hearing and the approval of the Citizens Tree Commission. The Master Street Tree Plan shall specify the species of tree to be planted on each of the streets in the Municipality. From and after the effective date of the Master Street Tree Plan, or any amendment thereof, all planting shall conform thereto. Appendix C of the Avon Lake Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice contains the Avon Lake Master Street Tree Plan.
A. The Municipal Arborist shall consider all existing and future utility and environmental factors when recommending a specific species for each of the streets and other public sites of the Municipality.
B. The Municipal Arborist, with the approval of the Citizens Tree Commission, shall have the authority to amend or add to the Master Street Tree Plan at any time that circumstances make it advisable. The Master Street Tree Plan is to be reviewed and updated every five years. New streets and improved cultivars in trees are to be considered.
C. The Municipal Arborist shall maintain tree related records and reference material, including a street and park tree inventory.
(5) Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice. The Municipal Arborist or the Citizens Tree Commission shall have the authority to modify, amend or extend the Avon Lake Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice, with the approval of the City department heads and the Citizens Tree Commission, at any time that experience or technology indicates improved methods or whenever circumstances make it advisable. Council must approve any changes to policy or procedure. Other changes require only notification of Council.
(Ord. 199-94. Passed 10-24-94.)