The City of Bridgeport hereby creates the Tree Board:
(A) The City Council shall appoint the Tree Board. The Board shall consist of six members, who all shall be resident freeholders in the city. The members of the Board shall serve a three year term of office unless reappointed. The Board shall serve without compensation and may be required, in the discretion of the City Council, to give a bond in a sum set by resolution of the City Council, and conditioned upon the faithful performance of their duties.
(B) The membership of the Board shall be comprised of the following individuals:
(1) A member of the Park Board;
(2) A member of the City Council;
(3) The City Street Superintendent;
(4) A member of the Planning Commission;
(5) A member of the law enforcement agency for the city;
(6) A resident of the city;
(C) At the time of the Board's first meeting, which shall occur on or before February 1 of each year the Board shall organize by selecting from their number a Chairperson and Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the full and correct minutes and records of all meetings, and to file the same with the City Clerk/Treasurer where they shall be available for public inspection at any reasonable time. A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(D) The Board shall meet at any times as the City Council may designate. Special meetings may be held upon the call of the Chairperson, or any two of the Board members.
(E) It shall be the duty of the Board to take the immediate charge of all trees located on or above city property and/or city rights-of-way. The Board shall establish appropriate rules and regulations for the management, use, and operation of the same.
(F) It shall be the responsibility of the Tree Board to study, investigate, counsel, and develop a written plan for the care, preservation, trimming, planting, removal, or disposition of trees and shrubs in public ways, streets, alleys, and on or above city property. The plan will be presented to the City Council and upon its acceptance and approval shall constitute the City Official Comprehensive Community Tree Plan. The Board shall review annually and update if needed the Comprehensive Community Tree Plan. The Board shall prepare and present an annual work plan to the City Council for its acceptance and approval.
(G) All employees of the city doing work at the bequest of the Tree Board shall be under the supervision and direction of the Board. All actions of the Board shall be subject to the review and control of the City Council. The Board shall be responsible for making the reports and performing any other duties as the City Council may, from time to time, designate. The Board, when requested by the City Council, shall consider, investigate, make finding, report, and recommend upon any special matter of question coming within the scope of its work.
(Ord. 959, passed 11-14-2019)