(A) The City Council shall establish the Elizabeth City Urban Forestry Commission (ECUFC), consisting of seven members who are appointed by the Mayor with the approval of City Council. All members shall reside in the county with no more than two members living outside of the corporate city limits. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(B) Members will be appointed to staggered three-year terms. Additionally, the City Manager may appoint ex-officio non-voting members. The Commission shall select annually from among its members a Chair and Vice-Chair. Members may be appointed to no more than three successive terms. ECUFC members may be removed by the City Council at any time for failure to attend three consecutive meetings or for failure to attend 30% or more of the meetings held within any 12-month period or for any other good cause related to non-performance of duties. Vacancies resulting from resignation or from a member’s failure to attend the required number of meetings shall be filled by the Mayor with approval of the City Council.
(C) The Canopy Manager shall serve as Secretary to the Commission. The Commission may request information on trees located on city property and shall receive in a timely fashion, reports from the Director of Public Utilities. The Commission shall receive regular reports from the Director of Planning and Community Development on landscaping and buffering plans for new developments and alterations to existing developments. The Commission shall promote city canopy growth and maintenance within city limits.
(D) Commission volunteers will have residency in the corporate limits of the city. Meeting schedules shall be posted in a public forum. The Secretary or his or her designee will be responsible for keeping minutes. The Commission will define a quorum as four members being present. Tree Commission members will declare when they have a conflict of interest and shall not vote on matters of conflict if excused by a majority of the Commission members.
(E) (1) The Commission will also have the power to accept funds granted to the Commission from government, private or non-profit organizations. The city shall act as a fiscal agent for the Commission and must approve all expenditures.
(2) The Commission shall promote planting and replacement of trees in the city.
(3) The Commission shall also submit a budget for the Arbor Day and training/representative activities.
(4) The Commission shall start education activities to inform residents on matters concerning trees and shrubbery.
(5) The Commission shall formulate and adopt rules of procedure under which it will operate.
(6) The Commission may also assist the Planning or Public Works Departments and/or the City Manager in any tree related issues.
(F) The Commission’s duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Help develop and maintain the city urban forestry management plan for the inventory, development, conservation and care of the urban forest resources of the city;
(2) Coordinate or conduct special projects for the betterment of the urban forest;
(3) In cooperation with the Canopy Manager, develop and keep current detailed standards and specifications for Urban Forestry management based on the most up-to-date research by North Carolina State University and the International Society of Arboriculture;
(4) Request information on trees located on city property and receives in a timely fashion, reports from the Directors of Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation;
(5) Receive regular reports from the Director of Planning and Community Development on landscaping and buffering plans for new developments and alterations to existing developments;
(6) Encourage and promote canopy growth and maintenance within the city;
(7) Organize and manage the city’s Arbor Day celebration and provide representation at urban forestry related events. In addition, submit a proposed budget to City Council by March 1, for the Arbor Day activities;
(8) Initiate educational activities to inform residents on matters concerning the Urban Forest; and
(9) Report to the City Council by March 31 on the state of the urban forest.
(Ord. 08116, passed 11-24-2008)