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(A) Policy. It shall be the policy of the Urban Forestry Program to:
(1) Encourage the establishment of large trees to the extent practicable and aesthetically pleasing;
(2) Encourage new tree plantings on public and private property to ensure a rich and diverse urban forest into perpetuity;
(3) Encourage proper tree care to maintain safe and healthy trees;
(4) Provide flexibility in tree selection and planting based on site conditions, zoning and objectives;
(5) Make every effort to replace or repair public facilities without removing or damaging adjacent trees; and
(6) Annually coordinate the city’s Arbor Day proclamation, and observance, in order to retain Tree City USA status.
(B) Responsible official. The Urban Forester, or other person designated by the City Manager, shall be the responsible official for administering the Urban Forestry Program. The UFB and the City Department of Public Works shall provide advice and assistance to the Urban Forester in carrying out his or her duties. Responsibilities of the Urban Forester shall be identified in the corresponding position description.
(C) Coordination. The Urban Forester and other city departments shall endeavor to share plans, specifications, requests, ideas, and other data affecting the city’s urban forest, in a timely and cooperative manner, to provide for coordination and the most feasible use of all public lands and resources.
(D) Performance evaluation.
(1) The Urban Forester shall collect and maintain all records and data necessary to objectively evaluate progress toward the purpose, intent and goals of the Urban Forestry Program. The Urban Forester shall prepare an annual report. The report shall be submitted to the UFB for approval and then presented to the Director of Public Works. The annual report shall be submitted to the Mayor and City Commissioners.
(2) The annual report shall include:
(a) The number, location and type of projects subject to the Urban Forest Program;
(b) The number of trees planted and removed;
(c) The cost of the Urban Forest Program;
(d) Opportunities for improvement of the Urban Forestry Program; and
(e) Progress towards the goals of the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 9-15-2020)
(A) In an effort to establish and maintain a healthy and sustainable urban forest, and to ensure public health and safety, the Urban Forester, with the advice and assistance of the UFB, shall develop and adopt the Covington Urban Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs).
(B) The Covington Urban Forestry BMPs shall govern species selection, planting practices, care, maintenance, pruning and removal of public arboriculture. The BMPs shall be based on the most current edition of the International Society of Arborist Standards for Tree Care or other nationally recognized standard.
(C) The BMPs shall be reviewed and updated as necessary by the Urban Forester.
(D) The BMPs shall be adopted by order of the Commission before going into effect.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 9-15-2020)
Effective and sustained stewardship of the urban forest can be accomplished only on the basis of a comprehensive urban forest plan.
(A) The Urban Forester, with the advice and assistance of the Board and the City Department of Public Works, shall prepare the Covington Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP) for adoption by the City Commission. The process for developing the UFMP shall:
(1) Include an assessment of the current condition of the urban forest;
(2) Create a vision and goals that incorporate community values;
(3) Consider and reference existing plans that relate to trees, including the city’s landscape regulations; and
(4) Include strategies and activities for achieving the envisioned urban forest, i.e., specific guidance to agencies and the public by developing education programs, establishing continuous and consistent tree care practices, identifying funding priorities and opportunities, and assuring that all needs of the urban forest are recognized and addressed.
(B) The UFMP, or any amendments thereto, shall be forwarded to City Commission for review and recommendations before adoption.
(C) The Urban Forester, with the advice and assistance of the Public Works Department, shall collect and maintain all records and data necessary to objectively evaluate progress in attaining stated goals of the UFMP.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 9-15-2020)
(A) The Urban Forester, with the advice and assistance of the UFB and city departments, shall develop and conduct educational and outreach programs for the public, promoting the benefits and BMPs of the urban forest.
(B) The Urban Forester, with the advice and assistance of the UFB and the Public Works Department, shall promote trees as essential infrastructure with inherent value to the city. As infrastructure, trees shall require consideration when designing and engineering public and private development projects, and when planning the development and management of the city.
(C) The Urban Forestry Program’s outreach shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Fostering an understanding of the benefits of the urban forest;
(2) Promoting public understanding of city tree programs, policies, regulations and standards;
(3) Working through the City Manager or his or her designee and the media to bring urban forestry concerns and information to the public;
(4) Facilitating presentations, programs and other outreach to property owners, business council, tree care professionals, schools and others who may have an interest; and
(5) Promoting special events such as a city- wide Arbor Day celebration.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 9-15-2020)
The Urban Forester, with advice and assistance of the UFB and Public Works Department, shall develop and implement the city’s Landmark Tree Program.
(A) The Landmark Tree Program shall recognize the significance of landmark trees, and designate such trees on public and on private property. A tree on private property may be designated a landmark tree if it is prominently visible to the public along major roads or public places, or if it is nominated for such a recognition. A tree may qualify as a landmark tree if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Has historical significance to a person, place or event;
(2) Has attained significant size in height, caliper or canopy spread for its age and species;
(3) Has significance because of its age;
(4) Has special aesthetic qualities for its species and/or is of specials importance to the city;
(5) Possesses rare horticulture value; and
(6) It is not a hazard.
(B) Landmark trees under the city’s jurisdiction shall be given special consideration regarding maintenance, protection and removal.
(C) Preservation of landmark trees on private property shall not be regulated but shall be guided.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 9-15-2020)
(A) Hazard trees and public nuisances.
(1) Any tree that poses a high risk of damage to persons or property shall constitute a hazard tree. The standard for rating the degree of hazard of a tree shall be the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Assessment Manual. Reference copies of the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Assessment Manual will be made available in the office of the City Clerk, and the Public Works Department.
(2) Any tree, shrub or other plant interfering with public or private utilities, or which interferes with or restricts the full use or visibility of any public street, sidewalk, alley or intersection to any person lawfully using such right-of-way shall constitute a public nuisance. A public nuisance may further include any tree, shrub or other plant on public or private property that harbors insects or disease infestations that may readily spread to infect and cause permanent harm to neighboring arboriculture.
(3) The Urban Forester shall manage or eliminate any public arboriculture that constitutes a hazard or a public nuisance as determined through the city’s nuisance ordinances.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 9-15-2020)
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