(A) The position of the Forester is hereby established.
(B) The Forester shall perform the following duties:
(1) The Forester, with the assistance of the Tree Committee shall develop and each subsequent year, update the Village Forestry Plan. The plan shall outline village forestry program activities for a minimum of the next five years. This plan shall describe the village forestry activities to be undertaken by the village, the reasons for those activities, the possible funding sources, the means of accomplishing the activities, the alternatives available to the village to fund or accomplish the activity, the projected date of completion and the consequences if the activity if not completed. Activities may include, but are not limited to street tree inventory, planting, tree removal, beautification projects, educational projects and funding through available grants.
(2) The Forester, with the assistance of the Tree Committee shall develop and periodically review and revise, as necessary, the Village Forestry Standards and specifications. This manual shall contain regulations and standards for the planting, maintenance and removal of trees, shrubs and other plants upon village-owned property.
(3) The Forester shall cause the Village Forestry Plan and the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications and all revisions and amendments to it, to be published and promulgated and shall cause three copies of the Manual and all revisions and amendments to it, to be available for public inspection at the office of the Village Clerk. Notice that the information is available for public inspection shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation with Kane County at least one week day of each four consecutive weeks immediately following the initial availability of the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications or revisions or amendments thereto. The Village Forestry Standards and Specifications and any revisions and additions thereto shall become effective on the tenth day following the final publication in a newspaper of general circulation required under this division.
(4) The Forester shall make available to any interested person copies of this chapter, information about the activities of the Tree Committee, copies of the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications and copies of the Village Forestry Plan.
(5) The Forester shall administer the Village Forestry Plan, this chapter and the provisions of the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications.
(6) The Forester shall perform whatever acts are necessary, including the planting and maintenance of trees, the removal of undesirable trees, shrubs and other plants located on the village-owned property, to insure that all trees, shrubs and other plants located on village-owned property conform with the Village Forestry Plan, the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications and this chapter. Pursuant to this duty, the Forester in accordance with normal village procedures regarding contracts may arrange contractual agreements.
(7) The Forester shall issue permits as are required by this chapter and shall obtain, as a condition precedent to the issuance of the permits, the written agreement of each person who applies for the permits that he or she will comply with the requirements of this chapter, the Village Forestry Plan and with the regulation and standards of the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications. The Forester shall have the right to inspect all work performed pursuant to the permits. If the Forester finds that the work performed is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the Village Forestry Plan or with the regulations or standards of the Village Forestry Standards and Specifications, the Forester shall provide written notice of his or her finding to the permit applicant and:
(a) The permit shall be nullified and shall be nullified and shall be void;
(b) The Forester may issue a written order that the permit applicant cease and desist all work for which the permit was required; and
(c) The permit applicant shall be subject to penalty under the terms of this chapter; and
(d) The Forester may take steps to correct the results of the noncomplying work and the reasonable costs of the steps shall be charged to the permit applicant.
(8) The Forester shall establish a program of public information and education that will encourage the planting, maintenance or removal of trees, shrubs and other plants on private property in furtherance of the goals of the Village Forestry Plan.
(1981 Code, § 20.05)