(a) Establishment; Membership; Compensation.
(1) There is hereby established a Tree Commission in and for the City, which Commission shall consist of five members.
(2) Three members shall be citizens and residents of the City appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council. The fourth member shall be a member of Council appointed by the Mayor. The fifth member shall be the City Manager.
(3) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(b) Terms of Office.
(1) The term of the four persons to be appointed by the Mayor shall be three years except that the term of two of the members appointed to the first Tree Commission shall be one year and the term of two members of the first Commission shall be two years. Successors to those members appointed by the Mayor shall thereafter be appointed for terms of three years.
(2) In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, his or her successor shall be appointed by the Mayor for the unexpired portion of the term.
(c) Powers and Duties.
(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Tree Commission to study, investigate, counsel, develop or update annually, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas.
(2) The plan will be presented annually to the City Council, and upon its acceptance and approval shall constitute the Official Comprehensive Tree Plan for the City.
(3) The Commission, when requested by the City Council, shall consider, investigate, make findings, report and recommend upon any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work.
(d) Officers, Rules and Regulations; Journal; Quorum.
(1) The Tree Commission shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and regulations and keep a journal of its proceedings.
(2) A majority of the members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.
(e) Review of Conduct, Acts and Decisions by City Council. The City Council shall have the right to review the conduct, acts and decisions of the Tree Commission. Any person may appeal from any ruling or order of the Tree Commission to the City Council, which may hear the matter and make a final decision.
(f) Interference with Commission Prohibited. No person shall prevent, delay or interfere with the Tree Commission, or any of its agents, while they are engaging in and about the planting, cultivation, mulching, pruning, spraying or removing of any street trees, or trees on private grounds, as authorized in this chapter.
(Ord. 14-03. Passed 4-28-03.)