A. The Forester may plant, prune, maintain, remove, or perform any other arboricultural practices as necessary within the lines of all street, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to insure public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds. Planting and reforestation shall be done at the direction of the City Council based upon the advice and recommendations of the Tree Board.
B. The Forester may order the removal of any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is injurious to sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements, or is infected by injurious fungus, insects or other pests. The Forester shall notify affected property owners of removal or trimming to be done and give the property owner the option to complete the work by contract with a City approved tree contractor. Under certain conditions, e.g., emergency situations, the City may complete the work without prior notification to the property owner.
C. Every tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the City may be pruned so that the branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet (8’) above the surface of the street or sidewalk. Dead, diseased or dangerous trees, broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public may be removed. The Forester may prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a street light or interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign. The minimum clearance of any overhanging portion is 12 feet over all streets, except truck thoroughfares which shall have a clearance of 16 feet.
[§ 20-404 amended by Ord. No. 07-02, effective March 1, 2007, amended by Ord. No 09-04, effective March 19, 2009.]