(A) Establishment: For purposes of assisting the city council with respect to its general authority concerning trees, shrubs and other plants, the city of Clinton tree commission (hereinafter "tree commission") is hereby established.
(B) Composition: The tree commission shall be composed of seven (7) commissioners. Five (5) commissioners shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council. These five (5) commissioners shall serve without pay and shall reside within the city of Clinton, Illinois. The remaining two (2) commissioners, shall be from the city of Clinton and who shall be ex officio and shall not vote, shall be appointed by the city council. Subject to the exceptions in subsection (C) of this section, each nonex officio commissioner of the tree commission shall serve for a term of three (3) years.
(C) Appointment Of Members: Two (2) of the five (5) commissioners initially appointed to the tree commission, who are not ex officio members, shall serve for a term of one year; two (2) of the five (5) commissioners initially appointed shall serve for a term of two (2) years; and one of the five (5) commissioners initially appointed shall serve for a term of three (3) years. They shall start on a common date. Determination of the length of terms of the five (5) commissioners initially appointed shall be determined by the mayor at the time of appointment.
(D) Expiration Or Vacation Of Terms: Within thirty (30) days following the expiration of the term of any appointed commissioner, a successor shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the council, and the successor shall serve for a term of three (3) years. Should any commissioner resign or be removed from the tree commission, a successor shall be appointed by the mayor and shall serve for the unexpired period of the vacated term. A member of the tree commission may be removed by the mayor with the consent of the city council.
(E) Organization:
1. Chairman: The tree commission shall select from among its members a chairman. In the temporary absence of the chairman, the members of the tree commission may designate an acting chairman to serve in his or her absence.
2. Secretary: The tree commission shall select from among its members a secretary. The tree commission may designate a temporary secretary to serve in the absence of the secretary.
3. Rules: The tree commission may adopt such rules or bylaws for the conduct of its business as it may deem necessary or desirable consistent with this chapter and other applicable ordinances of the city of Clinton.
4. Meetings: The tree commission shall meet regularly at such times and places as it may determine. Special meetings as are necessary or desirable may be called by the chairman, secretary, and any three (3) members of the tree commission.
5. Quorum: A quorum of the tree commission shall be three (3) of its voting members. All actions of the tree commission shall be determined by a majority vote of those present and voting.
(F) Duties And Responsibilities: The tree commission shall perform the following duties:
1. Advise and consult with the city council, through the commissioner of streets and public improvements. The topics under which this advice and consultation may be given may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(a) Develop an urban forestry plan for adoption by the city;
(b) Propose amendments to this chapter, and alterations or revisions to the "Arboricultural Specifications Manual", and urban forestry plan;
(c) Establish policy concerning selection, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants within the city;
(d) The allocation of funds and expenditures of funds for planting, care and maintenance of trees, shrubs and other plants on public property;
(e) The establishment of educational and informational programs; and
(f) The issuance of permits required by this chapter.
2. Investigate, counsel, update annually and administer an urban forestry plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting and removal or disposition of trees and shrubs along city streets and other public places. Such plan will be presented annually to the mayor and the city council, and the tree commission will determine, with the assistance of any experts the tree commission wishes to consult, a list of street tree species for the city. This list shall be used to select appropriate trees to be planted on city rights of way and shall become part of the overall comprehensive tree plan for the city. (Ord. 827, 9-5-2000)